Reviews with content warning for War - The Dark Forest

This book was such an excellent continuation from the first installment! I felt like the was a plot twist on every other page. This book really stands apart from other sci-fi stories, because it allows us to capture a complex and ever-changing view of humanity. At times throughout this story, I had a strong disdain for humanity's weaknesses, and other times I was reminded that our unique strengths make us so powerful when we are united. Overall, I loved the book, and I can't wait to read the final installment in the series.

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nsn's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

epic but translated work makes it hard to appreciate and get through. it proceeds from one scene to another clunkily, sometime abruptly plowing through plot points, other times indulging in chunks of dreamy observations, science and philosophies.

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shermansays's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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mlewis's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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savvylit's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The Dark Forest was a chore to read. The main focus of this novel is the incredibly irritating character of Luo Ji. Luo Ji has an insane obsession with Zhuang Yan. Before even meeting Yan, Luo Ji conjures her up as his "dream lover" and constantly fawns over her beauty, purity, and innocence. Gross! She is never characterized beyond his perception. Zhuang Yan is one of the most egregious examples of the manic pixie dream girl trope I have ever encountered. It's tired, it's sexist, and it took me out of the story.

Additionally, another aspect of this book that I did not enjoy was the focus on intergalactic war and military theory. This may sound harsh, but I simply am not interested in old men talking about bombs; a subject that takes up large portions of this novel.

Lastly - and without spoiling anything - the best part of this book was the establishment and explanation of the Dark Forest theory of extraterrestrial contact. What a fascinating and terrifying concept!

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jessthanthree's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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actualophelia's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

For a book whose story I feel like I understand so little, it really manages to hit something. Not sure what my emotional reaction is, but it's sure something!

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