Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery

Kindle
$0.00
or $11.99 to buy

Audiobook
$0.99
with membership

Hardcover
$19.23

Paperback
$10.99

$10.99 with 45 percent savings

List Price: $19.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Wednesday, January 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery Tuesday, January 14. Order within 19 hrs 37 mins

In Stock

$$10.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

30-day refund/replacement

Payment

Secure transaction

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (68) from $4.50 + $4.81 shipping

This book is intense!Kyle ☘️ Lucy Bamboo

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Cixin Liu

Follow

The Dark Forest (The Three-Body Problem Series, 2) Paperback – August 16, 2016

by Cixin Liu (Author), Joel Martinsen (Translator)

4.6 31,635 ratings

Book 2 of 4: The Three-Body Problem

Goodreads Choice Award nominee

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$10.99","priceAmount":10.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"10","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"cHDwByaofl4KY5y7iIQdGU0EuM%2BHiAZJuFRWM57gNmZMrJZHaUHmEKdKW20sFUaFS0WRlcD3%2B1LfGDzZCTxysW%2FentmiwGUHDaFrK0CqjkxDXhHVd%2BjGh9lhwVZxjH6TlIDZl5AFdtppGIgHoJS17A%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem!

Over 1 million copies of the Three-Body Problem series sold in North America

PRAISE FOR THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM SERIES: “A mind-bending epic.”―The New York Times • “War of the Worlds for the 21st century.”―The Wall Street Journal • “Fascinating.”―TIME • “Extraordinary.”―The New Yorker • “Wildly imaginative.”―Barack Obama • “Provocative.”―Slate • “A breakthrough book.”―George R. R. Martin • “Impossible to put down.”―GQ • “Absolutely mind-unfolding.”―NPR • “You should be reading Liu Cixin.”―The Washington Post

The Dark Forest is the second novel in the groundbreaking, Hugo Award-winning series from China's most beloved science fiction author, Cixin Liu.

In The Dark Forest, Earth is reeling from the revelation of a coming alien invasion-in just four centuries' time. The aliens' human collaborators may have been defeated, but the presence of the sophons, the subatomic particles that allow Trisolaris instant access to all human information, means that Earth's defense plans are totally exposed to the enemy. Only the human mind remains a secret. This is the motivation for the Wallfacer Project, a daring plan that grants four men enormous resources to design secret strategies, hidden through deceit and misdirection from Earth and Trisolaris alike. Three of the Wallfacers are influential statesmen and scientists, but the fourth is a total unknown. Luo Ji, an unambitious Chinese astronomer and sociologist, is baffled by his new status. All he knows is that he's the one Wallfacer that Trisolaris wants dead.

The Three-Body Problem Series
The Three-Body Problem
The Dark Forest
Death's End

Other Books by Cixin Liu
Ball Lightning
Supernova Era
To Hold Up the Sky
The Wandering Earth
A View from the Stars

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the Three-Body Problem series:

"Wildly imaginative."―President Barack Obama

“A mind-bending epic.”―The New York Times

“Absolutely mind-unfolding. . . . a science-fiction epic of the most profound kind.”―NPR

“A breakthrough book . . . a unique blend of scientific and philosophical speculation, politics and history, conspiracy theory and cosmology.”―George R. R. Martin

"Liu Cixin's writing evokes the thrill of exploration and the beauty of scale. . . . Extraordinary."―The New Yorker

“[Liu turns] technically complex and existentially dreadful ideas into books that are impossible to put down.”―GQ

“A fascinating novel of ideas."–TIME

"The best kind of science fiction, familiar but strange all at the same time."―Kim Stanley Robinson

"Remarkable, revelatory, and not to be missed."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Fans of hard SF will revel in this intricate and imaginative novel."―Publishers Weekly, starred review

“War of the Worlds for the 21st century.”―Wall Street Journal

“Liu’s picture of humanity’s place in the cosmos is among the biggest, boldest and most disturbing we’ve seen.”―Los Angeles Times

“Provocative.”―Slate

“A gripping and haunting sci-fi mystery.”―Cosmopolitan

"A must-read in any language."―Booklist

About the Author

CIXIN LIU is the most prolific and popular science fiction writer in the People’s Republic of China. Liu is a winner of the Hugo Award, an eight-time winner of the Galaxy Award (the Chinese Hugo) and a winner of the Chinese Nebula Award. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked as an engineer in a power plant. His novels include The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death's End.

