A master at combining historical and scientific intrigue with cutting-edge adventure, New York Times bestselling author of Map of Bones and Black Order James Rollins returns with his most relentless, high-octane thriller to date—a terrifying story of an ancient menace reborn to plague the modern world . . . and of an impossible hope that lies hidden in the most shocking place imaginable: within the language of angels.

From the depths of the Indian Ocean, a horrific plague has arisen to devastate humankind—a disease that's unknown, unstoppable . . . and deadly. But it is merely a harbinger of the doom that is to follow.

Aboard a cruise liner transformed into a makeshift hospital, Dr. Lisa Cummings and Monk Kokkalis—operatives of the shadowy covert organization SIGMA Force—search for answers to the bizarre affliction that has inexplicably washed ashore. But there are others with far less altruistic intentions. In a savage and sudden coup, terrorists hijack the vessel, turning a mercy ship into a floating bio-weapons lab.

At a Fourth of July celebration a world away, SIGMA's commander Gray Pierce thwarts the murderous schemes of a beautiful assassin—a would-be killer who holds the first clue to the discovery of a possible cure. With the fate of every man, woman, and child on Earth hanging in the balance, Pierce joins forces with the woman who wanted him dead, and together they embark upon an astonishing quest—one that winds through Venetian tombs, Byzantine cathedrals, and jungle-encrusted ruins—following the trail of the most fabled explorer in history: Marco Polo.

But time is an enemy as a worldwide pandemic grows rapidly out of control. And as a relentless madman dogs their every step, Pierce and his unlikely ally are being pulled into an astonishing mystery buried deep in antiquity and in humanity's genetic code. And as the seconds tick closer to doomsday, Pierce will realize he can truly trust no one—not the bewitching enigma who runs at his side or even those who are closest to him—for any one of them could be . . . a Judas.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 109 reviews)

Great book

As usual, Rollins delevers a book full of action and thrills. The masterpiece that I have come to expect from his every release. A must read!!!!!!!!
October 12, 2008

Over the top action ride

This was my first James Rollins book and i do have to say that overall i enjoyed the book very much. So how come it only got 3 stars? well true believers read on to find out.

With out ruining the plot of the book to much lets say that it involves a Bio-Terrorist group, a covert government agency, a world ending virus, a famous explorer and of course completely over the top action.

This book will keep you very entertained if your an action junkie. Most of the action is completely over the top that it becomes kinda silly. This was pretty much the downfall of the book for me. I love action as much as the next guy but when "Secret agents/scientists/scholars" can do everything from deciphering century old puzzles in one breath and dodging rockets a second later it kinda gets ridicules. I mean one guy even has a prosthetic hand that can clamp down with superhuman strength.

But if you can look past the cheesy action sequences you will find a truly compelling story involving a very well known explorer....it should be noted though that the characters in this book have stared in a book from this author once before and a few references were made to past relationships. I think the book is called "Map Of Bones". However since this is the first James Rollins book that i have read, i cant really say should read the other book first. After i read it ill let you know!
October 02, 2008

Hard to Get Through

I had a very hard time getting through this book. I really liked all the characters but the plot was over the top. Every element you can think of was thrown in - bioterrorism, religious artifacts, natural disasters, historical figures, love story, parents in peril - and it was just too much mixed together to really enjoy the sotry.
September 22, 2008

And critics still say he comes in second...well I wonder if they are reading something else...because it can't be this

James Rollins is amazing. I love his stories. Clive Clusser starts off great but his endings are a bit predictable and repetitive. Besides Dirk Pitt seems a bit too unrealistic with his super heroism and his bachelor ego. Give me one of James Rollins' heroes any day. Rollins is definitly number 1 in my charts on action and suspense novels. Where is his movie? Sahara was an awesome movie, but if they made more than one Dirk Pitt movie fans would be upset about predictability of it or too blinded by bombs and guns,etc. to know any different.

I loved following Marco's trail and his life as it entwined with our present. A lot of the details in the book were things that I have some knowledge on so to be able to play around with ideas that were already there in my mind gave me increased depth into the story as it unfolded.

The characters are great too and I am glad to see more of Seichan and to see her story come alive a little more. If I am right, I would guess her story has not ended. I was a little disappointed to see Vigor's niece cut out of Grey's life, but Seichan filled the void...a little. I was really disappointed about Monk. I still do not really know his fate...was it a mechanical error or did he survive? Such a strong character as Monk, you don't expect him to get killed off and I kept expecting his resurrection, but am still unsure.

All around, great book.
September 22, 2008

Too slow

This book was just too slow for me. I got to page 399 out of 525 and just couldn't take it anymore, I put it down and haven't picked up back up and have no desire to pick it back up and finish it. A story is only good if you actually get to the point without dragging it out. I usually read books within 2-3 days but this book just irritated me by being long and drawn out. The author was probably just trying to lengthen the book and filled pages upon pages of nothing worth while. I give kudos to anyone who can finish this poor excuse of a book.
September 18, 2008

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Black Order CD: A Sigma Novel
by James Rollins
by Grover Gardner

The Last Oracle: A Novel (Sigma Force)
by James Rollins

The Wheel of Darkness
by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Excavation
by James Rollins

Map of Bones
by James Rollins