Pros: Exciting thriller, interesting look into history
Cons: A little over the top; hard to keep track of large number of characters.
The Bottom Line: Gripping action/adventure/thriller that includes some interesting, and plausible use of history. If you have liked Rollins (or Matt Reilly) in the past, then you will enjoy this book.
bigcat76's Full Review: James Rollins - Map of Bones
A secret subset of a somewhat secret organization searches for hidden and or forgotten knowledge. As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and this organization cares more for the power than the knowledge. The secret organization, a offshoot/cell/chapter of the Dragon Court, traces its history back to the middle ages and the member's blood is "pure" (some of the blood is kept pure by keeping "breeding" women in cages, mentioned not described). The members are descendants of kings and queens, and other lessor aristocrats. While the Dragon Court exists in real life, according to Rollins, this is a fictional subset of that group. Joining the Dragon Court's quest is a woman from a mercenary group. Directly fighting the actions of the Dragon Court are one member of the Vatican's intelligence service, one member of Italy's police division that handles antiquities (Lieutenant Rachel Verona), and the USA SIGMA organization (specifically, three team members lead by their team leader Grayson Pierce). SIGMA is an undercover US agency that employees military trained agents that also have advanced degrees in various science fields. Why is the Vatican involved? The first attack by the Dragon Court is on a church in Cologne Germany (and the book is deeply involved with the activities and history of the early church, including the Three Magi).
The story/plot has been well-constructed and follows a logical path. The characters are, mostly, almost fully formed, though the large group of characters do sometimes slide back into being just names on the page. The book is set in Germany, Italy, Egypt, and France (though some of the action occurs in other countries as the characters pass through them). The historical connections made are interesting and plausible (though it would probably require extensive research to examine the issue).
Rollins is one of the few authors that I have actually been able to read from his very first book, and I have read every book he has published (and I've liked all of them). This particular book, according to Rollins, was ten years in the making and contains mystery, action-adventure, and touches on romance. For the most part the books was very gripping, tense, and exciting. In the end, I would give this book 4.40 stars.
NOTE: Modified from my Amazon.com review
See: http://mjroseblog.typepad.com/backstory/2005/04/first_of_all_i_.html and http://www.harpercollins.com/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0060763876&tc=ai for interviews with Rollins.
From the Publisher: During a crowded service at a cathedral in Germany, armed intruders in monks robes unleash a nightmare of blood and destruction. B...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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