Reviews

Trisurya - The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

madtattler's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

hopef's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

This book was a mix for me. On the one hand, it was interesting regarding some of the scientific concepts and societal interplay. On the other hand, the novel read more like it was the exposition of another novel than a story of its own. 

erenspace's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective 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

4.5

extremely good, but I wish I could have read an annotated version to more fully understand the Chinese cultural references. I loved it but I also felt like there was a level of nuance to it that flew right over my head. 

beautiful book. I’m going to read the other parts of the series soon.

nvrgud's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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? Yes

5.0

lauraamaroh's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

edluback's review against another edition

4.0

Wild! Even though I was hooked from the beginning, I had to double check to make sure this book did have aliens. So many twists & turns, but everything meshed together for the ending. Excited to see what the next book will bring. 

chelshopkins's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious medium-paced

5.0

stefnevells's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

mgans's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.25

wintersavenger's review against another edition

5.0

The four day reading window ought to be a good enough review of this book for anyone. I did not want to stop for a single second.

In itself, the Three Body Problem is a book that appears to favour plot over any real characterisation beyond one or two extremists that take centre stage, but I can't bring myself to fault it for that. With the scope of what Cixin Liu is trying to achieve through this decade spanning tale, it's easy to let him off the hook.

From other reviews that I have read, I'm slightly relieved to find that I am not the only one with such a limited knowledge of China during the Cultural Revolution. Opening the novel with horrific treatment of China's scientists and intellectuals, the tone is set for the rest of the novel. You know you're not in for a happy ride.

Hard on the science, but not remotely off-putting, we follow as nanotechnologist Wang Miao is dragged into galaxy wide conspiracy between the human race and the first alien species to make contact with the Earth. Filled with an overwhelming sense of doom and dread throughout, I cannot wait to begin the sequel in this trilogy - which I will probably begin immediately.