Death's End by Cixin Liu | Spoiler-Free Book Review

[@bosskoala7]

Finally finished the trilogy and can listen to that. Agrees that my boy Luo Ji (and Da Shi) is MVP. Also special mention for Thomas Wade.
Absolute best and gold quote of the book: « Singer picked-up the dual-vector foil with a force field feeler and CARELESSLY TOSSED it at the STAR-PLUCKERS »
I literally chocked

[@5504berry]

So at any point, any nation can doom the universe. So what is the point of human life?

[@Vladimir_Fedorov27]

The guy that was bored to death on his low ranking job of wiping out civilizations is the scariest shit I've read in sci-fi!

[@mitchd9582]

I picked up the trilogy after watching your first video about it. Ended up reading the whole thing in the last 5 days. It truly blew my mind. The scope of this trilogy and the ever-expanding perspective was wild and I just couldn't stop reading to find out what crazy shit was going to happen next. I haven't read a lot of sci-fi but this has me hungry for more. Can't thank you enough for the recommendation!

[@TallGuyReads]

Wow!! Thanks so much, that means a lot to me and is awesome to hear! I'm super happy you enjoyed it! I don't think this trilogy is going to work for everyone, BUT for the people who end up liking it, I feel like they usually end up loving it and that's so great to see that you were no exception! Books 2 and 3 are unbelievable and I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed them so much!

[@MadMax-jh8cx]

I always wanted aliens to be real and that we make contact with them. After reading this trilogy im absolutly TERRIFIED! Mind blowing ideas truly. Stay safe humanity in the Dark Forest!

[@PersonallyOptimistic]

Just finished it and feel absolutely exhausted somehow, exhausted and completely blown away. Mind blowing is not something I use often but it truly was. One of those books I put down and can't imagine what I could possibly ever want to read next.
Great review, especially agree about the comparison in scope to the trilogy and your comments on the ending. Beautiful poignant ending.

[@TallGuyReads]

Yessss so happy you loved this book and trilogy! One of my all time faves and I honestly haven't stopped thinking about it since finishing it...itching for a reread!

[@pethelpers5210]

I thought nothing would topple the Hyperion Cantos for me.
God, this trilogy blew my mind and then some.
The sheer scale is indescribable. If Interstellar is a mere blade of grass, Three Body is every field and forest on earth.
I’m now gutted that I won’t find anything that scratches the same itch.

[@TallGuyReads]

I feel completely the same way hahaha I've been looking for something like this ever since I finished it! Let me know if you find anything!

[@pethelpers5210]

@@TallGuyReads Hyperion cantos is the only thing that felt as epic and was as enjoyable to me. All 4 books I did back to back. Then Peter F Hamilton does a few different universes which are certainly close to this level of greatness but not quite. As a sci fi fan though, I’d say Hyperion Cantos is absolutely criminal to not read and Peter F Hamiltons works are essential reads.
In addition to them Adrian Tchaikovsky is turning out some beautiful stuff. Children of Time / Ruin / Memory is a great trilogy. Lovely concepts and keeps you guessing lots. And he’s got a great sense of humour. Also check out his Cage of Souls for a dark stand alone planetary adventure.
Man I’ve plenty more to recommend but hard to remember it all 🤣

[@nazimelmardi]

Banks - Culture to add them into this list. There is a reason why it is mentioned next to Asimov himself.

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

I haven't had a chance to read all of Hyperion Cantos' books yet, only the first, but I've heard from some friends of mine that the last two books are quite inferior to the first.
Is it true then that the drop in quality is greater than Cixin Liu's trilogy?

[@RekindledReader]

Great review structure, Alex! These books are definitely on my radar. I think these will be a perfect balance to my Fantasy reads, and my upcoming Historical Fiction BINGE! Excellent job.

[@TallGuyReads]

Thanks man! They definitely have made a great complement to all of the fantasy I’ve been reading in all the right ways! My historical fiction TBR is extensive hahaha I can’t wait to start tackling some of those! Thanks for checking out the video bro!

