One of the most engaging and original science fiction novels I've read in a long time: an alien contact story that's a mix of hard sci-fi (physics-based), cyberpunk, and epic; set against the background of the modern history of China. The descriptions and style of dialogue seem a little unusual; this may be due to the novel's being translated. Thoroughly enjoyable, though a little nihilistic ("I started the fire, but I couldn't control how it burnt") and psychologically frightening in places. This is a chronicle of how the world does indeed end not with a bang but a whimper.

If you like Neal Stephenson novels, especially "Seveneves," then you will probably like this novel, which is the first in a trilogy. It's a plot- and science-driven book; the author really likes explaining science and engineering, and works hard at making the science as realistic as our current understanding of physics permits. It's hard to say much without giving things away, but it's safe to say that this is something of a first contact novel.

"Lost in Translation" may be a better title for this book. The feeling that I was observing events rather than immersed in a real environment could not be shaken The most memorable of the characters were minor, like the chain-smoking policeman and the un-apologetic Red Guard fanatic. I think that may have a lot to do with not being able to keep track of Chinese names without a scorecard. The video game read more like a motion picture or television series, because human participants did not appear to be able to influence the outcome. Then again (spoiler alert) that may have been the point of the gaming aspect.

If this is the first book of the trilogy, I may read the others in a format where I can take notes. It was interesting enough to be outside the conventions of American sci-fi, and I am inspired to look into Russian and European authors to expand my scope, or to venture into the worlds of South Asian authors in the genre

You do need a little bit of high school physics (or being kind of physics fan) to read, but that is all the hurdle there is.

First and second installments are mostly about plots, stories. Amazing setup, unprecedented imagination, deep logic and mind blowing twist.
Third installment, OMG .... the unexpected, unique and keen observation on humanity, politics and well...love.

For many days I cannot stop thinking about the characters and their quotes.

Someone should really really really make movies from it.

The first part of this hard science fiction novel reads a bit like a Dan Brown novel, well, if Dan Brown was obsessed with astrophysics instead of symbolism. And then in the second part of the book, things get really strange. But it's these unique ideas and fresh perspectives that make this imaginative book so interesting. This is a hard science fiction novel, so don't expect a huge focus on the characters. The writing is awkward at times, perhaps stemming from the translation from the original Chinese text. My favourite part of the book was the historical depiction of the 1960-era Chinese Cultural Revolution.

Perhaps a physics course never taken would have eased reading this. Incomprehensible.

This book is fantastic, and is one the most clever pieces of science fiction i had read.

But beware, because Ciu Lixin tends to be a bit dense when explaining the "science" part and he tends to drags a little in the fiction department. This is not soft science fiction and he doesn't use science to fill plot holes. The whole plot is driven by scientifical discoveries and the consequences of them.

Great book. Looking forward to checking out the rest of the series.

Lots of science in this Chinese sci-fi novel, the first in a trilogy by China's most popular sci-fi writer. I will say it is possibly the best Chinese sci-fi novel I've read.

You will read a lot of reviews that will encourage you to keep going, even if it's tough, until you reach the end. I was about to give up on this book a little more than half way into it but read reviews and kept going. Was the ending worth it? No. Would I read the rest of the series? No. The only good that came out of this was that it helped me fall asleep each night.