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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
mlewis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
tree_branch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
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
savvylit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The Dark Forest was a chore to read. The main focus of this novel is the incredibly irritating character of Luo Ji. Luo Ji has an insane obsession with Zhuang Yan. Before even meeting Yan, Luo Ji conjures her up as his "dream lover" and constantly fawns over her beauty, purity, and innocence. Gross! She is never characterized beyond his perception. Zhuang Yan is one of the most egregious examples of the manic pixie dream girl trope I have ever encountered. It's tired, it's sexist, and it took me out of the story.
Additionally, another aspect of this book that I did not enjoy was the focus on intergalactic war and military theory. This may sound harsh, but I simply am not interested in old men talking about bombs; a subject that takes up large portions of this novel.
Lastly - and without spoiling anything - the best part of this book was the establishment and explanation of the Dark Forest theory of extraterrestrial contact. What a fascinating and terrifying concept!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, and War