THE LAST ODYSSEY by James Rollins

 

Sigma Force Series Book 15

William Morrow

March 24^th, 2020

978-0062892898

Thriller, Mystery, Science, History, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Action-Adventure

Hardback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by self-purchase

5 Hearts

 

Sigma Force is forced to embark on a dangerous journey in order to save the world in this exciting and twisty new adventure by James Rollins. For centuries, the legendary city of Troy was a myth until its walls were uncovered in the nineteenth century. Now Homer’s twin tales of monsters, myths and more in the Iliad and The Odyssey are up for question. What is myth and what is fact?

When an archeology find in Greenland glacier is discovered with artifacts from the Bronze age, questions arise even as danger mounts. In the captain quarters is a map and a globe made by the famous Banu Musa Brothers that trace the journey of Odysseus and the hidden realm of the titans in Tartarus. Now as Sigma is drawn into the race against tyrants and more as the word of its weapons and more gets out. Now Sigma must take the famed journey and enter the gates of hell in order to stop a global war a tyrant is determined to provoke.

Wow is all I can say after devouring this wonderful action-packed ride that James Rollins creates in THE LAST ODYSSEY. Filled with science marvels, historical gems and a threat to contemporary day world, the author creates a story that will leave you on the edge of your seat till the very last page is read. I love this author’s books as he weaves a story filled with historical facts and myths, science marvels and more that somehow work in his Sigma Force series and add in colorful and yet complex characters, well, lets just say, get ready for a wild ride each and every time you pick up one of this author’s books. Filled with  twists and turns, this story flows smoothly, delivering you on a journey that may or may not be true in real life and you can’t help but be drawn into the world he has created as you fly alongside these amazing characters as they race against the clock to stop destruction yet again.

THE LAST ODYSSEY is full of amazing characters and being the fifteenth book, I can honestly say this author tops his last release spectacularly. Some Easter eggs are thrown in that will shock you to the core and I flipped the pages eager to see where this author’s story ill take you next. I have my favorites within the Sigma Force characters and I couldn’t help but gasp is few times as they got in one adventure after another. Ad in some new characters to help things along, well you got the makings for a wild, action packed ride that will leave you breathless till the end.

THE LAST ODYSSEY is a wild ride and one you can not put down. So, strap in, get ready for an adventure of a lifetime and enter the gates of Hell with the Sigma team. Just don’t forget to breath along the way as you get caught up in the adventures and twists of the story. I can not wait to see where this author goes next because each time, I think he can’t top himself; he succeeds beyond my wildest imagination.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

THE 6TH EXTINCTION by James Rollins

A Sigma Force Novel
William Marrow
August 12^th, 2014
978-0-06-178481-1
Thriller, Mystery, Action-Adventure
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Library
5 Hearts


 

In the remote area of California, a frantic distress call comes through, chilling the very blood of those who answer it. What they find when they get there is death-people, animals and vegetation even the land itself. Over fifty square miles is literally sterile and this pathogen is consuming more and more as it moves outward, the blight growing as it consumes more and more. Sigma is called in along other government agencies to figure out what it is and how to stop it.

To that end, Sigma goes in two different directions- one team will be headed by Painter Crowe, director of Sigma who will try to find the head scientist-Doctor Karl Hess- and a solution to stopping the blight. While Commander Gray Pierce and his team from Sigma will research the many leads as they follow history and race across the globe to Antarctica. Both team’s goals is to stop the blight and get answers before it is too late.

James Rollins is one of those storytellers who mixes genres and comes up with some amazing stories. His Sigma Force series is rich in history, science, mystery, thriller and action to give the reader an edge of your seat ride from start to finish whenever you pick up one of his books. In his latest Sigma Force novel, we find the world is in peril once again and it is up to the secret organization in the US Government, Sigma, to deal with it and get answers as they race against the clock to stop it. What amazes me with this author is his meticulous research with each book. From historical facts woven into the storyline to the latest science and military aspects that may or may not be true; This is an author who really knows his subject matter and delivers it in such a way that it never bogs down the storyline with the many scenes detailing clues and whatnot.

James Rollins is a masterful storyteller who delivers a wild, edge of the seat ride from start to finish with THE 6^TH EXTINCTION. We find familiar faces and some surprising additions within the story as well as a few twists that leave you breathless as you flip the pages quickly to see what happens next. His writing and storytelling leave the reader captivated and the cast of characters are quite diverse as well as entertaining. The reader won’t be able to put this one down; I know I didn’t.

