Packed with relentless action, historical intrigue, and globe-trotting mayhem, James Rollins’ latest Sigma Force adventure takes readers on a thrilling journey across the icy expanse of the Arctic and into the shadowy corridors of power-hungry individuals who will stop at nothing to find a legendary lost continent that’s existence if confirmed, would forever change the world as we know it today.
Set after the events of Tides of Fire (2023), Rollins’ 18th Sigma Force thriller opens with a prologue set in 1764. A Russian fleet of ships combs the icy waters in search of a land mass known as Hyperborea, a name that has “echoed across millennia” and was written about by Pindar, the Greek lyricist of the sixth century B.C., in Pythian Odes. Once believed to be located to the far north of the known world, it was said that the Hyperboreans inhabited a divinely blessed land and were themselves nearly immortal. That is, of course, if the old myths are true.
Jumping forward to the present day, Commander Gray Pierce races to the Smithsonian, which has long doubled as the headquarters for Sigma Force, a division of DARPA, buried way underground and shielded in secrecy. Known as the “scientists with guns,” Sigma specializes in handling scientific matters that could directly threaten the United States. These days, though, the program’s future is in doubt following an attack on the Smithsonian that significantly damaged the world’s largest museum. Pierce, the team’s lead operator, was recruited by Sigma Force director Painter Crowe many years back. Given his background in special forces, Pierce knows that if they’re shut down, he’ll still be able to find work. The same can’t be said, however, for other team members, such as Seichan, who was once an assassin operating as part of an international crime network and who still carries a kill-on-sight order from numerous intelligence agencies around the world, including the Mossad. Though she’s now a valued member of Sigma and has found a new purpose in her life, Pierce worries about what will become of her should the program fold.
One of the last to arrive, Pierce joins the rest of the team as Director Crowe updates them on where they’re at with the investigation of who was behind the bombing before reading them in on a troubling situation developing out of Russia. Apparently, a monsignor with the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archeology by the name of Alex Borrelli sent Sigma Force a coded message just before he was murdered alongside a Russian archivist from Moscow’s Museum of Archeology. The message, a series of pictures, is believed to warn of a terrifying threat that is tied to a deadly secret involving the Golden Library of Tsars. A week prior, Alex was among a group of students invited to explore the tunnels beneath Moscow, which turned up a cache of ancient books that had been sealed inside a secret vault. It’s possible that the recovered documents could point to the location of the treasured archive that long ago was said to have mysteriously vanished.
Things take a sharp turn when a connection is made to the lost continent to the north, forcing Painter Crowe to immediately send Gray Pierce and his team to Russia in search of the truth. But with powerful secrets spilling into the light of day and renewed tension between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican on the rise, their latest mission is no walk in the park . . . and as Sigma Force will soon learn, more secrets await them, ones that could save the planet and all of mankind, or destroy it forever.
James Rollins once again demonstrates his mastery of the genre with his latest offering, which reads like a cross between Dan Brown and Steve Berry but with hard-hitting, Brad Thor-like action sequences sprinkled throughout. Delving into the mysteries surrounding the Golden Library of Tsars and the lost continent it holds secrets to, Rollins weaves a gripping narrative that seamlessly blends history, mythology, and cutting-edge science, all in a breathtaking fashion that’s unlike anything else in print today. His ability to seamlessly integrate real-world geopolitics with ancient myths and legends is fascinating. It also creates an interactive reading experience, as many will no doubt pause frequently to Google much of what Rollins throws at them here. And therein lies the magic of this book and his entire series because, for most, it’s impossible to tell precisely where the facts end and the fiction begins. Rollins’ ability to teach while simultaneously entertaining his audience is perhaps matched only by fellow bestselling author Brad Meltzer. Moreover, his ability to continue developing his beloved cast of characters is a strength he puts on full display, even going as far as to bring back a certain fan-favorite operator and his four-legged partner, whom longtime fans will certainly enjoy getting to see.
With a fascinating and intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and plenty of action, Arkangel is sure to satisfy both longtime Sigma Force fans and newcomers alike. If you’re looking for a gripping read that combines history, adventure, and suspense in equal measure, look no further than Rollins’ latest . . . which isn’t only his finest work to date, but a strong contender for best book of 2024.
Book Details
Author: James Rollins
Series: Sigma Force #18
Pages: 528 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0062893165
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: August 6th, 2024
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community on Twitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.