[@jimmyjasi-]

What I really loved about this book is that it basically introduced me to Penrose-Hameroff Theory (indirectly that now is hugely supported experimentally even if it's still unclear wherever gravity collapses(Ψ1)2 (Ψ2)2 superposition (h=t/g) or is Ψ just imperfect human tool approximating Bohm Trajectory.
But anyway the other thing I love in this book is that author believes that humanity may unite itself in the common cause although sure we have Keiko playing role of Malintzin(Mexico history) and like-minded people.
It would be sad if it really was solution to Fermi paradox but it's certainly possible and we should be careful. I don't know why it still hasn't eradicated nonsensical UFO religions.
I also like motif that ultimately nothing last eternally Πάντα ρει neither Humanity in form as we know it (He Jiankui certainly has opened path to it and I'm not among scared rather enamoured by change) nor ultimately the Universe nor any civilization can last eternally.
But something IS Eternal and meaningful in giving life to others and Evolving to explore the Universe.
I don't think Liu has mentioned Sir Roger Penrose CCC he wrote something about Big Bounce and String Theory instead which is far less neat idea than CCC but the ending of third tome certainly had that flavour.
And I hope that we one day may detect Neutrino sygnals from Previous Eon Civilizations!!
Liu is a Great mind.
I read this book couple of years ago and it combined with 27 November 2018 news of Crispr babies from China inspired me to do Biophysics and genetics.
It was story more complex than 'm describing but it changed my life!
Thanks for reviewing Liu book

[@mikee8749]

Great reviews of this series! Wish you had a spoiler review of this one.

[@charlesc2095]

I just finished Deaths End last night and, without delving too deep into the weeds my main gripe would be, much like the movie AI, the start was great, the end was great but the middle part at many instances just felt like a chore.
Possible spoiler territory:
By the middle of the book the story already trained you and built an expectation that almost everything that you know, or have been introduced to WILL meet a devastating end. Which is why when it gets to details of a few things in the middle of the book it feels like youre getting way too much detail on things/places/concepts that you already know will be discarded anyway.
I feel that the overall plot is fine, but it could have used some trimming here and there and focus on a more steady momentum.

[@MariaMightReadThat]

Always so great when a finale delivers and makes the series even stronger! I'll be coming back to this one whenever I get around to trying this series.

[@TallGuyReads]

I absolutely agree!! That sounds great! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@DanielECulbertson]

I *LOVED* this trilogy! I agree with you that the characters were not really the main focus of these books so much as was the themes, theories, and ideas being presented.
If I had one tiny criticism to make, it would be that the Wallfacer program was handled a bit strangely. So much was made about the fact that the Wallfacers were supposed to formulate their plans inside their heads without communicating it out in the open where the Sofons could hear, but then the Wallfacer supervisory board had the Wallfacers reveal SO MANY DETAILS about those "secret plans" in their many meetings.
It seemed as if Cixin Liu had perhaps written himself into a bit of a corner, by making the Sofons so omniscient that it became nearly impossible for even himself as the author to communicate to the readers what the Wallfacers were doing. 🤔
Still, I really enjoyed this mind-blowing series. I look forward to seeing the upcoming Netflix series based on these books, but I must admit I have NO IDEA how they are going to pull off a show with such big ideas, but slight characters.

[@TallGuyReads]

Yeah I can definitely see that; that's a great point! Like you, I absolutely LOVED this trilogy and honestly, I haven't stopped thinking about it since finishing this book a few months ago...I genuinely have zeroclue how they're going to adapt this hahaha but I am hoping for the best! Thanks so much for watching and I'm so happy you loved the books! Do you have any intention of reading any of Cixin Liu's other works?

[@DanielECulbertson]

@@TallGuyReads I haven't read any of Cixin's other books yet (my "to be read" list, like everyone else's, is looooong. But I would like to. I'm not sure which one I would read first. Do you have any suggestions? 🤔

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

One of the themes of the books are how politicians and bureaucrats are a big problem.
Here's how they handle with Escapism and the Wallface project.

[@user-xx3qy6dz6g]

Just saw all your reviews. Great touch on the trilogy. I read it in both languages 2 times. I personally like Ken’s translation on these books.
I like the way Cixin Liu structure the book by narrating little stories for different characters and times and eras then put them all together. This way, he can explain various ideas without being overwhelming, which it could be.

[@user-xx3qy6dz6g]

Keep up the good work!

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you so much! I totally agree - Ken's translations of Books 1 and 3 are phenomenal! Great points and I'm so happy to hear how much you loved the trilogy! Thanks so much for watching!

