Sleeping Giants
(Themis Files #1 of 3)
by Sylvain Neuvel
science fiction
copyright 2016
read in December 2018
rated 7/10: well worth reading
A slow start, gradually building to sudden action -- then it slows again. Yet it keeps my attention all the way. Definitely first of a series -- a trilogy -- yet with reasonable closure at the end of this book.
The book starts with lots of traditional sf, a few stereotypes working on a scientific project. As the project gains success, the characters gain a bit more depth. And the complexities of real-world politics intrude. Not too suddenly, not too subtly.
I never really get to empathise with the characters. Like, yes, empathise, no. I'm not sure why, perhaps too many of them with not enough depth. Actions and motives are clearly -- perhaps unrealistically -- linked. My strongest empathy is negative -- dislike of -- the chief villain.
The author uses interviews to link the various threads -- interviews by one linking character with each of the others. This works very well. I have very little trouble following what is happening.
It's an enjoyable book. A variation on hard sf with occasional flashes of humour.
One character in particular, though, plays too much as deus ex machina… because he is there as a lead-in to the next books. I do hope to read the following books in the trilogy.
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
... Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved
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"For every action there is an equal and opposite government program."
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