The Three-Body Problem
This hard science fiction trilogy—The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death’s End—explores first contact with an alien civilization. Set in China and spanning millennia, the story begins with a mysterious virtual game tied to astrophysical phenomena and a looming extraterrestrial invasion. Combining physics, philosophy, and political intrigue, Liu Cixin explores humanity’s place in the cosmos, the fragility of civilization, and the terrifying logic of survival. Thought-provoking and grand in scope, the trilogy has become a cornerstone of modern sci-fi and won the Hugo Award.
Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion.