Sandstorm

A Sigma Force Novel, Book 1

By: James Rollins

Narrated by: John Meagher

Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

An inexplicable explosion rocks the antiquities collection of a London museum, and the race begins to determine how it happened, why it happened, and what it means.

Lady Kara Kensington's family paid a high price in money and blood to found the gallery that now lies in ruins. Her search for answers leads Kara and her friend, Safia al-Maaz, the gallery's curator, into a world they never dreamed existed. Evidence exposed by the tragedy suggests that Ubar, a lost city buried beneath the Arabian desert, is more than mere legend...and that something astonishing is waiting there.

The two extraordinary women and their guide, Omaha Dunn, are not the only ones being drawn to the desert. Former U.S. Navy SEAL Painter Crowe, a covert government operative and head of an elite counter-espionage team, is hunting down a dangerous turncoat and the trail is pointing him toward Ubar.

What is hidden below the sand is more than a valuable relic of ancient history. It is an ageless power that lives and breathes. Many lives have already been destroyed by ruthless agencies dedicated to guarding its mysteries and harnessing its might. The end may be at hand for Kara, Safia, Crowe, and all of the interlopers who wish to expose its mysteries, as it prepares to unleash the most terrible storm of all.

©2004 Jim Czajkowski (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Adventures with interesting factors.

Enjoyed the history & scientific elements. It got a little over done at the end.

Should've read it on 2004

The 2004 version of myself would've appreciated it more; not saying that it wasn't an enjoyable read in 2024. Coincidentally, I feel the same when I listen to "Sandstorm" by Darude.

It was a long book

John Meagher was an excellant reader. Not many men can get the female voice to sound believable but he did. I was also able to distinguish between the male voices. Nice.

The story line was interesting but I felt it had too much anti-matter information. It was better when the info-lectures were over and they returned to the plot.

I probably will not buy another book in this series due to the over-loading of information not vital to the plot. But we'll see.

Really?

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book to anyone I like. In fact I have told people not to bother with this work.

Would you ever listen to anything by James Rollins again?

I highly doubt it.

Which character – as performed by John Meagher – was your favorite?

Mr. Meagher did a fine job of narration. The issue was the story.

Do you think Sandstorm needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It already has one. I have returned it already. I will be returning this book as well.

Any additional comments?

I actually shouted at this book when I finally gave up on it. That is very unusual for me. This book is based on an interesting premise. The flaw is with the execution. The main character is supposed to be the standard frighteningly competent agent type. He is for the first part of the book, before the main story gets started. Mr. Rollins then turns him into an idiot. He also apparently decided not to put much effort into the writing. The book is, to the point I was able to stomach it, full of suddenly this events. The writer appears to also not like writing since the story is also full of "I'm too lazy to come up with something plausible, so I will just do this." I have listened to hundreds of books, read countless paperbacks and hardcovers. I can not stand someone who could do better, but just doesn't. I am sure the issue lies with the disappointment I feel at picking up a turd like this. I really wish I could write something nice about the story, but I can't. The narrator is fine, he made what I could get through somewhat enjoyable for his part. However my final recommendation is that you not waste your time listening to this. There are better books out there.

To much bad language!!!!!! Good Story!!!!

I liked the story it was fast paced but I didn't like the swearing. I wish there were great new novels with out it. I would have a better selection to choose from.

Masterful

Loved this book. James Rollins is a master at weaving fact, fiction, adventure, and history into an entertaining read.

Not as good as I hoped it would be

I struggled with this audio book. The characters were forced and not very clever. 2 of the secondary characters were overly obnoxious and predictable. I almost didn't make it to the end but decided to see it through.

fun book to listen too

This isn't his best but certainly entertaining.
I enjoyed the listening and I like Mr. Rollins stories.
I'd recommend it to a friend for certain.

Don't miss out on Coral

I started reading the Sigma force novels before reading Sandstorm. I wish I had seen more of Coral.

good story, science overly faked

good story, couldn't stop listening, but the narrator poorly discriminated sections and chapters, making it hard to follow. also he kept saying "NOAA" as 'N.O.A.A" instead of "noah" which is the universal way to say it. annoying