The Blood Gospel

The Order of the Sanguines, Book 1

By: James Rollins, Rebecca Cantrell

Narrated by: Christian Baskous

Length: 17 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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.

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.

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

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.

I like it

Okay, it's different for James Rollins. He does like history and science, and then to go beyond the bounds. In this one, he goes far afield. I like the idea of vampire priests, the speculation of alternative histories. The story is interesting, and always kept me guessing. It had many surprises, twists, and turns. It is the beginning of a new series, with new characters. They are well developed and likable.

Christian Baskous does a good job with voices and accents. He makes the story believable, and makes it move.

I am already listening to the next one, and hope there are more.

Not Sigma Force...

What did you like best about The Blood Gospel? What did you like least?

The story itself is very interesting, it just didn't draw me in like the Sigma Force novels did, I found myself spacing out and not really paying attention to the story at time. I think the whole premise of the series is good, and I may come back and listen to the next one at a later time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maybe one of the reasons I wasn't drawn into the story was I felt a disconnect with the characters. I don't really have a favorite character to be honest.

What didn’t you like about Christian Baskous’s performance?

The narration was good, I don't think it added or took away from the story.

Was The Blood Gospel worth the listening time?

Eh... I won't be reading the second in the series, at least not for a while.

Any additional comments?

Overall not a bad book, maybe the second one will get me more interested!

action from start to finish. characters u can root

action from start to finish. characters u can root for. will read the remaining books in series

It's a Bloody Affair

Any additional comments?

I didn't really know what to expect from this, but I have enjoyed other James Rollins books. In all, it wasn't bad but if the series continued past the third book (as I read all three), I would not.

First, I should say that suspending disbelief is required for most James Rollins reading. It is absolute here for the entire Sanguines series.

Second, this is a warning to select readers: if you are offended by volumes of blood talk and imagery, then you will want to pass over this series. Read other Rollins' books instead. I don't know if a paragraph went by without some mention of blood. If you are deeply religious of most any faith, and you don't like new takes on Judeo-Christian biblical events, then you are better served not reading this series.

I've read varying reviews of Christian Baskous as the narrator but I find him to be pretty good. He has a challenge to voice a number of different accents (Hungarian among them) and genders so he does as well as can be expected.

On the whole, if you like Rollins AND fantasy novels, then you might enjoy this series. There is an adventurous historical romp to this and if you don't take it too seriously, it can be fun.