A review by stephen_coulon
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

It’s a masterpiece of contemporary science fiction that seamlessly blends all the best elements of the genre. It features explorations of real cutting-edge science, discursions into the philosophy of science, discourses on the intersection of technology and anthropology, cool aliens, engaging characters, and an expertly structured dual plot. It’s time for a bold new wave in sci-fi, even the tropes of information era sci-fi have started to wear thin. The author introduces exciting new scientific angles to the alien invasion story. His ability to use situation, metaphor, and analogy to explain the complications of advanced scientific concepts is brilliant, and best of all, the plot itself is not only present, it's engagingly driven forward like an old-fashioned thriller. This book is well deserving of the accolades its gathered since its publication, and I’m rushing out to get the rest of the books in the series.