Un Lun Dun - an Unreview

China Mieville's fantasy book, Un Lun Dun takes you through the library and over the bridge for a magical journey as Zanna, the chosen one and Deeba, the funny one embarks to save Unlondon and London from an evil enemy, the smog. However, everything goes terribly wrong.

Sometimes children's books end up far better than books that are written for children. Look at how popular Harry Potter has become. Un Lun Dun comes close to making it to that level. Holding it back is the predictable story line, farfetched scenarios (even for the book's subject matter) and some decent sized plot holes. However, this book does what books should do it entertains. The ending of every chapter leaves you ready for the following chapter. But if you read this book, I think you will agree with me that the "new" words are worthy of a good old fashion eye roll.

Perhaps I would have enjoyed the story more if I had not recently seen the movie Mirrormask which takes a lot of the same ideas as the book, but does them much, much better. The visuals throughout that movie put to shame what Mieville tries to accomplish with his story and he does try to place illustrations throughout the book that add to the story rather than distract from it. Yet, seeing what it could have been puts a damper on the story.

Despite its flaws it held my interest and fulfilled its purpose. If only it could talk as well as the book in the story.

3.5 out of 5 unbrellas.