[@jimmyjasi-]

What I really loved about this book is that it basically introduced me to Penrose-Hameroff Theory (indirectly that now is hugely supported experimentally even if it's still unclear wherever gravity collapses(Ψ1)2 (Ψ2)2 superposition (h=t/g) or is Ψ just imperfect human tool approximating Bohm Trajectory.
But anyway the other thing I love in this book is that author believes that humanity may unite itself in the common cause although sure we have Keiko playing role of Malintzin(Mexico history) and like-minded people.
It would be sad if it really was solution to Fermi paradox but it's certainly possible and we should be careful. I don't know why it still hasn't eradicated nonsensical UFO religions.
I also like motif that ultimately nothing last eternally Πάντα ρει neither Humanity in form as we know it (He Jiankui certainly has opened path to it and I'm not among scared rather enamoured by change) nor ultimately the Universe nor any civilization can last eternally.
But something IS Eternal and meaningful in giving life to others and Evolving to explore the Universe.
I don't think Liu has mentioned Sir Roger Penrose CCC he wrote something about Big Bounce and String Theory instead which is far less neat idea than CCC but the ending of third tome certainly had that flavour.
And I hope that we one day may detect Neutrino sygnals from Previous Eon Civilizations!!
Liu is a Great mind.
I read this book couple of years ago and it combined with 27 November 2018 news of Crispr babies from China inspired me to do Biophysics and genetics.
It was story more complex than 'm describing but it changed my life!
Thanks for reviewing Liu book

[@Mizt9462]

Awesome review!! You always make meaningful and well thought reviews. I cant wait to reread the whole trilogy… nothing compares to it.

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it! I totally feel the same way…can’t wait to reread it! It’d be so interesting to reread knowing how everything ends up! Happy to hear you’ve enjoyed it so much as well! Thanks for watching!

[@tacobanana_forever]

Great video and review! I absolutely loved the ending of Death's End. Really enjoyed how the concept of Dark energy kinda ends up being important

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you so much! I totally agree! The ending of this book is something I genuinely could not have predicted when I was reading book 1 and I'm still in awe by it. Glad to hear you loved it! Thanks for watching!

[@CatherineLambert-fz7pd]

I have to read things several times to take in the ideas, but, by doing so, it's given me a lot more food for thought, especially related to Ye Wenjie's deeper experiences about Yang Weining. I felt he could've gone deeper into her emotions about the marriage but, it is mysteriously and frustratingly short

[@WorldConquerer2295]

SPOILERS IN THIS COMMENT.
I’ve listened to these books on audio three times (I relisten to them annually in January) and have gifted physical copies to several people. Utterly astonishing series. If you’re a space and science nerd, you’ll notice that the author neatly explains:
1. Dark matter. It seems 4/5 of the gravity is taken up by matter we cannot detect at all. Where did all that matter go? Where is it? Why can’t we see it? The dark domain and so on explain all of that rather well.
2. Dark energy. There’s this mystery where we can’t figure out why the universe’s expansion is accelerating. If civilizations are entering miniature universes, that would explain why the loss of matter is causing this.
3. Extra dimensions. There are competing candidates for the “theory of everything,” but one of the biggest ones is string theory. In string theory it is believed that there are 9 spatial dimensions (10 if you believe in m-theory) plus time. Whether it’s 9 + 1 spacetime or 10 + 1 spacetime, it’s still a mystery why we only see 3 + 1 spacetime around us. The most popular theory is that the 6 or 7 extra spatial dimensions are folded up (see Calabi-Yau manifolds). The dual vector foil attack is an interesting explanation for why those dimensions are curled up.
Also if you reread them you’ll find more and more foreshadowing that didn’t stick out at first. Obviously not a unique technique, but pretty neat and adds to the reread value.

[@TallGuyReads]

Thanks for sharing! This series was totally fascinating and I'm VERY excited to do a reread of it down the road and this will be very helpful!

[@JamezDahlMusic]

Have you read “The Redemption Of Time”? It isnt written by Cixin Liu, but he endorsed it as canon! It’s like an epilogue that answers some questions about the trisolarans, Tiang Ming’s stories, and the dimensions of the universe. It gets a bit weird halfway through, doesn’t quite hit the same, but it eased my withdrawals after reading the trilogy!

[@TallGuyReads]

I have not, but me and a few other people are planning on reading it pretty soon! I have heard mixed things on it, but I am very excited to read it and just get more of the story! Really exciting to hear that it helped with your withdrawals after finishing the trilogy! Thanks for watching!!

[@JamezDahlMusic]

@@TallGuyReads go in with no expectations and you’ll enjoy it. It does go full silly by the end, I still laugh at the very last scene.

[@Johanna_reads]

Hoping to get to this series someday in which case I’ll definitely be returning to watch this video in its entirety! Sounds like a fun one to discuss. Cheers for finishing another trilogy this year!

[@TallGuyReads]

Absolutely Johanna! Thanks for checking out the vid! If you do pick it up down the road let me know because I’d be super curious to hear your thoughts!

[@noeditbookreviews]

12:00 with the scope, I noticed that too. I call that "eating the stakes."

[@TallGuyReads]

Hahahaha I love it!