Joel Martinsen is research director for a media intelligence company. His translations have appeared in Words Without Borders, Chutzpah!, and Pathlight. He lives in Beijing.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0765386690
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books; Reprint edition (August 16, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780765386694
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0765386694
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.15 x 1.4 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #29 in Alien Invasion Science Fiction
- #64 in First Contact Science Fiction (Books)
- #73 in Hard Science Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 31,635 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Cixin Liu

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Liu Cixin, born in June 1963, is a representative of the new generation of Chinese science fiction authors and recognized as a leading voice in Chinese science fiction. He was awarded the China Galaxy Science Fiction Award for eight consecutive years, from 1999 to 2006 and again in 2010. His representative work The Three-body Problem is the BEST STORY of 2015 Hugo Awards, the 3rd of 2015 Campbell Award finalists, and nominee of 2015 Nebulas Award.

His works have received wide acclaim on account of their powerful atmosphere and brilliant imagination. Liu Cixin's stories successfully combine the exceedingly ephemeral with hard reality, all the while focussing on revealing the essence and aesthetics of science. He has endeavoured to create a distinctly Chinese style of science fiction. Liu Cixin is a member of the China Writers' Association and the Shanxi Writers' Association.

Customer reviews

31,635 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Review this product

Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking. They appreciate the science fiction elements and realistic explanations of alien technology. Many describe the series as brilliant and engrossing, with unexpected twists and turns. However, opinions differ on the writing quality - some find it captivating and well-written, while others consider it boring or confusing. There are also mixed reviews regarding the character development - some find them fully realized and interesting, while others feel they lack depth.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Readability Thought provoking Sci-fi Series quality Pacing Writing quality Character development Pace

525 customers mention "Readability"519 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the story compelling and enjoyable, with a philosophical aspect that keeps them engaged. Many reviewers enjoyed the first part of the book, finding it brilliant and page-turning.

"...author masterfully balances deep philosophical questions with captivating storytelling, creating a world that is as intellectually stimulating as it..." Read more

"...The Dark Forest is an outstanding piece of literature, above and beyond its label as a work of science fiction...." Read more

"...Still, I loved the book. Liu is brilliant despite his less-than-evolved perspective on women...." Read more

"Great book. A slow middle is made up by a memorable ending. Continues the story proposed in "The Three Body Problem"...." Read more

411 customers mention "Thought provoking"394 positive17 negative

Customers find the book insightful and imaginative. They appreciate the philosophical treatise and intriguing theory about different civilizations. The author is excellent at projecting scientific progress in a plausible way, and the world-building is exceptional.

"...The author masterfully balances deep philosophical questions with captivating storytelling, creating a world that is as intellectually stimulating..." Read more

"...time and again, to impress with his vision and the elements of human psychology and philosophy that he employs...." Read more

"...He has human nature pegged, especially our habit of idealizing and handing our power over to dictators -- religious, political and social -- and the..." Read more

"...of Zhang Beihai which was running in parallel and is ultimately very insightful...." Read more

248 customers mention "Sci-fi"232 positive16 negative

Customers enjoy the science fiction story. They find it engaging and thought-provoking, with realistic explanations of alien technology. The author blends science fiction with political intrigue and science fact, providing a true sci-fi philosopher's concept of the intergalactic universe. The plot is well-designed, exploring the complexities of alien life and profound possibilities. Overall, readers describe the book as an exciting and thought-provoking read.

"...morality, and survival wrapped in a thrilling, high-stakes science fiction narrative...." Read more

"...that said, I feel strongly that The Dark Forest may be the best work of science fiction I have ever experienced...." Read more

"...Liu has a fertile imagination. He masterfully melds science fact with science fiction. He writes plot like Mozart wrote operas...." Read more

"...; Epcot-ish technology, there is a solid, active and cautionary science fiction tale that is a worthy continuation of the initial book...." Read more

82 customers mention "Series quality"82 positive0 negative

Customers find the series engaging and enjoyable. They describe it as one of the finest science fiction series they have read. The second half of the book is enthralling, and the conclusion satisfying. The series continues to draw them along, with new characters that are fun. Readers are excited for the next book in the trilogy.

"A great continuation of the first book that has decent pacing. Ends on a satisfying note that has me ready to read the conclusion in the 3rd novel." Read more

"...The good news is the Death's End is the best in the series, so you have something to look forward to besides this book finally being over and..." Read more

"...The Dark Forest starts slow, but the second half of the book is enthralling, and the conclusion satisfying." Read more

"...I’m very excited for book 3 and what else CIXIN has to offer!" Read more

78 customers mention "Pacing"65 positive13 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging with unexpected twists and turns. They enjoy the creative storytelling and imaginative world-building. The book is described as an entertaining thriller with an expected ending.

