Just Read: The Scar, by China Miéville 


Miéville's followup to to his well received Perdido Street Station, The Scar leaves New Crobuzon behind, following Bellis (who was mentioned tangentially in Perdido) being press ganged by pirates from a floating city called Armada. In some ways (and for certain people) Armada actually is a haven from the "civilized" world, offering employment and a non-judgmental attitude toward the remade (you did read Perdido, right?) and other outcasts from the cities. Bellis isn't quite satisfied with hew new home, and unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that will nearly destroy Armada from within and without.

The story follows the ambitious and secret plans of one of the cities rulers, a couple known as the Lovers, to capture a huge sea creature to tow the city, and eventually to tap a power that will change the dynamics of Armada forever. This book adds quite bit to the history of Bas-Lag, and gives a much better view of the various races, classes, and technologies of the period. The mosquito people in particular are exceptionally interesting.

You can read this without reading Perdido, but it helps, and readers of the first one will feel right at home with this title. Now I just have to read The Iron Council. Yes, I'm only like two years behind on my reading list. 

 

Posted: Sun - October 17, 2004 at 05:14 PM          

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