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.

Book Review: Map of Bones by James Rollins

Map of Bones, is the second book to the Sigma Force series. I think the best description of this book is: Raiders of the Lost Ark + Da Vinci Code + Mission Impossible.

Author James Rollins, wrote Map of Bones as the second installment to his Sigma Force series. Sigma Force, is a fictional US government organisation, under DARAP. This organisation recruits operatives who are scientists with military training, to combat terrorists organisations who attempt to use technology to threat world peace.

If you like history, science, tomb raiding, action thriller, and conspiracy theories, then read on, because you will definitely enjoy this book. Let's take a closer look:




Synopsis:

In Germany, a service in a cathedral is interrupted by armed intruders wearing monk's outfits. These intruders unleashed a mysterious, nightmarish destruction that killed almost all people in the cathedral. Only a few survived. Adding to the web of mystery is the unknown motive of these intruders, because they did not want the treasures in the cathedral. Instead, they came to steal the bones of magi, the same magi who, according to the Bible once paid homage to baby Jesus on the night he was born. It seems these intruders believe this relic holds a power that could reshape the world.

Meanwhile, in the Vatican city, the Catholic church asked for aid from Sigma Force to resolve this mystery. Commander Pierce Grayson, and his two companions Monk and Kathy, traveled to the Vatican, and teaming up with Lieutenant Rachel Verona and her uncle Vigor. Together, these five heroes embarked on a dangerous mission, a heart racing journey to thwart a horrific plan of an ancient order. Their journey will take them across the world, to revisit and discover the sites of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Where science and religion, will combine to unleash the blackest horror...

My thoughts on this book:

Map of Bones is a great book. It is truly awesome! I finished it in 2 days. This is a high octane, adrenaline driven adventure story. The pace of the story was fast as lightning and heart pounding. I couldn't put it down after I started reading it!

Being the 2nd book in the Sigma Force series, Map of Bones improved over its predecessor in story telling, characterization, and pace. Three new major characters are introduced in this book; Pierce Grayson, Monk, and Kathy. All three characters are Sigma Force operatives, where the protagonist from the previous book, Painter Crowe became the minor character in this book. While I really like Painter Crowe, but I also like the new characters. For example, Monk is my favorite Sigma Force operative. The characterization of the villain and supporting characters are equally as impressive. The storytelling is gripping, there are plenty of twists and turns in the story that will definitely surprise you. The action scenes are well written. The author used history, science, and supernatural elements, to orchestrate a plot full of mysterious and estoric elements that will definitely win nods of approval from fans of Indiana Jones movies or Dan Brown's books.

Although the book incorporated heavy use of religion at the core of its story, but the author treats religion with great respect. In this aspect, I speculate Christians may find this book more enjoyable than Dan Brown's books.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and after reading 2 books from this series, I will say I am now a fan of James Rollin's Sigma Force series. If you are a fan of this genre, or if you have read Sandstorm but haven't read this book yet, then make sure you don't miss out Map of Bones.

Happy reading!

Movie Review: Elysium

Why, do you think people watch science fiction movies and read science fiction books, even when we know it's not real? There might be many answers to this question. Perhaps, it is because the worlds we create in science fiction, represent our dreams, fears, and our deepest longings, made possible by mankind's creative imagination. Furthermore, I believe good science fiction explores the hard questions about our existence in this world, and reflecting the lessons we learn from our human conditions, allowing us a glimpse into the future.

Directed by Neil Blomkamp (director of District 9), and starring Matt Damon. Elysium is an ambitious science fiction movie attempting to be a social commentary, by combining with dazzling special effects and heart pumping actions. Sounds like a promising film, but is Elysium a good movie? Or is it an over hyped disappointment? Let's find out



Synopsis:

In 2154, the earth is badly polluted and over populated. The disparity between the rich and the poor is great. The wealthy people left earth, and live on a giant space station called Elysium. Together with advanced technology, people living on Elysium experience no sickness, no war, breath clean air, and eat good food. Life is great on Elysium, but only accessible to the wealthy. The poor people remain on earth and are denied access and benefits on Elysium, such as medical treatments, while the governing body on Elysium employed strict rules against illegal immigrants from the earth.