If you enjoy a thriller with science, history, mystery and more woven within the story then you have to grab James Rollins Sigma Force books. I do caution that it is best to read them in order as you get to see the core cast of characters and find out what and who Sigma is. What really thrills me when you are done with one of the Sigma Force books is how the author will do a ‘Is this true or not?” sort of note and go through the story and detailing what is fact and fiction. It helps give a perspective on the story and what he used as plot points.

I am eager to see after an author note in the book pointed out that even wilder and interesting times are coming to Sigma so hang on to your caps, ladies and gents, it’s about to get wild. I am eager to see where this author goes in future books and see what he is able to incorporate in the series.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

INNOCENT BLOOD by James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell

The Order of the Sanguines Series Book Two
William Morrow/Harper Collins
December 10^th, 2013
978-0-06-199106-6
Supernatural Mystery, Apocalyptic Prophecy, Action-Adventure, Contemporary
Hardcover
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Library
4 Hearts



It has been a few months since the Blood Gospel was found and opened and for archaeologist Erin Granger, it was a journey that was fraught with danger, revelations and more. Now back in the United States, she struggles to figure out where her life is going when an unexpected attack at her ranch leads her back to the world of the Sanguines and must join forces again with Army Sergeant Jordan Stone and the mysterious Father Rhun Korza in order to race to discover the next clue in a prophecy. Can these three figure out what comes next while searching for clues across centuries & around the world and to hell and back?

I have to admit James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell have penned one heart pounding wild ride in the next book in their new series, INNOCENT BLOOD. This is an awesome sequel to The Blood Gospel and the authors keep the twists coming as the story unfolds with new characters popping up and old ones we met in the first book taking center stage along side Erin, Rhun and Jordan. The story delivers a wild roller coaster of a ride for readers to enjoy as they follow our three main characters on a journey that crosses the world, centuries and more. The characters are just delightful and some make the reader want to scream ‘Not him’ as a twist in the ending leaves your jaw dropped in shock. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read this one yet but suffice to say, there are a few plot twists that had me totally thrown for a loop. The characters are well written and come alive amid the pages, with hidden nuances, vulnerabilities and more coming across the pages as the readers are thrown in the story. I loved how the characters continued to grow, question and find the mysteries they are trying to uncover as well as solve. There is no bad guy per say but a few characters give the hint of what is coming within the story that you can’t help but wonder if true evil isn’t all black and white but also shades of grey.

INNOCENT BLOOD makes you think as it leads you on an adventure that doesn’t let up even at the last page and both authors deliver an explosive story that leaves you breathless in the end. This is a journey of self discovery not just for the characters of the book but also possibly the reader as well. It’s about finding your role in life regardless of what or who wants you to be. It is also about faith and as you cheer on the good guys, you find yourself wondering are they all that good and are the bad guys also not so bad. This story and series makes you think and form your own opinions on it but I have to admit, INNOCENT BLOOD delivers from the first page to the last. With just the touch of Indiana Jones to keep things interesting, history comes alive amid the pages as Erin, Rhun and Jordan race to find the next clue in the prophecy even as they try to stay alive.

INNOCENT BLOOD is best read after The Blood Gospel (book one) and I can not wait to see where they go next in this series. If you enjoy a different sort of book that leaves you hanging by your fingertips at times then you need to read this series. I caution you that you won’t want to put it down because you will need to find out what happens next for these characters. Now the question is what can these two authors do to top this sequel?

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

 

THE EYE OF GOD by James Rollins

A Sigma Force Novel, Book Ten

William Morrow

978-0+06-178480-4

June 25^th, 2013

Historical, Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller

Hardcover

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self-Purchase

When a US military research satellite crashes in the remote region of Mongolio, a fear is born when the US researchers and Sigma Force go after it as it shows a future picture of the Eastern coast of the USA in flames and rubble. Is this picture the satellite took an anomaly or one that predicts the destruction of the world in less than four days? It will take the combine forces of the elite Sigma Force led by Commander Gray Pierce as well as Vatican historians who race to find the satellite and see if they can beat the clock. Four days and counting…can Sigma Force and its allies get the answers it needs before time runs out?

