Map of Bones by James Rollins

[Addy]

Pg233(view spoiler)[ok, my thing is I don't get why dragon lady is helping. What's in it for her exactly? Is she trying to help gray in order for him to help her somehow? Just weird after she tried to kill him in the beginning (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Pg233[spoilers removed]"

I know. (view spoiler)[ I'm guessing we're going to find out something more is going on that we don't know about yet. Not logical otherwise. Maybe her group wants Sigma to fight the Order of the Dragon and they'll pick up the pieces afterwards. (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Pg255(view spoiler)[ yes, i can see u are right now that I've read a little further. Seems like the dragon court may need sigma's help somehow. All this talk about manna being this white powder gold is pretty interesting. To think that miracles in a biblical sense could have been talking about this substance. Blows my mind. Of course, there is nothing to prove this but still pretty neat (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Pg255[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I've always enjoyed science so I agree that all of this is fascinating, and clever. I'll be impressed if all of this ties together by the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Ctgt]

Addy wrote: "Pg255[spoilers removed]"

It was interesting how he tied that whole thing together including the Arc of the Covenant with some its reported powers.

I finished up last night...plenty of twists and turns :)

[Addy]

I stopped at ch8. I'm reading it this morning so tonite I shud be able to read 9 and 10. Thanks for waiting Terry. Ctgt, im glad u enjoyed it!

[Addy]

Ok. I'm getting confused(view spoiler)[so the first attack in Cologne was the dragon court right? Or wrong? The second attack by the guild? I'm not sure I'm getting it right. Please help! (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Ok. I'm getting confused[spoilers removed]"

:) (view spoiler)[ The very first attack in the book with only Gray, was by The Guild, via the lady with the dragon necklace (Seichan). Not sure why she left that necklace, though as she isn't a part of the Dragon Court. All of the rest of the attacks have been by the Dragon Court, but with the help of The Guild via Seichan. (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Oh...ok. I get it now. I just wanted to make sure I was following correctly. The cryptogram chapter was awesome. I like anything that's got pictures to help the story along. Pretty cool!

[Terry]

Ctgt wrote: "End of day 2 [spoilers removed]"

I wondered the same thing! (view spoiler)[ Has to be part of the reason that the Dragon Court is always a few steps ahead of our heroes! (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Oh...ok. I get it now. I just wanted to make sure I was following correctly. The cryptogram chapter was awesome. I like anything that's got pictures to help the story along. Pretty cool!"

I wouldn't have had a clue without those pictures!

[Ctgt]

With all the puzzles and secret societies, this book reminded me of The Da Vinci Code from back in the day.

[Terry]

I've not read Those books yet. Figured the movies probably spoiled them for me.

[Ctgt]

Yeah, pretty much. They were fairly formulaic and after I read two I was bored. I consider them popcorn books, plenty of action but nothing too deep.

[Ctgt]

Addy wrote: "Oh...ok. I get it now. I just wanted to make sure I was following correctly. The cryptogram chapter was awesome. I like anything that's got pictures to help the story along. Pretty cool!"

I liked the way they kept twisting the diagram to get different views and concepts.

[Terry]

Ctgt wrote: "Addy wrote: "Oh...ok. I get it now. I just wanted to make sure I was following correctly. The cryptogram chapter was awesome. I like anything that's got pictures to help the story along. Pretty coo..."

I agree. I thought that was pretty clever.

[Terry]

Ctgt wrote: "Yeah, pretty much. They were fairly formulaic and after I read two I was bored. I consider them popcorn books, plenty of action but nothing too deep."

I do hope the movie of Inferno is good when it comes out, at least.

[Ctgt]

Hmmm..hadn't heard about that. That's his latest, right? I did dip my toe in again for that after skipping the last several books. It was okay, nothing special. Is Tom Hanks playing the lead again?

[Terry]

Yes, the latest. Looks like it's Tom Hanks again, and Ron Howard directing, with a release date in October. The trailer looks ok.

[Addy]

With the holiday I haven't had much time to read. I stopped mid chapter 10. Ill get back to it on Tuesday. Have a great 4th everyone!!

[Terry]

Me too, Addy. I'm still at the start of ch10. Hope your 4th is good also, and that we all return Tuesday with all 10 fingers still intact!

