The Sleeping Giant

The more I read of the Misewa Saga, the more I am convinced that this is a fantasy series that is sure to become a classic. David A Robertson creates rich characters and fantastical adventures, while managing to include commentary on colonialism and Indigenous oppression as it parallels the treatment of the trapped beings of Ministik. I was also happy to see the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ characters in this story, particularly in the current political climate where book banning continues to target marginalized groups. Another great adventure in the continuing saga, I look forward to reading book 6.

"The Sleeping Giant" picks up not long after the events of "The Portal Keeper" and follows the kids as they attempt to rescue their friends from the people who've captured them. The first thing I have to say about this book is that it didn't drag as much as the others, I found myself engaged from start to finish and definitely worried for the characters. The author has done an excellent job at balancing the drama and the character development in this story, and it definitely feels like the series is at last hitting its stride. I'm glad I stuck out this story and kept reading it, as I am definitely excited to see what comes next.

Much of the events in this story remind me of things I've been told about the atrocities that have occurred to show more Indigenous Communities in Canada - and especially in Manitoba - and it hits close to home in that respect, but it is handled with respect and dignity, and I commend the author for that. show less

Preliminary remarks on the first chapter to convey my first impressions: Here we are in the fifth volume of David Robertson's Misewa Saga. Volume 4 ended on a high-stakes cliff hanger with some very traumatic happenings. A year later, Volume 5 makes it clear that I forgot some important stuff that happened in the previous book, because it was overshadowed by the culmination of Morgan's four-book-long search for closure and comfort about her missing mother and by the violent bloodbath of the last chapter. But now Eli is feeling overwhelmed (an understatement -- the poor kid passes out) by the knowledge that his birth mother is a celestial being.

Fortunately as Volume 5 progresses, the narrative leans into this revelation and explores it show more further. But the whole book doesn't really advance the plot as much as I had hoped. At the end of Book 4, the children return to Misewa to discover that the entire village of Pisiskowak -- anthropomorphic speaking animals -- have been massacred or captured by armed militiamen, with truly horrendous real-world violence. Book 5 offers more of the same. The tiny group tries to make plans to rescue their compatriots, searches out a few more allies, is attacked by lizard people and suffers serious injury, and attempts to reconnoitre with disastrous results. The paramilitary group finds the group within their fortified encampment, shots are fired, one of the children is wounded, one of the Pisiskowak feared dead, and the book ends up with Eli and his friends imprisoned.
The real-world style violence that continues in this book continues to be disturbing. The children and their allies are in extreme danger. Another cliffhanging ending leaves me wondering for how many books in a row the author can keep this up. I hope for a resolution in Book 6. show less

In preparation for reading this Early Reviewers copy, I read the prior books in the series, and it was a pleasure to prepare! I can't say that for every series I've read as preparation, but I'm glad that this one was a fun journey. I like how we learn more about Eli in The Sleeping Giant and that we get to see some more pieces of Aski. The world building in this series is detailed and thorough and I appreciate the complicating factor of time spent traveling by foot that this installment of the series tackles. I understand the desire to have manageable page counts for a middle grades book, but I will say that I am anxious for a resolution to this particular pickle where we've left off. I suppose this is another count in the book's favor show more in the scheme of things though. show less

This book directly states that it is a mix of Narnia and indigenous stories, and it very much accomplishes both. The world of Aski is akin to that of Narnia mixed with the indigenous heritage that the book claims. I was unaware at first that this was the 5th book in the series, but after reading into this book quite a way I will be picking up the precedent books so I can catch up to the story and fill in the blanks that I am missing. A very interesting and fast read that indeed left me wanting to read more of the story. This time starting at the beginning.

I received this book as an ARC. This is considered a tween or middle school fantasy book. However, as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is actually book #5 in the series. I read this book as a standalone book. I had not read the previous books and in book #5 I learned a few things that happened in the previous books. However, in order to completely understand how the characters got to this point in this book it would be beneficial to have read the previous 4 books. I don't want to give to much away, but the characters in this series have to find a way to get their people, who were kidnapped by the humans, secretly released without the humans knowing. Many adventures later....do they? The book is really good and uses a few show more words of native language (New Zealand I believe - with a small glossary in the front) along with the English language. I will be getting the first 4 books to learn the back story. Give it a try. show less

The Sleeping Giant starts right where book 4 left off. Once again, Eli and Morgan are trying to save Aski only this time it is humans that are trying to take over for profit. Eli works on understanding better how to open portals to save his friends, while also trying to understand why his mother The Star Woman left him.
This is an exciting fantasy book that will lead you from one adventure to another, while playing out friendship and loyalty.
After you read this, you will be anxious to read book 6. This will not disappoint!
I won this book from LibraryThing and enjoyed it immensely!