Rate: 4.5/5

Medium: Book

Overview (No Spoilers): When looking up more articles regarding Red Rising, because by now I’m sure you have realized I can’t stop talking about that series, I came across Pierce Brown making the following comment regarding debut novelist, Sylvain Neuvel’s Sleeping Giants:

“Reminiscent of The Martian and World War Z, Sleeping Giants is a luminous conspiracy yarn that shoots for (and lands among) the stars.”—Pierce Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Red Rising

I immediately preordered the novel with appropriately high expectations. Large, mysterious metallic body parts showing up, scattered throughout the world, potential aliens, and a scientific team, led by a female physicist. How could I not be intrigued? What makes this novel unique is the interview format that maintains throughout the text. Occasionally you’ll have a memo, new article, or personal log mixed throughout, however most of the dialogue is written from the context of a super, top secret, clandestine individual with security clearances exceeding that of even the President of the United States, interviewing individuals within the project. Neuvel elegantly portrays personalities, mannerisms, and attitudes of the main characters in the minimalist nature of an interview. Sleeping Giants is filled with twists that are unexpected and crushing, however adds elements of humor throughout. He even references my beloved Detroit Lions, despite obviously getting the important fact incorrect that they are of course a shoo-in for the Super Bowl this year; the often-heartbreaking mantra of a Lions fan. I may have had a major fan geek moment when Neuvel liked my Instagram photo below, along side my Super Bowl caption.

Overall, I couldn’t put down this fast paced, thrilling novel (even with Buddy begging me to play frisbee)! Sleeping Giants bridges the often literarily neglected bridge between extraterrestrial, science fiction technology and the potential real-life political attitudes and subsequent repercussions. Trust me and get ahead of the pack here. Sleeping Giants is a must read!

Additional Insight (May Contain Spoilers): 

1. What happened to Rose? Where did she go? Will the other people that ‘disappeared’ in the accidents also randomly show back up?
2. Will the aliens return back to earth?
3. What happened to Alyssa and will she make dozens of Vincent/Kara babies? For that matter, what makes Vincent and Kara special to be able to operate the Giant? What will happen when they die?
4. What will happen to the Giant, long term? History tells us that no government lasts forever, therefore, it can not be assumed that eventually the UN would not become corrupt and use the Giant in a way that would invoke the wrath of it’s creators.
5. Ryan’s character development was necessary, but no less heartbreaking.
6. I felt as though the scientific team was far too small for the task at hand and they took tons of risks. Obviously I know it worked for the story, however my scientific mind was sounding alarms several times through the book.
7. I loved the character development of the interviewer. Initially, as did the interviewees, the reader had little trust for his character and could not discern whether he was a ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy.’ However, by the end of the book you realize he protected those loyal to the cause and in general was looking out for the human race, instead of a specific government or agency. I was surprised to find him as one of my favorite characters, despite the lack of information we have regarding this mysterious person. Speaking of mysterious people, who and what was the person giving our Interviewer inside information on the history of the aliens? I’m guessing he was a descendent of those marooned on Earth, which would lead you to believe there are others. Where are they and are they involved in politics/science/theology of the age?