I found it highly enjoyable from start to finish. The metaphors and revelations started getting a little too crowded and heavy-handed at the end, but it was still great fun to read, particularly the climactic showdown.

The writing was non-typical but I found it interesting and smooth to read. Still as full of strange words as any Mieville story, but crouched in enough context in his cool world of the Railsea that you never feel lost. I recommend it to anyone who isn't afraid of a strong and independent narrative voice.