I’m just going to a write book review for no apparent reason. This book is called UnLunDun written by China Mieville. Sadly, this is the 2nd book I actually read without the book being assigned by a teacher. You think it’s kind of weird because a person that likes to write must like reading books too. Well, I thought that the second half of that “theory” was not right for me. I didn’t really like reading but I’m writing alot. People told me it was weird, stupid and just “not right”. That’s what I thought too. I must like a certain genre of books, or at least something. So one day, our class went to the library and the librarian (Mr. S) told us about new books coming in to the library. I looked around to see if I would like something and would actually read it throught the whole thing. And this book stood out from the others. I read one or two paragraphs and checked this book out. I sat in the library with a couple of friends in class and read. When I got home, I read and read in the late evening until it was like 11.30 pm. I counted to see how many pages I’ve read and it was about 80-90. And that’s when I thought, this is the one I love to read to. So below is just a couple of questions I asked myself if I had to write a review (that was a very long intro):

What was it about?
It was about a girl named Zanna and her friend Deeba exploring a world they discovered where bookshelves are mountains and words come alive– literally speaking. Zanna was “destined” to be the “chosen one” of this city named UnLondon. In order to complete this ancient prophecy of UnLondon, Zanna and Deeba must defeat the Smog. The Smog is a dark smoke that comes alive because of the chemicals in itself made by smoke during the 1950’s. This Smog has found its way to UnLondon and is trying to get rid of everyone and especially Zanna.
So the two girls explore UnLondon, not knowing anything. When they met a new friend, which had a pin-cushion for a head, they get more help. They explore UnLondon together with another new friend who is a school of fish living in a diver’s suit. The two irls meet new fascinating people who either becomes their friend or enemy. As they get towards the war with the Smog, the prophecy goes terribly wrong. Later on, they explore a Black Window (more like a spider with a window for a body), get tangled with jungles of plants in a house and meet a half-boy ghost who turns to be a close friend.
The story goes on and on,.. but in a good way. Alot seems to go on in a just 2D paper and 400 pages.

What did you like about the story:
I love the plot. It’s interesting and long, but you don’t want it to let it stop. It just goes back and forth and back and forth, but it gets exciting everytime. The characters are also amazing. They are twisted and strange, but that is why I love this book. I mean, who would think of a safari explorer that has a canary in a bird cage for his head?? Or a king/monster who has a gigantic mouth and have little creatures come out of his mouth whenever he talks?? Yup, it’s the weird things I go for. There were some illustrations as well. Some of them were creepily scary in a way, but they were all really expressful. The author (China Mieville) also drew the illustrations. I thought a guy that knows how to do those things must be really cool.

Dislike:
Ummm… I didn’t really dislike anything really. Well.. I couldn’t understand some words in the book because the story was written in British English and that the story takes place in both London and UnLondon. It was kind of confusing. And the ending was kind of weird because it just left me hanging.. especially the last two sentences. The epiologue was also strange. I didn’t really get it. But I really didn’t have alot of things to dislike about the book

What was most memorable:
Probably the characters like Curdle the pet milk carton and Jones the bus conductor. They were all unique and that’s why they are memorable. The whole twist in the prophecy was also very memorable because it changed the whole plot of the story (even before it was half-way through the book) and gave the other characters a chance to be the heroes.
A part of the story that was really memorable was when Skool, the school of fish in a diver’s suit, nearly died because the mask cracked open by steel. So then the water in the diver’s suit (which also what kept Skool alive) poured out from the suit. And the fish was flapping on the floor and went unconcious for some time. But then, he was alright and he wasn’t wearing an ancient diver’s suit anymore, but a more modern suit with flippers and a wet suit.

Least memorable:
Nothing really. How would I remember if it was the least memorable? Maybe the beginning of the story was unclear. But nothing I would definetly forget about.

Who would you recommend this book to:
I would recommend this to people who just loves fantasy and surprises. That’s because this book has alot of it. Maybe if you like darkness and creepy illustrations that express alot.. you would like it as well. This book just says alot in only 400 pages. And seriously, I think this should become a movie or something. It’s really realistic and you could feel yourself being there. I mean.. I chose this book because I love weird fantasies that have a bit of darkness in the plot. And I liked reading it.

So, finally!!! I’ve found what type of books I love to read about. It turns out that I have a passion for twisted and random fantasy books. I don’t go with Sci-Fi books or magical pixies type of things. I go for the unexpected and weird books with strange surroundings and twisted characters. UnLondon was definetly a book I’ll remember. It helped me find my way. If you know anymore books with odd plots and wierd characters, just comment on my post and tell me the title and author please…