I can see why this won a Hugo.

The word that kept coming to mind while reading this was "dense". There is so much going on here, the book really does reward paying close attention -- and this is very easy to do given the strength of the writing, the strength of the characterisations and the sheer originality of the story.

NK Jemsin takes some familiar fantasy tropes (far future, dying Earth) and twists them into something utterly unique.

Now I must rush out and get The Obelisk Gate.