You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Of course this is the first in a triology, which I find annoying, but I still enjoyed it. It's nothing special and it seems a bit too much like A Discovery of Witches with characters that are fairly surface props for the story, but I liked the story anyway.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book! It has everything. What if vampires were real, and have been foundational to the entire history of the Catholic Church? Surprise historical figures as vampires! Recovering from religious trauma! Fake deaths! What could and should be on of the greatest throuples in book history! I took a quarter star of because of something that makes that last point unlikely, but. As a recovering Catholic I enjoyed the HELL out of this book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've read quite a few James Rollins novels so far, and while I've enjoyed them, they have always seemed to fall just a little short of a top-tier read. It's like they were missing something that was always hard to put my finger on. But now that he's teamed up with Rebecca Cantrell for this first book in the "Order of the Sanguines" series, the result is, indeed, top-notch.
There is something here for almost every reader. Whether you like conspiracy books, or ancient mystery books, or action-adventure books, or books with a complicated puzzle to solve, you'll find it here. The pace is generally pretty fast throughout, with occasional slowdowns for explanations and thought-provoking dialogue. Rollins' usual well-researched hisorical backstory is here still, but perhaps a little less heavy-handed than his norm. The plot includes ancient prophecies and biblical lore and the mystery that unfolds is absolutely intriguing. And yes, the supernatural element is very strong here, to include werewolves and vampires. But this is no Twilight or urban fantasy novel. It's a roller coaster of jaw-dropping action, sandwiched between layers of intellectual mystery and even titillating romance.
Three main characters, a non-com military forensics expert, a Vatican priest, and a beautiful female archeologist are thrust together by an earthquake in Masada, Israel. The earthquake has revealed an ancient tomb deep inside the mountain which holds the crucified body of a mummified girl. Their journey will take them to Germany, Russia, and Rome in a race to recover a lost Gospel, rumored to have been authored by Christ himself and containing secrets of immortality.
Wow, that sounds like a crazy plot of a B movie at best but here, these two authors have made it work. In spades. I really enjoyed reading this book and long for the release of the next in the series. I have not read a book by Rebecca Cantrell yet but I plan to rectify that pronto. I think her contribution to this writing duo has infused a strong plot writer like Rollins with a heart and soul and the resulting combination is fantastic. Highly recommended.
There is something here for almost every reader. Whether you like conspiracy books, or ancient mystery books, or action-adventure books, or books with a complicated puzzle to solve, you'll find it here. The pace is generally pretty fast throughout, with occasional slowdowns for explanations and thought-provoking dialogue. Rollins' usual well-researched hisorical backstory is here still, but perhaps a little less heavy-handed than his norm. The plot includes ancient prophecies and biblical lore and the mystery that unfolds is absolutely intriguing. And yes, the supernatural element is very strong here, to include werewolves and vampires. But this is no Twilight or urban fantasy novel. It's a roller coaster of jaw-dropping action, sandwiched between layers of intellectual mystery and even titillating romance.
Three main characters, a non-com military forensics expert, a Vatican priest, and a beautiful female archeologist are thrust together by an earthquake in Masada, Israel. The earthquake has revealed an ancient tomb deep inside the mountain which holds the crucified body of a mummified girl. Their journey will take them to Germany, Russia, and Rome in a race to recover a lost Gospel, rumored to have been authored by Christ himself and containing secrets of immortality.
Wow, that sounds like a crazy plot of a B movie at best but here, these two authors have made it work. In spades. I really enjoyed reading this book and long for the release of the next in the series. I have not read a book by Rebecca Cantrell yet but I plan to rectify that pronto. I think her contribution to this writing duo has infused a strong plot writer like Rollins with a heart and soul and the resulting combination is fantastic. Highly recommended.
Finally, a book with vampires that are soulless monsters. That's always was my definition. This book is amazing. I love all the characters, the story and all the twists. What a journey! I'm really tired of so many emotions. This book is a rollercoaster!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting read, reminded me of National Treasure with some Angels and Demons mixed in. Fast paced, kept me entertained.
I really enjoyed this story especially the historical aspects along with the different locations that the story took place in. It got a little crazy in a few places, but this is fiction after all. It ended neatly while leaving an opening for the next book.
MMmm, not sure what to think of it. Entertaining. I completed it as I was curious about where it was going. The vampire stuff and related critters was not what I was expecting. I will move on to the next one as I did like the troika--the archeologist whose name I've forgotten already, the soldier, Jordan, and the vampire priest, Rhun. So, I'll trudge through the the next one and see if I'm still committed to the storyline.
I like James Rollins' books - his stand-alone adventure books and his Sigma series. I like vampires. I thought this would be a good match. It wasn't.
Nothing wrong with the writing and it doesn't lack editorial polish, but I just didn't find the story or the characters compelling. And I found the underlying mythology of it to be...well, silly. I rarely read a book in a series without reading the entire series, but I'm uncertain of this one. I'm only mildly interested in the seeing where the plot will meander.
The religious theme of the book did not put me off - other than I thought it was taken in that rather silly direction - but some may be put off by it. Rollins takes great liberty with Christianity and Catholicism to drive the plot. I don't have a problem with this. I rather enjoy books that tinker with or expand upon or stretch the vast history and traditions of religion in general and the Catholic Church specifically, but what started as an interesting take on vampirism and Christianity slowly slid into just being goofy. But really only because it was turned up to 11, so to speak.
Some people may find the religiosity of the book uncomfortable or even blasphemous, so if your sensitivities lean toward being offended by bending around religious doctrine to match a book plot, you might think twice about picking this novel. On the other hand, if you like vampires and want a Byzantine back story for them that includes priestly intrigues, give it a whirl. It may be your cup of tea. It just wasn't mine.
Nothing wrong with the writing and it doesn't lack editorial polish, but I just didn't find the story or the characters compelling. And I found the underlying mythology of it to be...well, silly. I rarely read a book in a series without reading the entire series, but I'm uncertain of this one. I'm only mildly interested in the seeing where the plot will meander.
The religious theme of the book did not put me off - other than I thought it was taken in that rather silly direction - but some may be put off by it. Rollins takes great liberty with Christianity and Catholicism to drive the plot. I don't have a problem with this. I rather enjoy books that tinker with or expand upon or stretch the vast history and traditions of religion in general and the Catholic Church specifically, but what started as an interesting take on vampirism and Christianity slowly slid into just being goofy. But really only because it was turned up to 11, so to speak.
Some people may find the religiosity of the book uncomfortable or even blasphemous, so if your sensitivities lean toward being offended by bending around religious doctrine to match a book plot, you might think twice about picking this novel. On the other hand, if you like vampires and want a Byzantine back story for them that includes priestly intrigues, give it a whirl. It may be your cup of tea. It just wasn't mine.