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Book Reviews of Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1)

Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1)
Sandstorm - Sigma Force, Bk 1
Author: James Rollins
ISBN-13: 9780060580674
ISBN-10: 0060580674
Publication Date: 5/1/2005
Pages: 587
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 379

3.9 stars, based on 379 ratings
Publisher: Avon Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

63 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Mistry avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 105 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
Another great Rollins book. This one takes us to the Arabian Peninsula, searching for a lost city. It has great action and the treasure hunt clues and searches I look for in a book like this. The characters are well written and I even liked the bad guy in this one. Looking forward to reading more of Rollins' adventure novels.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 167 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I loved this book. He has to be the greatest writer. The book starts off with a bang and never stops. It always has something going on. Also I love it that this author's writing is based on factual places and sometimes factual events. This should be made into a movie.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A great read! It was hard to put down after the first few chapters!
DustyShu avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
It's a page-turner until almost the end. The epilogue falls a bit flat by trying to wrap up a loose end quickly. Other than that, an excellent read.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 47 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book gets more interesting as it goes along. It ends in a spectacular setting, one that seems like it would be unbelievable, but doesn't. This book weaves history, myth and modern day reality so well, you won't even blink at some of the unusual elements in this book.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I don't know why I keep reading James Rollins books. Well, yes I do - I like the story lines, the mysteries - but I do not necessarily like his style of writing. I find myself saying "ya da ya da" to skip over some of his prose, but I keep reading to find out what is the great mystery. Some are a big let down some are not. You decide for yourself.

This book is now ready for release.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Really great adventure novel
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 141 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
IF YOU ARE AN ADVENTURE STORY FAN------THIS IS ONE AUTHOR THAT TAKES A STORY EVEN FURTHER THAT CUSSLER- YOU TRULY NEVER KNOW WHAT IS AROUND THE CORNER- HE FITS IT TOGETHER LIKE A LARGE 2000 PIECE PUZZLE. ONE PIECE AT A TIME- SORRY I CAN'T TELL YOU MUCH OF THE STORY BECAUSE I HAVE WRITTEN THIS 3X- TELL TOOOOOOOO MUCH OF IT EACH TIME. TRULY EXCELLENT

10 STARS**********
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
This is another great James Rollins book. As an author he makes you think about what is real and what is not, it always leaves me wanting more even after reading 570 pages. I just can't get enough, also the historical parts are great.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is about a lost city buried beneath the Arabian desert where something astonishing is waiting! There is a death defying trek deep into the art of the Arabian Peninsula -- to unearth an ageless power that lives and breathes and tear down everything humankind has built!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love action/adventure novels. This one got a little far out there (not that any of them are truly realistic) but it was a good start to the series. I accidentally read books 3 & 4 of the Sigma series before this one, but that didn't really take away from any of them. I would certainly recommend this book and Rollins has only gotten better since it!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was coming next and how they could possibly get out of their present predicament. Not trite, as some books are. Only problem, I lost a lot of sleep until I finished it--don't start reading in the evening!!!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Lots of adventure, would love to see it as a movie.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
I thought it started awfully slow, but once you read farther into the book it gets to be faster reading.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 593 more book reviews
This was a great read.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
fast paced adventure- i felt like i was there
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Awful....I couldn't get past the first hundred pages. Every time I wanted to pick it up to read, I would reluctantly do so. For me to take almost a week to read about 100 pages is very rare. I have read entire books in one day's time. This book as far as I read was a big fat snore session.
TamiDee avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on
Great book. I've not read anything by James Rollins that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. The first book I read of his was Map of Bones, then I continued from there. This book actually precedes Map of Bones and introduces, for the first time, some of those characters. Rollins uses factual scientific information to build his fiction, so what seems really fantastical is often grounded in reality. Adventure, romance, science, fantasy, all mixed with a heavy dose of what is weird, but real--that's what Rollins provides. Character development is superb. I highly recommend this book and this author.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
An inexplicable explosion rocks the antiquities collection of a London museum, setting off alarms in clandestine organizations around the world.

