Don't worry, since this is Netflix, they'll probably cancel it after the first season, or definitely cancel it after the second season.

Yeah, the first book was a bit weird, but still in a good way, after that it went to straight up "what if the universe, like, ended, man?" Territory.

And I liked the second book the most, now we have all three books covered in these comments.

First one was okay, third one just went off the rails for me. Interesting, but the story failed to continue to engage me.

Agree on the adaption though, especially given the recent record of bad ones.

It's a different translator on the second book. It definitely suffers for it.

The ideas in the first book and the (to me, novel) insights into some Chinese history etc, kept me involved in the first book. The characters were shittily written, especially the final American bad guy who was an underdeveloped trope more than a character.

I barely got through the second book. It had some interesting ideas, but far fewer. The main conciet they build up to is hollow.

I started the third book, on tape this time. I have a long commute and it is always my last choice of what to listen to.

I had the same thoughts. The books are heavily conceptual, even though there are some action sequences. A lot of incredibly abstract stuff to try and translate to episodic drama.

Funny I read someone else on here say the third was the best and in particular the ending so it might be worth powering through if you're half way there.

I've only read the first myself but I'm reluctant to start the second with reviews like yours.