Max (Matt Damon) is an ex-convict living in the ruined city of Los Angeles. He works for a factory which is owned by the corporattion that build Elysium, Armadyne Corporation. One day, Max had an accident at work, where he was exposed to lethal levels of radiation. After the accident, Max was told he will die from radiation poisoning in 5 days. Max's only hope of cure, is the medical equipment on Elysium. In order to go to Elysium, Max agreed to help a smuggler to infiltrate Elysium. However, a twist of fate will turn Max's mission into a series of events which will forever alter the course of human history..

What I think about this movie:

First of all, Elysium is a technical success. The dazzling special effects and breath stopping action sequences present this movie as a visual marvel on the silver screen. The visual style bears resemblance to District 9. My only minor dislike about the visuals, is the occasional shaky camera scenes. While some might appreciate this style of camera filming, but I found at times, the shaky camera sequences made my eyes uncomfortable.

Alongside the brilliant visuals, is a thought provoking story. Elysium, like District 9, can both be regarded as social commentaries set in the realm of science fiction. In Elysium, the story explores several growing problems in our world such as; asylum seekers, the increasing disparity between the rich and the poor, and the problem pollution and over population.

I found the story of Elysium to be thought provoking, this story implores the audience to think about real problems in the world. For example, the gap between the wealthy continues to increase year after year. Driven further by phenomenons such as rising house prices, high unemployment rate, globalization and the off-shoring of jobs to countries with cheap labor, the rising income gap, and a gradually slowing global economy. This movie also raises questions about issues such as asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, in Australia it is the issue with boat people, in the US is the illegal immigration from Mexico. Across the world, people from poor countries have been exploited as cheap labors by large, international corporations. These are real problems, and they are growing right now, impacting you and I as we speak.

I wonder if Elysium, is an attempt to extrapolate the current trend, and projecting into the future to build the worst case scenario, enacted in a science fiction movie? If so, then Hollywood's vision of our future looks pretty dim and depressing. I guess the question is, what can we do about these problems facing our world today?

If you don't mind a bit of spoiler, at the end of Elysium, the protagonist sacrificed himself to bring freedom and equality to both the rich and the poor, making everyone citizens of Elysium. The ending of this story reminds me of another man from 2000 years ago, a man named Jesus, whose self sacrifice ensured all of his followers will all be citizens in the kingdom of heaven, regardless of differences such as economic and social status, race, cultural background, and gender. Perhaps it is no mere coincidence that a popular sci-fi movie upholds values similar to the ones in Christianity. If science fiction is an imaginative expression of our dreams, human conditions, fears and deepest longings, then does this mean somehow, deep down inside, we all sensed that we are better off following Jesus and his teachings about life?

My personal reflection:

In today's church culture, where churches have developed unhealthy obsessions with homosexuality, sex and gender roles, I wonder if Christians have overlooked issues relating to social justice, freedom, human trafficking, growing gap between the rich and the poor, asylum seekers, unemployment and pollution?

I wonder, if people are less likely to find Jesus from Christian sermons on what you believe about homosexuality and gender roles. Instead, perhaps people are more likely find Jesus from witnessing the contributions to the society you made, the people whose life you touched, and the help you gave to the people who are in need?

Book Review: The Companions by R.A. Salvatore

“What good is your gold if your friends will not lift you when you have fallen?

How long lived our memory of you when you are gone?

Because in the end, that is the only measure. In the end, when life’s last flickers fade, all that remains is memory. Richness, in the final measure, is not weighed in gold coins, but in the number of people you have touched, the tears of those who mourn your passing, and the fond remembrances of those who continue to celebrate your life.” 

 - R.A. Salvatore, The Companions

How far will you go to help a friend in need? This is the premise in R.A. Salvatore's new book, The Companions. This book is both a reboot and a continuation, for the story of Salvatore's beloved fictional character, the Drow ranger Drizzt Do'Urden.