Lady Kara Kensington's family paid a high price in money and blood to found the gallery that now lies in ruins. And her search for answers is about to lead Kara; her friend Safia al-Maaz, the gallery's brilliant and beautiful curator; and their guide, the international adventurer Omaha Dunn, into a world they never dreamed actually existed: a lost city buried beneath the Arabian desert, where something astonishing is waiting.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Alot of adventure and intrige. good information good writer
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 131 more book reviews
another great thriller by James Rollins
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
Not the best for James Rollins, unbelievable in some areas
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
"High Adventure...

Sandstorm is from a tradition that goes back at least as far as H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines... It worked for Haggard's Alan Quartermain, it worked for Indiana Jones... [it] works here."
-San Jose Mercury News

An inexplicable explosion rocks the antiquities collection of a London museum, setting off alarms in clandestine organizations around the world.

Lady Kara Kensington's family paid a high price in money and blood to found the gallery that now lies in ruins. And her search for answers is about to lead Kara; her friend Safia al-Maaz, the gallery's brilliant and beautiful curator; and their guide, the international adventurer Omaha Dunn, into a world they never dreamed actually existed: a lost city buried beneath the Arabian desert, where something astonishing is waiting.

A covert government operative hunting a dangerous turncoat- his former partner- is being drawn there as well. But the many perils of a death -defying trek deep into the savage heart of the Arabian Peninsula pale before the nightmare to be unearthed at journey's end- an ageless power that lives and breathes, an awesome force that can create a utopia... or tear down everything humankind has built over millennia of civilization.

"One of the most inventive storytellers writing today."
Lincoln Child, co-author of Still Life with Crows
mrrob avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 83 more book reviews
Great story. Keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat throughout! A real page turner. Highly recommended!
AZmee avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 65 more book reviews
Great read...I have ordered more of his tales because I hate to end one. Read the regular book intro and then add some with your imagination...he does...you won't be able to put it down.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 593 more book reviews
This was a great read.
singingmoon avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 64 more book reviews
True to James Rollins. This was another fantastic book. Ending was good. Will read another.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
I throughly enjoyed this book. There are some characters that are almost on the verge of becoming annoying, not to spoil anything for you, but the author pulls back just in time. It was a very good read.
reader4fun avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on
Another terrific book by Rollins! Read it!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
High Adventure. An inexplicable explosion rocks the antiquities collection of a London museum, setting off alarms in clandestine organizations around the world. Lady Kara Kensington's family paid a high price in money and blood to found the gallery that now lies in ruins. And her search for answers is about to lead Kara; her friend Safia al-Maaz, the gallery's brilliant and beautiful curator; and their guide, the international adventurer Omaha Dunn, into a world they never dreamed actually existed: a lost city buried beneath the Arabian desert where something astonishing is waiting.....
Hobo62 avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
Desert Adventure. Indiana Jones move over.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
An explosing rocks the antiquities collection of a London museum and sets off alarms in clandestine organizations around the world. If you like intrigue, try this one.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Typical Rollins adventure... good read!
AngelWings avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 160 more book reviews
One of the most engrossing books I have read that he has written. A real page turner.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 79 more book reviews
Great writer!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 244 more book reviews
Not as good as Amazonia or Deep Fathom. Took me about 1/3 of the book to become captured.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
A great mix of science and fiction. (Not 'science fiction'...)
Piper avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on
Fast paced. Definitely could be made into an action movie.
DEC avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 134 more book reviews
Non stop action, a great summer read.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 92 more book reviews
Rollins continues his excellent adventures.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 31 more book reviews
Awesome read!!!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 49 more book reviews
Fun read, lots of adventure, thrills and chills.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 241 more book reviews
Another thrilling epic by the master of invention and innovation!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Covert government hunts an ageless power deep in the desert. A london museam and gallery add opulence to what could be the destruction of everything a woman holds dear. When you finish this one, your husband will want to read it. Mine got to it 1st and I almost cried.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
fast-paced, imaginative adventure with larger-than-life characters. very fun read.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
An explosion starts the action in this page turning book. The entire book is explosive as special agents travel to the Far East in a quest for what they themselves are not quite aware of. The reader follows the group from England's museum to archaeological digs in search of secrets buried in the sand. Only the lovely Safia seems to be able to read the clues. Lady Kensington. who is Safia's best friend has a personal reason in this quest.. it was her museum that was bombed and it was Safia's exposition as well. Soon Painter joins them. He is a part of a special team with the government, but no one knows except his former partner turned traitor, Cassandra, who follows them and tries to kill all of them except Safia.

