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The Grand Dark has some of the most gorgeous worldbuilding I’ve ever seen.

And if that were enough for me, this would be an incredible book.

Kadrey created a fictional Eastern European city, set it in an alternative reality between the two world wars, and added a heap of steampunk (or maybe I’m supposed to call it diesel punk?) technology.

The young protagonist is a twenty-one-year-old bicycle messenger who grew up in Lower Proszawa and knows the layouts and neighborhoods better than anyone; yet has no idea of anything that goes on in his city.

The postwar atmosphere is dark and gritty but somehow glamorous, filled with smoke, metal, and a contrast of grayness and bright lights. As for the citizens, there is a great divide between rich and poor, groups of war damaged war veterans roaming around in metal masks, and people who indulge in sex and drugs to take their mind off the misery. In addition to the humans, Lower Proszawa’s inhabitants include robotic creations known as Mara, and artificial biological creatures called Chimera.

On top of all of the aesthetics is a constant feel of danger and paranoia, squeezing Largo and other characters between the constant menace of the secret police and the volatile energy of the anarchists.

The details are so compelling. I was optimistic. All of this would be a fabulous playground for some well-rounded characters and a scintillating plot.

The plot never kicks off until two-thirds through. When it finally got going, many possibilities led to dead ends, and opportunities to go deeper into aspects of the city were missed. It came down to a bizarre love triangle that I didn’t care about. (view spoiler)[Which was also possibly incestuous? Remy called the Baron her uncle early on and then later, he revealed his plan was to make her fall in love with him. (hide spoiler)] )

With all the great worldbuilding, I could have endured a weak plot if Kadrey had supplied some fun and distinct characters.

Largo’s major personality trait is cluelessness or being the city's most naive citizen. He’s also a magnet for bullies, such as co-workers, cops, and paranoid anarchists. Most characters either take advantage of him, or warn him about those who would take advantage of him.

He is so guileless and blank,(view spoiler)[ I wondered if he was not a victim of the “Eugenics� experiments that were making kidnapees docile. Or one the Chimera. (hide spoiler)]

As an actress in gruesome murder plays at the Grand Dark Theater, Remy had potential to be interesting. Yet, her main characteristics are glamor and sexuality and she becomes an object to be rescued. Kadrey never sold me on why she would be interested in Largo. I kept expecting to find out she was using him for something. Maye he has a really good heart but we never see that aspect of their relationship.

Other characters were opaque as seen through Largo; as a reader I never saw any of their layers.

All three stars for the fascinating world Kadrey created. I wouldn’t want to live there but it sure was incredible to read about.