A review by fancycar
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
5.0
the main reason i don't read much sci-fi is because my overall experience has been that world-building and plot take center stage, and i'm the kind of person who will read a book that has me rolling my eyes at the entire story, as long as i am emotionally invested in the characters. (bonus points if they suffer and i cry.)
this book? absolutely delivers on plot, intriguing characters, and actual character development.
the ~mysterious~ narrator is truly the driving force at work, pushing both the story and the characters forward. and even though his character is portrayed as this well-connected puppetmaster who absolutely handles situations and gets. shit. done.very sexy of him tbh, i never felt like there were any deux ex machina moments.
reading this almost felt like reading a play: the cast is small and there are only a handful of places the main story and dialogue take place. i can see how this would be frustrating for someone who likes their sci-fi to be filled with that expansive world-building, but there is honestly still so much packed into such a relatively short book.
as someone who mainly reads fantasy and chick lit, the political and social commentary from the author was... refreshing, i guess? in a book that's essentially about a giant (alien) weapon of mass destruction, it's not unexpected when we're asked to confront the cost of war–or, more accurately, the value of a human life–as well as our place in the universe, both individually and collectively.
i initially started listening to this on audiobook before getting so into the story that i had to switch to the ebook, but it's the first time i've ever been sad to switch. i honestly think the ensemble cast, and especially the narration by andy secombe, make the audiobook abetter more immersive experience overall–although, i would recommend listening at 1.5 speed, at least.
if you like giant alien robots, found family, mysterious and cryptic but well-intentioned covert agent type dudes... highly recommend.
this book? absolutely delivers on plot, intriguing characters, and actual character development.
the ~mysterious~ narrator is truly the driving force at work, pushing both the story and the characters forward. and even though his character is portrayed as this well-connected puppetmaster who absolutely handles situations and gets. shit. done.
reading this almost felt like reading a play: the cast is small and there are only a handful of places the main story and dialogue take place. i can see how this would be frustrating for someone who likes their sci-fi to be filled with that expansive world-building, but there is honestly still so much packed into such a relatively short book.
as someone who mainly reads fantasy and chick lit, the political and social commentary from the author was... refreshing, i guess? in a book that's essentially about a giant (alien) weapon of mass destruction, it's not unexpected when we're asked to confront the cost of war–or, more accurately, the value of a human life–as well as our place in the universe, both individually and collectively.
i initially started listening to this on audiobook before getting so into the story that i had to switch to the ebook, but it's the first time i've ever been sad to switch. i honestly think the ensemble cast, and especially the narration by andy secombe, make the audiobook a
if you like giant alien robots, found family, mysterious and cryptic but well-intentioned covert agent type dudes... highly recommend.