Death’s End
{5/5} “Life reached an evolutionary milestone when it climbed onto land from the ocean, but those first fish that climbed onto land ceased to be fish. Similarly, when humans truly enter space and are freed from the Earth, they cease to be human. So, to all of you I say this: When you think about heading into outer space without looking back, please reconsider. The cost you must pay is far greater than you could imagine.”
Death’s End by Cixin Liu, published in 2010
Cheng Xin works for an agency devoted to intelligence gathering on Trisolaris and its fleet. Its first project, the Staircase Program, aims to send a human brain to intercept the fleet. Only humans who have terminal diseases are being considered. An old school acquaintance of hers, Yun Tianming, shows up on the list and is eventually chosen. After his brain is removed, she discovers that Tianming is the one who secretly purchased a star in her name.
This is the sequel to The Dark Forest, and concludes the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.
It’s about deterrence, four-dimensional space, and giving information to your friends when your enemy is listening.
It contains astonishing concepts like the Swordholder and the cosmic safety device. The big ideas are reminiscent of Arthur C. Clarke.
I’ve read 3 books by Liu. At least 2 more of his books have been translated into English.