Iron Council by China Mieville 5 stars . In Iron Council, Mieville reinvents, or rather Remakes, the city of New Crobuzon and the greater world of Bas-Lag, welding a dusty Western tilt to the political turmoil of the steampunk fantasy city. Three narratives weave together, building steam as they explore the expanse of the desert to the west, see the birth of a powerful and unique revolutionary force and bear witness the subsequent political struggles of the sprawling city. Say what you will about Mieville’s use of descriptive language (which I personally adore) but it’s hard to find a flaw in the sheer imagination evident in both characters, setting and of course, story. The rise of golemancy in response to the effect of the construct wars from ‘Perdido Street Station’ is by itself a powerful piece of writing, easily revealing the depth of Mieville’s stake in the world he’s created, yet it’s just one of many. It’s a powerhouse of a book, much more twisting and writhing than Perdido Street Station or The Scar, but strangely more compelling. I need more Bas-Lag, but fear this might be the last. . #ironcouncil #chinamieville #baslag #newcrobuzon #minimonotonebookclub #booksivereadin2021 #booksivedrawnin2021 #booksreillustrated #bookstagram #houlart #houl https://www.instagram.com/p/CW_usDnh873/?utm_medium=tumblr
