I've said it before (admittedly, after having read only one of his books), and I'll say it again (now that I've read two): China Miéville is a master of gradually and surreptitiously introducing the reader to a new world, so that they don't notice the transition from not knowing about this world, to being immersed and engaged in its history.

Embassytown has a few parts, and in each one we see either a completely separate part of its unique world, or a completely new era of one we already know.

Language (sic) is used in such a way that the entire text feels otherworldly. This is achieved by carefully picked obscure words, the author's own neologisms, and a certain atmosphere and style that the author manages to imbue the text with. This is combined with passing references to varied cultures of a future human race that has expanded to many planets and has created different states. These references paint a picture of that future that is not exhaustive, but it is complete enough to be plausible and interesting.

The world itself is very rich in imaginative constructs. The author gives the impression that this is all effortless for him. Where one of these constructs would be enough to build an entire book on, he dedicates a section of the book to one construct, and then moves on to a new one on the next section, whereby the reader realizes the previous construct was expounded as background.

Finally, the plot manages to be grand, meaningful, plausible and explore wonderfully themes like language, truth, the potential otherness of alien beings, and politics.

All in all, this book only cements my love for the author. Even so early in my reading his works, I feel he will be one of my favourites.