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badbadwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Terminal illness, Violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Grief, Colonisation, Genocide, Alcohol, Confinement, Suicide, Death, Car accident, Gun violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and War
gabrielofthe14th's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As with the prequel to this book the confusion continues, the pacing of the book is different from the first and it is difficult to decide if it is due to the set up or the change of translator. It is slow paced with bits of spiked climax. The characters are still difficult to love and with this story line it is difficult to determine who I should be cheering for from both a character and story line perspective. Towards the end of the book there is an incident involving the rogue spaceships, and a great battle It felt like there was a lot of words and circular thought to get to this main climax of the second book in this series. I love the overall concept and the meaning of the dark forest within the context of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
rayne_fall's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Suicide, and War
maddie_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I almost never like sequels more than the first but I enjoyed The Dark Forest a lot more than The Three Body Problem.
This novel was a lot less hard scientists fiction (which I struggled a bit with the first one not understanding all of the physics concepts), and goes much more into speculative fiction and examines a lot of different perspectives re the aftermath of the first novel (like psychology, economics, etc).
It is meandering in the beginning and a bit in the middle but I really enjoyed the meandering, I like the writing style and I enjoyed the literary wandering we were doing.
And then what a build up the whole first 2 parts are to the third! The buildup really pays off.
I loved the weird parts of this novel: Space assassination using meteriorite bullets,Luo Ji getting almost murdered like 8 times by a computer virus targeting him, That ball thing just straight up blowing everything up! The future's description with the social dynamics and just the structure of the buildings and the clothes, Loved the book opening and ending with ants
This novel was a lot less hard scientists fiction (which I struggled a bit with the first one not understanding all of the physics concepts), and goes much more into speculative fiction and examines a lot of different perspectives re the aftermath of the first novel (like psychology, economics, etc).
It is meandering in the beginning and a bit in the middle but I really enjoyed the meandering, I like the writing style and I enjoyed the literary wandering we were doing.
And then what a build up the whole first 2 parts are to the third! The buildup really pays off.
Female characters non-spoiler rant:
The one thing that almost held me back from giving this book a five stars is the writing of it's female characters. In my opinion, it really drops the ball on this especially given that I thought the portrayal of women in the first was pretty good! Especially given the context of that story. Female characters in this story do not have their own goals, motivations, or desires that exist beyond the male characters they interact with. Just so disappointing.
I almost stopped at around 30% because I was offended by what the actual fuck was happening with a female character lol. The way a specific woman was described just felt nauseating, weird, patronizing and too child-like. I'm hoping that maybe the descriptors were lost in translation a bit. Because I did notice near the beginning it said something like a character "had a naughty problem" and naughty did not make sense to use there at all.
But I'm really glad I pushed through because the scenes that are like this don't last that long and I loved the rest of the book.
Spoilers:
And I enjoyed Luo Ji having an imaginary girlfriend! I thought it was weird and fun and I thought it worked in the story because it shows the reader that he is able to have an extremely complicated inner world that would make him a good candidate to be a wall facer. But then the fact that he makes someone find him a real girl who fits his imagination is like gross-weird not fun-weird. And then it feels really uncomfortable before you find out much later that this woman is like in on the plan and apparently had her own motives. Because at first you're like, did this woman get kidnapped? Why is she so fucking chill about being kidnapped?? Like where did they find her and why does she not seem to have any agency or care wtf is happening to her!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, War, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident, Blood, and Vomit
blau_elmo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A fantastic follow up to the Three-Body Problem. The world created by Cixin Liu is just so captivating in its enormity, the constant technicality and back-and-forth was riveting. An extremely comprehensive science fiction, it is hard to find fault with the narrative brilliantly illustrated by Liu.
Of course, the book's characters aren't exactly the deepest, but they act more as assets to build upon the true protagonist of the novel, the world itself. Politics, theory, physics, astronomy, sociology, ethics - they all play a role in the way things unfold in this book. But it does not simply feel like a mish mash of concepts, it is a comprehensive and very enthralling story, that although can be highly technical at times, is attractive in its relative plausibility and sheer magnitude.
