The Blood Gospel

The Order of the Sanguines, Book 1

By: James Rollins, Rebecca Cantrell

Narrated by: Christian Baskous

An earthquake in Masada, Israel, kills hundreds and reveals a tomb buried in the heart of the mountain. A trio of investigators - Sergeant Jordan Stone, a military forensic expert; Father Rhun Korza, a Vatican priest; and Dr. Erin Granger, a brilliant but disillusioned archaeologist - are sent to explore the macabre discovery, a subterranean temple holding the crucified body of a mummified girl.

But a brutal attack at the site sets the three on the run, thrusting them into a race to recover what was once preserved in the tomb's sarcophagus: a book rumored to have been written by Christ's own hand, a tome that is said to hold the secrets to His divinity. The enemy who hounds them is like no other, a force of ancient evil directed by a leader of impossible ambitions and incalculable cunning.

©2013 James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Different, but a Really Good Read,

Different, yet still a good read. I have been a James Rollins fan for a very long time. This book departs from his normal writing style, but that's not all bad. I found the book to be intriguing and it kept my attention throughout. Rollins has a unique way of telling a story, and that was evident in this book even though he wrote it with another author. Although the book contained supernatural main characters, almost everything you can think of, it will keep your attention from the first page to the last. And even though I have a strong faith, I took this book to be an absolute work of fiction and, therefore, didn't take exception to the religious slant or the alternate interpretation. They were simply fictional, a fantasy and to be taken that way. I can say that I do look forward to he and Ms. Cantrell writing more together.

Can't wait for the next one!

These two writers are awesome ! The narration is perfection. Had to buy three more credits couldn't wait a month for tje next one.

To long

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story was toooooooooooooooooooo long and made no secne at times.

Which character – as performed by Christian Baskous – was your favorite?

None

Was The Blood Gospel worth the listening time?

NO

Any additional comments?

I will not listen to any books that are similar to this.

Doesn't Pass the Aw C'mon Test

Despite great narration and authors who usually deliver, this novel failed for me because of departures from well settled history. Sure it's science fiction/fantasy and suspension of disbelief is necessary but this work lacked verisimilitude. I prefer fiction that "could" be true . . . I never got there while listening.

i just started the book will update later.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

maybe. The story seems good, just the reader makes me want to sleep.

What did you like best about this story?

Just started the book. im liking it so far.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

will update later. reader needs to read faster. I found myself laughing when he changes his voices to fit the characters other than that he is boring.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

will update later

Any additional comments?

will Update later

ultimate good vs evil

What did you love best about The Blood Gospel?

the good isn"t always good and the bad can be very bad

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Blood Gospel?

time in the motel after the snow melt filled lake.

What three words best describe Christian Baskous’s voice?

school master

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes the healing of a sick boy

Priests and Vampires and Archeologists, Oh My!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved this audio book. James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell worked together to create a hybrid of their individual genres and I think it works. I like the twists on accepted wisdom with regard to the Church. It is certainly possible that devout Christians might be somewhat offended by the storyline and they should consider reading something else. As an amateur scholar in First Century Christian History, I really enjoyed the extrapolations from real history into a really wild, romantic "what if?" story. Let us remember that vampires in the story allow the writers to time travel with characters in real time which is a very effective literary device. The story can span many centuries and provide first person perspective on remote events in history without the worry of how the flux capacitor works. Christian Baskous, who did the audio version, did truly excellent work with the reading. He created each of the myriad characters as utterly distinct from one another, from a mysteriously menacing 16th century priest to the doe-eyed and intellectually voracious blonde archeologist with a nice rack. I was amazed at how atmospheric his reading was. This story has plenty of atmosphere, let me tell you. It swings through history and geography, science and the supernatural, and Mr. Baskous's reading is beautifully evocative of each time and place and character. Wonderful.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Professor Erin Granger. She is a true scientist with the real understanding of human emotion. Perfect as the primary perspective through which this story unfolds.

Which character – as performed by Christian Baskous – was your favorite?

Rhun Korza. Romantic, tortured, fabulously male and richly realized in Mr. Baskous's wonderful voice. Jordan Stone was a close second. He is heroic and manly in a straightforward, very American way. Both men so different. Mr. Baskous is a really talented artist.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Blood Gospel: Sacred Revelation

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for Book 2.

wanted to like it but couldnt

I love this genre and wanted to like this sstory but could tell what was going on half the time. disappointed.

it's not angels and demons...but it's still good.

I hated some of the voices but guess he did them justice. I approve of all of it

Um, What Was This Book About Again?

Yeah, as a fan of Rollins' Sigma Force stories, as well as most of the stand alones, I was expecting a rip-roaring tale from "Blood Gospel." I don't know, either this was the driest vampire tale I've ever read or it was the driest vampire tale Baskous ever read, but this one tried to put me to sleep. Though, out of my respect and enjoyment of past Rollins tales I did make it through all 12+ hours!

Was it the reader, or was it the writing? It's hard to say. Perhaps a bit of both. The story has the classic 50's sci-fi movie set up with the ballsy, brash Hero, the intellectual and repressed Heroine and a Quest, but it's missing the fun! The interplay between the Hero and the Heroine is limited to exposition as dialog and action sequences. We learn about their growing mutual attraction through inner dialog. And then there are the vampire priests - zzzz

Guilty vampires are interesting if their guilt drives them to action (Blood Oath). Pious guilty vampires, turns out, are a lot less interesting.

Baskous' narration, with its white-noise pitch and cadence, didn't help. He wasn't feelin' it, or maybe there just wasn't much to feel.