The Three-Body Problem Trilogy: Why Liu Cixin’s Universe Redefined Sci-Fi for Me

(4 mins read)

Last month, I finished one of the most ambitious, mind-bending trilogies I’ve ever read: Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past. It’s hard to even put into words what these books did to me. After closing the final page of the third book - Death’s End, I just sat there, staring into nothingness, my brain refusing to return to reality. It’s that kind of story, one that makes you question your place in the universe, and at the same time, feel grateful for the fragile humanity we carry with us.

I originally picked up The Three-Body Problem because of the hype around Netflix’s adaptation. The trailer intrigued me, but I wanted to experience the book first. Going in blind turned out to be the best choice.

First book: The Three-Body Problem

The first book was a fascinating blend of science, philosophy, and history. Liu Cixin doesn’t shy away from hard science, and that’s both its strength and its challenge. Concepts like the three-body problem itself, sophons, and dimensional manipulation were fascinating and, at times, overwhelming. The alternating timelines between China’s Cultural Revolution and the present added depth, though I found the historical portions slower compared to the present-day mystery.

What stayed with me most was the originality of Liu’s ideas. Even though the book didn’t completely pull me in emotionally, it laid an extraordinary foundation. I knew I had to keep going, hoping the next books would build on this brilliance.

 

Second book: The Dark Forest 

The Dark Forest took everything to the next level. The scope widened into an interstellar chess game, introducing the unforgettable Dark Forest Theory, a chillingly logical explanation of why the universe is silent. It’s one of the most haunting concepts I’ve ever come across in fiction.

The characters finally hit home for me. Luo Ji’s arc, from indifferent scholar to the unlikely savior of Earth, was phenomenal. His dynamic with Da Shi (the rough, humorous detective) brought balance to the otherwise heavy philosophical tone. And then there was the Droplet probe, perhaps the most devastating piece of alien technology I’ve ever read about. The scene of Earth’s space fleet being destroyed, utterly brutal and breathtaking, still gives me chills.

This book left me with awe, dread, and a profound sense of cosmic insignificance. For me, this was the high point of the trilogy.

 

Third book: Death’s End

If The Dark Forest was brilliant, Death’s End was overwhelming in the best way. The scale explodes, dimensional strikes, dark forest deterrence, curvature propulsion, lightspeed travel - it’s pure, unfiltered hard sci-fi. And yet, Liu doesn’t water it down. He respects the reader enough to give it to us straight, which I really appreciated.

What made this book unforgettable, though, were the character arcs and emotional undercurrents. Cheng Xin, Yun Tianming, Luo Ji, AA… their stories stretched across centuries, yet they carry emotions we all recognize: love, sacrifice, longing, and loss. These human echoes anchor the epic, reminding us why survival matters at all.

Still, I’ll admit the ending left me conflicted. It was beautiful, yes, and haunting in its open-endedness. But something felt flimsy compared to the towering ambition of the rest of the story. Not knowing Yun Tianming’s full fate left me with an ache, maybe intentionally so. Maybe that’s Liu’s point: in a universe this vast, closure is a luxury.

 

Screen Adaptation

Alongside the books, I also dipped into the adaptations. Netflix’s 3 Body Problem season 1 did a solid job in bringing Chinese culture and storylines to the global stage. I also sped through Tencent’s version, though admittedly skipping scenes here and there. Both had their strengths, but as is often the case, nothing quite matches the depth of the written word.

 

Final Thoughts

This trilogy isn’t just sci-fi - it’s philosophy, it’s cosmology, it’s humanity under a microscope. It redefined the genre for me. I’ve enjoyed Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary immensely, but Liu Cixin’s vision operates on a whole other plane.

It’s not an easy read - at times overwhelming, at times unbearably sad - but it’s absolutely worth it. The books are a must-read. The shows? Worth watching, especially as companions, but they can only scratch the surface of the world Liu has built.

And now, a small confession: I’m tempted to pick up The Redemption of Time, the unofficial continuation that promises answers - especially about Yun Tianming. But I’ve also heard mixed reviews. Part of me wants to dive in, and another part doesn’t want to spoil the surreal, sacred experience of the trilogy.

Either way, one thing is certain: Liu Cixin’s work has opened a door for me. I’m now looking at the stars a little differently, and searching for my next great sci-fi read.