Title: Sleeping Giants
Author: Sylvain Neuvel
Series Name: Themis Files
Genre: Adult Sci-Fi
Publication Date: Oct 20th, 2016
Pages: 320 (Hardcover)
Publishers: Del Rey
Rating:
The Themis Files is a deeply human story about a world-changing alien discovery.
17 years ago, a young girl named Rose fell through the ground in the Black Hills and found herself in an underground chamber filled with gleaming symbols, lying in the palm of a giant metal hand. Now a physicist, Rose leads a research team struggling to determine the hand’s origins. When another giant limb is discovered, she quickly devises a method for unearthing the hidden pieces, convinced there is an entire body out there waiting to be found.
Halfway around the globe, Kara watches helplessly as her helicopter shuts down over a pistachio field in Turkey. That’ll leave a mark, but she’s about to crash her way into what might be the greatest endeavor in human history.
This is a hunt for truth, power, and giant body parts. Written as a series of interview transcripts, journal entries and mission logs, The Themis Files tells the tale of a handful of people whose lives are inexorably linked by the discovery of an alien device and the commotion that follows.
This review doesn’t follow my normal format as originally it was meant to be a mini spoiler-free review but I’m now at around my normal word count for book reviews so I took ‘mini’ out of the title haha.
This book was the right amount of interesting and insane and I absolutely loved it! The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I am giving book 2 & 3 the option to be even better!
Firstly, I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook. That is how I consumed this book and it is extremely well done, with a cast of voice narrators. This book is set out similar to The Illuminae Files meaning that it isn’t told in novel form but in a dossier of documents. I have spoken to some people that said they couldn’t get into this book because of this format. So for that, the audiobook is awesome. I don’t think I would have had a trouble with the physical book myself as I jumped straight into The Illuminae Files with no issue at all, so I don’t think this type of format bothers me.
I have no idea how but this book made me emotional from very early in the book. I didn’t know these characters, I didn’t know these people, I didn’t know this world but I found myself tearing up at 16% into it! Also, teared up in two other stages of the book, but at this point, I was starting to know these characters and care. But that first time actually shocked me. I don’t generally cry or tear up in books except for absolute favourites like Harry Potter, The Illuminae Files, The Medoran Chronicles, etc. and it is never in the first book, it is usually a book or two into a series I am loving and really care about the characters that this happens. Oh and also World War 2 Historical Fictions, but who doesn’t get emotional with those, it’s fucking reality, anyway. This book is neither but something about it got to me. I don’t know why but damn.
The plot of this book was so good. There were so many shocking things that happened that it always keeps you guessing.
Because of how this book is set out we get to know the characters very well and I loved all of them except two which you aren’t meant to like. I still think their character was done well, but that doesn’t mean I like them.
*This is going to be tricky as I listened to the audiobook and don’t have a physical book, so I am just guessing spelling here. Usually, I check the Goodreads Synopsis for spelling but only Rose is mentioned there. *
Okay, so I will start with Rose. She was probably the one we connect to least as she doesn’t have as many conversations as the others. But I really liked her. For some reason, I am picturing her like the old girl from the movie Paul, Tara Walton.
I don’t know why because Rose isn’t even old. She is in her 30s apparently. But she just feels like a protective mother figure of sorts. Then there is also the similarities that both Tara & Rose find an alien something when they were a kid and then get reunited later in life. Anyway, I don’t really know why but that is who I picture as Rose haha. Besides that I like that she is smart, she questions things, she is protective and caring.
Next, we have Kara who is totally me! She is sarcastic, bitchy, doesn’t like being told what to do and doesn’t appreciate when people keep her in the dark. I absolutely love Kara, she is my soul sister but with fighting skills haha.
Next, Vincent, I didn’t love him at the start but grew to like him. He is intelligent, caring and determined.
Then we have the unnamed guy that kinda runs the show & is generally the one asking the questions in the discussions throughout the book. At the start, I didn’t like him either. It annoyed me that he never explained anything, but I came to realise the mystery is part of the book. Also, he is kinda cruel but I came to really enjoy him. He is resourceful, sarcastic without it seeming like sarcasm, he is smart and usually 5 steps ahead of everyone & he does end up caring about his team.
Elisa Papantonio (I have no idea if that is how it is spelt! If you have the physical book please let me know!) is the next one I will briefly talk about. I don’t want to spoil anything but this character is one that I do not like, even in the beginning I just couldn’t stand her personality and how she spoke about the project and the other characters. Also, she reminded me of another movie character. This one I partial guess why but I won’t explain, I just wanted to share. She reminds me of Doctor Poison from the new Wonder Woman movie.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I love the characters and feel a connection with them. The plot & world is very interesting and I love learning about it. Also, I really enjoy the format of the book too. I think the dossier of documents is awesome. Lastly, the audiobook is awesome! Full cast narration and this format is a recipe for a perfect audiobook.
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