Sigma Force--James Rollins: Gray, The ladies man, who should he choose? (warning spoilers)

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Okay, having read through the series up thru The Devil Colony, I always wondered if Gray should have gone with Rachel instead of Siechan? (Or is the jury still out on that?) Any thoughts?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I haven't read any of James Rollins' books yet, but you have me interested in this series.

Just so everyone knows you are talking about Devil's Colony, I suggest adding Devil's Colony to the name of this thread.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

It's really an ongoing love triangle that starts a few books before and runs through devil's colony (well just prior to Skeleton Key anyway.) Your right, perhaps it should be titled Sigma Force? to identify the series we are talking about.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

That's a good idea, Hugh.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Done. And by the way, Siechan's an assasin. Just thought I'd share, Danielle.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Oh, you have my interest! What is the first book to read in this series?

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Sandstorm is the first.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Oh great. I have that one. Must pull that out soon.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

It'll take a while to understand this question but Siechan is a very interesting character. And Joe Kowalski is to Sigma Force, what Oberon is to Hounded.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Interesting!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

'cept he's not a dog.

[Alice]

Personally, I'm more of a Siechan fan. Something just so interesting about her.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Siechan gets more play, and boy, she is interesting. I kind of got a soft spot for Rachel when she was introduced. I used to be stationed in Italy and I can see the car chase with her convertible "Mini-Cooper" racing through the streets of Rome. At least she never shot him!

As much as I like/liked Rachel, she wasn't as interesting as Siechan, that's for sure. I'll give you that.

[Alice]

I like that Rollins made Siechan into more than she was originally. Each book pulls back a few more layers to her which is what makes her, in my opinion, more 3D than Rachel.

Rachel is a good character too though.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I have to read these books so I can join in on the conversation!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

You are so right. Rachel was only a knotch more than a card board cut out James Bond Beauty. She did have some layers, more her family history than her personally. Siechan is a deep character.

I've read some reviews that complain about "two dimensional characters" in the later books of the series. I think that's because they didn't read them from Sandstorm up... Rollins does exactly what yous aid... gives a little bit, here and there. Never the whole story... by the time your reading Devil Colony, these are complex characters. For that matter Sophia from Sandstorm is interesting too. We haven't see her again (yet).

[Alice]

Yeah I wish we'd see Sophia again. I also want more Painter. I like Gray, but Painter is my favorite. He and Sophia were why I loved Sandstorm so much.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Have you read The Devil Colony? That's a lot of Painter in there. He had the lead in a second book too but my mind is blank to the name (old age and too much bean dip I think).

Sophia had that mystical quality to her. I loved that.

At least Monk and Kat are keeping it together. It's good to have one successful relationship when it's hard to tell how the others will turn out.

What ever happened to Painter's girlfriend the good doctor. She's barely gotten a cameo since She and Monk went on their assignment.

[Alice]

The Devil Colony is the only one I haven't yet read. I need to do that soon...

Yeah, Lisa, is the name of Painter's girlfriend. I never really liked them together.

Monk and Kat are so great! I love their relationship. Definitely one of my favorite things about this series.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I just finished Devil Colony.

I wonder what happened to the spunky street girl from "The Black Order."

I'm thinking Kat should take over Sigma and send Painter back to the feild.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Lisa and painter... and to think, he came that close to being Sophia's main squeeze. Monk and Kat are funny. She wants him to stay home all the time then, calls Gray up to "get him out of here, he's driving me crazy" when anything comes up.

[Alice]

It would be awesome to see Painter back in the field. As long as the Gray/Monk show stays strong. I love them together!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Monk's funny. Painter gets stuck with Kowolski as his sidekick in "The Devil's Colony." I love the way Rollins writes everyones reaction when Joe K drops one of his one liner bombs.

[Eileen]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I haven't read any of James Rollins' books yet, but you have me interested in this series.

Just so everyone knows you are talking about Devil's Colony, I suggest adding Devil's Colony to the n..."

