Un Lun Dun— A Book Review

{This is the cover that I had, though I prefer this cover.  I personally find this cover to be rather ugly.}

Title:  Un Lun Dun

Author:  China Mieville

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Count:  471

Rating:  4.7 out of 5 stars

"What is Un Lun Dun?

It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book.

When twelve-year-old Zanna and her friend Deeba find a secret entrance leading out of London and into this strange city, it seems that the ancient prophecy is coming true at last. But then things begin to go shockingly wrong."

This book is amazing.  With every twist and turn you meet new characters, and I was left guessing as to how it would end, until the very end.  Deeba's companions are lovable, silly, and courageous.  They're willing to do everything to save their city.  The villains of this book are just the right amount of scary, and well-bent on taking over not just Un Lun Dun, but regular London as well, and the rest of the world.  

Part of what I liked about this book, is that Deeba is the UnChosen one.  Her friend Zanna was the Chosen One.  But when things start to go wrong, it's down to Deeba to take over, and save the two worlds.  It's a refreshing change from the usual ways of one particular person being the Chosen One, and though they have companions, it's their destiny, and they're not happy about it.  But Deeba?  She's the UnChosen one.  And she didn't have to take up that position.  She could have just stood by.  But she wouldn't.  She chose to take over, and do everything she could to save Un Lun Dun.  Her companions include Conductor Jones, conductor of a flying bus, Rosa, the driver of the bus, Odabay Fing, a tailor, Curdle, a milk carton, a talking book, and many more.  These characters are certainly quirky, and some of the most original I've met in ages.  

Though this book was fantastic, Deeba's grammar sometimes bugged me.  She'd say things like, "They was..." , and a few similar sentences, which are trivial things, and obviously on purpose, but still bugged me.  However, I highly recommend this book, especially if you're looking for an original, exciting adventure story.

Personally, I give this book about 4.7 out of 5 stars-- there were a few things I didn't quite like about it, but all in all, it was a very, very good book.  Be warned however-- I was just looking at the Good Reads page for Un Lun Dun, and it appears that either you love this book or you hate it.  Quite obviously, I loved it.  Some people complained about the strong environmental theme-- the main villain is the "Smog", and wants to take over the world and burn it.  But for me?  I just enjoyed an all-around good read.

Have any of you guys read it?  Do you think it sounds interesting?  Would you read it?  If you have read it, did you like it?

The Dandy Lioness