Only Stephenson can take a topic I find quite boring and uninspiring into an exciting geopolitical thriller. 

I had sat on this novel thinking that the topic of geo engineering and it's international effects would be either boring or lecturing.  

Instead it has all the pacing and political intrigue and global span as his other near future novels.  His characters are diverse and endearing and the story spans the world with settings as interesting as the China / India border, New Guinea, West Texas and the Hague.  

While Reamde and Cryptonimicon were better for adventure and depth of story,  I was still drawn in to the action and narrative of this story.  

My only real criticism is that the ending felt rushed and unsatisfactory.