Wow as I write this review up, I am in absolute awe over this author. James Rollins is a masterful storyteller, one that weaves historical facts as well as science into his thrillers to keep the readers glued to the pages till the very end. I can attest that his books can draw me in like no other can and leave me on the edge of my seat with twists and turns in the storyline making me gasp out in shock. Mr. Rollins’ latest Sigma Force novel delves into ancient prophecies, a glimpse of a future that may or may not be true and your token bad guys trying to get to the goods as well. But what is a bit different is the relationship the characters have with one another. Gray finds himself dealing with his feelings for former double agent Seichen and seeing his former girlfriend, Rachel, brings up memories he finds confusing. Plus we got to meet some new characters as well that added to the mix and brought different perspectives, strengths and more to the story. This is an author who knows this world like the back of his hand can slide right into it as he draws the readers in and delivers some amazing character growth with each book in the series. I loved meeting up with my old friends in Sigma Force as well as meeting some new ones who intrigued me with their unique skill sets. The writing is top notch and delivers a story so intriguing, so thrilling, you can’t put it down. I know I didn’t…not even to eat something.

THE EYE OF GOD delivers a one-two punch as your beloved characters find themselves at a crossroads in life, as they race against the clock and find themselves outgunned at times. The author does an amazing job in keeping you glued to the pages and I felt a bit let down by the ending though I have to admit, it was an ending I sure didn’t see coming. James Rollins is one of those auto-read authors I have that whenever I find he has a new release coming; I count the days until it is out just to get my fix. Though I do caution you, this is a story that is best read in sequence of the series as you get more out of it and THE EYE OF GOD answers some questions left after the last Sigma Force novel, Bloodline, left unanswered. This is definitely one book I need to read again soon….especially after re-reading the Sigma Force books again before I pick this one up again. Run-don’t walk-to grab this intriguing book and settle in for an afternoon of madcap theories, edge of the seat thrills and more when you pick up a Sigma Force Series novel. Now the question is, can James Rollins top his newest story?

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

ALTAR OF EDEN by James Rollins

Publication Date: February 2010
Publisher William Morrow – Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-06-123142-1
Thriller, Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewer by Gina
Obtained: Via Publisher




The adult Lorna Polk has long felt that aside from a few scars, both emotional and physical, she put the tragedy of her youth behind her. She is a successful veterinarian, working in an amazing facility with wonderful people. What more can she want, except to keep the past at bay?

Following the death of his younger brother, as part of a back door plea bargain, Jack Menard joined the Marines and then moved on to become a Border Patrol agent. Growing up in the Mississippi bayou gave him a unique sense of nature and how to survive. He still aches for the loss of his brother, but not so much as when he comes once again face to face with Lorna Polk, the woman who played a part in the younger Menard's death. Called out to investigate a trawler run aground, because of the cargo, Jack has no choice but to bring Lorna with him. What they find and the subsequent aftermath not only shakes them to the core, but may well alter the world as we know it.

Inside the trawler they find a baffling array of animals. While at first glance they look like your average monkey, cat or pony, on closer look there is something very wrong. Tragically so. Before Lorna can begin to examine the creatures the trawler explodes. The race is on to find a missing cat and who is behind an experiment obviously gone wrong.

It took me a few minutes to catch my breath as I read the last words of James Rollins' newest book ALTAR OF EDEN. Where to begin describing this story and everything I liked about it is one of the hardest decisions I've had to make about a book in a long time. I am an animal lover, especially cats having two of my own. I was near tears as the mother cat tried to protect her cub as well as the little one Lorna was able to rescue. While one would think all veterinarians know immediately how animals will react to given circumstances that is not entirely true. Mr. Rollins knows and more importantly shows the behaviors and nuances of the different animals in the story. What's more, when some of the genetically altered creatures enter into the story, he creates plausible behaviors and actions. What happens, especially to the one called Eve, is heart wrenching.

The processes Jack and Lorna go through coming to terms with Tommy's death on top of fighting for their lives is well done. Their story is so well told that even though the book covers approximately 48 hours in time, the steps they take, the thoughts and feelings they have are credible.

I've never been to Louisiana or the bayou, but after reading ALTAR OF EDEN I have a strong sense of what it would be like. Mr. Rollins words don't just come off the page; they encompass the reader and make him or her part of the adventure.

I highly recommend ALTAR OF EDEN to both men and women. It truly has something for everyone. I truly hope he considers continuing Jack and Lorna in a series.



THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW