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157th out of 1,067 books
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1,557 voters
Map of Bones: A Sigma Force Novel (Sigma Force #2)
by
James Rollins (Goodreads Author)
"During a crowded service at a cathedral in Germany, armed intruders in monks' robes unleash a nightmare of blood and destruction. But the killers have not come for gold; they seek a more valuable prize: the bones of the Magi who once paid homage to a newborn savior . . . a treasure that could reshape the world."
With the Vatican in turmoil, SIGMA Force leaps into action. A...more
With the Vatican in turmoil, SIGMA Force leaps into action. A...more
Mass Market Paperback, 523 pages
Published
April 25th 2006
by Avon Books
(first published 2005)
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Jun 04, 2008
Jacqueline
added it
Great book! I love James Rollins. He's like a cross between Tom Clancy and Micheal Crichton. Right up my Star Trek/Indiana Jones alley!! I highly recommend his books to anyone who loves any of the aforementioned authors or movies. Basically anyone who is a geek like I am.
it was am electrifying adventure but i would prefer james rollins oracle to this book.though it had many ingenious parts it kind of gets murky where fact and fiction clashes.there are parts where u cannot grasp it or wrap your head around it.but in the upside it is a good book which can keep you occupied.commander gray pierson is ordered by sigma to head to cologne in germany along with his team to investigate the mysterious massacre of mass of people and the archbishop in a cathedral.they are j...more
Jul 19, 2008
Mike
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
action adventure fans
This is the first book by James Rollins that I was going to read, then I learned that there was a series, so I read the first book, "Sandstorm", first and then returned to this. You don't really HAVE to read the first two books in any order I think because there is little that is actually spoiled in Map of Bones, most of the previous book is referred to in passing and is more helpful to having a believable world than anything. Not that the world of Sigma Force is all that believeable, well some...more
This was my second James Rollins book and I'm excited to read another. His novels read like "beach read" thrillers, but not those you'd feel embarrassed about toting around a public poolside. I'm a fan of fun mystery series like the ones written by Jeffrey Deaver and Harlan Coben, but with Rollins' books, I actually learn something. I also love his author's notes following the texts that recommend many of the sources he used for his stories. I don't imagine it's possible to read a tome on papal...more
Jun 01, 2008
Natalie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Da Vinci Code fans (people who like history related mystery/adventure novels)
Recommended to Natalie by:
Friend
Overall, this book was well written and the author's knowledge of the concepts and history integrated throughout the book is evident. Characters are well developed, but there was one major flaw that I found which affected my perception of Map of Bones. By the time I got to the end, I had no idea what the purpose of the whole adventure was. I couldn't remember what the main characters were looking for. I asked my friend, who recommended this book to me, about whether she knew, and she too couldn'...more
why i recommend this book? imagine michael crichton and dan brown together? yup, its religious scince fiction. making d legend sounds scientific enough for us understand. it speaks about 3 magi bones (3 king or holy person that finds jesus and admit him as d son of God) that actually not bone at all. but the pure or single atom of gold. juz like carboplatin, d pure platinum for chemotherapy. james imagination is that this single atom affect ur body, and life. he mix it w legends and thriller. if...more
Buku ini mengingatkan saya dengan Davinci Code, banyak sekali buku-buku serupa yang muncul paska era penerbitan novel dari Dan Brown tersebut.
Jika Davinci Code banyak berpusat pada hubungan antar gereja dengan Maria Magdalena sedangkan disini konflik yang diangkat mengenai pengumpulan tulang-tulang Magi.
Sudah banyak buku-buku serupa dan saya tidak melihat apa yang lebih menarik dari buku ini dibanding lainnya. Yang lebih parah lagi bagaimana akhirnya penulis memaksakan sebuah kisah cinta yang...more
Jika Davinci Code banyak berpusat pada hubungan antar gereja dengan Maria Magdalena sedangkan disini konflik yang diangkat mengenai pengumpulan tulang-tulang Magi.
