Reviews and Comments

I tend to rate my reads based on my enjoyment and that sometimes overinflates some ratings. But I feel embarrassed for some of the 5 star books I've rated in the past when I thought about the review for Upgrade. Crouch is a master as suspenseful, sci-fi that is a view of our potential future. This was a 5+ star book! We are already at the age where we can begin to modify genetic code and are considering the implications of what we might do with this technology. But every technological advance comes with the potential for doing great good and great evil. This book explores the what-if a good intention is really a terrible idea? I believe this is our future, at least partially. And that makes this even more complelling to read.

Every book I ready by Mr Cawdron seems to get better and the stories more intriguing. They are always thought-provoking and explore so many different stories under the "first contact" theme. Like always, this story left me pleasantly surprised, entertained, and deeply contemplative. Masterfully written to unfold a realistic story of something we might never expect if we encounter life "out there." Amazing work!

I enjoyed this book the most of the trilogy. It was still wordy and sometimes overly descriptive, but the pace seemed a little faster. Much of the first half of the book was written as a documentary of the past as time jumped a little bit between each part of the story. Yet each phase of the story yielded a new surprise and twist, eventually leading towards a finale I had not expected in my wildest dreams. It's impossible to describe much without spoilers but the view of advanced physics in common story is elegant and fascinating. Humanity, or at least some main characters, find surprising ways to move into the future, and into a future we cannot even imagine. It was a fascinating end to the series.

Again, this book could span the entire gamut of feelings among readers. You might hate it, or love it. The story was fascinating and truly unique, but the story telling was laborious and long. To me, I think the writing styles of the native Chinese translated to English affect how I usually understand stories and I easily found myself just skimming some sections. The writing can be flowery and overly descriptive, though for some that's a bonus. Regardless, the fascinating plot kept me reading and I was surprised and happy with the last parts of the book and how it ended. Overall, if you read the first of the series, you will probably like this one a little bit more.

I simply love Randolph Lalonde's stories and this one was no exception. This is part two of the series which is a bit of a side-story to the entire Spinward Fringe story, though it fits right in. There was action, adventure, and of course space opera activities from bounty hunting to buying starships. I only wish I had all parts one to three together because waiting for more is driving me crazy!

How in the world can I review a work like this? Some will love it, some will hate it, and a few may struggle to fully grasp its depth. But one thing is certain—The Three-Body Problem is an extraordinary book that defies simple categorization.

Part of what makes this novel so fascinating is its unique perspective, shaped by the cultural divide between East and West. The translation by Ken Liu masterfully preserves the intricate details and poetic weight of Liu Cixin's storytelling, making it an immersive and rewarding read.

The story unfolds methodically, sometimes at a slow pace, but always with a sense of mounting tension. Rich descriptions bring key characters to life, while the narrative itself explores an unsettling yet thrilling possibility: physics as we know it has been broken. Not by human limitations, but by an external force—one that has secretly aligned itself with factions on Earth, setting the stage for an existential crisis that could reshape the future of humanity.

If you have a passion for science, cosmology, and physics, this book will captivate you with its intricate concepts and speculative brilliance. If you love First Contact stories, The Three-Body Problem offers one of the most thought-provoking takes on the genre—but be warned, the ending may not deliver the sense of closure you expect. And for everyone else? Prepare for a novel that unfolds like a slow-burning revelation, hypnotizing you with its layers of mystery, philosophy, and cosmic dread.

This is not just a sci-fi novel. It's a work that challenges the mind, sparks debate, and lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the final page.

I guess I read a lot of post-apocalyptic stories, so this one fell in my suggestions. It's hundreds of years after humanity fell to a plague and society continues. Society is barely surviving in small villages and towns, and it's reminiscent of a barbaric Dark Ages world, especially with men in control and dominating power through cruelty and fear. The story ventures into the Ancients and their city, the infected that still torment humanity and the difficult lives of its people. The story sets a bleak background but eventually, towards the ending, it becomes a positive trend of hope and humanity. It's a good read if you like these sorts of books.

This book seemed fascinating but for some reason it just isn't holding my attention. I may try reading this again later.