It is the transformation of Avice: the way in which she grows, changes, transforms both herself and the world she lives in that makes this story so powerful. Those humans that can travel the Immer are prized and rare, and Avice Benner Cho, the protagonist of Embassytown is one of those. They are technologically advanced in many ways, able to grow and farm organic houses and bio-furniture, skin terrains, living vehicles and create the food that sustains the visiting humans who rely on their capabilities. I tried to visualise them, but was only able to picture the eye corals, the gift wings, and the flamboyant clothing. The hosts – the Ariekei - are fascinating characters who can only speak with two mouths at once – a “cut” and a “turn”. To communicate in “Language” with the hosts, Ambassadors are created by uniting two “twins” in order to enable a dual form of speaking. To travel vast distances in space, Immersers travel in the Immer – a kind of travel pathway through an alternative universe.

The creative inventiveness in Miéville’s world is enough to drive the narrative and keep the reader interested. Yes there are all the keynotes of good sci fi: a futuristic timeframe, a planet that clearly isn’t Earth, though it’s populated both by transported earthlings, and ‘hosts’ – really strange aliens that never become familiar, spliced beings and new languages, novel technologies that traverse space, and a language full of new words. But before I delve into what Embassytown is about and why it’s so worthwhile a read, let me say that, for hardcore science fiction readers, this book may come as a shock. It’s taken me a week after finishing Embassytown to be calm enough to write a well-thought out review.

Embassytown by China Miéville