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tungstenmouse's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Police brutality, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Murder, Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, and Blood
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Genocide, and Confinement
writer_of_minds's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
An interesting and thoughtful book. Starts from a basis of hard science, but also veers out into wildly speculative territory. As in a lot of great SF, the scientific and technical wonder is used as a frame for thought-provoking questions about the worth and guilt of humanity, how people might react to first contact, the likely moral qualities of alien civilizations, and more. It's alien invasion literature, but it's different from any other book of the genre I've ever read ... because it covers what happens while the invasion is anticipated, but still hundreds of years in the future.
The alien species imagined in this book has qualities that are both unique and interesting, and derived in a straightforward fashion from its native environment. The Chinese historical backdrop was also refreshingly different and educational for this US reader.
The one aspect of the science background that I found dubious was the use of quantum entanglement to communicate faster than light. Though quantum entanglement does seem to affect particles across distance at faster-than-light speeds, it's been my understanding that it does not enable the transfer of *information.* But the plot does not really hang on this point, so it's a fairly minor complaint.
The alien species imagined in this book has qualities that are both unique and interesting, and derived in a straightforward fashion from its native environment. The Chinese historical backdrop was also refreshingly different and educational for this US reader.
The one aspect of the science background that I found dubious was the use of quantum entanglement to communicate faster than light. Though quantum entanglement does seem to affect particles across distance at faster-than-light speeds, it's been my understanding that it does not enable the transfer of *information.* But the plot does not really hang on this point, so it's a fairly minor complaint.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, Violence, and Cursing
Minor: Torture
Strong language, violence (including gun violence and torture/execution), suicideaseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
this was brilliant!! I was on the edge on my seat for so much of it!! i loved the blend of literal physics, aliens, and some history (both Chinese and historical figures). i actually understood most of the physics (except for a tiny bit at the end), which I am pretty chuffed about!! i loved the philosophical points about humanity and advancements in science, also the fact that you can't advance without understanding the basics, love it all. the writing was gorgeous, even after a translation, still amazing!! so excited for the next book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
fruya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Murder, Confinement, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Medical content
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