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Mystery & Thrillers |
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The Last Oracle: A Novel (Sigma Force)
written by James Rollins
Studio : William Morrow
by William Morrow
Release Date : 2008-06-24
Publisher : William Morrow
Released : 2008-07-01
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780061230943
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 50 reviews)
List Price : $26.95
Our Price : $11.85
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Product Description |
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What if you could bioengineer the next great world prophet: scientifically produce the next Buddha, the next Muhammad, or the next Jesus? Would it mark the Second Coming or initiate a chain reaction with disastrous consequences? A master at combining historical and religious intrigue with edge-of-your-seat adventure, New York Times bestselling author James Rollins brings back SIGMA Force to battle a group of rogue scientists who've unleashed a bioengineering project that could bring about the extinction of humankind. In Washington, D.C., a homeless man dies in Commander Gray Pierce's arms, shot by an assassin's bullet. But the death leaves behind a greater mystery: a bloody coin found clutched in the dead man's hand, an ancient relic that can be traced back to the Greek Oracle of Delphi. As ruthless hunters search for the stolen artifact, Gray Pierce discovers that the coin is the key to unlocking a plot that dates back to the Cold War and threatens the very foundation of humanity. An international think tank of scientists known as the Jasons has discovered a way to bioengineer autistic children who show savant talents—mathematical geniuses, statistical masterminds, brilliant conceptual artists—into something far greater and far more frightening, in hopes of creating a world prophet for the new millennium, one to be manipulated to create a new era of global peace . . . a peace on their own terms. Halfway around the world, a man wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of who he is, knowing only that he's a prisoner in a subterranean research facility. With the help of three unusual children, he makes his escape across a mountainous and radioactive countryside, pursued by savage hunters bred in the same laboratory. But his goal is not escape, nor even survival. In order to thwart a plot to wipe out a quarter of the world's population, he must sacrifice all, even the children who rescued him. From ancient Greek temples to glittering mausoleums, from the slums of India to the toxic ruins of Russia, two men must race against time to solve a mystery that dates back to the first famous oracle of history—the Greek Oracle of Delphi. But one question remains: Will the past be enough to save the future? |
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SIgma Force is Phenomenal |
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Another great read from Rollins. He keeps the story moving at such a good pace. characters are engaging. The premise is a blend of the past and present and flows well together. |
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Very good, fast paced story |
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This is a very good story with a lot of it based on facts. I already knew of some of the nuclear waste problems in Russia and a bit about autistic people. Rollins did a great job tying the story together about Sigma force personnel working with the autistic children and trying to prevent a major catastrophy. I think he also did a good job making the characters in the story seem believable. The only problem I had was with all the luck both Monk and Gray seemed to be having in staying alive. If I had half that luck I would be winning the lottery this weekend. |
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an okay read |
The first thing any reader needs to know about this book is that it is a work of 'escape fiction,' meaning that you have to be prepared for anything and everything, and you have to be ready to enter into a state of suspension of disbelief. That is, you have to tell yourself that you're willing to accept anything and everything, knowing that it's probably a bit far-fetched or over the top -- and in return, you get a few hours of sheer entertainment to take you away from the mundane. So having made that statement, I can say that within that particular context, this was a pretty decent book, well worth the time that it took to read. I have the other Sigma Force series novels, but haven't yet read them all, but you can bet I'll be going back to them as soon as I have a chance. I want to see what I missed in the meantime, which leads to my second bit of advice: I feel like I missed something having not read the complete series up to the time of The Last Oracle and I might have felt a bit better about the action in this novel had I been more up to date on the exploits of Sigma Force.
"The Last Oracle" refers to the Oracle of Delphi, beginning with the destruction of the temple by the Romans. Fast forward to the 20th century in the Carpathian mountains, where a group of children are being sought after by some not-so-nice KGB-ish type people; then we finally land in the present, where a scientist's death sparks an incredible adventure story that doesn't let up once it starts. Without trying to summarize the plot (it will give away the whole shebang if I do), I will say that Rollins has an ingenious mind ... there are layers within layers of action between the covers of this novel, some very unexpected twists and turns and some very nasty villains.
I would recommend this one to readers who are into escape fiction, to readers who have acquainted themselves with Sigma Force (or other James Rollins novels), and to anyone just wanting something very different to read. It's nonstop action all the way -- never a dull moment. |
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James Rollins' blazing brain |
The number of neural circuits in the human brain is in the order of ten followed by a million zeroes. How big is that? The total number of atoms in the entire universe is only ten followed by eighty zeroes. Astounding scientific facts like these underpin this complex and fascinating thriller. They make its incredible premise seem perfectly possible--even, in some form, inevitable. Rollins is an amazingly inventive writer. An awful lot of those circuits must be blazing away in his head...
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overdose of metaphysical overkill |
I absolutely loved the earliest Rollins novels, and im always ok when things get a little over the top heavy. My disbelief can be suspended to a point, but with every novel now, Rollins just seems to try to amp the over-the-top aspects to a crazily unbelievable level. The Sigma novels started out fairly decently but have now deteriorated into a cross between the most outlandish James Bond movies, with a healthy does of X-men, Star Trek and maybe some Dr. Who mixed in as well.
If you like movies such as this years Wanted, or the latest Indy Jones movie or think The Transformers are for real, then thats what you get when you read the Sigma novels these days. If its totally over the top crazy, then thats what Rollins will give you. Of course, in his authors note, he gives you factual footnotes to what occurs in the novel.
Perhaps its not totally fiction, but when you indulge heavily in the metaphysics along with every other thing thrown into these stories, from the impossible escapes, the superhuman feats from the heroes and villains alike, and all the cool little ultra secret and out of this world techno-gadgets which dont seem to be in mass use just yet, then it just tends to be too much for believabilitys sake and i havent even scratched the surface as to what hes thrown into his books now.
At least the characters are the same, with the same emotions, the same super-cool and tough female assassins, the ultra nutso lead conspirators, and always some gorgeous new female lead for one of the characters to hook up with during the storyline. You know, the same ole same ole. Always look for a thick dosage of sap too to go with the ending of the Sigma stories, esp. concerning Kat and Monk (nope, no janes or johns in superspydom).
I read these novels to get away from real worries and the current grim situations in todays real world, but sometimes a little bit of realism can be entertaining as well as the sci-fi stuff.
Maybe im being too harsh, and maybe im just not the target audience for his style writings now. Im sure he prob. has a larger fan-base than ever. HIs newest novels probably do him well but count me out now.
Ill stick with Daniel Silva or Vince Flynn, they seem to be a bit more down to earth. Sometimes thats not such a bad thing. |
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