[@lovebunny2345]

I am so happy to see likeminded people loving these books!!! (spoilers) Perhaps because I am a woman, but I found Cheng Xin so compelling because she made so many "mistakes" and had the literal weight of the story. I agree with you that I don't understand why people would be so focused on characters--it's a story about humanity collectively, about ideas and themes

[@TallGuyReads]

So happy to hear how much you enjoyed it!

[@Adam-ds5lq]

Loved trilogy. 9/10. One thing I struggeled with were eastern names of characters and I had to many times to go back and check who is who.

[@tempse]

Hey Alex, I'm really enjoying your well-structured, articulate, and enthusiastic reviews - and this one was no exception.
I agree, Death's End (as well as the whole trilogy) is a monumental piece of sci-fi. It's incredible to look back and reflect on how seemingly small and almost insignificant the first book started compared to how the trilogy ends. Absolutely mind-blowing!
Unfortunately though, I have read a couple of Cixin's other books, and I think they are inferior to the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. There are still a couple of very interesting stories and ideas, but none if the ones I read compare to our beloved trilogy. What I want to say: Keep your expectations reasonably low when you pick up some of his other books, and there's a chance that you'll enjoy them (or at least some of them). :-)

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you so much Sebastian! I really appreciate it! You're absolutely correct! I'm excited to go back and reread the trilogy one day in the future because I think it would be fascinating with the insight of knowing where everything is going!
Hahahah yeah I've heard that from many sources! I do want to at least try a few (Wandering Earth, Ball Lightning, Supernova Era), but not going to rush into those. I will definitely be going in with contained expectations though lol
Thanks for watching the vid!! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying them!

[@BingDwenDwen]

That is not a fair assesment of Cixin Liu's other books, as its Cixins origin stories that lead to this masterpiece of Three Body Problem. It is fascinating to read his other books and you will see glimpse of early concepts and blueprints that have been worked out in the Three Body problem in a much grander scale. So it is interesting where Cixin evolution and influence came from by reading his other books, it therefore compliments the understanding of the Three Body Problem work much better.

[@tempse]

​@@BingDwenDwen Good point, fair enough. I think my view of his body of work is heavily influenced by the fact that I read the Remembrance of Earth's Past books first and went to his other books only afterward. I think I was expecting a bit too much in terms of scope and plot density and wasn't blown away by his other books when I eventually picked them up.
I do understand your point, though. I have some other favorite authors whose early works I enjoy reading very much for the very same reasons you mentioned (even though other people don't always seem to appreciate them as much as I do). ;-)

[@RJGibson7]

Awesome review man! I'm going to be starting deaths end as soon as I finish typing this comment lol! I'm so interested to see how this ends

[@TallGuyReads]

Thanks man! Yesss I’m so excited to hear your thoughts! There are some insane moments in this book so brace yourself haha! Enjoy man!

[@noeditbookreviews]

I'm about 80% through the trilogy and holy crap. It's amazing.

[@TallGuyReads]

So glad to hear you are enjoying it!! It’s a phenomenal trilogy and I find myself thinking back on it frequently! Hope you enjoy the end! Thanks for watching!

[@noeditbookreviews]

The last 200 pages were great

[@GeekPort]

Finally! Good review of the trilogy!

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed the review!

[@curtjarrell9710]

I'll have to watch this one later. Last week I bought the first volume in the series. I plan to read that at a later time.

[@TallGuyReads]

Sounds good! Awesome! Excited to hear what you think of the first book…I think it’s great, but the series really picks up with book 2! Enjoy!

[@rumpelRAINS]

Great video!

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vryusvin3905]

I agree with almost everything you said, except the ending. I didn't know how it would end either. When it came, though, I was disappointed. I wanted it to be more of a release or more profound. While it is profound in its own way, I still wanted something MORE. That is just my opinion. The trilogy is mind-blowing and worth reading, it has been in my brain over the last months even as I've moved onto other books. But yea. I thought we deserved a better ending than the start of a theme park ride in some random manga. Just my thoughts :)

[@TallGuyReads]

I can totally see that point...I definitely enjoyed the ending and know plenty people who also did, but I can 100% see the counterpoint. Honestly, I'm not sure where the story would've gone at that point so any type of cohesive ending in my opinion was a win hahaha glad you enjoyed the trilogy overall though and thank you so much for watching!

[@BingDwenDwen]

The ending was perfect as the title of the book, it was deaths end. The universe got a reset, that must have been the most mind blowing sci-fi ending to date, a Universe that resets itself, it is horrifying but also hopeful that it was able to happen.