Sudah banyak buku-buku serupa dan saya tidak melihat apa yang lebih menarik dari buku ini dibanding lainnya. Yang lebih parah lagi bagaimana akhirnya penulis memaksakan sebuah kisah cinta yang...more
Excellent- one of my favorite authors, and I love this series- can't wait for the next one
Sigma Force 2. The theft of ancient bones from a Roman Catholic cathedral and the unusual method of murdering all but one of the congregation attracts the attention of the Vatican as well as Sigma Force. Monsignor Vigor Verona and his niece, Rachel Verona, lieutenant of the Carabinieri Corps, join with Sigma agents Grayson Pierce, Monk Kokkalis, and Kat Bryant to find the bones as well as the reason behind the theft. They discover a trail leading back to the 13th Century and the early days of th...more
Another roller-coaster ride of adventure following clues from antiquity, but I didn't like it quite as well as Sandstorm, the first book in the series. I'm not sure why; sometimes my reaction to a book has to do with my own state of busyness and well-being rather than the quality of the writing. These two books followed pretty much the same formula--both the good guys and the bad guys in a race to find artifacts of power that have been hidden for generations. Map of Bones is even more Da Vinci-i...more
There are a lot of books that seem to follow the pattern of something bad happens with the potential for something really, really bad happening => an eclectic band of good guys tries to figure it out => bad guys, usually with a sadistic bent, thwart their efforts while trying to get a leg up on the their efforts to control the world => a race across geography and history ensues => a mystery is pieced together bit-by-bit => suspense builds => big hairy ending involving gunfire a...more
второй роман фантазера роллинса о спецподразделении «сигма» отличается от первого в лучшую сторону – даже несмотря на то, что нагромождений фантастического и фантасмагорического на порядок больше, чем было в первом романе, хотя – это как посмотреть. и, как в первой книге этой серии, не скромность жаловаться не приходится. масштабная резня и скотобойня в кёльнском соборе – только скромный зачин того, что будет развиваться и продолжаться, соединяя страны, города, эпохи, культурные слои и символы –...more
Pros:
Exciting thriller, interesting look into history
Cons:
A little over the top; hard to keep track of large number of characters.
Review:
A secret subset of a secret organization searches for hidden and or forgotten knowledge. Knowledge is power, and this organization, a part of the Dragon Court, cares more for power than knowledge.
The secret organization, a offshoot of the Dragon Court, traces its history back to the middle ages and has member of “pure” blood (somewhat kept pure by use of caged...more
Exciting thriller, interesting look into history
Cons:
A little over the top; hard to keep track of large number of characters.
Review:
A secret subset of a secret organization searches for hidden and or forgotten knowledge. Knowledge is power, and this organization, a part of the Dragon Court, cares more for power than knowledge.
The secret organization, a offshoot of the Dragon Court, traces its history back to the middle ages and has member of “pure” blood (somewhat kept pure by use of caged...more
Like Da Vinci Code & Angels and Demons?? MUCH BETTER!!!,
What a great read! Rollins has taken a great concept, the power of gold powder like that in manna and the ark of the covenant, and developed a fascinating story. The history behind the gold powder and the interest of US Special Ops and the Vatican are all explained in great detail with exceptional references to the historical support for all stated facts and assumptions. The biblical history behind this, much like that in The DVC or A&D,...more
What a great read! Rollins has taken a great concept, the power of gold powder like that in manna and the ark of the covenant, and developed a fascinating story. The history behind the gold powder and the interest of US Special Ops and the Vatican are all explained in great detail with exceptional references to the historical support for all stated facts and assumptions. The biblical history behind this, much like that in The DVC or A&D,...more
Rollins never disappoints! Map of Bones is the second in the Sigma Force series and this one sweeps the reader through the secretive world of the Catholic church, a la The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.
[Snip] "During a service at a cathedral in Cologne, Germany, a band of armed intruders dressed in monk's robes unleashes a nightmare of blood and terror, ruthlessly gunning down worshipers and clergy alike."
For those of us who appreciate well researched stories with intriguing plots, threade...more
[Snip] "During a service at a cathedral in Cologne, Germany, a band of armed intruders dressed in monk's robes unleashes a nightmare of blood and terror, ruthlessly gunning down worshipers and clergy alike."
For those of us who appreciate well researched stories with intriguing plots, threade...more
The first of the Sigma books I read (Sandtorm is Book 1 in the series but I discovered Map of Bones first). Since then, I've been obsessively following the Sigma series and have read all the books so far, including other stand alone novels by James Rollins.
I really like the way the author captures scientific theories and research and weaves them into exciting, captivating threads in his story, so much so that the lay person who has no scientific background is able to understand and submerge them...more
I really like the way the author captures scientific theories and research and weaves them into exciting, captivating threads in his story, so much so that the lay person who has no scientific background is able to understand and submerge them...more
I blame Dan Brown.
