Bloodline

By: James Rollins

Narrated by: Peter Jay Fernandez

Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author James Rollins takes you to the edge of modern medicine, genetics, and technology, revealing the next evolutionary leap forward: Immortality - a future conceived through the monstrous ingenuity of man....

Galilee, 1025. A cunning Templar knight uncovers a holy treasure: the Bachal Isu - the staff of Jesus Christ - a priceless icon that holds a mysterious and terrifying power that will forever change humanity if unleashed.

A millennium later, Somali pirates hijack a yacht off the coast off the Horn of Africa, kidnapping a young pregnant American woman and brutally killing her husband. Painter Crowe and his SIGMA team are enlisted for the top secret rescue mission. The kidnapped woman is Amanda Gant-Bennett, the daughter of U.S. President James Gant. Crowe is more than a little suspicious that the kidnapping masks a far more nefarious plot.

In the field, Commander Gray Pierce leads his small team of operatives into the treacherous African jungle to find the missing woman. But what should be a straightforward rescue turns into a fiery ambush and a deadly act of betrayal. As Commander Pierce and his team discover, the hostage is a pawn in a shattering act of terrorism with dark and shocking repercussions. And the danger is only beginning....

Performed by Peter Jay Fernandez.

©2012 James Czajkowski (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

Another Sigma Win!

Would you listen to Bloodline again? Why?

I love to go back and listen to books I've already read because it never fails that there will be a little piece that I may have missed the first go around that I will catch the second time.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Saying Bloodline kept me on edge would be easy, but the edge kept moving! You think that you are on the cusp of understanding it all and then....

What about Peter Jay Fernandez’s performance did you like?

The transitions between male and female voices would seem like it would be difficult but Peter Jay Fernandez manages excellently with his change in enunciation and voice inflection that nails each character individually.

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

I loved the new perspective we received from Cane's. How interesting to hear how such a warrior can perceive others as well as himself.

Any additional comments?

Keep dishing it up, Mr. Rollins. And don't be afraid to spin off your newest characters into their own world of Sigma missions.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Maybe I'm just not the target reader...

This is my second James Rollins novel and I chose it based on my algorithm recommendations at Goodreads (largely because I love the Pendergast books by Child/Preston). Despite that, it didn't completely suit me. The story is quite good with an intriguing plot, but there's so much fighting and running and hiding that it kind of got lost in the shuffle for me. I'm not totally opposed to those kinds of books as I love the Gray Man series, but I need to spend more time in the heads of the characters.

I think in the end the Sigma books are geared toward the physical more than the mental (similar books to the Pendergast series, but totally opposite emphasis) and I just got bored by the end.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Committment and conspiracy

What did you like best about Bloodline? What did you like least?

We revisit some of Rollin's favourite team members, and learn more about their relationships and background, as well as meet some new characters.

We also get introduced to some new nasty ones.

There is some now almost obligatory reference to "nano technology" that is somewhat unecessary, but overall, its a fun ride.

Would you be willing to try another book from James Rollins? Why or why not?

Of course. He is good with technical jargon and action, as well as his usual conspiracy stuff.

Could you see Bloodline being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No,too sprawling and violent.

Any additional comments?

You'll like it , but it takes some time to get rolling. Stick with it,and you will enjoy I suspect. Id did.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I Think you have to be a Rollins Fan

This is my second James Rollins book, and while I enjoy the technical and research aspects of his books, I simply find them too boring at times.

The concept and overall story seem good, and I like the genre and believe there are a lot of really good fun and interesting points and story lines throughout this book. For me; however, there are simply too many slow periods and lulls in the story to keep me from calling this a "Can't-Put-Down" book, or in this case a "Can't-Quit-Listening" book.

I may try another Rollins book but I'm not going to jump out there and grab it anytime soon. From what I can tell by a lot of the reviews, it looks like Rollins has a very loyal following.

.....sooo if you like or love Rollins, I would highly recommend it.

Overall it's a decent story and decent listen as the narrator does a good job. I just don't think Rollins tickles my reading/listening bone.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Up to Sigma Force snuff

Lots of adventure, twists and turns, all the things one might look for in a take-your-mind-off-reality secret mission novel.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Pretty darn good

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. Saishan (spell?) connection to the blood line was an interesting shift in the sigma series. One review I read about the book that made me aprehensive compared this book to the Dan Brown book called the Da'Vinci Code. Other than the Templers, there is no simularity to that book. As always, Mr. Rollins does a fantastic job with character development and making a common sense case for the plot lines. I can't wait for his next historical/science based fiction book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Superbly Written Again

Here we are at Sigma Force book 8 and I am still interested. It is not like James takes the same outline and uses again. Wait a minute thats what he did. Some big problem arises and a secret agency named sigma investigates. Painter Crow that boss man has to come up with a way to save Sigma Force from the politicians. In every book Painter finds a way to barely get by. The agents of Sigma face their problems head on and always spend half the book getting their butt's handed to them. Finally though good wins out and Sigma saves the day. After 8 books this outline is old, right? NO sir, I still get surprised when the perfect plan fails and Sigma must start again. I still fear the worst when all seems lost and jump for joy when the heros come through. I should just face reality James Rollins is a good author that writes a good quality book. If you have not read any of the Sigma Force novels, what are you waiting for.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Just Riviting

Rollins is a master of the pen, but this book was just remarkable. There were multiple climactic plot lines, surprises. There was great information conveyed regarding the use of military war dogs, I really loved that aspect of this book.

I fully recommend this book to any readers of the genre

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Story and Narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Bloodline to be better than the print version?

I have no idea. Personal preference. I like the audio version a lot. This narrator is pretty good. Not as talented as the guy that narrates the Brad Thor books.

What other book might you compare Bloodline to and why?

Full Black, books by Steve Berry and Brad Thor

What about Peter Jay Fernandez’s performance did you like?

He was fair.

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

The story was pretty good. Learning who the villian(s) are was instrumental, especially since part of this carried over from the previous novel.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sigma Rocks

What did you love best about Bloodline?

One of my favorite things about this entire series is the narrator. He has the talent to bring each and every character to life and gives them their own distinct personality. James Rollins is one of very few authors who can make the story an actual character. Not sure how to explain that, but every aspect of his books play an integral role.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Sigma books always keep me hanging on. Rollins takes mundane facts and weaves them into interesting tales. From history to mysteries, every book has its own special roadmap that makes the journey worth every minute invested.

Have you listened to any of Peter Jay Fernandez’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This narrator has piqued my interest and while the only books I've heard him read are there Rollins books, I will definitely be looking for more.

Any additional comments?

My only problem with this book was Rollin's excessive explanations of medical aspects and the historical points. In previous books he gives us what we need to know, but in terms that most people can easily understand. I found myself a bit intimidated by the details and wanting to skip ahead.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful