Book Review: The Last Oracle by James Rollins

 Humanity has always been fascinated with the ability to foretell the future. History tells us in the past, prophets and oracles were among the most revered and important people in ancient societies. Even today, prophecies remain as the cornerstones of many religious faith, and their trace can be found in ancient manuscripts and religions' holy texts.

Author James Rollins, weaved a fantastic story, mixing elements of history, science and science fictions, he crafted a highly memorable tale in the 5th book to Sigma Force series, titled "The Last Oracle".

Synopsis:

Outside of Sigma Force's central command centre at Washington D.C. A man was shot by an assassin and dies in the arms of commander Gray Pierce. The murdered man clutched a bloodied, ancient coin in his hand. As Gray Pierece discovered later, this ancient relic can be traced back to the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece. This coin, will also lead Sigma Force to discover a conspiracy, leading back to the Cold War, and can shake the foundation of our understanding of humanity. Imagine, if technology can be used to bioengineer the next great prophet; Buddha, Muhammad, or perhaps Jesus? Will such an action elevate mankind? Or will it be the cause of our extinction, if it falls into the wrong hand?

Gray and his team race around the globe, searching for clues to prevent a terrorist group from unleashing the power of the Last Oracle upon mankind...

What I think about this book:

The Last Oracle is great, it has a really interesting story, mixed with both facts and fictions from history and science. Furthermore, The Last Oracle has the esoteric vibe that I liked so much from Map of Bones; combined with nail biting suspense, explosive actions, and a very moving ending, The Last Oracle is one of the best Sigma Force novels in the series. If you are a fan of treasure hunts, and conspiracy thrillers, then this is definitely the book for you.

Book Review: The Judas Strain by James Rollins

  The Judas Strain, is James Rollin's 4th Sigma Force novel. This story reads like a Hollywood blockbuster thriller. This is a story featuring: treasure hunts, car chase, actions, ancient mystery, conspiracy, and a deadly virus threatening to wipe out mankind from the face of the earth.

Synopsis:

A lethal plague arise from the depth of the Indian Ocean, upon the tide of the incoming plague rides the harbinger of death for mankind. Operatives of Sigma Force, Dr. Lisa Cummings and Monk, boarded a cruise in hope of investigating the origins of this horrible plague. Unfortunately, a terrorist group hijacked the cruise ship, revealing their intention to manipulate the virus for their own purposes..

In the meantime, across the world in the United States, Commander Gray Pierce discovered the first clue to the cure of this deadly plague. He joined force with his former nemesis, a deadly assassin who works for a terrorist group known as the "guild". Together, Gray and his team embarked on a most fantastical quest to discover an ancient secret hidden for centuries, by following the trailer of the legendary explorer Marco Polo.

Can Sigma Force thwart the ambitions of terrorist groups and discover the cure to the virus in time? Or will the history of humanity be forever changed?

What I think about this book:

Since the day I opened the first page of Sand Storm, the first Sigma Force novel, I was intrigued by Rollins' ability to spin a heart pumping, page turning book. As I read more and more Sigma Force novels, I became a fan to this series. I loved Map of Bones, and I loved Black Order. I am also happy to report, I also loved The Judas Strain.

This is a good book, it has all elements required for a great action thriller story, blended with historical mysteries and interesting science (and science fiction). The pace of the story is very fast, just like the previous Sigma Force novels. There are also some minor twists and unexpected moments in the story to keep the reader at the edge of their seats. However, I do have to say, I like Map of Bones and Black Order a bit more than The Judas Strain. This is because it seems to me the storytelling was smoother in those 2 novels than The Judas Strain. Nonetheless, The Judas Strain is an excellent thriller, and I look forward to reading the next Sigma Force novel.

Book Revew: Black Order by James Rollins

  Secret experiments from Nazi Germany, the theory of evolution, and genetically enhanced super humans. These are the premises for James Rollin's action thriller novel, Black Order, the third book in Sigma Force series.

Synopsis:

In Copenhagen, Denmark, a raging fire destroyed a bookstore. Revealing a sinister plot from a terrorist group, to steal a Bible belonged to Charles Darwin. Commander Gray Pierce undertook the investigation, his discoveries will take him to abandoned laboratories once belonged to the Nazis, where horrible experiments were conducted.

In Nepal, the director of Sigma Force, Painter Crowe awakes to find himself stranded in a monastery. He encountered Dr. Lisa Cummings, a doctor investigating the mysterious death at the monastery. The pair was hunted by a powerful assassin, promising a hidden conspiracy beneath.

Gray Pierce and the Sigma Force team, are on an adventure and discovery of not only just a conspiracy that existed in the past, as well as the future, when they will encounter the Black Order.

What I think about the book:

Black Order is an outrageously entertaining book, and a worthy successor to the Sigma Force series. By pulling from historical and scientific facts, James Rollins masterfully weaved conspiracy and thrills into the story. This book is fast, action packed, filled with iconic moments and hear pumping sequences. Rollins managed to create enough suspense to encourage the readers to keep on reading, while orchestrating nerve breaking action sequences that will keep readers at the edge of their seats. If you like thrillers, treasure hunts, and spy novels, the make sure to check out Black Order.

Book Review: Blood Song by Anthony Ryan

Blood Song, is author Anthony Ryan's debut novel. In this epic fantasy story, readers are invited on a journey with Vaelin Al Sorna, the protagonist of the book, on a grand story about war, tragedy, and faith.

Synopsis:

Vaelin Al Sorna, is a brother of the Sixth Order. He was raised and trained by the order since childhood, with deadly martial skills, to fight and serve the Faith. Vaelin's story became a testimony of conflict, friendship and religious faith, told wonderfully and masterfully by the new fantasy novelist Anthony Ryan.

What I think about this book:

As a debut novel, Blood Song is a very well written book. The pace of the story is good and there are almost no boring moments. The story starts a bit slow at the beginning, but it is still interesting because early chapters of the book sets up the premise of this tale, serving as introductions to characters in this book as well as world building.

Characters in this book are interesting, and the protagonist is likeable. Vaelin's story is quite tragic, yet tinged with seeds of hope, unraveled through a marvelous tale, epic both in its scale and storytelling. The only minor problem of this book is, the names of characters in this book are overly foreign and not gripping. It took me a while to familarize with the names of major characters.

Otherwise, Blood Song is a great addition to the world of fantasy fictions. This is a book that readers of this genre would not want to miss.