This is one of those books that’s a mix of genres- dark, but not taking itself seriously, it manages to combine the genre of far future dystopian novel with a gentleman thief plot, set in Moscow filled with orthodox priests, and cloned bear guards, it’s a really fun novel.

Our two con artists, Surplus and Darger, don’t seem to do much of anything, but seem to be in the middle of whatever is happening. I’m not sure if the way the story ends is because of, or in spite of, their efforts.

The world is odd one, with a steam punk feel, but add in some future themes of cloned bear solders, or genetically altered women designed to be the most beautiful in the world, and a libido to match. It’s a strange place,but at the same time very familiar. ( )

Micheal Swanwick's Dancing With Bears is just so damn good. It's a pure sci-fi romp, carving out some sort of indefinable territory between cyber and steampunk. Confidence tricksters Dargle and Surplus help wreak havoc in postutopian Moscow! Packed with ideas, told with the wit and expertise of a born writer, it's one of the best books of the year so far. I hope Swanwick has a wheelbarrow for al the awards this'll win, and deserves to have aother one full of money, too. ( )

I can say without reservation, this is one wonderful book! I highly recommend it for an astonishing, amusing, unusal read. Much is written with tongue-in-cheek humor, but it takes place in pseudo-Moscow with all its Russian quirks, features a couple of rascal con men (one of whom has 50% dog genome), a bevy of genetically engineered women to be the most perfect wives for the Duke of Muscovy imaginable, a group of underlords appointed by the machines to destroy all life on Earth, a used woman become super-spy and the second-most feared person in Moscow, and the Duke of Muscovy himself, a… well, I shouldn’t spoil that.

I was sorry it was over.

Whether now or later, if that sounds interesting, go for it. It’s really something. ( )