This is my first China Miéville, and I was instantly captured by the great premise of the book. It was even better because I didn't already know it when I started it: it gradually dawned on me as I read on.

I signed up for a crime novel with possibly some fantasy element appearing half way through, and I was met with a crime novel masterfully woven with its unique premise from the start.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, just read it. It's worth it.

My only gripe with the book is that it started becoming somewhat incomprehensible to me near the end, not around the premise, but in dialogue and description. Perhaps it was me, or the author trying to communicate a frantic atmosphere. It wasn't enough to bring it under a five, though.