The Micro-Age

The Forerunner now knew that he was the only person left in the universe. It had already happened. HNS Ark truly had become a true ark; An Ark with a lone Noah. Of the other seven Forerunners four had been killed by radiation when a star exploded in a nova four light years from the Ark, two had succumbed to illness, one man had, in the silence of that fateful slow-down, shot himself. The Ark returned to the Solar System, 25,000 years after its departure from Earth; 9,000 years later than first planned.

According to predictions in the "Living Planet Report," a biannual report issued by the London Zoological Society and the World Wildlife Foundation, if humans continue their development of the land and sea at the current rate, then by the year 2030 in order to produce enough food, raw materials, and water resources, as well as absorbing the carbon dioxide produced by human activities, we will need two planets to survive.

What will save us?Enter Liu Cixin's Micro-Age to find one choice.


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Liu Cixin's writing will remind SF fans of the genre's golden age, with its positive focus on scientific development, combined with a consistently constructive vision of China's future role as a global superpower. It's characteristic of an SF genre which has been embraced by Chinese culture because it is seen as representing the values of technological innovation and creativity so highly prized in a country developing more quickly than any other in the world today.
€“ Damien Walter, The Guardian

Liu Cixin has put his exuberant energy to good use, erecting a gallery that must be measured on a scale of light-years. Inside this gallery of his, he has stored away marvels beyond imagination produced by the science and technology of cosmic civilizations. The moment you step into Liu Cixin's world, the rush of his enthusiasm buffets you like a particle storm €“ a storm of enthusiasm for science and for technology; And it is this enthusiasm that bears the heart of his world's magnificent galaxy. We can find it reflected not only in the grand vistas he creates, but also in the fateful decisions of his characters. The stark contrast of his grand worlds against the choices of these lonely and feeble beings can be truly shocking!
€“ Yao Haijun, editor in chief of €œScience Fiction World€

First and foremost, as a reader, I very much enjoy and find great satisfaction in Liu Cixin's stories. The stories he tells are incredibly lucid, their language is conversant, their rhythm is tightly woven and their plots exceedingly compelling; Their imagery is unique, they have a boundless quality about them and they are brimming with powerful language; In these ways he echoes the great Taoist philosopher Chuang-tzu. What is more, I truly adore technology and industrial culture and consider them to be very exquisite, serious and atmospheric; almost holy. Liu Cixin's stories reflect this sentiment of mine. Therefore, I at times think that he echoes Newton. Finally, there is the military side of things. One does not have to look far to see his innate passion for all things to do with weaponry. In Liu Cixin we can see a stubbornness, a heroic ideal of centuries past.
€“ Han Song, deputy editor of €œOriental Outlook€