Colonization begins in earnest as an Antarctic ice sheet melts, flooding coastal cities on Earth. Civil war breaks out on Mars, and the surviving original colonists become outlaws.

It seemed slow at first, but progressed fairly well.  Long on the description -I think he could have collapsed all three books into one!  But lots of detail that introduced several new concepts and theories, and lots of action interspersed, which kept the interest high.  The finale was well done, with the destruction of the space elevator- wow!  Anticipation for the next book is high.