My immediate next step is I need to memorize the spelling of my new favorite author Sylvain Neuvel. I read 4 books by him in 2 months. First 2 books of 2 trilogy. Last books of both are not in library yet.
Sleeping Giants (Themis Files, #1) by Sylvain Neuvel
Sci-fi yes. Existing, additive - no - Based on the book blub comparing with Martian & all.
This fascinating first novel is told mostly through conversations between an unnamed interviewer and the book's other characters, along with newspaper articles, government memos, and various characters' journal entries.
Narative style is something to note. All of it is interviews or meeting discussion between the different characters and an unnamed all-powerful co-ordinator. Each chapter covers the interaction between one character and this unnamed co-ordinator. Its never a group interaction. The one characters tells the events in their own style. That moves the story forward; but culls the excitement of certain event when described by author rather than by a character.
Hence, though the scope of the book is at epic level, its dulled away by the narration style.
I wasn't mighty-excited interested about the book. Its not the rousing kind. But gosh I was so happy to know its a trilogy and there are 2 more. I immediately ordered the next one in my local library.
Walking Giants (Themis Files, #2) by Sylvain Neuvel
2nd book in the series. Finished the first book "Sleep Giants" in June. And then the 2nd book in a weeks time. And when I looked up for the third in this series, only digital version in my local library. No book ! Oh the scandal. I need print copy to stay away from devices. That's the whole reason I got back to book reading. Phew.
Lots happens in this book as well. Remember when 8 people get killed in Sleeping Giants and guilt. Well here, one incident after other, thousand & then millions die. 2 of the very main characters are killed off too.
Take Them To Stars series - by Sylvain Neuvel - A History of What Comes Next (1) & Until the Last of Me (2)
Since I couldn't finish the previous trilogy, I hopped on to the next trilogy by same author. Totally different in tone, language, setting & everything.
Again my favorite genre of space science fiction. Here the desire to reach the stars, so no real space adventure. But lot of adventure on earth, in different countries, in innumerable time-eras and cultures.
First of all such an intriguing premise. And then executed well. The multi generation of ladies meant multi stories from decades & centuries & cultures. Multi cultures are referenced - those who have been involved in astronomy in some way but yet to spot India yet; lets see in 3rd book, not a big deal.
The gore in Book One was hard to digest and one particular story gave me nightmares I have to say. Back story for it based on true incidents upset me & I had to take a break from reading the last of the book. No such violence in the Book Two.
About the violence in the Book One, made me doubt about maybe the villain & victim are interchanged & not what is portrayed.
In Book One, the information section in the end is multiple pages. Every historical reference in the book (which is a lot) is provided its real back story. That was very educational.
The Further Reading section in Book Two is an entire chapter in itself, with each that can send you down the wiki rabbit hole.
There is even a Spotify playlist of songs which named the chapters. Haven’t enjoyed a true blue space s I-go in a long long time.
