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It might very well grow into a four-star once I've digested it. Two-thirds through I was pretty much ready to write it off as something wanting to be a Vonnegut piece but without the sting. The story (stories) seemed to lack purpose and an old mans ramblings seemed like just that, an old mans rambling. However in the final third it kind of came together and I caught on to something that might be summed up by the following quote:

Why is life so horrible, Grandpa?
Because it is, that's all. It just is

So it goes.

I need to think on this one. I like it a lot. It's weird and it's creepy and it's got some fabulous writing in it, but there's something in there I'm not quite getting. Definitely worth your time though.

It's a mystery, so I was biased against it from the start, but it had enough quirks and weirdness to keep me interested all the way through. Even so it's my least favorite Miéville so far. The present-day eastern european setting brings something different to the genre and it works well for me. (Btw, is it scifi or fantasy, I'm not quite sure?)

Despicable characters, outlandish plot, yet an amazing story that I couldn't help falling in love with.

Part Ender's Game (without the hero worship) part Starship Troppers (without the fascism) and quite a lot of fun. A few plot errors (one pertaining to the whereabouts of the crew of the Sparrowhawk spring to mind) and a couple of "just so"-moments took a little bit away from it.

A great ending to a great story. I kinda regret not rereading the prior volumes as it's been a while and I had a hard time remembering things, particularly who the different characters were. A reread might be on the cards.

The story in itself is rather slow-moving and retrospective but much more upbeat than I remember from before. It's not a thriller by any means, and anyone unfamiliar with the author would probably give up early on.

And Mrs. Atwood, protest all you want, you do write Science Fiction and it's of the very best kind.