Following the fall of Baghdad, two Iraqi boys stumble upon armed men looting the city zoo. The floodgates have been opened for the smuggling of hun...
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reviews
Mar 15, 2011
Kim
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I really liked this book! It is a quick read. I picked it up just to take a look and read seven chapters before I put it back down. I highly recommend all of James Rollins books, but "Altar of Eden" is definitely my favorite.
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Jan 14, 2011
Keri
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Lorna is innocently driving to work in Louisiana one morning after a strong storm thinking of how her day is going to go. However, once she gets to work, she finds that she has been told that she is going out to inspect a ship-wrecked boat. What??? She is a vet, what do they need her for? Once she gets there however, she not only has to deal with Jack, a dark and sexy Border Patrol agent from her deep and painful past, she also has to deal with some animals on the ship. Not just any animals mind
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Apr 03, 2011
travelgirlut
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Is it possible for a book to have too much action? If so, this one qualifies. I wasn't even a quarter of the way through and I was thinking I was getting close to the end because there was so much going on all over the place. The point of view switches so often that it's hard to stay focused on the storyline. The characters are very transparent. Right from the beginning the heroine is attracted to the manly scent of our hero, even though they are out hunting feral cats in the bayou. The li
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Mar 24, 2011
Steven
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The book is titled, Altar of Eden; but for the purposes of this review, I'm going to call it FAKP--short for Fur Ass-Kick Park.
Very much a cross between the Michael Chrichton classic, Jurassic Park and the ground-breaking Peter Benchley novel, Jaws, FAKP tells what happens when a saber tooth jaguar escapes into the bayous of Louisiana.
Not only does this cat have big teeth, it's smart... really smart, I mean, romp Bobby Fischer with three moves in Chess smart. This cat's IQ i More...
Very much a cross between the Michael Chrichton classic, Jurassic Park and the ground-breaking Peter Benchley novel, Jaws, FAKP tells what happens when a saber tooth jaguar escapes into the bayous of Louisiana.
Not only does this cat have big teeth, it's smart... really smart, I mean, romp Bobby Fischer with three moves in Chess smart. This cat's IQ i More...
Mar 16, 2011
Mitch
rated it: 
WHY are people rating this book so highly???
The characters were cardboard cutouts, the plot was obviously manipulated, the scenarios were so unlikely...the story was more like a series of explosions and gunfights loosely linked together until it finally expired. Having survived to the end, I know a lot more about weaponry and am reassured that one-dimensional good guys can only get wounded no matter how many rounds are fired per minute, while no-dimensional bad guys inevitably get More...
The characters were cardboard cutouts, the plot was obviously manipulated, the scenarios were so unlikely...the story was more like a series of explosions and gunfights loosely linked together until it finally expired. Having survived to the end, I know a lot more about weaponry and am reassured that one-dimensional good guys can only get wounded no matter how many rounds are fired per minute, while no-dimensional bad guys inevitably get More...
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Feb 23, 2011
Nicole
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I have mentioned many times that novels with themes of technology and science rock my world and James Rollins is one of my absolute favorite action/adventure authors who incorporates these themes. Normally I'm enraptured by the scientific theories Rollins includes in his novels, but in Altar of Eden I felt I was at times being lectured to about the science rather the than the story evolving from the science (this was even more apparent after comparing Altar of Eden to Awakening by S. J. Bolton,
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Feb 06, 2011
Doug
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My first glimpse into James Rollins occurred around 2006. I was managing an overstock bookstore at the time—Book Gallery—and a customer came in asking if we had any of Rollins's works. We had two—Amazonia and Ice Hunt—that he already had read, and so I personally picked them up and brought them home to drop on my never ending and ephemerally conceptualized to-read list. Why? Because he had used such phrases as "like Michael Crichton but way more exciting" and "seriously the best n
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Jan 31, 2011
Paul
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Lorna Polk, a veterinarian, is working for ACRES (The Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species). She is summoned in the middle of the night because a trawler has run aground off the Louisiana coast. Normally this would not be a situation that requjired a veterinarian, except that the trawler contains a very unusual cargo.
Jack Menard, an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol, shows Lorna the blood stained bulkheads (walls) and the absence of any crew members. She is also shown More...
Jack Menard, an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol, shows Lorna the blood stained bulkheads (walls) and the absence of any crew members. She is also shown More...
Nov 25, 2010
Chibineko
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As a fan of Rollins for years now, I've been waiting eagerly for this book. I was slightly disappointed that it wasn't a Sigma novel, but as several fans can vouch- his stand alone books can often be better than his series novels. I have to say, this book is one of his better ones.
The book begins with Lorna, a biologist at a local conservation lab, being called out to a shipwreck for her input on several animals that were stashed inside the boat. At first Lorna assumes that it's a cas More...
The book begins with Lorna, a biologist at a local conservation lab, being called out to a shipwreck for her input on several animals that were stashed inside the boat. At first Lorna assumes that it's a cas More...
Mar 17, 2010
Lura
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What if people were used as biological warfare. Not IN biological warfare. Used as weapons basically. People as weapons. Scary thought.
