I hated this book to start with, which is to say the first third or so. However, since I was reading it for work, I stuck with it, and finally came around to the novel.

My specific gripes with the first third are that it's clichéd, the characters lack distinction, and it falls into the classic sci-fi/fantasy trap of deluging the readers with unfamiliar and hard to describe details, thereby alienating them from the workings of plot and character. Instead of coming off as unique and charming, instead the prose avows itself to being self satisfied and quirky.

I think that this is intentional (mild spoiler warning ahead ) in so far as there are clichéd 'chosen one saving a fantastical land' plot points that are deliberately dismantled and examined by Mieville. To do this, he seems to use the first third to make the reader believe that they're in for another 300 pages of the same old stuff. Bookish, clever young child is chosen by fate to save a quirky and magical land by the power of friendship, wit, and bravery. Plot points will include a few close (but ultimately costless) scrapes with danger, some hackneyed romance, friends turned enemies, enemies turned friend.

However, the direction that the last 2/3rds of the book take steer away from this - instead opting into fresher territory. There is actually danger - many main characters either lose something important, or die outright. Fate plays almost no role in the plot - instead the character's own abilities and personality are what gets her through tough spots. There are a few predictable changes in allegiance, but these are offset with some well done twists that I honestly didn't see coming. Altogether, the novel accomplishes what it seems the author intended; a reaction and deconstruction of the Narnia/Spiderwick/Potter formula.

There are still flaws that hang heavily on the enjoyment of the story. The main character isn't really too fleshed out beyond being quick witted, plucky, and brave. I didn't really have a firm image of her in my mind, and I don't think I could describe her personality beyond clichés of the genre, and the content of the plot. She works to move the story along, but doesn't really seem to do much else.

The side characters are slightly more interesting, but seem to have little depth beyond their quirky appearance. They also flit in and out of the story so frequently that I really didn't feel much investment in them.

The odd world of UnLondon is fascinating, and captivating, but only after one has time to become accustomed to it (and only after the plot starts to get interesting).

The chapters and scenes are written at an ADD pace, which left me a bit disoriented. Often times chapter breaks are used where scene breaks would work better.

These flaws are offset by the great imaginative abilities of Mieville. The puns are, admittedly, clever, the imagery gets good towards the middle of the story, and I found myself wanting to read more of the Abcity universe.

The illustrations are also a nice touch: supplementing the difficult task of describing the otherworldly, without becoming a crutch for the writer (and very well drawn to boot).

The plot of the last half of the book is riveting, has several great twists which lead to an exciting climax.

In its own way the novel manages to offset its flaws, and to become a rewarding read overall - but to get to this point you have to put up with a lot of dross. Like I said, if not for being required to read this for work, I would've put it down before it ever got good.

The main problem, honestly, seems to be the editing. I think that the work could've benefited from more time under the knife to focus the early chapters of the book, and to perfect the later.