Reviews

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

jefffrane's review against another edition

4.0

Definitely one of the strangest sf novels I've ever read. The characters, the imagery and the scientific speculation are vivid and often jarring. The physics were way over my head, for sure, particularly in the latter portion of the book, much of which is written from an alien perspective.

The aliens are the element I found dissatisfying. Although Liu has constructed a unique environment and millenia-long history for them that is nothing like I've encountered before, their motivations and even their internal interactions can be all too human.

All very strange indeed and I have mixed feelings about continuing the trilogy. Ultimately, though, I have to know what happens next!

mahan_r's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense 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

4.5

huelsy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

enoughread'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? It's complicated

3.5

sabellaj's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.75

erikapberna's review against another edition

dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

vaz_ar's review against another edition

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

2.5

bigb5596's review against another edition

challenging mysterious 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

3.0

This book has some amazing ideas in it. The world it builds for the trisolarans is top notch. But this book reads like a textbook most times. The characters as flimsy as the paper they are printed on. The main character's wife is just called wife. His son at least is named. Overall, lots of cool ideas, not much in the way of writing skill. 

paganhill's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

3.75

daste's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense

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

4.0