By far the best suspense thriller I read last year, The Order of the Sanguines Series (#1): Blood Gospel by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I read the whole book in less than a week (during finals, no less!) and I've already recommended it to all my friends.
When Dr. Erin Granger, Sergeant Jordan Stone, and Catholic priest Father Rhun Korza investigate a mysterious dig site with the crucified mummy of a young girl, they are brutally attacked. On the run, the only place where these three can find answers is within the book that was once preserved in the tomb: a book rumored to have been written by Christ's own Hand, containing secrets to His divinity. But they don't realize (except for the mysterious Rhun) is that their pursuers are creatures unlike they could have imagined...
What makes Blood Gospel so special? It has short chapters with many different viewpoints, constructing a strong world from many different angles. The reader is given a lens into each other the characters' mentalities through the shifting viewpoints, and this kept the plot moving fast. I also think this would help the book appeal to a wide audience---people who prefer militaristic or hyper-masculine stories will really sympathize with Jordan, whereas I related more strongly to the smart, determined Dr. Erin. Historical fiction fans will love Rhun.
Threaded throughout the book is a strong exploration of the Catholic faith and the history of the Church. Initially, I was hesitant about this, thinking that this was a familiar path that other authors (notably, Dan Brown) have tread again and again. But this re-imagining of history was accurate without being dull, interspersed seamlessly with well-developed fantastic and supernatural elements. Blood Gospel is a book that will sink its fangs deeply into you, and not let you go.
Recommended to: people who enjoyed The Davinci Code, Angels and Demons, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, or the True Blood series, people with a long plane ride ahead, history buffs and vampire fanatics.
Release Date: January 8, 2013 Pages: 496 Format: ARC Paperback
Source: Publisher Publisher: William Morrow Buy It: Book Depository
This is a review by Meghan. You can find her here on Goodreads or on Twitter @meghanc303
When Dr. Erin Granger, Sergeant Jordan Stone, and Catholic priest Father Rhun Korza investigate a mysterious dig site with the crucified mummy of a young girl, they are brutally attacked. On the run, the only place where these three can find answers is within the book that was once preserved in the tomb: a book rumored to have been written by Christ's own Hand, containing secrets to His divinity. But they don't realize (except for the mysterious Rhun) is that their pursuers are creatures unlike they could have imagined...What makes Blood Gospel so special? It has short chapters with many different viewpoints, constructing a strong world from many different angles. The reader is given a lens into each other the characters' mentalities through the shifting viewpoints, and this kept the plot moving fast. I also think this would help the book appeal to a wide audience---people who prefer militaristic or hyper-masculine stories will really sympathize with Jordan, whereas I related more strongly to the smart, determined Dr. Erin. Historical fiction fans will love Rhun.
Threaded throughout the book is a strong exploration of the Catholic faith and the history of the Church. Initially, I was hesitant about this, thinking that this was a familiar path that other authors (notably, Dan Brown) have tread again and again. But this re-imagining of history was accurate without being dull, interspersed seamlessly with well-developed fantastic and supernatural elements. Blood Gospel is a book that will sink its fangs deeply into you, and not let you go.
Recommended to: people who enjoyed The Davinci Code, Angels and Demons, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, or the True Blood series, people with a long plane ride ahead, history buffs and vampire fanatics.
Release Date: January 8, 2013 Pages: 496 Format: ARC Paperback
Source: Publisher Publisher: William Morrow Buy It: Book Depository
This is a review by Meghan. You can find her here on Goodreads or on Twitter @meghanc303
Thanks for this! I've not seen this book, and I can't wait to read it. Great review!
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