Bellis Coldwine has fled New Crobuzon, using her skills as a translator to live on the frontier of the sea until things cool down enough for her to go back home. On the Swollen Ocean, her ship is seized by the pirate city of Armada, where she finds herself trapped as citizen in name and prisoner in reality.

This gorgeous fantasy novel overflows with lush language which paints a breathtaking world full of intrigue and intricacy. Fully autonomous as well as morally and emotionally complex, the protagonist is fully human and truly credible. The language is stunning, which made this book an even greater pleasure to share with my love as a book we read aloud to one another.

(NOTE: While considered the second book in the Bas-Lag series, it is not necessary to have read the first book to fully appreciate it as the novels are not dependent upon one another.)