James Rollins: Bloodline

I seem to be saying this again  and again but I am so happy with my Kindle. For the most part because I can have the books I want to read as soon as they are out, as opposed to waiting until they reach Croatia.

So, of course, as soon as the Bloodline was out it was on my Kindle as well. Because I really am a huge fan of the Sigma series.
Therefore, I didn't doubt I would enjoy the last Sigma installment as well. And I did. And again it was full of interesting premises, this time revolving around making man immortal (or just very long living).

The story though revolves aroun Guild trying to disband Sigma (and practically succeeding). I had fun as the Knights Templar made a guest appearance (I always enjoy them being mentioned).
Basically the thread Mr. Rolling decided to use as the background for Bloodline is really good.

What I enjoyed immensely in this story (one thing I haven't really noticed earlier, which doesn't mean it wasn't there) is that the bad guys really get their come-uppance in the manner I (most readers actually) find deserving. (Btw, lately I noticed my vengeance factor for the bad guys is really great).

The other thing is I learned a lot about Somalia - and that MI6 doesn't employ women? I still find that one strange.

Anyway, this time around, one more thing about Mr. Rollins' writing became apparent but I'm not saying this as a complaint. He is a guy after all. ;)
The thing is, there are many strong female characters in Mr. Rollins' novels. Smart, strong, capable and scary. But when you take a closer look, it's always the men who have more power, understand the situations (where the bad guys are coming from) and generally seem to take care of those strong women in the end.
Once again, I am not complaining about this or trying to make it into a feminist issue, it's just something I found interesting while reading Bloodline.

As expected, this was again an action-packed, intriguing story full of interesting concepts we get explained in the end (not of the novel but the book).
No wonder I am such a huge fan of it. :)

James Rollins: The Devil Colony

I feel reviewing Sigma series novels by James Rollins no longer serves any purpose. They are all good. :)

Equally good. If I had to name one that was my favourite, I'd always go with the last one in the series because that one would be the most fresh and action-packed in my mind.

I might put some spoilers in this but they will be small ones.

What I admire about Mr. Rollins is the research that obviously goes into every one of his books and the fact that he comes across so many different intriguing ideas and puts them together into a fictional story that could so very easily be true.

I want to know why I can't read random facts and combine them in my head in such incredible scenarios?!
I mean, after reading how he combines them, it feels logical everyone should be able to. And that is in my mind a good sign that the research for the book and the writing were solid. Ok, that sounds lukewarm. They were more in the hot category than lukewarm.

I do wish I had more time on my hands so I could read the books recommended at the end of The Devil Colony. Those books were the basics from which this novel sprung.

And I'll give you a quick idea of what's it about. Again, the Guild and Sigma are opponents, Crowe Painter gets a more prominent role as this novel centers around Native Americans, Founding Fathers and nano technology.
If you can't imagine how nano technology combines with the first two, read the book. Although, you should start at the beginning of the series in order to get the right idea.
But, if you did read the series so far, I'd also suggest reading the short story featuring Seichan - The Skeleton Key - as it's a good lead into the novel.

And I finally got some answers about  Gray's love life I was wondering about in the last book. So, it wasn't Seichan in his bed by the end of the last novel (so mean of Mr. Rollins to tease us so) and the relationship between Gray and Seichan won't bloom suddenly as this book was want to show but something is building there.
And this time, the kiss was on Gray's initiative. Not that it counts a lot regarding the situation. (that was my spoiler for the day)

James Rollins: Excavation

It's fun when you go back to the beginning of a writer you really like and you realize, he also learned to write better with time. :)
If this were my first James Rollins novel, I'm not really sure if I would have continued reading him. This way, I got introduced to him through the Sigma series (which I love) so I can look on Excavation as the trial and practice it took for him to get where he is now.

The story is set in the Andes where archeologists are looking for clues as to a previous race inhabiting the same place where Incas lived. Anyway, without getting too much into the story, all kind of discoveries are made and the beginning of incredible stories that will later appear in Rollins' novels are here but just not as well developed as in Sigma.

It took me a bit longer than  usual to get through it - it's not bad but it's just not very believable or very gripping. It's more like an action movie with bad actors trying to convince us that their cheesy dialogues are serious and the whole plot is terribly tense and serious and all you can think of is that's it is too funny how they try and fail miserably. It's still fun but because it's funny to watch the failure not because it's supposed to funny. This sounds complicated even to me and I know what I was trying to say. :) Did I lose you with this explanation?

The point is, if you are interested in James Rollins, start with Sigma and once you are done with that, consider if you really love Mr. Rollins enough to brave his earlier work. :)

And before you start thinking I think it's a really bad book, it isn't. It's just nowhere near to what he writes now.