Now imagine it's not just people being made into weapons. It's animals, too. Big cats, foxes, monkeys, even birds. Any kind of sentient animal. Only with increased intelligence. Increased to the point of sapience. Scarier thought. Something as vicious as an animal with near-human intelligence? Shudder.
That was exactly what veterinarian Lor More...
Now imagine it's not just people being made into weapons. It's animals, too. Big cats, foxes, monkeys, even birds. Any kind of sentient animal. Only with increased intelligence. Increased to the point of sapience. Scarier thought. Something as vicious as an animal with near-human intelligence? Shudder.
That was exactly what veterinarian Lor More...
Mar 01, 2010
T.
rated it:
Despite injecting biblical quote and reference, this novel fails to reach such proportions. Instead the storyline kinda is an elaborate Lake Placid.
I shouldn’t be quite so harsh, the attempts at good science fiction are noteworthy and perhaps as my undergraduate degree is in genetics I am too sceptical.
The basic storyline is: The government is conducting genetic engineering experiments and creating intelligent monsters. A vet (animal doctor) and a vet (Iraq More...
I shouldn’t be quite so harsh, the attempts at good science fiction are noteworthy and perhaps as my undergraduate degree is in genetics I am too sceptical.
The basic storyline is: The government is conducting genetic engineering experiments and creating intelligent monsters. A vet (animal doctor) and a vet (Iraq More...
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Mar 02, 2011
Michelle♥
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Jan 08, 2010
Mickey
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Jan 17, 2012
Travis
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I've read (almost?) every bookJames Rollins has written, and this one is right up there with his best. I'm not going to say it's my favorite, but it was damn good nonetheless. It's incredibly fast-paced and action filled, with basically no lulls in the story at all - it's a one-shot read, from start to finish. In fact, that's how i read it - all in one night.
Rollins' last handful of novels (i think he's up to 6 or 7) have been part of a lose series called the "Sigma Force" More...
Rollins' last handful of novels (i think he's up to 6 or 7) have been part of a lose series called the "Sigma Force" More...
Oct 07, 2011
Claudia
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Rollins was one of the authors I found as I waited for Dan Brown to write another book. I LOVE this guy...fast paced, almost plausible, with characters I care about.
This one is not about the Sigma Team but the setting of New Orleans and the swamps made up for the loss of my team. Lorna is a vet working to clone endangered animals and is brought in as a consultant to examine some strange 'wrong' animals left abandoned from a supposed animal smuggling ring...Wrong...as parrots with no More...
This one is not about the Sigma Team but the setting of New Orleans and the swamps made up for the loss of my team. Lorna is a vet working to clone endangered animals and is brought in as a consultant to examine some strange 'wrong' animals left abandoned from a supposed animal smuggling ring...Wrong...as parrots with no More...
Jan 11, 2010
Patrick
rated it:
Our favorite veterinarian follow-up writer (he followed-up numerous Cussler novels with ‘Subterranean’ and ‘Sahara;’ and followed-up Dan Brown with ‘Map of Bones’) has now chosen to ride the coattails of Crichton (it’s okay this time, since ‘Next’ wasn’t very good). At least his take on genetic engineering doesn’t include dinosaurs. Although—there is one nasty saber-tooth pussycat keeping the first act moving along. Yes, our theater-challenged author has titled his sections ‘Acts.’ In deference
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Oct 21, 2011
Jim
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I've been meaning to read one of Mr. Rollins' books for quite a while. They looked like action/adventure without the politics and intrigue of so many other authors. Well, I certainly got what I asked for; with a spunky, independent lead (female!) character; a smattering of science; an assortment of action scenes; a grizzled, scarred bad guy; and a decent narrative.
This particular story involved genetic engineering, exotic animals, and mysterious military implications. The character dev More...
This particular story involved genetic engineering, exotic animals, and mysterious military implications. The character dev More...
Mar 21, 2010
Liz
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This was an interesting book with larger than life animals and hominids living in modern day. A boat unexpectedly is abandoned near an island in the gulf. Aboard are many strange animals, so Lorna (a vet) is called in to assist with the animals and to find out how they came to be what they are. They take the animals back to Lorna's place of work ACRES to care for the animals and to research them as well. These are no ordinary animals, in fact one of them an extremely large saber tooth tiger
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Aug 02, 2011
Mattias
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I have read all of Rollins work and I have to say that this is one of his best so far. The story about genetical engineering on animals and others is very interesting. And as usual you learn something when you read his books like in this case; fractal science which I had no idea what was before I read the book. But Rollins wouldnt be.....well Rollins if he didnt match this with great action and supense sequences. And as usual its hard to put the book down, I read it in 4 days I think. The chara
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Jul 09, 2011
Louisa
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These books, wow. I just loved them! They were just awesome!!! They had Rollin's typical blend of history, science, and jam-packed adventure, and it was just the perfect blend to make them easy, fast, and fun reads that were suspensful to the very last word.
These books had the trademarks of Rollin's work, and the anticipation for the books to come out was intense, well, at least for me. That's why I got 2 of his books (these ones) with my birthday money. I had to read them! (An More...
