Bloodline: A Sigma Force Novel (Sigma Force Series Book 8)

This book arrived on time in great shape. Love the Sigma Force novels but this one was really creepy!

James Rollins has done it again!I've enjoyed James Rollins books since first discovering Deep Fathom, over a decade ago. He's quickly become a "must buy" for me. I really enjoy the bonds between the members of Sigma, and I've looked forward to this book with bated breath for months now.Mr. Rollins left some interesting questions at the end of his last book (Last year's excellent The Devil Colony), and he doesn't shirk the emotional fallout in Bloodline.A mysterious Templar Knight rescues a staff from a man much older than he ought to be. But this knight is not all she appears--and she leaves no witnesses.Then we jump to modern day. A young pregnant American woman is kidnapped, her husband brutally murdered by Somali prates. But this woman isn't your average tourist, though she's traveling on a fake passport. She's the president's daughter and she and her baby could be used to leverage all sorts of unspeakable things. What do the kidnappers want with her? Is it money? Are political machinations afoot?Sigma is brought in to find the woman and extract her. And the story is off to an explosive start. As Gray, Kowalski, and Seichan search for answers, Painter is unraveling a mystery of the Guild, Sigma's greatest enemy. When he finds a tie to the US government, he decides to keep it quiet--for the time being.As Kat and Lisa work Stateside and the rest of the team, aided by former Army Rangers Tucker and Kane, his military dog, circumstances quickly mushroom out of control. The president's daughter is dead--or is she? And is the true target her or her baby? What can one woman's tie to eternal life be? Is the president's daughter expendable? What about his grandchild?Mr. Rollins weaves science and adventure seamlessly, presenting high-concept DNA and PNA in a manner that is accessible to everyone, not just those with a scientific bent. The action flows from Somalia, to the excesses of Dubai, and to South Carolina. Throughout, the action never wanes.There were some excellent--and some very unexpected--twists and turns in the book. Though I figured out the true power behind the kidnapping, there was a subplot featuring one of the characters that came as an absolute shock to me. I can't wait to see how Mr. Rollins addresses that in the next book.The addition of new characters Tucker and Kane was seamless. I loved seeing the action unfold through Kane's point of view, and the bond between them was almost a tangible thing! I loved that both Kat and Lisa were in the field at the same location, yet they had such vastly different experiences. I loved seeing Painter having to deal with the upper echelons of government and justifying Sigma's role in the rescue op.And I loved that Mr. Rollins dropped a few Easter Eggs in for readers--the mention, or appearance, of characters who starred in past books.The resolution brought up even more questions, and I'm very eager to learn more.At times, Bloodline reminded me a bit (in theme) of Steve Berry's Jefferson Key. There were some interesting parallels, including parts of the action occurring in the Carolinas. The books are completely different in feel and execution, but it was something that was definitely noticeable.Mix science and action, add a sprinkle of exciting locales, and mix well with fantastic characterization, and you have the perfect summer novel. James Rollins has another winner here!

After reading both The Doomsday Key and The Devil Colony this summer I must say that this book is a spectacular ride from start to finish. The book starts off with the kidnapping of the presidents pregant daugther Amanda With only a few weeks before the arrival of her newborn, Amanda is feeling anything but bliss. After discovering her husband's infertility, Amanda undergoes the grueling process of in vitro fertilization. A couple miscarriages later, she finally carries a healthy child. Despite all of this, she and her husband are fleeing for their lives. A few weeks ago, she received anonymous notification, indicating that the life of her child was threatened. Now, off the coast of Africa, the couple is aboard a yacht, fleeing for the safety of their child. Under the cover of darkness, a group of Somali pirates hijacks the ship, killing the crew, her husband, and kidnapping the pregnant Amanda. This story alone would be enough to capture American headlines, but there is one more detail that makes this an even bigger story. Amanda is the daughter of the President of the United States!Sigma, a secretive US military group, is tasked with finding the kidnapped Amanda. Gray Pierce, field leader of the covert team, is dealing with problems of his own. His mother was caught in the crossfire of his previous mission, in which his pursuit of the elusive organization, The Guild, led to her murder, leaving his father, who is slowly declining into dementia, to live alone. By straddling his protagonist with the guilt of his mother's death, Rollins turns what could have been a mindless super-human warrior into an everyman with genuine emotions.Sigma enlists the help of a highly trained, army dog, Kane, and trainer, Tucker, to assist with the search. The sequences featuring the dog allow Rollins to flex his creative muscles, as he narrates entire passages from the perspective of the dog. Through this inventive method, Rollins successfully portrays the authentic relationship of trust between man and animal where the lives of both completely rests in the hands of the other.As the investigation continues, the team uncovers a shocking connection between the kidnapping and the elusive Guild. Coming closer to discovering the motivation behind the abduction, Gray is fueled by both a desire to return the missing woman and unborn child safely to their family and by an urge to seek revenge for the brutal killing of his mother.In this book, the battle with the Guild proves to be a daunting challenge for the elite Sigma team as they strive to save the president`s daugther in the midst of potential conspiracy and the involvement of age-old secret societies. Increasing the stakes is the possibility that behind the abduction lies the Holy Grail of longevity: the key to immortality. Set against a backdrop of dubious allegiances, the solution to Sigma's quest may threaten the very fabric of life itself.If you like thrillers you will like Boodline I highly recommind it and all of the other Sigma books by James Rollins.

Wow, what a great and thought provoking read this was delving into genetics , bio tech and nano engineering making this one of the best Sigma books I have read. James Rollins certainly knows how to weave science and history into a non stop page turner. Great to see all the old faces there with Monk and Kat coming back into the field and also Lisa. Grey and Seichan's relationship gets some more depth and the introduction of Tucker and Kane was inspirational, looking forward to reading the stand alone books of theirs. Cannot wait for the next instalment.

Having read all the sigma books I was expecting an excellent read. I was not disappointed, and James included many little things that one didn't see.coming.The.story races along whilst developing the story and intertwining the characters. Right from the first to the last words nothing was boring or seemed out of place. I hope that more sigma books will appear in time and we follow Gray and the team.Thank you James Rollins.

Spoiler: At last, the Sigma Force finally confront The Guild, after a long series of (continuing) adventures. Rollins is spectacularly adept at crafting exciting, page-turning thrillers about serious world-threatening environmental issues, with a nicely-defined set of likeable characters and some pretty nasty villains. Always look forward to a new Rollins and may he long continue!

I really enjoy sigma series. Every book is a new surprise and never get bored. Adding Tucker and Kane made it even better.I hope I'll see them again.

This is the first novel by this author that I have purchased.I bought it to read whilst eagerly awaiting new novel from my favorite action author (Scott Mariani).I was not disappointed.I was totally blown away with the story-line and fast pace. I could not put it down.I will positively be purchasing more by this author.