Scan barcode
biesterba's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
torch_light_'s review against another edition
4.0
really really good actually, i just felt too stupid to actually understand all the details 🤡
undecided on if i want to continue with the series
undecided on if i want to continue with the series
sevenlefts's review against another edition
4.0
Can't remember how I first heard about this, but I've had it at the back of my mind. An excellent story about first contact -- and not horribly far-fetched.
This story has first contact being made between an alien civilization and Earth via China during the Cultural Revolution. That context says so much about what happens next and how the whole process is handled. What little is known about this civilization is revealed in the context of a video game (although it seems more film-like than game-like to me) using Earth analogs to explain cultural leaps and concepts.
Not sure I've quite wrapped my brain around the physiology or even feasibility of an intelligent life-form arising in a system with the three suns, but then I don't think anyone else in the series (as far as I've read) has either. I like how the details trickle out.
Definitely in line for the next one...
This story has first contact being made between an alien civilization and Earth via China during the Cultural Revolution. That context says so much about what happens next and how the whole process is handled. What little is known about this civilization is revealed in the context of a video game (although it seems more film-like than game-like to me) using Earth analogs to explain cultural leaps and concepts.
Not sure I've quite wrapped my brain around the physiology or even feasibility of an intelligent life-form arising in a system with the three suns, but then I don't think anyone else in the series (as far as I've read) has either. I like how the details trickle out.
Definitely in line for the next one...
brambs's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cbugsy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
marisacarpico's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.25
Really a 3.5, but I don’t feel particularly generous. A lot of setup and some interesting world-building, but I mostly didn’t feel drawn to continuing it. I’m sure the stakes will all pay off, but it’s not intriguing enough for me to necessarily want to continue.
tracysbookbalderdash's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was the right audience for this book. It made me nauseous and somehow still want to continue reading. A rare balance for me indeed.
It has some sticking points that may weight more or less heavily for some readers. This is was HARD sci-fi. This was also a translated work, which makes it ring a bit off to native English speaking ears. The women characters are kinda objectified for beauty in a manner that is not very self-aware or really intentional. It’s not really a feminist novel. It’s not a humanist novel, though perhaps it’s arguably humanist by implication. It’s not ultra-political in its messaging. It feels a bit overly dramatic at times, which makes it feel like watching more of an allegorical play at points, yet the science is so damn persuasive. The people characters almost feel like a vehicle for science in this, and I loved it when we got those moments of scientific explanation and awe.
It’s effective. I really respect what the authors and translators did here, even if the author kinda (hypocritically?) states that stories of science are WAY cooler than stories of literature. I’m inclined to forgive imperfections in this one, because I agree with the author that “reality brands each of us with its indelible mark. Every era puts invisible shackles on those who have lived through it, and [we] can only dance in [our] chains.”
It has some sticking points that may weight more or less heavily for some readers. This is was HARD sci-fi. This was also a translated work, which makes it ring a bit off to native English speaking ears. The women characters are kinda objectified for beauty in a manner that is not very self-aware or really intentional. It’s not really a feminist novel. It’s not a humanist novel, though perhaps it’s arguably humanist by implication. It’s not ultra-political in its messaging. It feels a bit overly dramatic at times, which makes it feel like watching more of an allegorical play at points, yet the science is so damn persuasive. The people characters almost feel like a vehicle for science in this, and I loved it when we got those moments of scientific explanation and awe.
It’s effective. I really respect what the authors and translators did here, even if the author kinda (hypocritically?) states that stories of science are WAY cooler than stories of literature. I’m inclined to forgive imperfections in this one, because I agree with the author that “reality brands each of us with its indelible mark. Every era puts invisible shackles on those who have lived through it, and [we] can only dance in [our] chains.”
_juxtapositive_'s review against another edition
3.0
I’m on a roll with this “proper review to follow” business…
Pretty unique hard sci-fi story this ends in kind of what I’d call a ridiculous cliffhanger. I’m not a fan of “stay tuned next week” without any form of closure, so that dropped this from a 4-ish star read to a 3-ish star read.other than that, I really liked the concept.
I think the translation hurt the prose and pacing here, or it could be the cultural difference, or both. That aside, I think Ken Liu’s translation of the work was pretty good for English speaking audiences.
I decided I wanted to read these before watching the show, and it took me longer than anticipated just to get through the first book. I may just have to watch the show, those other 2 books will take me a while.
Pretty unique hard sci-fi story this ends in kind of what I’d call a ridiculous cliffhanger. I’m not a fan of “stay tuned next week” without any form of closure, so that dropped this from a 4-ish star read to a 3-ish star read.other than that, I really liked the concept.
I think the translation hurt the prose and pacing here, or it could be the cultural difference, or both. That aside, I think Ken Liu’s translation of the work was pretty good for English speaking audiences.
I decided I wanted to read these before watching the show, and it took me longer than anticipated just to get through the first book. I may just have to watch the show, those other 2 books will take me a while.
gibles0207's review against another edition
3.5
I’m not smart enough to know if the science bits are actually accurate or not but if they are it’s very impressive. If not I don’t rlly care. Fun read but didn’t love the pacing and jumping around tbh
alixgmklein's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0