Black Order: A Sigma Force Novel (Sigma Force Series Book 3) Kindle Edition

I'm not entirely sure why, but I really struggled with this novel. The first two books seemed to fly by, but this one felt like the pace was off. There's action and suspense, to be sure, but we often get to a cliffhanger only to switch over to a less interesting scene that drags a bit too much. I often found myself only reading a few pages at a time, then moving on to something else.Admittedly, I don't find Nazis particularly interesting, so that may be part of it. And with modern-historic that element this book felt more like a Clive Cussler novel (if Cussler were capable of writing readable dialogue). That is to say, it's superficially exciting, but it ultimately feels a bit shallow. There's suspense, and there's action, and there's (eventually) a villain, and some bad guys who aren't so bad, and some bad guys who definitely are so bad, and there's some technology that shouldn't be allowed into the wrong hands. The ingredients are all there, but once we find out what's going on, it just doesn't feel like there's much to really care about. And along the way, there's other stuff to not really care about.But again, that may just be me. This isn't a bad book -- just not a particularly exciting one -- and I eagerly await the next book in the series.

James Rollins once again outdoes himself in Black Order."Lisa knew what she had to do. She let go of the scientist inside, let go of her own self. Her goal was beyond consciousness, beyond prayer. It was simply belief. In the purity of that moment, the Bell burst with a blinding light, joining them together, turning reality into pure potential."This quote comes at the end of a long, harrowing and heartbreaking journey from WWII and the mad scrabble of the Superpower Allies to scoop up the best/worst of Nazi Germany's scientists and their work.Ranging from the Himalayas to the Veldt of South Africa and through Europe; Stigma Force chases the mystery of, well, I can't tell you. This is an outstanding philosophical and scientific thriller. Well read!

Starting with mysterious purchases of old manuscripts, seemingly random and senseless murders in a Nepal monastery, the Sigma Force quickly finds that the two random events are linked. Not only are they linked together but they are also tied to a mysterious compound in South Africa. Rollins takes those events and overlays the Nazi development of the Aryan race to develop a story that is fun and interesting to read. At times, Rollins resorts to pseudo science when discussing cloning but it doesn't detract from the storyline. As with most of the Sigma stories, there is a great deal of action, in fact, at times there might be too much action for a lot of readers but, nevertheless, it does provide for an entertaining story. I found the character of Fiona to be one of the more interesting in this edition of the Sigma stories. Rollins also provides the needed back stories for some of the other major characters. Overall, a quick but enjoyable read.Starting with mysterious purchases of old manuscripts, seemingly random and senseless murders in a Nepal monastery, the Sigma Force quickly finds that the two random events are linked. Not only are they linked together but they are also tied to a mysterious compound in South Africa. Rollins takes those events and overlays the Nazi development of the Aryan race to develop a story that is fun and interesting to read. At times, Rollins resorts to pseudo science when discussing cloning but it doesn't detract from the storyline. As with most of the Sigma stories, there is a great deal of action, in fact, at times there might be too much action for a lot of readers but, nevertheless, it does provide for an entertaining story. I found the character of Fiona to be one of the more interesting in this edition of the Sigma stories. Rollins also provides the needed back stories for some of the other major characters. Overall, a quick but enjoyable read.

