@MelsGarden I loved the trilogy, plus I thought the cultural difference between a Chinese and a western author came out a number of times. It was fairly frequent that he'll say something like "This happened and the population just did this" that made me think "Really? Just like that?"
The man himself is problematic, mind. He's an apologist for what's going on in Xinjiang.
@MelsGarden Yup, understood (and I wasn't aware of any unpleasantness from Marina Sirtis so that's a shame, I'm also a TNG fan). I feel like I have to mention it though if I'm aware, because the books are great but I feel like I have to qualify that recommendation.
As a change of direction, may I recommend Ramez Naam's Nexus books? I know nothing about his politics!
@VoxDei Oh!!! I'd never heard of this series!
Googled it and the synopsis sounds amazing! It's exactly the sort of thing I love. The comparisons to Michael Crichton also sold it - one of my fav authors of all time.
I'm honestly so excited. I can't wait to read it. Thank you so much! My library has the trilogy & I just requested the first book!
@MelsGarden It's great, I loved it. I keep waiting for him to write more and it hasn't happened yet, sadly!
@VoxDei The cultural aspect is one of the things I'm enjoying most about the book! It's so interesting seeing things from a non-Western perspective.
I don't know anything about the author and tbh I make a point of knowing as little about authors/actors/celebrities as possible.
It's just necessary at this point. So many problematic authors & actors & artists.
Marina Sirtis was my breaking point. Her comments were so vile & disgusting that I have a hard time even watching Star Trek w her in it without feeling intense rage. The actor ruined a show I grew up with & loved. And what right did she have to do that?
If I feel that an author (or creator) is problematic I acknowledge it & won't defend them as a person, but I also don't let it destroy how I feel about the work they created. For me those are two separate things.
Just my two cents.