Sleeping Giants

Sleeping Giants is an engrossing full cast science fiction audiobook that reminds me of the heartbreakingly good movie The Iron Giant more than it should, basically only because, big robot.

A group of genius misfits, each with their own niche interests and skills, are herded into a team by a mysterious unnamed man. The team's mission is simple in theory but complex and often deadly in practice: 1) unearth and 2) understand the scattered pieces of an immense metal being governed by advanced technology.

Neuvel provokes questions about the ends justifying the means, what happens when professional and personal relationships overlap, and how work on a project with stakes high enough to end humanity as a whole warp one's ego and value of human life. Work where every choice is simultaneously carefully weighed and outrageously reckless. It's also about how emotions seep into whatever we do, no matter how high the stakes, for better or worse.

I think the main pitfall of Sleeping Giants is something I'm considering making a Goodreads shelf for: “male SFF author introduces really cool premise only whoops he can't write women and makes everything about sex which is a boring letdown.” I'm workshopping the name.

Overall, an entertaining ride about a painfully dedicated group of characters, with some interesting twists. Really fun to listen to. We'll see if I continue the series.