The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu | Review 

I finished this book a couple days ago and I'm still kept up at night by the disturbing logic of the Dark Forest model of cosmic sociology. It really is a plausible explanation for the Fermi paradox and, if it maps onto the real universe, has pretty extreme consequences for the long term survival of our civilization.

Cixin is not the most skilful storyteller but the scale and intricacy of his imagination is nigh unparalleled in this genre

The dark forest was my favorite book in the trilogy by far because of the idea of wallfacers and what humanity could do with the sophons knowing their every move. Plus, the dark forest theory blew my mind. Liu Cixin truly is a mastermind!

I've always been hesitant to read Sci-Fi. I'm afraid I won't understand the intricacies of the plot or setting, but this trilogy has been getting incredible reviews. I'd love to give it a shot.

This book was amazing, before reading it I was excited for the endless possibilities of earth become a space faring civilisation, after finishing the book that prospect now terrifies me.

Liu Cixin's concepts are mind boggling

I love this book so much that I read both the English and the Chinese version for three trilogy, just as not to miss anything. The fantastic part of this story is that it makes us think a lot. About us and the universe and our role in it. As much as we want to know of the existence of aliens, we should also be beware of them. The concepts are mind blowing and like you said a roller coaster ride. Really bleak at times then hope. Definitely one of my all time fav book.

This is my favorite sf trilogy. Mind-blowing. I think about it still. I feel like I have "evolved" in my thinking....a wee bit, true, but very satisfying. The Dark Forest... incredible. Stephen Hawking must have read it. I found myself grumbling about a public figure today and thought, "What a Trisolaran." The graveyards in the fragments of the 4th Dimension haunt me.

Wall facer explanation: the founder of Buddhism, was a wall facer for ten YEARS 2500 years ago. Then he understand every thing about the universe, Then he created Buddhism. that is much cooler then the god from west. At least sounds wise.

The first part is to tell us the traitors is everywhere The dark forest is to tell us never try to contact with aliens, just to find them, and watch them. The last part "death is forever " tell us a Madonna could not be a politician.

It ended on such a warm and fuzzy note- I had to wait a few days to get the third book and wondered if maybe I should just leave it there. I knew the last book would be dark and was NOT disappointed lol.

I just finished this book yesterday and I am astounded and awed by the mind that created such an amazingly brilliant story. There were a few parts I didn't understand or pieces I didn't connect and listening to your review filled in a lot of those spaces and has made this read even more enjoyable. Many thanks. I'm now onto Death's End.

just finished this book and the goosebumps havent gone away yet, it is a good book indeed.

The worst part of the book for me is the hundred or so pages where Luo Ji does absolutely nothing of worth and is just being self-centered. The specifics of his personality don't matter at all to the plot and the only reason he is relevant is because he coincidentally met with Ye Wenjie and learned the principles of the dark forest.

these books are awesome，the imagination of the author is incredible，the scene he created there was tremendous，highly recommend.

I think this is among the greatest epic scifi works, right up there with Heinlein and Asimov, but the characters are much richer and nuanced.

Good review. I'm about half way through. Liu tends to wander off to far away places in this book before coming back to the point of the book. I find myself getting confused as to which character he is talking about , probably because of the un-familiar names. Not interested in a hard copy.

Zhang Beihai is also a wallfacer.

This sounds wonderful! I need a new book to get me excited. 🙃

I read the three body problem earlier this year, and after this I want to read the other two books even more! I hope the giveaway is international?

The problem of Liu's TBP trilogy is mainly the lacklustre character development. Throughout the entire series, I have found no attachment to the protagonists including Logic, and everybody else. They're used exclusively as a tool to spell out information - most of the time in "hardcore scientific" terms. Honestly, there's nobody who speaks like that in human society, and I'm from a rather enthusiastic intellectual one. However, the enormity of scope the novels covers is unprecedented, the science used and the arguments proposed by Liu have been flawless, all those pretty much offset the weakness of characters.

For those who like the story of 3 body problem, the movie losely based on the author's short story "the wandering earth" just became available in some theatres worldwide. If you are one of the fortunate ones who lives near one of those theatres, especially the ones with Imax 3D, do give it a shot. You are unlikely to be disappointed.

This trilogy gives a reader a lot to think about. The most fascinating concept to think about, how could humankind ever expect to encounter kindness in a more advanced species when we ourselves are the most cruel species towards most co-existing species’ of our own planet. We destroy the very nature that gave birth to us. We create whole species’ into existence only to torture, imprison and kill them for their milk, eggs and flesh, while depriving them from their right of natural evolution. Humankind is a destructive force to nature, evolution and life itself. And still, one of humankind’s greatest missions is to seek out and find new life among the stars. Why? If they can’t even cherish life on their own planet.

Best book out of the most important sci fi series ever written.

Great review! Absolutely loved this book

I found this book to verge on the horror genre, tbh. I found it more frightening than most so-called horror.

just finished Death's End. It is amazing.

Luo Ji is my favorite character in the trilogy

luoji means logic

Great review. I am deep in the middle of this volume. Can't put it down.

Just finished it and wow, that ending. Speaks a thousand truths.

This is my favorite book of all time

Me, personally, I loved this book.

hi, i heard that the english version is a bit twisted than the original chinese version. is that true?

The book sounds brilliant and your review was wonderful :) Thank you for the giveaway!

I have read the Chinese version and cannot put it down. I enjoy the book so much.

Fantastic review. Very well described. Thank you

Great review! Btw the auther's name should be pronounced something close to "Tsi-sin Lew", not "Sixin Lu"

事实上大部分中国读者并不喜欢“程心”这个角色，有点像如今的西方国家的“白左”“圣母”。

But you literally spoiled all the story, except ending o_o

I should receive 'm tomorrow.....

It is really romantic.

Sounds great! Nice review! Thanks for the AWESOME giveaway! :D

It’s fairly probable humanity has developed one of the earliest civilisations. If the universe is as old as science suggests then for much of the time before humanity developed, the universe was hostile to life.

Here's what I thought of the book. 1st 3rd: hm not as good as the first one... 2nd 3rd: hm this is getting pretty interesting.. 3rd 3rd: oh man, that was great!

I like your video.

A gripping, stunning book

I really want to read this now ,since you mentioned it too many time in your latest videos.

Very interesting book and concepts . I'm going to have to get into this series. Keep up with the awesome reviews!

I've been excited about this giveaway since you've first mention you were going to do it! It just sounds fascinating.

book review on Ball lightning please

Good review.

well the second book in a trilogy is always the hardest one.

I'd like to enter. Thanks Chris!

Wow

You are so well spoken! Great video!

Sounds interesting...hmm...

I am feeling lucky!

nice review thanks!

Sounds interesting!

This series sounds great!

sounds great.

Just a question (with a spoiler) below: Who destroyed 187J3X1?

Great review

Hello, this is a review or a summary? It looks like you talk more about the plot than your opinion, keep it short simple man.

Best Si-Fi

The aliens are obviously the Chinese. Young Americans have given up and want to leave Earth. :)

I liked the 3 body problem but I got very bored with the dark forest. The writing is disjointed and the plot is ignored for too long

Luo ji ~ Logic