Pic by: http://www.jamesrollins.com/

James Rollins: The Doomsday Key

I just love his books - ok, this is for now only valid for Sigma series, but I don't think the rest can be bad. If you're a good writer then whatever you write is just good. :)

One way that I know a writer has really climbed on my list is when his/her hardcover comes out and I don't even bat an eye at the price but can't wait to go and spend the money because it means I will be having it in my hands soon. Like with Mr. Rollins.

I cannot but help wonder how much research goes into each of his books. Even more so because he takes real things and facts and combines them with his characters to fit the story. The really scary part comes at the end of his books, what was real in the book and what wasn't - way too many of those things you wanted to be fiction seem to be fact. Very scary. Especially concerning this one when the facts point to the devastation man has done and keeps doing to this planet we live on. And not only that, but how much of that is actually being hidden and kept away from public. James Rollins always says which books helped him get to know some subject better and I always plan on getting them but still haven't managed to do it (will though eventually).

In Doomsdsay Key we have some GM foods gone real bad, "interesting" views on how to keep the world population in numbers that can actually live off the amount of food the earth can produce, Gray Pierce on a mission with the 2 women who effect his emotional life, Painter also on a mission, some back-stabbing and some not, Celtic history and some even older, Black Madonnas, strange diseases and their cures and a lot of learning to be done. And how would you not love the book?!

It just hit me yesterday that Gray Pierce is a combination of James Bond and Indiana Jones - he can get you out of any life-threatening situation and is really a genius when it comes to deciphering riddles. Plus, he has no lack of women (even though he is not that interested in quantity but quality). :)

And to end this with the best little tidbit - there is going to be at least one more SIgma book (since there is a "war" starting between Sigma and the Guild). I hope it takes a while before it's over. ;)

Pic by: www.jamesrollins.com

Summer swimming among books

Hello everyone - I'm finally back! :) Well, I've been back for a week now though it already feels more like I never left. I would never have guessed how much work can suddenly appear the moment I return from my vacation... Besides, it wasn't possible for me to write last week - I had to do something about my blonde hair before returning here (sun and the sea do turn me into a blonde each year). So, now I'm a redhead again and have a little bit of time to share my summer memories.

I managed to read more books than I thought I would, but less than I wanted to. Around 12-13. Not sure at the moment. I have to say that James Rollins and R.E. Feist head the list of my top reads lately. I love them both, especially Rollins because you can actually learn a lot from his books. And it's all fun. :) I highly recommend it to all who read Dan Brown and thought: "Oh, I'd like some more of this!" or "This is awful, I expected so much more!". James Rollins is so much more and in somewhat the same manner. Do give him a try. :)

Some of the more memorable days this summer was a visit to Jablanac, a town nobody really cares much about because the ferry will take to the island of Rab from there, so everyone just goes on. We spent a lovely afternoon there, taking a stroll and visiting one of the more famous coves in Croatia: Zavratnica. I didn't know there was a sunken ship there (you might see some contours on the photo).

The photo of Jablanac harbor:

Entry to Zavratnica:

The contours of the ship:

Leaving island of Pag for mainland (on the ferry):

That's it from me today. No perfume related thoughts - they are to come later in the week (thoughts on Boadicea line).

Btw, since I returned it feels like I lost my ability to differentiate between smells properly. Is it possible beacuse I rested my nose for almost 3 weeks, it will take some exercising it now?

New author discovery

I haven't been writing much about books lately (not having enough time to actually read them) but I finished one from a new author (new for me, haven't read anything of his before yesterday) and I am happy. :) With the book, with the fact that there are more and with discovery. I am talking about James Rollins and Map of bones. I don't know how many of you read Dan Brown and were interested, but in my opinion this is better. This one revolves around the 3 Magi (the ones who visited Christ) their bones, secret societies, lost gospels and all other interesting facts and ideas we are never going to know for sure. M-state gold (anyone heard of that before?) features prominently and I actually learned a lot. If you're into thrillers, I highly recommend this.

And it came around the time there has been a lot of religious debate in my life - usually with friends. Do you believe that when the time is right, you get/find the information you are looking for? That seems to happen to me a lot. And the final word by Mr. Rollins at the end of the book is from Matthew: Seek, and you shall find. Well, couldn't be more true if you ask me. This book has opened some new horizons for me, I just have to find the time to go explore them (several books are mentioned and I plan on getting my hands on them). :) The only problem I face a chronic lack of time, but hey, who needs sleep? ;)

I have the second in the Sigma series (by Rollins) at home, so soon I hope I'll be able to share my happiness over another of his books.

Picture by: digital.friscolibrary.com