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A review by lizabethstucker
Map of Bones by James Rollins
4.0
Sigma Force 2. The theft of ancient bones from a Roman Catholic cathedral and the unusual method of murdering all but one of the congregation attracts the attention of the Vatican as well as Sigma Force. Monsignor Vigor Verona and his niece, Rachel Verona, lieutenant of the Carabinieri Corps, join with Sigma agents Grayson Pierce, Monk Kokkalis, and Kat Bryant to find the bones as well as the reason behind the theft. They discover a trail leading back to the 13th Century and the early days of the Roman Catholic church and various other Christian groups.
Fans of history based adventure should be in seventh heaven. What I love about Rollins is that his stories are comprised of real historical and scientific facts, theories and beliefs. I've discovered that I spend a lot of time looking on the internet to read the story behind the stories. Yes, these are great adventures, but they are also learning experiences.
Something else that solidifies him as one of my top five favorite authors is how well James Rollins writes female characters. They are not caricatures, they are not token female characters, and they most definitely aren't there for the sex like the women in many adventure novels. The women in Rollins' books are capable, intelligent, realistic, three-dimensional and flat out wonderful. I'm particularly taken with Seichan, a woman who isn't just a baddie. She's a character painted in shades of gray (if you'll forgive the term). She seems to have her own peculiar code of honor and is endlessly fascinating. If you'll forgive this foray into fandom, this is the type of character that NCIS should've given us in Ziva David.
I also congratulate Rollins on his male characters. They are not superheroes. They have doubts and fears and worries like the rest of us. But, like true heroes, they work through that to get the job done. If you haven't figured it out as yet, I adore this series.
Fans of history based adventure should be in seventh heaven. What I love about Rollins is that his stories are comprised of real historical and scientific facts, theories and beliefs. I've discovered that I spend a lot of time looking on the internet to read the story behind the stories. Yes, these are great adventures, but they are also learning experiences.
Something else that solidifies him as one of my top five favorite authors is how well James Rollins writes female characters. They are not caricatures, they are not token female characters, and they most definitely aren't there for the sex like the women in many adventure novels. The women in Rollins' books are capable, intelligent, realistic, three-dimensional and flat out wonderful. I'm particularly taken with Seichan, a woman who isn't just a baddie. She's a character painted in shades of gray (if you'll forgive the term). She seems to have her own peculiar code of honor and is endlessly fascinating. If you'll forgive this foray into fandom, this is the type of character that NCIS should've given us in Ziva David.
I also congratulate Rollins on his male characters. They are not superheroes. They have doubts and fears and worries like the rest of us. But, like true heroes, they work through that to get the job done. If you haven't figured it out as yet, I adore this series.