Black Order: A SIGMA Force Novel [Large Print]

James Rollins is a pseudonym of James Clemens who was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1961. He now has a veterinary practice in Sacramento, California, where he shares his home with two Dalmations, a stray Shepherd and a love-sick parrot named Igor. He has written several books that have been highly acclaimed and I believe this one to be his latest to date. All of James Rollins books are fast paced and exciting and this offering is no different. A fire in a Copenhagen book store ignites a hunt across four continents. Arson and murder reveal a plot to steal a bible that once belonged to the notable botanist Charles Darwin, who became the father of present day evolutionary thinking. Commander Gray Pierce dives headlong into a mystery that dates back to a Germany when the Nazi's were in power and to a now abandoned laboratory, buried deep in in a polish mountain where horrific experiments were performed . . . Black order is a brilliantly written adventure novel that leaves books like the Da Vinci Code floundering in its wake. It is pure escapism and I was truly sorry when it ended. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fast-paced adventure novels.

I've been reading James Rollins since his very first novel. I look forward to each one with anticipation months ahead of its publication. (Thank God he's prolific!) Truthfully, I like some of them better than others. This latest, The Black Order, is an unequivocal slam dunk. I loved everything about it from start to finish. One thing Rollins has done right is bring back Painter Crowe in a more significant roll. I've had a warm spot for him since Sandstorm. And in his second outing, I feel that I know Gray Pierce better than I did. How wonderful that these individuals have become like friends and I see their characters deepen and grow from book to book. He introduces a new character in this book that has become a favorite. I really hope we get to see her again! But the best thing about The Black Order is the plot. I couldn't turn pages fast enough! I plowed through the book in two days and was then sad it was over. What a thrill ride! The novel is complex enough that I can't do it justice trying to sum it up in a paragraph. There were several different intertwined stories spanning the globe, from Asia to Europe to Africa to America. Rollins ties in Nazi science projects dating back to WWII to South African mythological beasts. And even though there were Nazi bad guys, this book has a lot of shades of gray and things aren't necessarily what they seem at first glance. As always, there was fascinating, cutting-edge science. Each book has some bit of factual science that literally makes my jaw drop, and I think: I have to learn more about that! This one was no exception, but there were also major philosophical aspects to the story. Really, it's a book that has everything--non-stop action, terrific characters, a little romance, a little humor, some good scares, and a lot to make you think. I can't recommend it highly enough!

"Black Order" is, by far, the most exciting, fascinating, heart-wrenching, suspenseful book I've read in years. The premise is believable, the pace is fast, and the characters are all well developed and interesting. I cheered for the hero's, bled with them, worried for them, held my breath waiting to find out what happened to them, and I cried for them. The 2 anti-heroes were worthy of my contempt, suspicions, limited admiration, encouraging cheers and my tears. The evil ones are pure evil--evil that is believable and caused the hairs to stand up on the back of my neck. James Rollins has done his research--and it shows. He carefully explains several scientific theories, without talking down to the reader, and I was able to follow along without being lost in the mechanics of it all. The highlight of the book for me was near the end when Gray and Lisa figured out the puzzle and stated the simple answer--I cried. It's something I discovered long ago in my life, and to read this in a book touched my heart. Jim stated in his "Author's Note": "Rather than focusing so intently on where we have come from, a larger question deserves even more fervent attention: Where are we headed?" What a great summation--to encourage the reader to think: to think about their life and it's purpose, to think about their life and their future. In "Black Order" Jim incorporates history, science, and religion as effortlessly as a chef moves about the kitchen. Put together, it's an exciting blend of story telling that draws the reader along on a grand adventure. I highly recommend this adventure.

There are very few authors whose books I have to go buy the day they come out, but James Rollins is one of those authors (Patterson used to be but no more). I fell in love with this author two years ago when I started reading my husband's copy of "Sandstorm," I was hooked from the first page. With "Black Order" Rollins has taken the action, suspense, and non stop thrills up another notch. I wont go over all the plot details as that has already been done enough here, plus it just ruins the surprises (be careful of some of the other reviews, I think they give too much away). In this one Rollins brings back Sigma force led by Painter Crowe and Grayson Pierce, then mixes the descendants of Heinrich Himmler, quantum mechanics, theories of evolution and intelligent design, and in includes a dash of spirituality for a wildly fun read. This may seem like a stretch but he makes it all work! The twists and turns will keep you guessing while the heart pounding action will keep you turning the pages! Fans of Cussler, Crichton, and Dan Brown should all enjoy this book. And I also have to recommend "Tourist in the Yucatan," a thriller adventure that has become a cult classic!A Tourist In The Yucatan