The 6th Extinction by James Rollins

First Line: We should have heeded the blood...

It's just another day at the office for California park ranger Jenna Beck and her Husky, Nikko-- until the distress call comes through from a remote military research station. Although she arrives too late, Jenna and Nikko are about to become an unofficial part of the Sigma Force team. 

When emergency personnel arrive at the station, everyone inside is already dead, but death doesn't stop there. Everything in and around the research facility has been exterminated: every animal, plant, insect, bacteria.... Everything down to a depth of two feet is gone, and the destruction is spreading. It is now up to Sigma Force to find out why and how it can be stopped. Their quest takes them to Antarctica, and they're running out of time.

Everything James Rollins is famous for is here in The 6th Extinction: fascinating history, cutting edge science and technology, and an adrenaline-soaked pace. I loved the ties to history: which countries had been in Antarctica and why, Darwin visiting while aboard the HMS Beagle, an ancient Antarctica not buried under snow and ice. The science was fascinating as well, especially the look into synthetic biology. As always, Rollins' notes at the end should be required reading for anyone who wants to know how much of the book is factual. 

As much as I loved the research behind the story, the two "worlds" Rollins created (one of which is in Antarctica) just didn't grab me. In fact I was reminded of two blockbuster movies. When Kowalski says, "Something tells me we're gonna need bigger guns," I immediately thought of Roy Scheider's famous line in "Jaws," and all the talk of synthetic biology and what could be created? I heard Jeff Goldblum in "Jurassic Park" telling Richard Attenborough, "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." Sometimes it's a good thing to be reminded of other books and movies, but this time, remembering movie quotes just made this story feel stale.

Although I did tire of the non-stop action that skipped from group to group in scenarios I just couldn't believe in, I have to admit that I perked up whenever Jenna Beck and her dog Nikko walked on stage. Those two are a winning combination that I actually would look forward to seeing again. All in all however, compared with other Sigma Force adventures, The 6th Extinction doesn't quite hit the target.
 

The 6th Extinction by James Rollins

ISBN:  9780061784811
William Morrow © 2014
Hardcover, 426 pages

Thriller, #10 Sigma Force
Rating: C+
Source: Amazon Vine 

Bloodline by James Rollins

First Line: They once called her a witch and a whore.

Author James Rollins brings us the eighth adventure of Sigma Force, an elite covert arm of the Defense Department composed of former Special Forces officers who've been trained as experts in various scientific fields.

Once again that fascinating organization of old, the Knights Templar, provide background for a novel. Of the nine original members of the Templars, only one is not known by name-- and that is the member Rollins weaves his story around. In the eleventh century, this Knight Templar uncovers the Bachal Isu-- the staff of Jesus Christ-- deep within an ancient citadel. This priceless object contains a power capable of changing humankind forever.

One thousand years later, Somali pirates kidnap a young pregnant American woman. Gray Pierce of Sigma Force is enlisted for a covert rescue mission because the young woman is not your average rich tourist: she is Amanda Gant-Bennett, the daughter of the President of the United States. For this mission, the help of two new operatives is enlisted because of their special talents. On board for this rescue are former Army Ranger Captain Tucker Wayne and his military war dog, Kane.

What soon becomes clear is that the kidnapping of the President's daughter masks a much larger and more complex plot. Gray and his fellow Sigma Force operatives are facing a shadowy group which has been manipulating events throughout history... and now they have plans for the presidency.

If you feel the need to devour an occasional high-octane thriller that contains large doses of cutting edge medicine, genetics and technology, you're going to love this book. If you like the occasional read about power-mad thugs who believe they are entitled to carry out any insane scheme they can concoct because you love to grind your teeth and feel your blood pressure spike, this is the book for you. If you have obtained enjoyment from people not following the old actors' adage to never work with children and animals because they always steal the show, you're going to love Kane the war dog. (He's an absolute treasure.) If you like a bit of comic relief, then Kowalski's your man.

Were there any huge surprises in the plot for me? No, unless you count the fact that these characters are much more developed than the characters in most thrillers. Did I feel as though I were missing something by joining this eight-book series with the most recent adventure? Not at all. This book hit the ground running and the action never let up. I will admit that I'd like to check into previous books in the series because I enjoyed some of the characters so much and would like to know more about their backstories.

Was the plot always plausible? No, but-- if you really think about it-- isn't that part of the fun with thrillers like this? Lots of action, lots of things blowing up, you get to root for the Good Guys and hate the Bad Guys, and you even get to learn a few things along the way. Result: a good time was had by all... at least in this house!

Bloodline by James Rollins

ISBN: 9780061784798

William Morrow and Company  ©2012

Hardcover, 464 pages

Genre: Thriller, #8 in the Sigma Force series

Rating: A

Source: Publisher