Since reading this I have had the pleasure of meeting China Mieville when he came to Dubai. I had already had the good fortune to get hold of an early copy, which is now signed by the author (who also gave me advice on the best place to buy octopus-themed jewellery, which I'm so glad is so readily available in this world). 
 As I write this publication is still a ways off and I'm wary of giving spoilers - as with Perdido Street Station, it is best to go into this completely unprepared as the plot has more than its share of twists. Mieville is a gifted world-creator and storyteller whose books are incredibly fresh on the first reading (as it should be but often is not), and I have found that the best way to read his books is not to read anything more than the cover blurb. Much as I loved Iron Council, a couple of its key moments were spoiled for me in online reviews; I have only myself to blame for not closing the tab sooner. 
 As a SF author, Mieville excels. He is able to cut loose fully in creating genuinely alien species, with the Ariekei - the Hosts - remaining beyond human comprehension. The human inhabitants of Embassytown therefore rely on Ambassadors to communicate with them, and these Ambassadors are as much of a triumph of the author's imagination as the Hosts. 
 Deeply enjoyable, politically sophisticated and set in a totally absorbing SF setting. Read it.