Of course, the book's characters aren't exactly the deepest, but they act more as assets to build upon the true protagonist of the novel, the world itself. Politics, theory, physics, astronomy, sociology, ethics - they all play a role in the way things unfold in this book. But it does not simply feel like a mish mash of concepts, it is a comprehensive and very enthralling story, that although can be highly technical at times, is attractive in its relative plausibility and sheer magnitude.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Suicide
emnime's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Super slow at the beginning, but what a superb finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Death, War, Violence, Genocide, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Car accident, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
meganpbell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really do love the hard, challenging science in this sci-fi, the big ideas about the nature of the universe and human and alien culture and behavior, however bleak, but Liu’s characters are sacrificed to this and are just so flat and shallow. That would be fine if it weren’t for the ridiculously misogynistic way he writes about women. I.E. science professor’s “dream girl” is “slender,” (Liu’s fav word to describe women), “angelicly” beautiful, “naive,” 20-something who immediately falls for him…shocking 🙄 Add to that the popular opinion that it’s a real slog to get to the pay off…I won’t be reading the last one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, War, Violence, Body horror, Sexism, Mental illness, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide
zsabella's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
this is one of the most effective sequels I’ve read and does an amazing job of expanding on the ideas introduced in TBP. like many have said before, the first 200 pages are an uphill battle to get through which is a shame because if TDF were ~400 pages it would have been the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given. but the payoff we experience after the wallfacer project is established and they wake from hibernation? equally satisfying, chilling, and action-packed! my only nitpick: I haven’t read much hard sci-fi, but it seems to me that despite being a genre bursting with progressive ideas and characters even brilliant trilogies like this continue to suffer from underwritten, one-dimensional female characters. nevertheless, I will never think about the Fermi paradox and space exploration in the same way ever again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Violence
danams's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, War, Violence, and Suicide
andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ok...soo....how do I start this....well...I didn't see this one coming! :))))
After finishing the first book, I thought we'll explore a number of things and characters based on the ending from the previous book,BUT..you guys....this was something else...ENTIRELY SOMETHING ELSE!!!!>..<
Long story short, I LOVED IT!
We follow Luo Ji, a failed astronomer, as he and other 3 people are chosen to represent a sort of defence against Trisolaris --> the project name: Wallfacer! All the rest are either extremely important people (political, military, scientific figures) , but only he is wanted dead by the enemy! 0_0
Once again, Liu Cixin's genius left me with my jaw on the floor...this mix of thriller-mystery-sci-fi is perfect!
I don't want to spoil anyone especially if you haven't read book 1, so...I'll try my best to give you a feeling of book 2 without mentioning anything! ^_^'
First of all, I suggest you go into this series, book by book, as blind as possible...my edition could have spoiled me for quite a nice turn of events if I've read what was written on the back of it; so, remember...go in blind.
In terms of plot, we have some old faces next to the new ones, in a well-crafted character-study...?...slice of life?....literary fiction plot????..>..>...for a good portion of the book...only to later shift gears into actual sci-fi realm. The world as envisioned by the author makes so much sense..that's scary!0_0...loved the limitations established in the previous book and how they are sooo relevant here! Loved the absolute character study at a global scale and the different variation of psyche represented in a select few! The whole project on which the plot is based basically has one specific function...to tell the reader how self-absorbed, delusional and cynical one can be...and how most skilled people will try to solve this horrible predicament for humanity...I'm sad to say, but probably their answer would be mine as well..:(....and here comes our MC...
Well..let's just say..Luo Ji is not your typical sci-fi protagonist..i think (haven't read that many yet, but that's what my gut tells me) and you're not supposed to like him, understand him or even find him interesting..quite the contrary!... and many will read him and go...wtf?....why are we following this guy???...but trust the author, I tell you!...He knows what he wants you to see and understand.
Basically he is an embodiment of one very human and very unpleasant emotion..a mix of greed and indifference...and that's why, he's perfect for this job! ^^
As I started with Luo Ji, an unlikable MC, why not go on with others, although this was supposed to be about the plot.....-_-...anyway...I'm happy how Da Shi and Ye Wenjie from book 1 had a role in this! Loved a lot of the members of the Wallfacer Program (from actual chosen people to staff and administrative members); as the ones from the opposition! ^_^
The human race is evolving(if we can call it that ^^') and changing is such an extraordinary but soooo natural way...we see time flow by, we see how people throw away and adopt concepts and style of living, we see how the human mind, the greatest threat to the Trisolarian civilisation, is constantly trying to adjust to life...it's a beautiful and sad picture...Oh! The technology in this sci-fi is great!>..>... and the way of living...sooo much sense after we take into consideration people as a species, history, ambitions on a national level, suspicions,class and hierarchy, what is valued in our society, crises of any kind and human capacity to sometimes be like cockroaches!
