A great follow-up to The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate further explains the world in which it is set, while never neglecting good characterization as well. The science behind the obelisks and orogeny may never end up making perfect sense, but it serves as a wonderful framework for the mixture of history, ignorance, induced ignorance, and outright malice to flourish. I'm still not clear on why the factions of the great war have the positions they do, but the complexity and infighting within each group feels very authentic.