"...It's concrete, loaded with complex characters, intrigue, irony and tragedy. The plot has many unexpected twists, but is easy to follow...." Read more

"Totally unexpected yet expected ending to an epic book, but still leaves you yearning to not leave it. Full of fear but also of hope." Read more

"...It's bigger, crazier, and even more unpredictable. I read the entire last half in 24 hours because it was so riveting...." Read more

"...readable, exciting, smart, weird, upsetting, comforting, nostalgic, silly, angry, patriotic, pro/anti-Western, politically complex, and looser than..." Read more

263 customers mention "Writing quality"145 positive118 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality. Some find the opening scene beautifully written and engaging, with an articulate exploration of the philosophical aspect. Others feel the author inserts boring and meaningless exposition, often with too many words, making it difficult to stay focused on the novel. The story's scope is vast, and the author writes almost in stream of consciousness, which some readers feel needs editing.

"...The writing is thoughtful and deep without veering into melodrama or unnecessary complexity...." Read more

"From reading the user reviews here, I gather that this is not a book for everyone, which was also true with the first book in the series, The Three-..." Read more

"...and technological themes in such a way that the reader can easily follow and appreciate...." Read more

"...I felt nearly overwhelmed in the process. Second, the sweep of story is so vast that the number of characters required to tell it is huge...." Read more

121 customers mention "Character development"80 positive41 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find the characters engaging and well-portrayed, while others feel the character development is mild at best.

"...Each character is carefully developed, and the plot twists are both shocking and entirely logical within the story’s framework...." Read more

"...The Dark Forest is not abstract. It's concrete, loaded with complex characters, intrigue, irony and tragedy...." Read more

"...I had difficulty staying focused on the novel. I did not find the characters engaging, and story did not hold my interest...." Read more

"...Excellent writing, wonderful characters, mind-bending science, and more...." Read more

87 customers mention "Pace"34 positive53 negative

Customers have different opinions about the book's pacing. Some find it decent and quick-paced, with an interesting plot that picks up quickly. Others feel it starts slow but picks up after that, with a time jump that is challenging.

"...to any character or any plot and it totally and utterly kills the pacing of the book...." Read more

"...able to change vectors at definitive angles, accelerate to a considerable % of the SOL, compact, and with no identifiable power source, the Drop..." Read more

"...The Dark Forest starts slow, but the second half of the book is enthralling, and the conclusion satisfying." Read more

"A great continuation of the first book that has decent pacing. Ends on a satisfying note that has me ready to read the conclusion in the 3rd novel." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Harry Davis III
A Masterpiece of Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
Liu Cixin’s The Dark Forest is a profound exploration of humanity, morality, and survival wrapped in a thrilling, high-stakes science fiction narrative. The author masterfully balances deep philosophical questions with captivating storytelling, creating a world that is as intellectually stimulating as it is immersive.

Liu’s creativity shines through in his depiction of the cosmos and the intricately crafted concept of the “Dark Forest Theory,” which will leave readers contemplating long after turning the last page. The writing is thoughtful and deep without veering into melodrama or unnecessary complexity. Each character is carefully developed, and the plot twists are both shocking and entirely logical within the story’s framework.

For fans of hard science fiction or those seeking a book that challenges the mind while keeping the heart racing, The Dark Forest is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that redefines what you expect from the genre. Five stars, and I’d give more if I could!

Read more

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Steven M. Anthony
Perhaps the Best Science Fiction I Have Ever Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
I have been reading science fiction for over forty years. I think I have had a broad exposure to all forms of the genre during that period. After a brief hiatus, several years ago I dove back in; focusing on some of the newer authors, and have been very satisfied with most of my selections. I try to read most of the Hugo and Nebula Award winners, and having done so, I think I have a pretty good idea of what makes outstanding science fiction.

With all of that said, I feel strongly that The Dark Forest may be the best work of science fiction I have ever experienced. I read the English translation of Cixin Liu’s Chinese science fiction novel, The Three Body Problem. I thought that it was very good, but not excellent. I was sufficiently intrigued to proceed on to the second novel of the trilogy, The Dark Forest, and I am eternally grateful that I did. I am just floored by how good this novel is, on so many levels.

I have read so many science fiction novels that are little more than spaceships and aliens, with poor underlying stories or character development. The Dark Forest is an outstanding piece of literature, above and beyond its label as a work of science fiction. It has very thoughtful themes, touching on philosophy, anthropology, sociology and psychology. The advanced technology and elements of hard science fiction are outstanding, second to none. The underlying story is absolutely captivating, as are the characters.

At the conclusion of the Three Body Problem, we are left with an alien race, the Trisolarans, who have embarked on a four hundred year long trip across the galaxy, ostensibly to conquer and inhabit the Earth. Through use of their advanced technology, they have arrested the technological development of the human race and are able to eavesdrop on every aspect of life on Earth. Faced with this scenario, how does the human race respond? As the years pass and different generations are tasked with coming up with strategies to face the threat, the author continues, time and again, to impress with his vision and the elements of human psychology and philosophy that he employs.

