Architect of Aeons, the fourth volume in John C. Wright's universe-spanning Count to a Trillion series, lives up to its name with a far-reaching speculative saga of post-human civilization.
Menelaus Montrose, an immortal post-human with a Texan drawl and a penchant for duels, has finally made an uneasy peace with fellow post-human Ximen del Azarchel as they work together despite their rivalry, and await the return of their love, Rania, from her long journey.
The two collude to steer the destiny of a human race that would be unrecognizable to current humanity, turning planets into artificially intelligent thinking beings with incomprehensible technologies and staggering amounts of power. Their intent is to stave off the inexorable advancement of a far-flung alien civilization possessing unrivaled power and intellect.
The story is by turns fast-paced and action-packed, while also thoughtful, philosophical and inwardly focused on what it means to be free and human, no matter the enhancements and changes on a molecular, even atomic, level.
Montrose is as moody and opinionated a character as Robert Heinlein ever wrote, and del Azarchel provides a brilliant, if somewhat more socially sophisticated, foil against which Montrose endlessly schemes, even while working with a common purpose. The two create a future for an eternally evolving humanity that--while full of difficult compromises--will allow Earth-originated life a place in a massive and uncaring universe.
Wright has created a dazzling vision of the remote future with compelling characters and vivid world building that deserves a place on any hard science fiction fan's bookshelf. --Rob LeFebvre, freelance writer and editor