From Publishers WeeklyIf he weren't such a good action writer, Rollins might make a dynamite climatologist. Each of his thrillers has featured as a central character an extreme environment, most recently the Arctic ice (Ice Hunt, 2003) and now the hot sands of Saudi Arabia. But while Rollins writes settings and scenes that sizzle, what's caught in the heat are usually familiar characters grappling with far-fetched threats, and so it is here. That one male lead is a danger-courting archeologist named Omaha Dunn seems less parodic than tired, and the novel's premise of a hoard of antimatter hidden in the legendary city of Ubar is almost as ridiculous as the idea that this cache has been guarded for millennia by an order of women who propagate without men, via parthenogenesis. Rollins writes less like Michael Crichton than Stan Lee. Most of his readers won't care, though, because there's just enough scientific gloss on the nonsense to make it palatable, and anyway, what they want, and what he delivers, is action, as Omaha and an American military agent, Painter, join forces with two Mideastern women, one a scientist, the other a billionaire, to locate the steadily destabilizing antimatter before it's snatched by a villainous cabal, or worse, blows up the planet. And that's why they'll buy this book in numbers big enough to have it flirt with national bestseller lists. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. "This novel is sure to be compared to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, but, in every way, it's a much better book. Where Brown's best-seller was predictable despite its compelling premise, this tale is clever and suspenseful." -- Booklist 2006 Barry Award nominee for Best Thriller"Rollins is one of the most inventive storytellers writing today." -- Lincoln Child, coauthor of The Ice Limit"While Clive Cussler maintains the gold standard in action lit, Rollins has a firm grasp on the silver." -- Publishers Weekly"ia is a nonstop thrill-a-minute ride. This is just the book for Indiana Jones fans." -- Tess Gerritsen"Rollins writes with intelligence, clarity, and a refreshing sense of humor." -- Kirkus sFrom the AuthorAbout James RollinsJAMES ROLLINS is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. Known for unveiling unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets, Rollins' knack for breakneck pacing and stunning originality has been hailed by critics and embraced by scores of millions of readers around the world.The Critics RaveThe New York Times says that his "roguish charm comes from his efforts to persuade readers the story is credible [through] real-life sources for his novel's science, history and geography." Rollins' rare blend of action, suspense, and knowledge was also mentioned by the Huffington Post, which stated that "After Crichton passed away in 2008 he clearly passed the baton to James Rollins, who like Crichton, is a renaissance man."NPR calls his work "adventurous and enormously engrossing..." and the New York Journal of Books had this to say: "If you're a fan of smart, entertaining adventure fiction, this is your summer beach read writ large....All the science, all the history, and all the locations are masterfully intertwined. The characters are multi-dimensional. And the story is, well, a corker."The Story Teller's StoryAs a boy immersed in the scientific adventures of Doc Savage, the wonders of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, and pulps such as The Shadow, The Spider, and The Avenger, James Rollins decided he wanted to be a writer. He honed his storytelling skills early, spinning elaborate tales that were often at the heart of pranks played on his brothers and sisters.Before he would set heroes and villains on harrowing adventures, Rollins embarked on a career in veterinary medicine, graduating from the University of Missouri and establishing a successful veterinary practice. This hands-on knowledge of medicine and science helps shape the research and scientific speculation that set James Rollins books apart.Explosive Page-Turning AdventuresThe exotic locales of James Rollins novels have emerged as a hybrid between imagination, research, and his extensive travels throughout the United States and Europe, as well as New Zealand, the South Pacific, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. Recent jaunts include book tours and stops across the country and several European nations to give talks, seminars, and media interviews.In recent years, much of James' travel has involved meeting readers in small and large groups, at writing and fan conferences, and even aboard seagoing "seminars." James' mentoring and coaching skills have made him a sought after writing instructor and guest speaker for workshops, symposia, conventions, and other forums throughout the country.James Rollins is the author of nine thrillers in the bestselling Sigma Force series (Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, The Last Oracle, The Doomsday Key, The Devil Colony, Bloodline, and The Eye of God); six individual adventure thrillers; and the Jake Ransom middle grade series (Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow, Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx.) what classifies as a book Sandstorm (Sigma Force)
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Exciting Story!!!By Johann ginnPainter Crowe is part of an organization known as Sigma.He and an archaeological group have to figure out what Antimatter has to do with a lost city called Ubar. They need to find the city fast because a terrorist organization known as the Guild is also looking for this city and will try and use the Antimatter for their own agendas.Fast paced and riveting...pick this up!!!!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. New favorite series. I am obsessed with these books as ...By MissesOctoberNew favorite series. I am obsessed with these books as they blend history, mystery, science, magic, and just a touch of romance, but definitely not a maim component. I can't read them fast enough.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I really liked this novelBy The Girl Who Read4.5 STARS!I really liked this novel. A close friend suggested it and I decided to take a chance. James Rollins combines the best traits of science fiction and fantasy, giving scientific, modern day reasons to rationalize mystical occurrences in the book. I really enjoyed that. Most of all, I loved the characters and their realistic personas. I thoroughly enjoyed Painter Crowe, and hope to see him in future novels by this author. I loved Saffy, and I loved Omaha. I cheered for him to make things right with her. Enjoyed the gritty fight scenes and action immensely.That's the positive, now here's the negative. While I enjoyed the technological melding of fantasy and science, sometimes I felt as if it flew over my head. That isn't why I dropped a star. I had a real problem with how quickly Painter fell in love and believed the sudden love triangle detracted from the amazing story going on here. Otherwise, this is a fantastic read.