Most impressive to me is the author’s ability to deal with these philosophical and technological themes in such a way that the reader can easily follow and appreciate. To me, he walks the perfect line between being intellectually challenging, yet approachable (unlike some of Frank Herbert’s work, which was more than I could handle).

So, if you have read The Three Body Problem and are trying to decide whether to proceed on to this second installment, I cannot encourage you strongly enough to do so. If you have not read the Three Body Problem, I urge you to do so, with the knowledge that the follow up book will be worth the effort. The Dark Forest wraps up very nicely and could easily be the end of the story; however this is a trilogy, so I will gladly continue to the final chapter, hoping not to be disappointed. The Dark Forest is a terribly difficult act to follow.

Read more

454 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
A reader
Cosmic Sociology
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
From reading the user reviews here, I gather that this is not a book for everyone, which was also true with the first book in the series, The Three-Body Problem. However, I found this second installment to be as engrossing as the first, and in some ways, even more so. The translation of this book is more colloquial for English speakers than last time, and I quickly adjusted to the change in tone (although I liked the first book's translation too).

Liu has a fertile imagination. He masterfully melds science fact with science fiction. He writes plot like Mozart wrote operas. His style runs the gamut from dry and declamatory to wildly evocative and romantic. He has human nature pegged, especially our habit of idealizing and handing our power over to dictators -- religious, political and social -- and the way this causes us to betray our higher ethics and values. His hypotheses on the consequences of space travel -- cosmic sociology -- are mind-blowing.

This sounds abstract, but I'm avoiding spoilers. The Dark Forest is not abstract. It's concrete, loaded with complex characters, intrigue, irony and tragedy. The plot has many unexpected twists, but is easy to follow. We get to experience what space travel might actually be like for human beings a few centuries on. It's fascinating. It's not Star Trek, it's a lot more rough and tumble. Liu's solution to the problem of traveling at hyper speeds on a space vessel is truly amazing.

This is a four-star review rather than five-star because the depiction of women is terrible. As a female sci-fi fan, I've had to accept that sexism is common in the genre. Liu's female characters were better represented in the first book, but the fantasy lover who turns up in The Dark Forest is like a blow-up doll that a guy might purchase at a porn store for personal use. Patriarchal stereotypes are not archetypes, they are an offensive shorthand designed to diminish the autonomous humanity of women. Still, I loved the book. Liu is brilliant despite his less-than-evolved perspective on women.

When I learned what the title refers to, I was very moved. The explanation pulled together the many plot threads in an astonishing way. I disagree with those reviewers who claim that Liu got lost mid-story and had to write his way out of a tangled mess. On the contrary, the story's architecture was pre-determined and well constructed, and I had no trouble following it or finishing it. Travel through The Dark Forest and hang on for book three. It's quite a ride.

Read more

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

MFH Strange
A Great Read!
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is the second book of two, that completes the complete story. The first book, "The Three-Body Problem" must be read first. But it is an engaging tale, don't be afraid of starting!

For me, I did have some difficulty keeping track of some characters because of the Chinese names - it's just something I am not familiar with, and it took me a little time to get it all straight. But that's just me. Reading presented a problem for me in early life.

This is one story that moves in different directions than other works by different authors. There are totally unique ideas and thoughts in here, and it is most defiantly worth the read! Yes, I have watched the Netflix series, but like Harry Potter, there is nothing like reading the books.

Read more
Report
Christian Gindro
Prodotto di seconda mano ottimo
Reviewed in Italy on December 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Il libro si presenta di ottima fattura nonostante sia "ricondizionato". Spedizione regolare e puntuale

Read more
Report
Translate review to English
Aditya Singh
Amazing Mind-blowing Book
Reviewed in India on November 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Must read for Sci-fi lovers

Read more

Aditya Singh

Amazing Mind-blowing Book
Reviewed in India on November 12, 2024
Must read for Sci-fi lovers

Images in this review

Report
O. Sermon
Gripping
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2024
Verified Purchase
It was a bit slow in the begging, but the second half was simply excellent. There are a number of plot twists that keep you on your toes, and and the characters are very well drawn and very relatable.

Read more
Report
Orkun B.
Sağlam
Reviewed in Turkey on August 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Türkçe çevirisine yönelik ağır eleştiriler sonrası orijinalini aldım, kitap sağlam iletildi, fiyat da uygundu.

Read more
Report
Translate review to English

See more reviews

Amazon Prime Free Trial

Return this item for free

Image Unavailable

Follow the author