I'm also interested, what's the title of the first book in the series. I looked it up and I can only find book 2, thanks.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Sandstorm... I think I have a review on it

[Eileen]

Thanks! I'll be sure and check it out.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Your welcome. All of them are good. I think Seichan may be one of the best female characters in a long time in this genre. And boy, I'm with Alice. I wish we could read more about Sophia.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Any other thoughts on Seichan? Where would you rank her in the world of female characters?

[Lisa P, My weekend is all booked up!]

I just finished The Devil Colony and enjoyed it as much as all the others in this series. As far as Seichan goes...I didn't care for her much in the first few books...gotta say she was pretty cold-hearted and just not very likeable. Gradually, as more of her background was revealed and as the series progressed, especially in this last book; her softer side has emerged a little bit, as she has gotten closer to Gray. She seems much more human and interesting as a character now, and has turned into one of my favorites. I do hope we get to find out even more about her in the future, and I can't wait to see where the storyline goes from here!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Seichan was wonderful with Gray's Dad. I thought that was clever of Rollins to make something that looked bad (lying) turn out to be thereputic for both father and son.

Of course, you just know Rollins is going to bring in Rachel in the next book!

[Lisa P, My weekend is all booked up!]

I think your probably right about Rachel being in the next book, but I kind of hope you are wrong. I'm now more invested and interested in Seichan and have moved on from Rachel...no interest in seeing her again at this point. However, never say never...

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Well, there might be a little juvinile male interest in a semi-violent confrontation between

seriously, your right. I fell in with Seichan the minute she showed signs of "turning good" over Gray.

still, having been stationed in Italy for three years and, having visited Rome, driving, several times, I really loved the hot Italian Lady driving the supped up Cooper Mini in a wild car chase with the bad guys. So, maybe bring Rachel in and find her a nice local boy?

And what happened to Painter's hot doctor girlfriend?

[Lisa P, My weekend is all booked up!]

Rollins seems to put all the girlfriends on the back shelf after a while. I would love to see some of them come back in future books.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Well, Monk and his main squeeze are still going strong. (and I'm glad for the wonderful role models) Happily married.

[Lisa P, My weekend is all booked up!]

Yep, I love Kat...and it would be fun to see Lisa back in the action out in the field again.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

And Kat... she kind of got the short end of the stick, getting pregnant and all.

...um... if you'll pardon the expression.

[Keri]

I love Grey and Seichan together. I think they make the cutest couple and I hope that Rollins continues to make them an item. I like Kat being preggers and Monk being completely gaga over her. It gives a touch of reality to the book.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I still wonder what happened to Sophia!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I finally started reading Sandstorm again. I put it down because I had other required reads to get through. I hope to finish it tomorrow.

[Alice]

Hugh (A.K.A. Hermit the Curmudgeon) wrote: "I still wonder what happened to Sophia!"

That is the greatest mystery that Rollins has never solved for us. I still like her more than Lisa.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

She came in for a cameo in one book (The Black order) I think, or maybe Map of Bones. But that was about it. Lady Kensington did something for them. And Lisa...she's about forgotten... what about the little Mousy thing Joe hooked up with from "The Last Oracle?"

[Alice]

Hmmm...I have a vague memory of the Mousy thing, but nothing clear.

Really only Seichan, Kat and Rachel are regulars and Rachel not that much (thankfully).

[Keri]

I think Joe just likes playing the ladies man too much. He one of my fav characters for the comic relief aspect. Although he did save some bacon in the last book.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

He's very Direct. He saved some bacon in the second book to.. but can anyone answer yes or no to this?

He reminds me of a character in Amazonia, is he just like one of those guys, or was that "Joe Kowalski" the same character? (or am I all together mistaken?)

[Alice]

Yeah, Joe is really coming into his own. With Monk more stable now you need the crazy, loose cannon guy and Joe fits the bill.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Just don't mess with his shoes... and remember to buy a teddy bear from that shop in Scotland.

[Alice]

Ha! You crack me up always Hugh.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I try, but don't let it out... I'm supposed to be a grumpy curmudgeon.

[Alice]

You wouldn't be nearly as entertaining if you weren't a grumpy curmudgeon!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Agreed!