If you liked Dan Brown's DaVinci Code you'll like this book by James Rollins.
I enjoyed the book with the exception of the part where uh oh... I've forgotten his name, Cardinal Something-or-nother was talking. His exposition was REALLY expository and he tended to beat things to death.
The ideas were interesting and as the author suggested, it will certainly prompt further study/reading on my part.
The action was fast paced. The protagonists constantly went from frying pan to fir...more
If you liked Dan Brown's DaVinci Code you'll like this book by James Rollins.
I enjoyed the book with the exception of the part where uh oh... I've forgotten his name, Cardinal Something-or-nother was talking. His exposition was REALLY expository and he tended to beat things to death.
The ideas were interesting and as the author suggested, it will certainly prompt further study/reading on my part.
The action was fast paced. The protagonists constantly went from frying pan to fir...more
I must preface my review by confessing that I am a sucker for this kind of book. Ancient religious secrets, shadowy societies, action, riddles - I can't get enough. And thus it is no surprise I enjoyed Map of Bones.
This is a thrilling read full of likable (if not slightly generic) characters, exciting (if not slightly unrealistic) action, and plenty of plot twists and turns (some more surprising than others). Sure, it's all a little formulaic, but if you enjoy this kind of thriller, you won't mi...more
This is a thrilling read full of likable (if not slightly generic) characters, exciting (if not slightly unrealistic) action, and plenty of plot twists and turns (some more surprising than others). Sure, it's all a little formulaic, but if you enjoy this kind of thriller, you won't mi...more
James Rollins really captures the spirit of the conspiracy-theory thriller a la Dan Brown's DaVinci Code, but WITHOUT ripping off the plotline or making the story too hokey.
Map of Bones begins with the theft of the Christian relic of the Magi ("Three Wise Men")'s bones in Cologne, Germany. Although the church is filled with gold and valuable artwork, the only item that is taken are the bones - not even the golden container in which they were housed. The theft, in and of itself, is odd enough, b...more
Map of Bones begins with the theft of the Christian relic of the Magi ("Three Wise Men")'s bones in Cologne, Germany. Although the church is filled with gold and valuable artwork, the only item that is taken are the bones - not even the golden container in which they were housed. The theft, in and of itself, is odd enough, b...more
A mysterious mass murder in a cathedral in Cologne, Germany starts this book and sets a quick place. At a midnight mass, all partakers of communion were fried from the inside. Everyone else was shot. A covert sect of the U.S. government called Sigma is called together with representatives of the Vatican to piece together a puzzle that will ultimately lead them to find the Magi described in the Bible – the “Three Wise Men”.
This book is a story of their bones and an ancient secret of truth left be...more
This book is a story of their bones and an ancient secret of truth left be...more
Gray Pierce is the lead operative at SIGMA, a covert government agency that makes the CIA look like a bunch of pansies. He and his team of specialists are in a race against time to decipher ancient clues to a treasure that could destroy the world if acquired by the deadly Dragon Court. It's all standard treasure hunting fare, done countless times by Rollins, Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, and probably a few of your relatives. As long as they are written good I enjoy them. In this case, Map of Bones,...more
this is my 2nd from rollins...kindle...
dedicated to alexandra and alexander..."may both your lives shine as brightly as all the stars"
there's a quote at the beginning from l'histoire de la sainte empire romaine, 1845...histories litteraires...:
"the holy relics were granted to rainald von dassel..."
rollins uses historical facts...stories...histories, as i understand it in much of his fiction...and he has a blurb early on...8 lines long...speaks about the historical trail...the "science at the hea...more
dedicated to alexandra and alexander..."may both your lives shine as brightly as all the stars"
there's a quote at the beginning from l'histoire de la sainte empire romaine, 1845...histories litteraires...:
"the holy relics were granted to rainald von dassel..."
rollins uses historical facts...stories...histories, as i understand it in much of his fiction...and he has a blurb early on...8 lines long...speaks about the historical trail...the "science at the hea...more
Is it just my impression, or are we being inundated with books that seek to give alternate explanations to biblical material, a la Dan Brown? Map of Bones is another in this genre which includes an action-packed arc and some interesting characters.
