To some extent, there's no valid rating for this book aside from 5. If you've come this far, then you won't be disappointed with this book, because it achieves something that is by all rights impossible: a succinct and tidy ending to a series whose scale is quite literally the universe, and whose level of detail extends well beyond the limits of human science.

That said, unlike other books in this series, it was clear when things were beyond the realm of possible, even in the sense of being not "internally consistent" with previously described features of this world (in previous books, the scale of science was "closer" to human science, and so to a non-hard-scientist like me, it wasn't easy to discern things that were "obviously impossible," though I have no doubts that a scientist may find a few holes in previous novels. Probably no more than they find in published papers!). It doesn't matter, though, because I have no better suggestion for how to tell the story, or how to explain anything. The scope is simply too large.

Easily one of the best series I've ever read, and without a doubt a pillar of science fiction for years to come. Compared to previous science fiction classics - Dune (not actual sci fi but people claim it is), Childhood's End, Foundation, Ender's Game, and every other book on this list that I've read https://www.worldswithoutend.com/lists_classics_of_sf.asp and likely almost all that I have not read - the scope and breadth of the science fiction setting of this novel is so dramatically large that it's not possible not to be impressed.

I'm not sure I'd want to live in Liu's world, but I'm awestruck by it. ( )

Nunca me deja de sorprender la cantidad de ideas y la velocidad con la que pasa de una a otra de Liu Cixin. Esta claramente es la novela más "grande" de las tres. No sólo por su tamaño literal (es un librote) sino por cuanto abarca en tiempo y espacio. Cuando pensas que va a detenerse en algo, salta 2 siglos, y despues pensas que un clímax está llegando, y ¡oh! se detiene durante 3 capítulos a contarte cuentos de hadas con mensajes ocultos. De esta manera te mantiene siempre adivinando hacia donde va la historia. En los dos libros anteriores tuve la sensación de que los personajes realmente no importaban, lo que importa de verdad son las ideas. Y aquí sigue esa misma línea, pero si que hay un esfuerzo mayor en hilar la historia en torno a Cheng Xin, la protagonista (una mujer!).
En fin, que pese a lo esquemático de sus personajes y lo expositivo de la narración, no pude dejar de leer este libro que hablaba del destino de toda la raza humana y su lugar en el universo, desolador y lleno de esperanza a la vez.
Y mirá, si me lei 800 páginas en menos de dos semanas, para mi son 5 estrellas que queres que te diga. ( )

Very disappointing end to an otherwise strong series. Cixin Liu's writing style left this book (like the previous two to a much greater extent) longer than necessary. Unlike books one and two, Death's End didn't have the strong story behind it to make that forgivable - the plot here serves for Liu to string together philosophical treatise and half-baked science against the backdrop of a society that grows scientifically while, against all odds, stagnating socially.

The MC, Cheng, was frustratingly mopey who should never have been in a position of power and despite consistently proving she wasn't up to the task was continually asked to make decisions regarding humanities fate. On top of that, every time she makes a poor decision she decides to put herself in cryo-sleep (or whatever Liu calls it) so others have to deal with the fallout. Appropriately, I guess, the MC does seem to be a stand-in here for the entire human race who throughout this book makes the wrong decisions repeatedly. So I guess in that regard she was a great choice as the Sword Holder.

Moving on from the MC - the dimensional fuckery was, ridiculous and where I started to really drag on this book. I read fantasy and science fiction happily but thanks to the 4th dimensional discussions this book swung wildly from side to side across the plausibility resulting in a book that couldn't decide if it wanted to be science fiction or science fantasy...and apparently I don't do well with that. I'm willing to accept additional dimensions beyond 3 T but I need more explanation than "4th dimension bubbles go pop".

Finally, or maybe a revisit to my complaints about the MC/humanities decision making capabilities, it seemed like the last quarter of this book was just Liu adding on a bit of hope and jerking it away...repeatedly. Into the last pages when due to a light tomb the MC and her always estranged would-be lover manage to get separated by 18 million years. ( )

This book and the whole Three Body Problem series, is easily one of best Science Fiction works I’ve ever read! Give this Five + stars! The story touched me on multiple levels: Scientifically, emotionally, philosophically, etc. This is the first time, I have felt the level of Wonder, I felt as a 14 year old reading Asimov’s Foundation series. If you love SF don’t miss this one. ( )

I liked to see how the series ended, but his was certainly quite weird. ( )