Jun 26, 2010
Suspense Magazine
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Writing plots and intricate characters that virtually reach out to snare like tentacles, Rollins continues to stagger us with his mind-blowing style in the introduction of his stand-alone thriller, “Altar of Eden”. Beautifully crafted and set in the backcountry of Louisiana, it only takes a small squint of the eyes to see the landscape unfurl as Rollins words progress.
When veterinarian Lorna Polk is summoned to the scene of an abandoned shipwreck, she couldn’t have been prepared for More...
When veterinarian Lorna Polk is summoned to the scene of an abandoned shipwreck, she couldn’t have been prepared for More...
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Feb 22, 2011
Amanda
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I'm on the fence with this book. I really enjoy reading Rollins books, but I can't decide if I liked this one or not.
In some ways it was highly enjoyable. As his previous books, the science part of it completely intrigued me. It kept the plot moving and I stayed interested trying to piece together where he was going with the genetic aspect of the animals. In fact the animals outcomes where what kept me reading to the end. But for a lot of readers this part of the books isn't going t More...
In some ways it was highly enjoyable. As his previous books, the science part of it completely intrigued me. It kept the plot moving and I stayed interested trying to piece together where he was going with the genetic aspect of the animals. In fact the animals outcomes where what kept me reading to the end. But for a lot of readers this part of the books isn't going t More...
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Jan 27, 2010
Jason
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Altar of Eden is a fun, exciting and fast read. If you're looking to escape in a tv-movie sort-of-way, then this is a good purchase.
James Rollins writes short and to the point. His characters and plot are somewhat similar - short and to the point. And it's enjoyable. The first half of the book sets the stage for genetically altered animals escape into the Bayou after an attempt to smuggle them into the U.S. goes awry.
Rollins writes adventure and pseudo-science well. Think Mic More...
James Rollins writes short and to the point. His characters and plot are somewhat similar - short and to the point. And it's enjoyable. The first half of the book sets the stage for genetically altered animals escape into the Bayou after an attempt to smuggle them into the U.S. goes awry.
Rollins writes adventure and pseudo-science well. Think Mic More...
Dec 30, 2009
D. Alexx
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Review by Doni R. Miller
When I first was asked if I wanted to review this book, and was sent the synopsis, I was curious, and said yes because the heroine was a veterinarian. When I received the author's bio, I was excited because the author graduated from the University of Missouri’s School of Veterinary Medicine where my daughter Rachael attends as a second year vet student.
It would not be a fair review to the author James Rollins, but I really could sum this book up More...
When I first was asked if I wanted to review this book, and was sent the synopsis, I was curious, and said yes because the heroine was a veterinarian. When I received the author's bio, I was excited because the author graduated from the University of Missouri’s School of Veterinary Medicine where my daughter Rachael attends as a second year vet student.
It would not be a fair review to the author James Rollins, but I really could sum this book up More...
Jan 20, 2010
Anthony
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 26, 2011
Jennifer
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A slapdash thrill ride from James Rollins, something of a cross between Frankenfish and Robert Masello's Bestiary. Altar of Eden has the Rollins bone structure - wacky semi-pseudoscientific premise, exotic locales, shit blowing up - but has all the flesh of an anorexic chihuahua. And what little there is takes the form of the dreaded "Southern color." I literally cringed when two of the lead characters shared a moment over fried okra. That's not too surprising, as Rollins' N'Awlins cr
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Apr 13, 2011
Jeff
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This was a quick read (as I find all Rollins books to be) but that's not a negative statment - rather, I pushed through the book so quickly because the action starts and doesn't really stop until the book ends. This was another exciting Rollins novel, filled with well-developed human characters and a variety of anthropomorphized animals (Rollins is, after all, a former veterinarian-turned-author). However, I must say that my favorite aspect of this book was the epilogue - or, more accurately,
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Oct 14, 2011
Shannon
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I was SO happy to discover that James Rollins is still doing standalone novels that aren't part of the Sigma Force series. While I find the Sigma Force novels entertaining, they're a bit too Dan Brown-flavored for me. The thing that hooked me on Rollins' writing was the science and anthropology and believable fiction about ancient cultures and genetic mutations. This novel definitely has more the genetic mutations in spades, though the anthropology takes a bit of a back seat. I hope he continues
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May 22, 2011
Fox
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I have to say that for James Rollins, this book falls far short of the usual bar he sets for himself. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book. His writing is as wonderful as ever, but the storyline was just not as compelling as his previous books (Sigma series or not). And the danger was not nearly as frightening as in previous works. It was good, but not great. The mediocrity was why he only got 3 stars. It was still a bit of a page turner but I could put this book down any time I wanted to. I r
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Jun 06, 2010
Drew
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When I select a book, I'm hoping the book will either engage my mind, my emotions, my heart or some combination of all three. This book did just that. The author creates incredible tension with his tight, plausible plots. But he also engages your mind with the use of facts that ,as you read, are not sure they are true. But at the conclusion of the story , he clarified each of the main facts which played an important part in the plot. So assuming he is telling the truth you sit back amazed at wha
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