meganpbell's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny, War, Violence, Body horror, Sexism, Mental illness, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide
zone_a3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Car accident, Genocide, Misogyny, Death, and War
Minor: Suicide
inlibrisveritas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Too many times did characters suddenly have a nose dive in intellect so that the science can happen, when the science in question is so far beyond what they were capable of any way that it didn't need them to spend 10 mins scratching their heads. The human element was so weirdly clinical and inconsistent, but half of them spoke like they were all vying to get the perfect soundbite. Plus it added pages just to explore the human element but somehow still managed not to add much depth to any character other than Luo Ji. It's bizarre how many pages were devoted to this and I still barely know any of them.
I loved the actual plot and I think so many of the ideas were beyond creative, but it was just brought down by the weird need to 'but wait there's more!' its way to the next section.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Car accident
nsn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: War
Moderate: Grief and Car accident
Minor: Gun violence, Murder, Cancer, and Suicide
actualophelia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gun violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Medical content, and Terminal illness
spawnrespawn's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Car accident
solanum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Car accident and Gore
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
tylawrencium's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
That said, once things really start moving halfway through, the plot picks up and the book dives again into the big-picture, sci-fi/sociological ideas that Cixin Liu is so brilliant for. The payoff is definitely worth it, but this one is more of a slog than the first book to get there.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, War, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Terminal illness and Car accident