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_david_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Oh my god I'm so glad this slog of a read is over.
I feel as if there was often no room left for a reader's interpretation. Society and certain scientific tools were overly explained, making me have to skim read certain parts to be able to make it to the end. I'd rather just use my imagination to fill in the gaps.
There were also multiple moments in the book where possible potholes were explained via an awkward dialogue between characters. It made me feel as if the author was trying to impress me with how smart they were. Much was written as if it was an unlikable science teacher explaining to you that whatever scientific theories they taught you was the absolute truth and you were just expected to be impressed.
I found it hard to identify with some of the characters reasoning to do some drastic actions, but that's just personal so that's fine to me. I am surprised that no human figured out Luo Ji's plan. It was oddly simple even for someone without a background in the related fields.
The misogyny felt icky but could be explained away with "oh this is just how the main character thinks", but I would've liked to see more strong female characters.
I am again impressed by seemingly very unrelated scientific concepts being blended together into one fictional story. It was just much slower and longer than the story deserves.
I'm fine just stopping the series after this book and not bothering with the third.
I feel as if there was often no room left for a reader's interpretation. Society and certain scientific tools were overly explained, making me have to skim read certain parts to be able to make it to the end. I'd rather just use my imagination to fill in the gaps.
There were also multiple moments in the book where possible potholes were explained via an awkward dialogue between characters. It made me feel as if the author was trying to impress me with how smart they were. Much was written as if it was an unlikable science teacher explaining to you that whatever scientific theories they taught you was the absolute truth and you were just expected to be impressed.
I found it hard to identify with some of the characters reasoning to do some drastic actions, but that's just personal so that's fine to me. I am surprised that no human figured out Luo Ji's plan. It was oddly simple even for someone without a background in the related fields.
The misogyny felt icky but could be explained away with "oh this is just how the main character thinks", but I would've liked to see more strong female characters.
I am again impressed by seemingly very unrelated scientific concepts being blended together into one fictional story. It was just much slower and longer than the story deserves.
I'm fine just stopping the series after this book and not bothering with the third.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Police brutality, and Trafficking
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Human trafficking by government Misuse of power by government/people working for government Terminal illnesses are solved via hibernationlvl52_grant's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long time. The first book felt oddly removed emotionally, like all the emotions were heard through a wall, but this book didn't have any of that, and I don't really know why they are different in that respect. Usually, overly technical science descriptions are a turnoff for me, but this again didn't have that problem, I actually feel like i learned a lot about our solar system.
This book scratches the itch that older sci-fi books have, of a mythic scale and dramatic, eerie scenes that speak on the human condition. Any sci-fi fans should give this series a read, you won't regret it.
This book scratches the itch that older sci-fi books have, of a mythic scale and dramatic, eerie scenes that speak on the human condition. Any sci-fi fans should give this series a read, you won't regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
tokaylamockingbird's review against another edition
3.0
I aspire to be as chill as Luo Ji afterhis sixth assassination attempt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Mental illness
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicide
ccisanoldman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
This book was a wonderful and quite frankly (in the end) hopeful sequal to to the three body problem. The main characters are filled will flaws and are put through hardship. From the wallfacer project to the near-suicide of wallfacer Luo Ji it was very developed and detailed. Also where the problem comes in. Way too damn long. So much beautiful detail, and yet I have to glaze over some of it to keep me from boredom. Overall great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death
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: Body horror, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Car accident
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
shermansays's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Murder, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
geraldinerowe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This is the second in the Three Body Problem trilogy, and the scope of the novel is vast. Having said that, it didn't need to be this long. It had some exciting scenes, but far more long, turgid parts and a few completely unnecessary episodes. It also had a rather hurried ending for a book which went round the houses the rest of the time. Nor was I entirely convinced by the philosophical proposition upon which the entire novel hangs. But it had lots of fascinating ideas that will keep you thinking long after you've finished the book. I loved it and will be reading the (even longer) concluding part. (I should also mention the main character has some rather problematic attitudes towards women in places which you're asked to overlook. It's nothing major, but I could never quite shake it.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Suicide
Minor: Alcohol