Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

We've talked a lot about James Rollins, Sigma Force, one of my favorite series. I realized we didn't have a general topic to talk about the rest of his body of work (including Sigma Force). What are some of your Favorite works by James Rollins, what do you like about him, his writting?

I think it's cool that he's a veterinarian who writes. I am a vet who wants to write. I haven't read any of his books, but I have a couple in the pile. You have gotten me very interested in checking him out, Hugh. I will probably start Sandstorm fairly soon.

I love Sigma Force, but I also liked and Subterranean. Both were edge of your seat stories.

I particularly like how James Rollinstells us what he invented, what he took liberties with and what is really true and very amazing in the back of his books. In some of the audio books he tells us himself. He not only tells us what is actually real (like liquid filled body armor..."who knew?") but gives links and books to go to for more information on it.

He really knows how to research a book and takes his time to do it right.

I have Amazonia. I don't know if I have Subterranean.

I think the end of Amazonia hints at the beginings of Sigma Force. I also think one of his supporting characters gets recycled (and thank god he does) to come out new and improved in the form of Joe Kowolski. That' s good, cause I like Joe.

I haven't read Deep Fathomyet but I own it (kindle) and lots of people seem to like that one. It may be my next Rollins Read.

I really like Amazonia too Hugh.

It was a fun read too. Are you still reading it or have you finished it? (Amazonia?)

Hugh (The other Hugh) wrote: "It was a fun read too. Are you still reading it or have you finished it? (Amazonia?)"

I think, without looking, that the only Rollins book I haven't read is Devil Colony. I tend to read authors in the order and Amazonia is one of his older ones. On the whole I enjoy the Sigma series more than his stand alone books.

I have discovered him as an author this year and I am very impressed. He has great adventure novels. They are action-packed, but never mindless and are full with great ideas. I am very happy that I found his books!

I shall definitely have to start Sandstorm this week!

this one was a fun read also.

The Sigma Force series is still my favorite, but I haven't found a mediocre read from Rollins yet, their all varying shades of good.

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I shall definitely have to start Sandstorm this week!"

Have you started yet? I'm halfway and Sandstorm is wonderful. Great action, well developed characters. I feel like I'm right there following them around to see what happens next.

Not yet, but I added it to my challenges for next month.

I liked The last oracle the best, but, like I said, their all good. (Maybe Sandstorm, cause that one just rocked! Read the chapter about what he fudged, what he made up and what's real that nobody knew about... pretty cool stuff in Rollins books. I miss Sophia... she was the only one interesting enough to run with Seichan... girl wise.

I thought The Last Oracle was the best one...after Sandstorm. Then again I might be biased towards Sandstorm because Painter is my favorite of Rollin's male characters.

Painter is my fave too, although I have read only "The Black Order". But I really liked the characters from "Excavation" (standalone adventure).

Is Excavation the one with the tree? With the 'lost' people living in this magical little valley? If so, then I remember that one was great. It might have been Amazonia though...

I think that sounds like Amazonia, though much of the adventure was in the getting there and getting back. There was a wicked "Witch Doctor" woman type and two huge Caimens. (Monsterous big things). That ring a bell?

Ëxcavation is with the lost inca and the deadly Inquisition order. I liked the main character - a young guy from Texas and an Irish lady.

Dang. I have lot of catching up to do!

That's nice. It is always great to discover a new favorite author. You feel like a kid :)

I want to read Sandstorm. Hopefully I'll be able to, soon!

I picked these up awhile back and I'm about to check them out. What's the first one in the Sigma Force series? Any I should just skip?

Sandstorm is first and I can't think of any you could do without. Their all good and the sub-plots extend through the series.

For those who read Amazonia, I had a question. Did Rollins have an Epilogue that talked about the formation of Sigma Force in DARP at the end of that chapter?

I've misplaced my hard-copy and that question has been naging me.

I just got the email from my library that The Devil Colony is ready for pick up!

Alice wrote: "I just got the email from my library that The Devil Colony is ready for pick up!"

You go girl! Have fun. It's a Painter Crowe in the spotlight (well one of em) and Grey Pierce in the spotlight (the other one) story.