I've been reading James Rollins since I picked up The Devil Colony at Target. I have been looking forward to reading each of his Sigma novels with anticipation before buying it. I have been reading each in the order they were written after reading The doomsday Key, The Devil Colony and Bloodline last summer This latest, Black Order, is a slam dunk. I loved everything about it from start to finish.Im happy that Rollins has brought back Painter Crowe in a more significant roll. I've been fond of him since Sandstorm. And in his second outing, I feel that I know Gray Pierce better than I did. How wonderful that these individuals have become like friends and I see their characters deepen and grow from book to book. He introduces a new character in this book that has become a favorite. I really hope we get to see her again! While SIGMA Force stories have appeared before, Rollins has greatly developed the basis of this series, and the result is characters that have some claim for personality and glimmers of original plotting. In a genre that isn't particularly noted for novelty and depth of plot, this is a welcome change. If you have enjoyed Rollin's stories before you will like this new work even better.Several related subplots make up the story. Commander Gray Pierce is in Copenhagen following an auction of rare books that involves some surprise bidders. Attempted murder and arson make what he thought was an easy assignment that he could use as an excuse to have a lover's tryst into a frantic chase that comes very close to nipping him in the bud. Meanwhile, a continent or so away, an isolated Tibetan monastery goes insane, trapping Lisa Cummings, a young doctor studying survival in the severe heights of Mt. Everest. Also hidden in the monastery is Painter Crowe, Director of SIGMA Force. The two join in their own flight from merciless hunters.Deep in the mountains is hidden the castle Granitschloss, the ultimate retreat of Heinrich Himmler. Nazi experiments interrupted by the end of the war are still carried on there. An arcane technology is being used to create the super race of which Hitler dreamed. But the current residents may be heirs of the Nazi's but they are no longer the monsters of the Third Reich. Gray Pierce and Painter Crowe piece together the truth, that there is an even more secret organization that intends to use the deadly technology hidden at the castle to forward their own goals of world conquest.Rollins keeps up a good pace, and the suspense builds as Crowe struggles against a deadly condition that is dissolving his body from within even as he tried to put an end to the threats. The story mixes neo-Nazis with not quite Nazi's, secret rays and genetic manipulation, and occult runes with Darwin's bible. Some of the plot is standard thriller fare, but there are just the right number of twists to keep the story fresh. I hope Rollins can keep this up in future volumes, because I'll be buying them.

Who doesn't like stories of the many mysteries that still surround the Nazis and their inheritance. A dazzling brilliance that lightly sprinkles over old money and old familisoso es, but in this novel, Rollins is at his best when he introduces complex scientific theories and does so effortlessly. Fantastic.

Black Order one of the latest novels by James Rollins sees the return of some of the heroes from his other books Map of Bones and Sandstorm. This book is more in the mould of Sandstorm than Map of Bones which personally I think is a good thing.This time out Commander Gray Pierce and Director Painter Crowe of the Sigma force are on different paths that inevitably end up meeting along the line as they find they are after the same people but for different reasons. Gray Pierce is on a seemingly routine operation until... you guessed it, assasins try to kill him. Meanwhile Painter Crowe has come down with a mysterious illness that is getting increasingly worse.Both the previous books heros play a major role in this book alongside various other protagonists. The book has an interesting enough plot and subject and should keep most readers turning the pages. The only thing I dont like is the return of that most annoying of characters from Map of Bones 'Monk' who well I just dont like him. That aside this book was well worth the money and an interesting read.

Another fast-moving James Rollins adventure with the usual likeable characters. Sensibly, some of the main characters of previous books in the series have been left out...I suspect they will reappear in later books...and new characters introduced. Well researched, and although some of the technological discussions went a little over my head, it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of a good read.Couldn't put it down...can highly recommend.

Black order throws in the normal James Rollins combination of mythology, science, and conspiracy theory, with huge doses of set peace action. If you have enjoyed his earlier books, or looking for something a little juicier than Dan Brown, then the sigma force range of novels is just what you need.Black order adds the evolution of the Nazi science project into the mix, forcing the members of Sigma Force to go head to head against the modern day leftovers of the 3rd Reich looking to destroy the world with ancient science.The pacing of the book is well maintained, and keeps the various threads moving forward well, as with other novels a number of totally unconnected stories move inevitable forward to the finally, which as always is explosive and satisfying.To be critical, you will get more out of this if you have read the books in sequence, alot of the character backgrounds being established previously, but that's no hardship. And there is a predictability to he format of the book which some people will, and have, complained at, but to me it's gives a familiarity that makes it more accessible. You know when the twist is coming, but you don't know what it will be...Overall if you like his previous novels, or are a fan of the genre, then this book will be an enjoyable roller-coaster. I completely recommend it, but think you should read at least sandstorm and map of bones first

Another stunning book by James Rollins. So many twists and turns and so many different angles all dramatically coming together in the author's typical style which I am loving! This is the fourth book I have bought by this author now!