Sandstorm

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' show more 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. show less

A fun, quick exciting/rollicking read - in the vein of Dan Brown. A nice break between heavier reading, and interesting info on Arabian peninsula history and science

A superb read. I was genuinely breathless at times! As a veteran reader I'd have to say that I can be a bit blinkered about the genres I read. James Rollins has broken through all barriers though, I'm very happy to say. I've read "Sandstorm" two and a bit times (retreading) and I became a hunter as a consequence: hunting for more Sigma Force books lol.

One complaint only: the ebook suffers from formatting faults! Punctuation is either missing or wrong and some text (mostly dialogue!) is split inappropriately :(. It's a shame that the translation to ebook form wasn't taken advantage of it - to remove type errors that are in the printed book.

Sandstorm marks the introduction to James Rollins' Sigma Force series and after finishing this today, I'll definitely be reading the others.

A slick action adventure, Sandstorm begins in London, at the British Museum, seconds before a mysterious explosion erupts through an exhibit, and the action doesn't let up from there.

Cleverly weaving an introduction to the main cast of characters within the first four chapters, while never letting the pace slacken, Sandstorm whips along to the (literally) earth shattering finale.

A clever mix of scientific fact and adrenalin-fuelled fiction, this story packs a punch.

Part of me hated parts of this, archaeology with explosives is not good, but it was a light fast-paced thriller that I found a lot of fun to read. However some things should have been left out, particularly the two guys in love with one woman sub-plot, please let that go, it's getting to tired cliche at this stage and it added almost nothing to the story. Let your main character deal with his other issues, first.
Our heroes discover that an explosion in the London Gallery was caused by possible Ancient technology and it might be able to cause huge other damage. Cue a sponsored by wealthy patron and government chase to prevent bad guys from getting and abusing the tech.
Nothing earth-shattering in the plot, and some of the characters show more blurred into almost one at times (cull your cast people) and several seemed to be there to just provide people to be saved, but overall it read like the last Indiana Jones movie meets James Bond. show less

James Rollins is one of my favorite authors and I know the one thing that he truly knows how to do is write a story that that leaves the reader breathless and wanting more. This one did all that but it also had the reader turning page after page, after page after page....699 of them. I loved the story...loved the characters...both good ones and even a few of the bad ones. The history and some of the science was even fascinating...but... I didn't think it was ever going to end. Way too much technical stuff that the average person will have no clue what he's talking about. This excellent story could have been well told in half the time and print. Anyone that loves, history, adventure, and is interested in the technical stuff will show more absolutely love this book. show less

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 show more 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! show less