Liu Cixin attends International Children Book Fair in Shanghai, November 21, 2014. [Photo/IC]

What the readers say:

This is my first exposure to Cixin Liu's work and it has made me an avid fan ready for more! This work of science fiction focuses on expanding what we really know of science and extrapolating into the future.

Unlike most books about aliens, there is no epic war of the world; rather the author builds a mysterious and ominous situation in which the reader, like the characters of the book, must figure out what is happening.

To the author's merit, not only is it a great and entertaining work of science fiction, but it touches in many important issues of our times, like climate change and the true purpose of our existence, in a universe where we may or may not be alone. Even if you are not a science fiction fan, this work is beautifully crafted and makes a great read for all types.

-Fiorella Grandi

Great book, lots of interesting subject like science, politics, and how the two affect each other along with religion, technology, and extraterrestrial life! Very thought provoking!

-Gordon Stricklin

The author simultaneously presents fresh ideas in an otherwise familiar Earth setting, a gaming virtual world, and far beyond. Original ideas. The cultural background in China adds to the story and sent me looking up some of the historical references. I will definitely read the other books in this trilogy.

-Enufwork

Great read. A scenario of the every day world juxtaposed with an alien culture. Through disappointment with the Chinese Cultural Revolution an alien intelligent world was given the coordinates and information of earth. Earth inhabitants then became as bugs to the aliens.

-M J Hackett

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary to read this year, I strongly suggest this book.

A best-seller in its native China, it has only just been released in the US. The plot spans several decades of China's history, and neatly incorporates that tumultuous story into the book's own, with some smartly used footnotes to help explain any cultural events that us Westerners might not be familiar with.

Telling the story of Chinese scientists looking to stop a mysterious global catastrophe that may have extraterrestrial origins (the less known about the central mystery going in the better), the plot mostly moves along at a breakneck pace, especially as it reaches the conclusion.

There are a few points that get bogged down in some pretty deep scientific explanations, but given how out there some of the story can get, it's also necessary to keep it in the realm of the possible. And believe me, this story can get pretty out there, delving into some highly theoretical territory; but that winds up being where it held a lot of its appeal for me.

Anyway, it is a fascinating, thrilling piece of science fiction that I highly recommend to fans of the genre.

-Sean Farrell

(Book reviews from Amazon)