Kraken by China Miéville (Softcover Very Good Condition)

Amazon Reviewer: For years, my friends have raved over China Mieville's work, but try as I might, I've never gotten sucked into one of his novels. His writing is beautiful to be sure, but it's also moderately dense, which makes the reading doubly slow for a slow reader like me.

Then I found Kraken, and everything changed. Maybe the novel's familiar setting flipped the switch, or maybe it's the quirky characters--whatever it was, I fell for it like a ton of bricks. I couldn't put it down.

What I think I love most about Kraken is the way that Mieville takes standard fantasy tropes and does something new with them:

* Like The Magicians and Harry Potter, the world of Kraken centers on a parallel universe, a secret underbelly that exists just out of view of normal folk. Also like those novels, Kraken's central character is "The One"--a normal, everyday person who discovers that hes destined to save the world. But Mieville's parallel universe is more realistic than the one abutting Hogwarts and Brakebills: it's glimpsed by everyday people, they simply choose to ignore it. And though Billy certainly seems like "The One", he and others remain unconvinced all the way to the end.

* Like The Bone Clocks and The Master and Margarita, the magic on view in Kraken is very, very sinister--not in a cartoonish way (looking at you, Voldemort), but in ways that are sublime and haunting and more than a little surreal. Goss, Subby, and the Tattoo all make my skin crawl.

* And like John Dies at the End or The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Mieville is careful to interject moments of humor into his story. There are intentionally funny bits, and other moments (I'm thinking of the "staged apocalypse") that, while not jokey, are so over-the-top, you have to smile. Unlike those novels, though, Kraken pulls you right back into the grim reality of the scenario. Mieville isn't going to let you off that easily.

I could talk more about the book's complex but thoroughly enjoyable plot, or Mieville's completely unforgettable, profoundly relatable characters, but instead, I'll just say that Kraken is already back on my "to read" list. I'm ready for a second go at it.

Book Condition Grading Guide
As New:  The book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published.  This could be the description for a book that has been lost in a warehouse for years, never shelved, thumbed or even opened yet may still be some years old.
Fine (F or FN): A Fine book approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp.  The book may have been opened and read, but there are no defects to the book, jacket or pages.
Very Good (VG): Describes a book that shows some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Any defects should be noted by the seller.
Good (G): Describes the average used worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects should be noted by the seller.
Fair: Worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc., may also be worn. All defects should be noted.
Poor: Describes a book that is sufficiently worn.  Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.
Binding Copy: describes a book in which the pages or leaves are perfect but the binding is very bad, loose, off, or nonexistent.
Reading Copy: A copy usually in poor to fair condition that includes all text presented in a legible fashion.  The copy is fine to read but nothing more.