I am a fan of Drizzt, the first 6 Drizzt books are among my favorite fantasy novels. The story of Drizzt and his friends have a very special place in my heart. I love these stories because they remind me of the kind of things I used to believe, but gradually disbelieve, because of my ever growing attitude of cynicism towards life and people as time goes by. 

Although I am a fan of these Drizzt books, but I was not particularly impressed with some of the later books in this series. In fact, out of 21 Drizzt books, I stopped reading them at book 14. Because somehow, these Drizzt books lost their original meanings as Salvatore wrote more and more. 

Yet, when I heard, that Salvatore was going to write a new Drizzt book to reboot the Drizzt stories, I thought I would give it a try. So I purchased this book, The Companions. 

I read this book in 2 days. Is this a good book? Is this my new favorite Drizzt book? Let's find out

Synopsis:

Drizzt Do'Urden, is a renegade Drow ranger who refused to live the evil ways of his people. After escaping from his ancestoral homeland in the underground, he was shunned and rejected by most people in the surface world. Eventually, he found true love, acceptance and friendship from four people: The dwarf Bruenor Battlehammer, Brueno's adopted human daughter Cattie Brie, his adopted son Wulgar, and a halfing called Regis. The 5 friends underwent many perlious adeventures, and won great reputations for themselves, they became widely known as "Companions of the Hall". However, as years pass by and after many adventures (from previous Drizzt books), most members of the companions have passed away, leaving Drizzt alone in the world. 

Goddess Melikki, reward Drizzt by taking his friends into a temporal realm. There, the goddess gave Drizzt's friends a choice, to be reborn into the world, so on the fateful day when Drizzt will suffer the greatest peril in his life, they can stand by his side once again to help him.

It is a hard choice, because Drizzt's friends realized, to be reborn into the world means to forsake whatever reward await them in the after live. Is the bond of love and friendship strong enough to make these friends abandon the gift of afterlife, to be reborn into the world to help Drizzt? The bond of the companions is about to be put to the test...

What I think about this book:

The Companions manages to capture the feel of old Drizzt novels. It seems Salvatore is once more, placing a lot of emphasis on character development, and this is a good thing. However, the ending of this book is somewhat anti climatic and feels rushed. Nonetheless, while this book is not the best Drizzt novel, but it is far better than most Drizzt novels in recent years. As a reader, I am reminded of the reason I became a fan of Drizzt all those years ago. The pace of the story is good, there were barely any moment in the book when I was bored. 

The book is divided into 4 parts. Yet, the most interesting aspect, is Drizzt's memoirs at the beginning of each part. Drizzt's memoirs is something that appears in every Drizzt novel. I remember Salvatore once said during an interview, these memoirs are meant to be Drizzt's reflections on events in the story, showing readers that Drizzt is trying to figure out and learn about life through his experiences. I deeply enjoy reading these memoirs, not only because they add depth to Drizzt's character  but they also bring out the theme of each book. In this book, the main theme is love and friendship.

I often ponder, if the reason why Drizzt story is warmly received by the general public, is because at the core, these books tell great stories about love, fidelity and friendship,  and this is something everyone longed for regardless of gender, ethnicity or age. The friendship between Drizzt and his companions is not a task based friendship often exist in our cultural norm where everything is institutionalized.  Neither is their friendship some mutual beneficiary relationship, built to satisfy some personal need. 

No, it seems to me, in these great stories, the friendship existing between Drizzt and his friends, is something very real, raw and honest. It is not born out of some sense of duty, nor some misplaced sense of self righteousness, but their friendship is based on love. In these great stories, time and again, Drizzt and his friends are put under tough trials, but they never give up on each other, because they love each other as they love their own (something Jesus taught 2000 years ago). 

I speculate, this is why stories of Drizzt and his friends are so beloved by readers, that Salvatore wrote 21 books (and almost all of them are New York Times bestsellers). I guess at this point, we can say, true love never goes out of fashion, because love endures everything. Just as love endures, so will stories about true love stand against the test of time.

The Companions is a good reboot to the story of Drizzt and the companions of the Hall. While the ending feels rushed, but it is still worthwhile reading, even if you are a new comer to Drizzt books.