[Addy]

Lol...tell me about it!

[Addy]

Pg369(view spoiler)[while I have a moment I wanted to say what a surprise about Rachel, her having the dragon blood as they say. It certainly has upped the ante (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Happy 4th ya'll! I just had something called a buzz ball so I prob won't be reading tonite:)

[Terry]

Sounds like liquid fireworks! Happy 4th!

[Ctgt]

Happy 4th....a day late :/

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Pg369[spoilers removed]"

I know. I was surprised by that, too. (view spoiler)[ I'm also wondering who this Imperator is that is Raoul's boss. I'm guessing its someone we already know also. (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Better late than never!

Pg406(view spoiler)[I didn't really think about the Imperator, but I think u are right Terry. I thought the whole diving mission was pretty exciting. I would have loved doing something like that. The romance between Gray and Rachel is a nice plus to the book and keeps things interesting. Do u guys think they will be an item? It's obvious to me but who knows. (hide spoiler)]

[Ctgt]

Addy wrote: "Better late than never!

Pg406[spoilers removed]"

I felt the same way throughout about the Gray/Rachel relationship.

[Terry]

Ctgt wrote: "Addy wrote: "Better late than never!

Pg406[spoilers removed]"

I felt the same way throughout about the Gray/Rachel relationship."

I'm just guessing, (view spoiler)[ but I expect it will be the forbidden love story, and they never quite make the connection. I liked the diving part, too. I've never been myself. I wonder if the description of how bad the sewage is and how you can get sick diving there is true? If so, that's such a disappointment! (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Hmmm...we'll see. I hope they do find romance. I think I'd be heart broken:( where did u stop today?

[Terry]

It's usually the opposite of what I'm guessing, so you're probably right! I've just made it to pg406 now. Not sure if I'll make it to the end of ch12 tonight, though.

[Addy]

Ch13 is a good spot. I'll stop there.

[Addy]

Pg443 This really isn't a spoiler, but monk is riding a sled that dives underwater? Is that made up? I just can't picture it.

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Pg443 This really isn't a spoiler, but monk is riding a sled that dives underwater? Is that made up? I just can't picture it."

I would picture it like the body of a jetski, only flatter and narrower that you sit on or have your legs out behind while you hold onto handles - but I'm not really positive. I just finished ch12, (view spoiler)[ those clues with the pyramid and figuring out the location with the ancient batteries is pretty cool. I've heard that they knew about batteries back then, so I like that tie-in. (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Yes, I agree. That was pretty neat. It gets better too and more intense.

[Terry]

You were right! Pg 449 (view spoiler)[ You don't think that's really the end of the dragon lady, do you? Somehow, she will miraculously survive and show up again is my guess! (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

My lips are sealed:)

[Addy]

Oh wait...that doesn't make sense now does it? Well, something of the equivalent I guess...lol. Either way, you'll just have to read on.

[Terry]

Funny! I'm going to shoot for the end of ch14 today. You?

[Addy]

Yes, same here but I'll tackle it tonite.

[Terry]

Pg500 (view spoiler)[ What, Nonna is part of the Dragon Court, too! Ouch! (hide spoiler)]

[Ctgt]

Terry wrote: "Pg500 [spoilers removed]"

That took me by surprise. I thought I had figured out a few angles but he did a good job of twisting things around.

[Terry]

Ctgt wrote: "Terry wrote: "Pg500 [spoilers removed]"

That took me by surprise. I thought I had figured out a few angles but he did a good job of twisting things around."

I agree. He's been good at keeping me guessing.

[Addy]

Pg500 Ok. I cursed a bit, well a lot when (view spoiler)[Nonna was exposed to be part of the dragon court! Wtf! Should have seen this coming as we were told that Rachel has dragon blood...just couldn't figure out how. Damn! (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Pg500 Ok. I cursed a bit, well a lot when [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I actually thought she was going to punch that old priest when she walked up to him! (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Right?! Good twist there I have to admit.

[Ctgt]

I was kicking myself for missing that connection. (view spoiler)[ There were several references to Rachel's blood so it should have dawned on me that Nonna would be at least aware. (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Pg515 (view spoiler)[ Well, rock bottom has been reached! (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Pg515 Looks like they have failed.....but looks can be deceiving!