Sleeping Giants: The first book in the mind-bending sci-fi series

A lot of science fiction focuses on humans meeting an alien civilisation on a distant planet or creating new, life-changing technology with a black mirror-esque consequence. However, Sleeping Giants is a little different. If anything, I found it more realistic and plausible.

Slyvain Neuvel's novel is about a life-changing discovery which Dr Rose Franklin made as a child. The course of her life and the entire world changed forever when she fell into an enormous, ornate metal hand in the middle of the woods, deep underground.

What was this hand? Where would this lead?

Years later, it was discovered that this hand was a single puzzle piece to a whole giant. Soon enough, a top-secret investigation was launched to find the other pieces of the huge giant and put them together.

Soon enough, it is concluded that this giant was left behind for humans to discover on purpose by an ancient, far more intelligent civilisation. It's one of the most terrifying ideas in sci-fi - that perhaps, out there somewhere, is a life form who knows more than us.

What is even more terrifying is that same civilisation leaving something behind, waiting for us to catch up. But catch up to what, exactly?

I won't spoil this book, as much as I want too, and as much as I want to talk about the gripping ending which left me reading until 2am, endlessly thinking about the strange outcomes.

What I will spoil, however, is how it is written. The novel is split into chapters which are a series of interviews, conducted by an anonymous participant in the secret investigation into this giant. It feels like you are infiltrating classified documents of the past (or future?) to piece together a larger story. In fact, any fan of investigative journalism may find this a particularly fun read.

Naturally, a lot of science fiction is less about science and more about the human condition. About how we interact, our purpose, our flaws and our triumphs. This book is no exception. Neuvel holds a mirror to human nature regarding power and conflict. It isn't just about the giant or what it does or where it came from, it's about the battle of ownership over the giant. It's about the egos of men and nations claiming it for themselves. It's about cover ups and lies. It's truly a test on humans, even before they have each piece of the puzzle put together.

It's safe to say, after the wild journey I was taken through via diary entries and transcriptions, I will be getting my hands on the sequels - Waking Gods and Only Human. You can purchase Sleeping Giants form Waterstones here.