Are you sure you want to wake those gods?
If you enjoyed the first one, I would pick this one up but maybe don't expect much from it.
I think I would have enjoyed the overall arc if I had just ended it at the last book, but I had to know what happened next. Unfortunately, I can't say that my curiosity was rewarded.
Let's start with the characters. Two of the characters I fell in love with in book one Rose and Kara where both changed significantly in this book. Part of this was definitely shaded by my listening to it on audiobook. The actor who played Kara in the Waking Gods was really close to the sound of the one who played her in Sleeping Giants but just a bit off. It drove me nuts at the start of listening. Then her personality changed so much to make he more of a mother-figure. Coupled with Rose coming back as a completely different person really made me feel like I was starting with a whole new cast in this book. I lost the joy of reuniting with the dream team from Sleeping Giants.
Adding in the introduction of Eva made it even worse. The voice actor for that role was cast poorly and I honestly wasn't invested in her story very much.The story was enjoyable, but when I finished I felt like I was left with so many plot holes. Even worse there were a few times that I felt like Neuvel intentionally not explained. As if addressing the plot hole and admitting that you won't explain it is somehow more admirable.
The cliffhanger at the end was interesting. It did leave me considering hard finishing out the series. Unfortunately, what I know about the next books tells me that I don't want to finish the series.
Overall, I'd have preferred the series if I had stopped at the first. If you liked the first one and you're feeling adventurous give this one a try, but I don't expect it to be as good as the original.
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