Comical
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Sigma Force book 4
An ancient and deadly plague, the Judas Strain, has suddenly re-emerged from the depths of the Indian Ocean, a disease unstoppable and deadly. Dr Lisa Cummings and Monk Kokkalis of SIGMA FORCE search for an answer to this bizarre affliction aboard a cruise liner, transformed into a makeshift hospital. But others had different intentions. In a sudden coup, Guild members hijack the vessel full of plague victims and turn it into a bio-weapons lab.
A world away, SIGMA's Commander Gray Pierce joins force with Seichan a Guild defector holding clues to a possible cure. Following in the footsteps of the famous explorer Marco Polo, they embark on an astonishing quest which leads them to the Vatican, Istanbul and Cambodia. As a possible worldwide pandemic grows rapidly, time becomes their enemy and seconds bring them closer to a doomsday scenario. Gray and his allies are in the midst of an astonishing mystery where they cannot trust anyone.
This novel has a blend of science and history incorporated in an action pact tale of fiction. The author spiked the adventure by adding tidbits of strange details to defy the believability throughout and to leave us pondering, a very astute ploy but it didn't work for me. I found the premise of this book to be totally off the map.
The plot is comical in some ways I found myself giggling at some of the exploits: battling giant crabs and planning to blow up a jet ski with scuba gear and other far fetched endeavours. The action is easy to follow as the story jumps back and forth from Gray and Seichan pursuing Marco Polo to Monk and Lisa trying to escape both pirates and cannibals.
As for the characters, they are very superficial lacking in real substance but nevertheless a charming bunch, dare devils facing predictable situations ending with favourable conclusions. It seems Mr Rollins is saving his characters for a later date. At one point the author was so enthralled explaining some angelic symbols and maps that I had trouble tying things together and moving on.
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A must read for action lover
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Map of BonesOk focks, this is a must read book. Rollins is gifted with writing this fast past, well edited book. IF you liked THE DA VINCI CODE, you will like this book which cross refers to a lot of historical data. Plug yourself on the internet and visit some of the most beautiful places on heart.
But...if you are going to read this book, I recommend you reading MAP OF BONES first since the main character is the same and some of the history of the guy will be continued in this one. My only negatif point, it is a personal one, is that in Map of Bones, lots of chemistry is going on and I had difficulties following it, still a must read.
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Improbable plot, high octane storytelling!
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"The Judas Strain" was a little bit too comic book for my taste with the over the top Sigma Force good guys pitted against the evil GUILD! That being said I could not put it down once I started, thus the four stars. The plot hinges on the re-emergence of a deadly ancient virus 'the Judas Strain'. This far flung plot includes trips to the Vatican, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Marco Polo's tomb. The bad guys are able to do bad things on a big scale, like kidnaping an entire cruise ship in order to test out Judas strain as a weapon. The plot strains credibility on almost every page, but the action and thrills drive the story so as long as the reader does not dwell on the absurdity of the plot he/she will keep turning the pages, as I did. Good read for the plane or a day at the beach.
Also recommended: 'Tourist in the Yucatan' cool thriller!
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