Sandstorm: A Sigma Force Novel (Sigma Force, 1) Mass Market Paperback – April 26, 2011

Omaha, an archeologist affectionly known as Indiana Jones, is asked to assist with an expedition into Arabia to seek the lost city of Ubar. Kara, a wealthy woman whose father years before disappeared in a swirl of electromagnetic strata while standing over the site of Ubar, is funding the search and bringing her adoptive sister Safira who is an archeologist too and who has lost her curated treasures from Arabia while on display in the Royal Museum in London. There was an explosion of electromagnetic magnitude caused by one of the artifacts that Kara believes came from Ubar. If that's not enough to hook you, there's also a secret covert government agency, another secret agency independent unto itself with moles in the prior. Also an ancient sect of women warriors descended from the Queen of Sheba, and, and let's not forget the title. As everyone descends on this search a sandstorm more powerful than any before is coming. This book is hard to put down and the Audible version is very nicely done. Read, listen, and be amazed! Much of the incredible scientific details are actually true even though it sounds like science fiction. This is a great read!

The reader needs to suspend belief, just a bit, but the story is interesting. I was struck by the statement that "glass is a conductor". Glass has always been a good insulator, so I don't know what basis of the statement is.

James Rollins' novel immediately captivates readers with its gripping narrative, blending elements of mystery and supernatural intrigue. From the opening pages, the story pulls readers into a compelling world where each chapter reveals deeper, more enigmatic layers of an unfolding plot. The book masterfully creates an atmosphere of suspense, keeping readers thoroughly engaged and eager to uncover the strange events gradually emerging throughout the narrative. For those who appreciate sophisticated storytelling that transcends traditional genre boundaries, this novel offers a thrilling and immersive reading experience that challenges expectations and keeps readers consistently intrigued. Indiana Jones on steroids. This book is a must read!

Of course "Used - Good Condition" for 40$ is unacceptable when the book arrives with binding nearly pulled off the back, and it still being in a sleeve from a public library. I purchased other books NEW for less, but evidently this seller got a premium for a hard to find book (since it's the first in a series) -- I'm disappointed in the sellers price and the books condition, not the author or the book.

This novel kept you riveted to the point of not wanting to put it down! Great plot and kept you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended!

This is another of Rollins's Sigma Force novels, though I've found you don't need to read them in the order they were published in to be able to relate to the characters. As in 'Black Order' he's done a masterful job of painting in the characters such that you can care about and relate to them in short order. He juggles a vast canvas of names and faces without ever allowing them to blend one into another. His villains are definitely more interesting here than in 'Deep Fathom'; they have more than one note to them (or at least, the major one does), although I wouldn't call them three-dimensional.The science in this book borders on the edge of mysticism at times, but Rollins does his best to put forward possible scientific explanations for everything; one thing he includes at the end that I appreciate and enjoy reading is a brief section detailing the reality behind the theories he works with in his book.I enjoy Rollins's writing. Sandstorm definitely has better (i.e. less trite) dialogue than Deep Fathom--you can see how Rollins has improved over time. The characters stuck with me even after I finished reading, and there are some truly delightful turns of phrase in this book. One of Rollins's greatest talents, as always, is his pacing; I got sucked into the plot quite quickly.I only have one request for Rollins: Please, please, in the name of all that's holy, set your word processor to ferret out each and every use of the word `mumbled' and force you to replace 99% of them in future books. I was about ready to scream halfway through the book because that word showed up absolutely everywhere. Could someone please just mutter for once? Or murmur? Or... anything?!Anyway, apart from all the mumbling this is a fun book and well worth the price of admission.