SFF

Sleeping Giants

Del Rey: Ballantine. Apr. 2016. 320p. ISBN 9781101886694. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781101886700. SF
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OrangeReviewStarAn enormous hand glowing with strange symbols is found in South Dakota by young Rose Franklin, who years later becomes a scientist and heads the team studying the artifact. The hand is just the beginning as the researchers hunt for more pieces of what turns out to be an enormous alien robot-like construct. Through transcripts of interviews of those investigating the machine and a secretive man directing the work, we follow the discovery and assembly of the relic and the mystery of who left it and why.
VERDICT Reminiscent of Max Brooks's World War Z, the story's format effectively builds suspense using debriefings and news articles after the fact. Great characters such as prickly pilot Kara Resnik keep the tale grounded, and readers gradually get a picture, complete with the anonymous interviewer as he pulls strings to keep the project afloat and world tensions under control. A remarkable debut.
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