I'm not really sure why I ordered this book from the library. I think a friend recommended the author to me, but the last few months have been so hectic that I don't really remember! Ah well, that's life. "Sandstorm" is an adventure thriller in the tradition of Indiana Jones or anything by Clive Cussler. It's not what I read on a daily basis, but it is a genre I enjoy venturing into from time to time!

"Sandstorm" is the first book in Rollin's "Sigma Force" series of books. The Sigma Force is a small group of elite operatives designated by the US government to deal with certain problems. In this case, they are investigating a strange museum break in and the weird "lighting" that was associated with it.

The search will take us to the Arabian desert, and deep into the lives of two women. Lady Kara Kensington and Safia al-Maaz appear to be very different. Lady Kara is a wealthy heiress with a drive and determination that has taken her inheritance and multiplied it. Safia loves nothing more than spending time studying and preserving ancient artifacts. The two have a lot in common though. Safia grew up as Lady Kara's companion, and both of them have their roots in Arabia, and in this mystery.

If your looking for a "can't put it down" action-adventure than this book is perfect for you! ( )

The sort of thriller that SF fans can like.

Not so much with the pages of infodumps on the size of the ammo and how gung-ho they are, but more with the crazy but sort of plausible scientific adventure.

Here we have antimatter meteorites, an actual Indiana Jones (well, Omaha) archaeologist character. Desert leopards, rich English aristocrats, secret government conspiracies, and all-female clans of women with mind powers (who like the clothing optional operation). Plus an ancient hidden city.

Throw Sigma Force into that, a group of special forces operatives with PhDs (no, they aren't in a band or surgeons, so you don't have to hate them), and you have plenty of scientific military mayhem tobe had. On camels, too.

Fun stuff. Nothing amazing, but decent for a change of pace.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2009/08... ( )

In Sandstorm, James Rollins introduces us to the agency - Sigma Force - and some of the characters that will make up his Sigma Force novels. In a London museum, an explosion shocks the antiquities world. and Safia al-Maaz, the curator of the collection, and Lady Kara Kensington, the rich patron, are looking for answers. They form a team that includes Omaha Dunn, Safia's former lover, and Painter Crowe, an operative with Sigma Force. They head to Oman, where Safia and Kara spent their childhood, searching for a lost city with the secret to the great power behind the explosion. However, they are not the only group looking for the source of this great power, which could create a utopia or destroy the world.

Sandstorm is not one of Rollins' best books, but it's a fun escapist read. As usual, not only does Rollins keep the plot moving at a rollicking pace, but he also does an above-average job of creating fairly realistic characters who are sympathetic to the reader. So often, in these thriller-type novels, the characters are basically cardboard cut-outs, but Rollins really invests some time and energy into making each of his characters unique. Having read many of the Sigma Force novels before this, I "knew" Painter Crowe, but only as a side character in his later role as Director of Sigma Force. It would have been nice if Rollins had spent a few more books focusing on this character, who is quite likable. ( )

Have enjoyed James Rollins early works very much. Have picked this one up twice now, and can't seem to get into it. Perhaps I will try again later.

James Rollins has something in common with Alexandre Dumas, he tells a good story. Sandstorm is one of his best. It is the first of the Sigma Force novels and is classic Rollins. It contains nonstop action, complex characters mixed with an exotic locale and as my friend, Mildred, says "a touch of the weird". He does base most of his "weird" on scientific facts though. I loved it. ( )