The characters are larger than life and provide good contrasts to one another.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
nice action adventure piece from an auhtor I have enjoyed in the past
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 47 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book just like I have enjoyed all of James Rollins books. It's full of non-stop action.
redheadindian avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 55 more book reviews
A great read, kept me up late a few nights trying to finish it.Indiana Jones-type story with great plot and detail.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 145 more book reviews
A lost city in the Arabian desert, covert government operations, and paranormal powers that are disturbed. Kind of an Indian Jones story. Very surprising twists and turns.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on
I was pulled into this story like a whirlpool of sand dropping below my feet,very exciting and thought provoking throughout.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Great read. Very intertaining
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Hard to put down Gene C
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
one of james rollins very best
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
Ok, but moved slow. Not one of his best books.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Have not finished yet, but fun to read.
SwampCatNana avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 58 more book reviews
James Rollins is always a good read and Sandstorm is no exception!
eadieburke avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 1608 more book reviews
Book Description:
An inexplicable explosion rocks the antiquities collection of a London museum, setting off alarms in clandestine organizations around the world.

And now the search for answers is leading Lady Kara Kensington; her friend Safia al-Maaz, the gallery's brilliant and beautiful curator; and their guide, the international adventurer Omaha Dunn, into a world they never dreamed existed: a lost city buried beneath the Arabian desert.

But others are being drawn there as well, some with dark and sinister purposes. And the many perils of a death-defying trek deep into the savage heart of the Arabian Peninsula pale before the nightmare waiting to be unearthed at journey's end: an ageless and awesome power that could create a utopia... or destroy everything humankind has built over countless millennia.

My Review:
This was a very interesting book and I enjoyed it very much. It had a mix of history, science, fiction and adventure and had a fast-moving plot and excellent character development. My only compliant is that it could have been a shorter book. I look forward to read the next book in the Sigma Force series.
eadieburke avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 1608 more book reviews
This was a very interesting book and I enjoyed it very much. It had a mix of history, science, fiction and adventure and had a fast-moving plot and excellent character development. I look forward to read the next book in the Sigma Force series.
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 31 more book reviews
Warning: Review might be considered vaguely spoiler-y.

This is one of those stories I felt that I shouldve liked, but didnt. The plot needed some editing it reached the part I felt shouldve been the exciting climax and then kept going, building to the level of absurdity and then the characters killed it.

I liked Safia for all of about one page after she was introduced, after which my opinion of her started to wane. After a chapter of her, I was sincerely hoping shed get killed off, so I was very disappointed to learn that not only would she not get killed off, but that she was crucial to the story. All of the characters make observations about how strong Safia is, which is interesting, since I never saw Safia being strong. In fact, if it wasnt for the other characters beating me over the head with how strong and admirable Safia was, I wouldve pegged her as being kinda pathetic, seeing as how she kept having panic attacks and angsting over her not-so-terrible terrible past. Ugh.

I kinda liked Painter Crowe, up until his infatuation with Safia, at which point I started to lose some respect for him. Then later in the book there was some terrible line about how Safias wonderful, womanly vulnerability called out the man in him and I very nearly stopped reading.
mspoet569 avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
As usual, Rollins never disappoints. As soon as you start, you're sucked into this thrilling story. Safia is the curator for the Arabian exhibition at the British museum. She thought she escaped her past, and the horrors of an accident in Tel Aviv, but she's still haunted by screams, along with a parting gift of anxiety. When her beloved exhibit explodes, she's reminded of everything she ran away from- bombs, terrorists, a fiance. She never dreamed that a ruined exhibit, would force her to return to her home. Accompanied by the exhibit's benefactor, who is also Safia's best friend, they form a rag tag team to find the mysterious phenomenon that caused the exhibit to blow up. Unbeknownst to them, there is another team who wants to uncover the mystery first. In this race against the clock thriller, you are taken on an Indiana Jones type adventure, with a DaVinci Code twist. You won't want to put this book down for fear of missing something.
5 out of 5 stars!!!!!!
reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 82 more book reviews
Yes it was a very fast moving book finished in one day kept you on the edge of the chair James Rollins is so Great. Love his books
keno avatar reviewed Sandstorm (Sigma Force, Bk 1) on + 866 more book reviews
great writer-love all his books!
glenna