Thanks for the heads up Hugh. Now I'm uberexcited!

I got the second Jake Ransom book today. I am so happy!

Hugh (The other Hugh) wrote: "Sandstorm is first and I can't think of any you could do without. Their all good and the sub-plots extend through the series."

thanks! will fire it up tonight. if i'm honest, I am really loving the Ania Ahlborn that I'm reading, but my lack of interest in horror is starting to outweigh her great writing. it's not you, it's me, really.

Pax, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I've not found a bad read from James Rollins, though you can find ourself out of the loop on sub-plots if you don't read the Sigma Force Novels in order. Start with "Sandtorm." They are a lot of fun!

It turns out I do have Subterranean. So I have three Rollins books to get started with.

Sandstorm! (then the othes (P-{))> )

Will do!

Anyone with a Nook, you can pre-order The Judas Strain for $1.99

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books...

Thanks for the info, Scott.

Good info, it's regular price for kindle at Amazon. (and that was a good book too). Even Monk lends a hand. (Yes, that's another obscure joke, but you'll get it by the end of the book.)

Hugh (The other Hugh) wrote: "Good info, it's regular price for kindle at Amazon. (and that was a good book too). Even Monk lends a hand. (Yes, that's another obscure joke, but you'll get it by the end of the book.)"

Ouch!

Good black humor there Hugh. If memory serves that's the last book with Lisa featured. Don't know why I'm harping on her so much...

Finally finished Devil Colony. It lagged a bit in the middle for me, but the ending more than made up for it.

(view spoiler)[I'm really glad the dog survived. It always crushes me when they kill the animal. (hide spoiler)]

I wonder how many more he's going to have in this series. Hugh, it does seem to be winding down.

I figure he's at the top of the echelon, that means one more.

I don't know. I'm thinking two more- it seems like the next one could end on a big cliffhanger.

Alice wrote: "I don't know. I'm thinking two more- it seems like the next one could end on a big cliffhanger."

I'm interested in seeing how that works out. I should send him a PM or something (not that he'd answer) I mean, I am one of his closest 1203 freinds. (P-{D>

You may be right because (view spoiler)[ He's got to the top of the american sight of the Guild, or Echelon or who ever they are and found out it's Gant Ithe President. But there is likely to be a world wide organization (at least Europe wide) that he has to ferret out before he brings them all down. Assuming Painter, Siechan, Grey and them do bring him down. (hide spoiler)]

Maybe we should take a pole. Any body want to take a stab at which book, other than Sigma Force, has a good sequel coming?

I am slowly but surely working my way through Sandstorm. It's good reading. It took me a while to get a feel for Rollins' writing style, but that is not unusual for me. I find that when I go from book to book I have to readjust my mind to a different author's voice.

I think that the worldbuilding is so intricate. Either Rollins is the most expert researcher in the world, or he has a lot of varied interests, and reads a lot. I like how his male and female characters don't pander to stereotypes about men and women. The women can be tough and goal-oriented, and the men can be emotional and subject to their emotions. I have to say that I am glad I have more of my books, but I forsee it taking a while to read his backlist since his books are not quick and easy reads, based on Sandstorm. Not that all books have to be, mind you.

Rollins is complex. Sophia cool? (are you a Painter fan, or a Gray fan?) Following all the historical stuff is fun and, Rollins is very well reasearched. WHen your done, if it's the audiobook, there will be a chapter where Rollins explains where he got all the crazy stuff he mentioned in the book and what he elaboratedon etc. That's almost as fun as the book ... almost, but not quite.

I don't think I've met Gray yet, so I can't say. Sophia=Safia? yes, I like her. There is an afterword in my paperback edition. It might be another two weeks until I get there though. :)

Seichan, you'll like. I don't think she comes in until the next book, though she could be in there already. (She comes in opposite Gray Peierce) SHe's a bad girl... bad in both a bad and good way... if I make sense?

Makes total sense.

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I am slowly but surely working my way through Sandstorm. It's good reading. It took me a while to get a feel for Rollins' writing style, but that is not unusual for me. I find that when I go from ..."

I completely agree with you on his style.

Also, may I add that I love Painter.

Yeah, I do like Painter a lot!