[@safinan8008]

Hi 👋 great review video, I like the way u review book on ur channel 😊😊 I’m currently reading Deadhouse gate by Steven Erikson so far it’s confusing but so fascinating the way he writes his books!! Happy reading to you!! 😊😊

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy Deadhouse Gates! Malazan is a series that I am very much looking forward to checking out! Happy reading to you as well!

[@ricokiwill2045]

Will there be an in depth review of the series with spoilers? love to see how you think of some of the specific ideas in the books

[@TallGuyReads]

I'm not sure if I'd do another actual review of the series like how these ones were, but I would love to do some spoiler discussions on some of the ideas and themes in the books as I think that would be a lot of fun for me and for those who have read the trilogy! I will be doing a full spoiler discussion in a few weeks with some other content creators who have read the trilogy as well and that will also be a lot of fun!

[@ricokiwill2045]

@@TallGuyReads looking forward to seeing it!

[@CatherineLambert-fz7pd]

Honestly his books are so hard to read if you don't know much about physics (like me) but I do love his books

[@thehappy15a]

Rewrites for the beginning. The witch gets to talk to Constantine V because she’s sleeping with a verengian guard named Beowulf. (Viking bodyguards for Byzantine emperors) That’s a MUCH better reason for her to be able to talk to the emperor. The she fails to kill mehmed the emperor orders her killed but, Beowulf saves her. They fight their way through Constantinople and escape sailing to Italy where the renaissance is Kicking off. They then set up a secret society of people that can enter the 4th dimension including Leonardo da vinci, chesra borga and niccolo machiavelli. This secret society knows the threat aliens pose and seek to prepare humanity.

[@thehappy15a]

Im thinking when Beowulf is getting the boat ready to escape he will go on a rant. “You would think with paganism being over and everyone worshiping the same cast of characters there would be fewer wars but NO! Let’s kill each other EVEN MORE!

[@thehappy15a]

DaVinci (being a pacifist) is afraid humanity will destroy itself with 4th dimension tech. Chesera Borga wants to weaponize it. I don’t know what Machiavelli would think but I’m thinking he’s somewhere in between.

[@thehappy15a]

At this point your thinking I’m ripping off the good assassins creed games. Good artists copy great artists steal!

[@TallGuyReads]

Hahaha this is great!

[@markusvieira4427]

I cant buy this book in Europe :( no stock in my country, and now that i see the video i will try Ebook First i want to read it.!!!!!!

[@TallGuyReads]

Ah really?! That’s a bummer! Let me know what you think of the trilogy if you give it a try!

[@Justin-xh4vo]

Hey I just found this channel! How did you get a hardcover version of Empire of Silence??? Look forward to more vids

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you for checking out the video! I was lucky enough to have a friend on a Discord who reached out saying they had an extra copy when I mentioned I was looking for one! If you're in the market, I would definitely keep an eye on BookOutlet in CA! Thanks for watching!

[@sfexpress7159]

handsome boy with smart mind! FYI, in China, the most popular characters are Wade and Zhang Beihai I think🤣

[@TallGuyReads]

Thank you for the kind words! Yeah I remember seeing that when I was doing some research on the series!! Very interesting hahaha thanks for watching!

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

Zhang Beihai not only saved humanity, but he also greatly improved the story of Dark Forest and Death's End.
I read the first and second book in four days, it took me longer to finish the third book because I was frustrated with Cheng Xin and put the book aside for two days after she had Wade executed.

[@myoldchannel0690]

Help! After reading this, I've become desensitized to BIG ideas. Does anyone know of any sci-fi that can deliver on/near the level of Death's End?

[@TallGuyReads]

Haha that is a totally normal feeling to have after finishing Death's End...I haven't found anything of a similar scope to Death's End so far, but I've asked around and Jonathan from Words in Time recommended checking out Permutation City by Greg Egan! He said it's sci-fi cyberpunk that focuses more on the cyber than the punk and it really blew him away!

[@myoldchannel0690]

@@TallGuyReads oh yes! I just heard about (and placed an order for ) Greg Egan books!!! I got Dichronauts and Diaspora. I watched Fit2Bread's review of dichronauts and it sounds pretty mind-warping. I'll check put Permutation City, thanks!

[@hoorah92]

While there are cool aspects to these books, i dont think im going to move to book 3. The sophons just break the series for me

[@TallGuyReads]

Fair enough! I definitely would recommend trying book 3 as its many peoples favorites, but that's jsut my opinion! Read what you want to read!x

[@shishenliart]

This was a brilliant trilogy.
Absolutely mind blowing.

[@TallGuyReads]

Right?! I haven't stopped thinking about this trilogy since finishing it tbh