Review of 'King Rat'

King Rat by China Miéville

Something is stiring deep in the heart of London's sewers and it is stiring directly into Saul's life. Saul is put in prison for murdering his father where he is unexpectedly (and strangely) rescued by a mysterious figure calling himself “King Rat”. With a tale that gets odder by the minute we learn that the Pied Piper of Hamlin is back to get his revenge on the rats and, seemingly, the rest of the world as well. It is up to Saul and his newly discovered ancestry to rid the world of this menace. This is Miéville's first novel showing his mastery of the genre right from the very start of his career. The pace of the novel never really slackens with the story taking twist after even stranger twist leading to the inevitable climax. Blending a seemless weave of fantasy, science fiction and fairy tale Miéville shows him to be one of the best talents in the genre today. The only criticism, if you can call it that, is that to me there was no real suprise when the Piper's plans are revealed but this does not diminish the power of this work. Read it.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”


Genre: Science Fiction

Publication Date: 1999


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