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A review by bookaneer
Map of Bones by James Rollins
1.0
This book is about secret society and Da Vinci Code-like adventure, i.e. travelling to several countries to seek for some historical stuffs). The action was probably a bit better that DVC because it involved a unit called the Sigma Force (scientists with special ops capabilities and hi-tech gadgets (still I think it's kinda corny, btw). The characters are....not memorable. Like, at all.
The story began with a robbery of the bones of the three wise men (the ones visiting Jesus when he was born, also called as Magi) by the vicious Dragon Court (a medieval group of alchemists/royals who wants to rule the world, to make the story short). Vatican then asked the Americans for help (I don't know why. Aren't they supposed to have anybody capable in Europe?), so the Sigma Force came to the rescue, in cooperation with a beautiful Italian police chick.
Okay, now it sounds REALLY corny. Gosh, I hate the stupid romance in the book.
To continue my bitchin' here, firstly I have to admit that my knowledge in history is limited. But, I don't know why the author made a scenario in which Alexander the Great is the missing fourth Magi (!). C'mon dude, Alexander lived wayyyyy before Jesus and even the Holy Roman Empire! So, there's no bloody way he came to visit Jesus' manger in Bethlehem, unless he's a vampire or highlander who could live forever.
Some people say this book is better than Da Vinci Code. Yeah right, both suck.
My only suggestion is better to read the real historical books than quasi-so called historical novels. For Da Vinci Code, better read Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln (which is superb, I must say).
For Map of Bones, better read (these even recommended by the author himself): Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark by Laurence Gardner, Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas By Elaine Pagels and Magi: The Quest for a Secret Tradition by Adrian Gilbert.
The story began with a robbery of the bones of the three wise men (the ones visiting Jesus when he was born, also called as Magi) by the vicious Dragon Court (a medieval group of alchemists/royals who wants to rule the world, to make the story short). Vatican then asked the Americans for help (I don't know why. Aren't they supposed to have anybody capable in Europe?), so the Sigma Force came to the rescue, in cooperation with a beautiful Italian police chick.
Okay, now it sounds REALLY corny. Gosh, I hate the stupid romance in the book.
To continue my bitchin' here, firstly I have to admit that my knowledge in history is limited. But, I don't know why the author made a scenario in which Alexander the Great is the missing fourth Magi (!). C'mon dude, Alexander lived wayyyyy before Jesus and even the Holy Roman Empire! So, there's no bloody way he came to visit Jesus' manger in Bethlehem, unless he's a vampire or highlander who could live forever.
Some people say this book is better than Da Vinci Code. Yeah right, both suck.
My only suggestion is better to read the real historical books than quasi-so called historical novels. For Da Vinci Code, better read Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln (which is superb, I must say).
For Map of Bones, better read (these even recommended by the author himself): Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark by Laurence Gardner, Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas By Elaine Pagels and Magi: The Quest for a Secret Tradition by Adrian Gilbert.