Helpful Score: 3
And it's another page-turner, nail-biting book from James Rollins. This one is based on the Oracles. During ancient times, some of the greatest rulers and philosophers regularly consulted the Oracles, who helped shape the course of history. They were prominent in ancient Greece and later captured by the Romans. Their lineage is kept secretly alive, living among gypsies, until they are discovered by the Germans (Josef Mengele). In the 1950's the oracles are stolen and rounded up by the Russians as part of a secret mission. They are then genetically engineered until they possess individual talents that collectively can make their owners the rulers of the entire world.
In the beginning of this book, we find that Gray Pierce is still struggling with Monk's disappearance. Everyone is convinced that he had drowned at the end of Rollins' previous book, THE JUDAS STRAIN. We find that's not true; however, Monk was captured by the Russians, develops amnesia and becomes an unwilling participant in one of the Russian "mind-controlling" experiments.
In this book, we also see a two-fold plot by two Russians, involved in the genetic engineering operation. Their mission is to release the radiation at Chernobyl, and kill the world leaders who were invited to Russia for a nuclear summit, and also at Lake Karachay, and wipe-out 3/4ths of the earth's population.
The pace in this book never lets up. The suspense leaves you on the edge of your seat. In short, it's a great book!
In the beginning of this book, we find that Gray Pierce is still struggling with Monk's disappearance. Everyone is convinced that he had drowned at the end of Rollins' previous book, THE JUDAS STRAIN. We find that's not true; however, Monk was captured by the Russians, develops amnesia and becomes an unwilling participant in one of the Russian "mind-controlling" experiments.
In this book, we also see a two-fold plot by two Russians, involved in the genetic engineering operation. Their mission is to release the radiation at Chernobyl, and kill the world leaders who were invited to Russia for a nuclear summit, and also at Lake Karachay, and wipe-out 3/4ths of the earth's population.
The pace in this book never lets up. The suspense leaves you on the edge of your seat. In short, it's a great book!
Helpful Score: 2
"The Last Oracle" is the first of Rollins' books that I have read. I definitely would recommend this book, but caution you that the story, and my interest had "ebbs and flows." I would read 50 pages, then there would be 10-12 pages that were a little harder to keep my interest. I think the problem (for me) was the transitions between places and story lines. The story starts in 300 AD Greece, then 1959 Romania, the present day Washington DC, India, Greece, Russia, and maybe another location that I've forgotten about.
Definitely a great summer beach read or for a cold, winter night cuddled up with a cup of tea.
Definitely a great summer beach read or for a cold, winter night cuddled up with a cup of tea.
Helpful Score: 2
This barely held my interest. It plagerized Da Vinci code quite a bit (hero and the daughter of the murdered expert run around a famous museum at night...), it also had some characters from previous books that were left in situations from the old book, so you sort of needed to have read the old book. The writing is ho-hum.
Yet again the Sigma team saves the world!
James Rollins can always be counted on for a fast paced action romp, as well as some really interesting scientific information.
"The Last Oracle" begins in ancient Delphi and brings you to a mother-son team of rogue Russians intent on the destruction of the world government so they can run it their way. Their weapons? A radioactive lake and a group of augmented autistic savants.
Gray and the Sigma team must stop two operations at once which is only possible due to the return of a lost member, an autistic boy and a smart ape.
There is no slack in the action, the characters are mostly familiar if you have read other Sigma novels, and, as usual, coincidences are rampant, always helping the Sigma Team.
Admittedly, I do get a bit tired of the constant "dumb luck" coincindences which always seem to be an integral part of this series, but it is, after all, escapist, right?
James Rollins can always be counted on for a fast paced action romp, as well as some really interesting scientific information.
"The Last Oracle" begins in ancient Delphi and brings you to a mother-son team of rogue Russians intent on the destruction of the world government so they can run it their way. Their weapons? A radioactive lake and a group of augmented autistic savants.
Gray and the Sigma team must stop two operations at once which is only possible due to the return of a lost member, an autistic boy and a smart ape.
There is no slack in the action, the characters are mostly familiar if you have read other Sigma novels, and, as usual, coincidences are rampant, always helping the Sigma Team.
Admittedly, I do get a bit tired of the constant "dumb luck" coincindences which always seem to be an integral part of this series, but it is, after all, escapist, right?
What a fabulous book!!! I couldn't put it down and was sorry when it ended. It was so good I also got the books that were suggested reading regarding the Jasons, Stargate, Delphi and oracles. If you want a wonderful read, read this book!!!
Another good read in this series.
GOOD READ. THOUGHTPROVOKING.
Excellent suspense with multiple story lines intertwined.
Great book. Enjoyed it front front to finish.
great book lots of fast paced action
Truly enjoyed this book. Kept me at the edge of my seat
Love anything this author put out!
Excellent book with a great ending.
Jeanne G. (IlliniAlum83) -
I'm not impressed with this epic of US government agencies (some secret) battling each other to steal a secret mind weapon from the Russians. Shoot-outs on the National Mall and in the Smithsonian without any locals or tourists seeing a thing--unbelievable! Seems like Rollins hasn't spent enough time in our nation's capitol to see how things really work there.
Almost more believable is the secret orphanage the Russians run to "grow" their own autistic savants and the plan to empty a radioactive lake into a water system that will poison the Arctic Ocean and kill millions.
This belongs to the fantasy or sci-fi category more than it does action thriller!
Almost more believable is the secret orphanage the Russians run to "grow" their own autistic savants and the plan to empty a radioactive lake into a water system that will poison the Arctic Ocean and kill millions.
This belongs to the fantasy or sci-fi category more than it does action thriller!
Kept me going to then end. Always like to read Rollins' comments at the end about what is real or based on real events or facts.
Could have been much better if the world wide chases and "wars" had been reduced and the theory of the story developed more.
GREAT Read! Intreging plot. A typical James Rollins novel. Loved it.
Book 5 in Sigma Force series. A group of scientists unleash a project that could bring the extinction of humankind. History that traces back to the Greek Oracle of Delphi. It's a race against time to solve the mystery but will the past be enough to save the future. A combination of interesting and boring but still a good read. Should be 100 Pgs shorter. Still looking forward to next book in the series. Recommend to history lovers.
Great book! All his books are !
I wait for my next James Rollins book to come out every year. He never disappoints! And the Sigma Force books are the best!
