a Quantum war in South Africa - Rated 
This book initially focus in two parts; part of Painter and the part for Gray. Both fighting the same plot eventually landed themselves in South Africa.
The great event goes down to Quantum theory; engagement by Germans leaders in this theory to raise a certain race for power, but falls into the mercy of a deadly clan called Waalenberg who is out to do more then that - to take over the world with the power of generating 'superhuman' creatures.
The good part in this book focus alot more of Painter the Sigma's Director in command who later find himslef tag with Lisa (who later become close). We also see Monk appearing in this chapter having a good relationship with Kat with other good fortune along the way for both of them. Lastly, we see Gray into much of the action plus encounter a strong partneship with Fiona; from then on he knew the half of his worries that has to come forth - his girlfriend Rachel (in Map of Bones).
The plot is there, the truth of the matter is that this book is very predictable compare to the previous book. But still a good read. Rate it 3 Star for this.
BLEAK PLOT RHYTHM - SCIENCE OUT OF ORDER - Rated 
James Rollins is not a bad writer. By now I must have given a try to most of his books - and discovered the same weaknesses to almost all of them: he aims too high for his writing wingspan; his suspense is constantly peaking so that, when the big moments do come, they fail to convey the climaxing feeling; and his science gets weaker and weaker.
MICHAEL CRICHTON used to be able to both educate on cutting-edge scientific theories and yarn a good story at the same time (not with his latest couple of novels I am afraid though). James Rollins probably gets impressed by new concepts, feels they could help the credibility of his fiction - and then does not know how to use them properly.
I remember in SANDSTORM, he used bucky-balls (60-carbon atoms spherical crystals) to enclose ancient...anti-matter - and then used it, all in all, to..propel a boat across a subterranean lake and cause a couple of minor explosions.
BLACK ORDER suffers from similar shortcomings: there is one narrative peak after the other and this never lets the story unfold; and he scrapes up quantum effects on evolution only to create a bunch of superhumans.
By the way, to anyone who has studied even one semester of Evolutionary Biology, the concept of...de-evolution is a B-Movie gimmick: evolution can only move forward (yes, even if the resulting organism seems more "primitive"). Even if it were a possibility, it would probably need more than a few days - say, a few million years.
I am willing to suspend my disbelief when reading a work of fiction: after all, good fiction does not have to be real. This, however, sticks out too much to ignore.
Give one of his other books a try instead. AMAZONIA was good and ICEHUNT even better.
Another fantastically gripping book by this author! - Rated 
I took this book away with me at Half Term, and discovered the usual snag to James Rollins' books - I couldn't put it down!!! The story was gripping, with a several strands linking together as the plot developed. Once again, we are introduced to the Sigma force and, from an early stage, we find that the life of one of the key characters is threatened - and there seems to be no cure. However, he pushes on and perseveres in his battle against another of the evil foes that he and the rest of the team encounter - and, as ever, the reader is pulled in further and further!
The plot is one that will instantly appeal to lovers of Dan Brown and Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is pure adventure and fantasy, but at the same time, sweeps the reader around the world as the adventure travels through a range of countries!
Scientifically, it is as intriguing as any of his other books and sends you rushing to the internet to find out more! I will leave you to research which elements are based on truth and which are not!
For those who have enjoyed previous Sigma force books, I will say that there is a lot of good news on the relationship front in this book - as well as at least one that is left hanging!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Keep on Rollin' James - Rated 
Good old James Rollins - I can count on him to write entertaining stories, the stuff I tried to write when I was young with plenty of action and monsters. Of course, Rollins has had scientific grounding and is able to introduce with ease high concepts such as Evolution, Intelligent Design and Quantum physics without losing the reader or bogging down the narrative. In fact, he introduces enough information to spark interest and make you go to the computer and do some internet searching rather than overwhelm the reader with complex theories. The only other writer who had such an effect was Michael Crichton at his peak - Jurassic Park and Choas Theory being a classic example. As a previous reviewer said, it's great escapism, and, the couple of pages at the end detailing where fact meets fiction was just as interesting as the story itself.
It's typical James Rollins stuff - plenty of action pausing for interesting scientific revelations. True, it's a formula he uses in his other books but so far I haven't tired of it. Looking forward to the Judas Strain.
very similar - Rated
Read this book earlier in the year. Have to say I did enjoy it but has anyone noticed the similarities between James Twinings 'The Black Sun' and Steve Berry's 'The Templar Legacy'. Maybe its just a coincidence......
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