In Rollins' case, he picks the magi, the wise men who attended Christ shortly after his birth. He traces the fascination with these men, three or four or more? by the ancient church leading to veneration of their bones after the time of Constantine. Th...more
In Rollins' case, he picks the magi, the wise men who attended Christ shortly after his birth. He traces the fascination with these men, three or four or more? by the ancient church leading to veneration of their bones after the time of Constantine. Th...more
Being pressed for time at first I thought to wind up this review with a one liner like "Brilliant, Imaginative and a Compelling Read" but the more I thought about it the more I realized this book deserved more than that. We all learn history, some in school and some just because we want to learn but to fabricate a story this brilliant from such information requires a special type of talent. James Rollin is an absolute inspiration on that front. The amount of research that went into this book its...more
Dentro do género, a comparaçao (que obviamente não deve ser feita) é Dan Brown, Este livro de Rollins não fica nada a dever ao Código DaVinci ou Anjos & Demónios, de Brown embora com as suas diferenças claro está. mas os mistérios, os segredos, os enigmas, as teorias (da treta)… perdão da conspiração estão lá todos. tal como o alter-ego de Brown, (Robert Langdom) também Rollins tem o seu comandante Grey Pierce um verdadeiro lider, personagem que transita posteriormente para «A Ordem Negra» (...more
James Rollin's writes a good thriller/adventure novel. This story introduces some of the members of Sigma Force that I guess will be the main characters later in the series. The first Sigma Force novel I read was Doomsday Key, which is kind of a mistake, since it is pretty late in the series, so I kind of knew what was gonna happen in this book, to an extent. However despite that, Map of Bones kept me on the edge of my seat at some points.
Final thoughts: Overall, I liked Sandstorm more, but only...more
Final thoughts: Overall, I liked Sandstorm more, but only...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Interestingly, I read this after Six Sacred Stones and Seven Deadly Wonders, and some of themes are frightening similar, the relation of the seven ancient wonders to Alexander the Great, his glass tomb, the benben of the pyramids, the philosopher's stone and so on. Rollin's treatment is more unique and initially sounds abit far fetched, but he later avalanches you with more than enough information to convince you without sounding cheesy. In fact, the descriptions and puzzles are rife with convin...more
A Vatican priest, an Italian policewoman, and an elite team of U.S. soldiers race together to prevent zealots from taking over the world.
A secret fraternity called the Dragon Court steals the preserved bones of the Three Magi from a cathedral in Germany. Their diabolical plans for the future of the world are opposed by SIGMA Force, an elite team of scientist/soldiers from the U.S. Defense Department. Working with Lietuenant Rachel Verona of the Italian Carabinieri Corps and her uncle Monsignor V...more
A secret fraternity called the Dragon Court steals the preserved bones of the Three Magi from a cathedral in Germany. Their diabolical plans for the future of the world are opposed by SIGMA Force, an elite team of scientist/soldiers from the U.S. Defense Department. Working with Lietuenant Rachel Verona of the Italian Carabinieri Corps and her uncle Monsignor V...more
Technically a sequel to Rollins first series book, Sandstorm A Sigma Force Novel, but with the introduction of new constant protagonist Gray Pierce, constant deuteragonists Kat Bryant and Monk Kokkalis, recurring tritagonists Rachel and Vigor Verona, and recurring antagonist Seichan, Painter Crowe, star of Sandstorm, is relegated to a desk job - quite literally, as he is now director of Sigma. (Of course, he takes a much more active role in later books - but don't tell anyone I said that if you...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do you think James Rollins is the greatest Fiction/Thriller author of our time? | 11 | 19 | Apr 27, 2013 04:49am | |
| Which is your favourite James Rollins Novel? | 7 | 24 | Apr 08, 2013 09:38am | |
| Author Interviews: An Interview with James Rollins (Text) | 1 | 5 | Feb 12, 2013 01:42pm | |
| Depth-less characthers | 20 | 103 | Dec 28, 2012 09:49pm | |
| Thousand Oaks Rea...: James Rollin's "Map of Bones" | 1 | 2 | Dec 04, 2012 04:59pm | |
| This book made #6 on TOP 10 THRILLER NOVELS... | 8 | 84 | Mar 01, 2012 04:57am |
James Rollins is the New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages. His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the "top crowd pleasers" (New York Times) and one of the "hottest summer reads" (People Magazine). In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets--and h
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Feb 25, 2010 12:24pm