Finally, the ending was sublime...I've lost hope midway through part 3, especially after what happened with Zang Beihai (I know this is logical and probably the most accurate in such a scenario with this type of people,but...it was hard...:(... ), and THAT was the moment Liu Cixin showed me why Luo Ji was important. ^^
This is not a character-driven story, but a concept-driven one! I guess you can call it a study in human psyche if you wish...
In the end, I do believe the dark forest is real, and probably a great answer to programs like SETI ^_^' ..but I digress...hopefully the 3rd book is just as great as this one, maybe even better!
I highly recommend this series! If you're interested in hard sci-fi, please pick it up!
Enjoy
After finishing the first book, I thought we'll explore a number of things and characters based on the ending from the previous book,BUT..you guys....this was something else...ENTIRELY SOMETHING ELSE!!!!>..<
Long story short, I LOVED IT!
We follow Luo Ji, a failed astronomer, as he and other 3 people are chosen to represent a sort of defence against Trisolaris --> the project name: Wallfacer! All the rest are either extremely important people (political, military, scientific figures) , but only he is wanted dead by the enemy! 0_0
Once again, Liu Cixin's genius left me with my jaw on the floor...this mix of thriller-mystery-sci-fi is perfect!
I don't want to spoil anyone especially if you haven't read book 1, so...I'll try my best to give you a feeling of book 2 without mentioning anything! ^_^'
First of all, I suggest you go into this series, book by book, as blind as possible...my edition could have spoiled me for quite a nice turn of events if I've read what was written on the back of it; so, remember...go in blind.
In terms of plot, we have some old faces next to the new ones, in a well-crafted character-study...?...slice of life?....literary fiction plot????..>..>...for a good portion of the book...only to later shift gears into actual sci-fi realm. The world as envisioned by the author makes so much sense..that's scary!0_0...loved the limitations established in the previous book and how they are sooo relevant here! Loved the absolute character study at a global scale and the different variation of psyche represented in a select few! The whole project on which the plot is based basically has one specific function...to tell the reader how self-absorbed, delusional and cynical one can be...and how most skilled people will try to solve this horrible predicament for humanity...I'm sad to say, but probably their answer would be mine as well..:(....and here comes our MC...
Well..let's just say..Luo Ji is not your typical sci-fi protagonist..i think (haven't read that many yet, but that's what my gut tells me) and you're not supposed to like him, understand him or even find him interesting..quite the contrary!... and many will read him and go...wtf?....why are we following this guy???...but trust the author, I tell you!...He knows what he wants you to see and understand.
Basically he is an embodiment of one very human and very unpleasant emotion..a mix of greed and indifference...and that's why, he's perfect for this job! ^^
As I started with Luo Ji, an unlikable MC, why not go on with others, although this was supposed to be about the plot.....-_-...anyway...I'm happy how Da Shi and Ye Wenjie from book 1 had a role in this! Loved a lot of the members of the Wallfacer Program (from actual chosen people to staff and administrative members); as the ones from the opposition! ^_^
The human race is evolving(if we can call it that ^^') and changing is such an extraordinary but soooo natural way...we see time flow by, we see how people throw away and adopt concepts and style of living, we see how the human mind, the greatest threat to the Trisolarian civilisation, is constantly trying to adjust to life...it's a beautiful and sad picture...Oh! The technology in this sci-fi is great!>..>... and the way of living...sooo much sense after we take into consideration people as a species, history, ambitions on a national level, suspicions,class and hierarchy, what is valued in our society, crises of any kind and human capacity to sometimes be like cockroaches!
Finally, the ending was sublime...I've lost hope midway through part 3, especially after what happened with Zang Beihai (I know this is logical and probably the most accurate in such a scenario with this type of people,but...it was hard...:(... ), and THAT was the moment Liu Cixin showed me why Luo Ji was important. ^^
This is not a character-driven story, but a concept-driven one! I guess you can call it a study in human psyche if you wish...
In the end, I do believe the dark forest is real, and probably a great answer to programs like SETI ^_^' ..but I digress...hopefully the 3rd book is just as great as this one, maybe even better!
I highly recommend this series! If you're interested in hard sci-fi, please pick it up!
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Murder, War, and Violence