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Excavation
High in the Andes, Dr. Henry Conklin discovers a 500-year-old mummy that should not be there. While deep in the South American jungle, Conklin's nephew, Sam, stumbles upon a remarkable site nestled between two towering peaks, a place hidden from human eyes for thousands of years. Ingenious traps have been laid to ensnare the careless and unsuspecting, and wealth beyond imagining could be the reward for those with the courage to face the terrible unknown. But where the perilous journey inward ends--in the cold, shrouded heart of a breath taking necropolis--something else is waiting for Sam Conklin and his exploratory party. A thing created by Man, yet not humanly possible. Something wondrous . . . something terrifying.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 3, 2000
About the author
James Rollins
92 books13.7k followersJames Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers. His writing has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than 20 million books. The New York Times says, “Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together.” NPR calls his work, “Adventurous and enormously engrossing.” Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets matched with stunning suspense. As a veterinarian, he had a practice in Sacramento for over a decade and still volunteers at local shelters. Nowadays, Rollins shares his home up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with two furry companions, Echo and Charlie. He also enjoys scuba diving, spelunking, kayaking, and hiking. Of course, he loves to travel and experience new places around the world, which often inspire his next globe-trotting adventure.
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February 28, 2022
Excavation, James Rollins
High in the Andes, Dr. Henry Conklin discovers a 500-year-old mummy that should not be there. While deep in the South American jungle, Conklin's nephew, Sam, stumbles upon a remarkable site nestled between two towering peaks, a place hidden from human eyes for thousands of years. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هشتم ماه دسامبر سال2017 میلادی
عنوان: ویرانه های معبد (خاکبرداری، نبش)؛ نویسنده: جیمز رولینز (رالینز)؛ مترجم هادی امینی؛ تهران، تندیس، سال1396؛ در456ص؛ شابک9786001823145؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده21م
پروفسور «هنری کانکلین»، باستان‌شناس نامدار، پس از یافتن ویرانه های یک شهر کهن «اینکا»ها، در کوهستان‌های «آند»؛ یک مومیایی پانصد ساله، پیدا می‌کند، که با بررسی بیشتر، همراه دکتر «جوآن انگل»، روشن می‌شود، از آنِ یک کشیش «اسپانیایی» بوده، و نباید آنجا باشد؛ عجیب‌تر اینکه، کاسه ی سر آن مومیایی، با فلزی طلایی پر شده بود، که ویژگی نادری دارد؛ در این بین «سام»، برادر‌زاده ی پروفسور، و چند دانشجویی که در کمپ پژوهشی محل اکتشاف هستند، مزاری پنهانی، و پر از گنج مییابند، و سپس راهی پنهانی، به دهکده ای پیدا می‌کنند، که ساکنین آن، نه تنها ادعا می‌کنند از بازماندگان «اینکا»ها هستند، بلکه خود، «اینکا»های بنیانگذار امپراتوری می‌باشند، و بیش از چهارصد سال، در آن جایگاه زندگی کرده اند؛ اما راز این ��ندگی جاودان چیست؟ و چه ارتباطی با کشیش مومیایی شده، پیدا می‌کند؟ آیا ممکن است این تمدن گمشده، و اسرار باستانی آن‌ها، تهدیدی برای زمین و ساکنانش باشد؟ پروفسور «کانکلین»، «دکتر جوآن انگل»، «سام»، و دانشجویان گرفتار شده، هر کدام به نوعی با خطر مرگ مواجه بوده، و باید از این پرتگاه، جان سالم به در ببرند، و دنیا را از این فلز باورنکردنی و شیطانی نجات دهند؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 21/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ 08/12/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
High in the Andes, Dr. Henry Conklin discovers a 500-year-old mummy that should not be there. While deep in the South American jungle, Conklin's nephew, Sam, stumbles upon a remarkable site nestled between two towering peaks, a place hidden from human eyes for thousands of years. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هشتم ماه دسامبر سال2017 میلادی
عنوان: ویرانه های معبد (خاکبرداری، نبش)؛ نویسنده: جیمز رولینز (رالینز)؛ مترجم هادی امینی؛ تهران، تندیس، سال1396؛ در456ص؛ شابک9786001823145؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده21م
پروفسور «هنری کانکلین»، باستان‌شناس نامدار، پس از یافتن ویرانه های یک شهر کهن «اینکا»ها، در کوهستان‌های «آند»؛ یک مومیایی پانصد ساله، پیدا می‌کند، که با بررسی بیشتر، همراه دکتر «جوآن انگل»، روشن می‌شود، از آنِ یک کشیش «اسپانیایی» بوده، و نباید آنجا باشد؛ عجیب‌تر اینکه، کاسه ی سر آن مومیایی، با فلزی طلایی پر شده بود، که ویژگی نادری دارد؛ در این بین «سام»، برادر‌زاده ی پروفسور، و چند دانشجویی که در کمپ پژوهشی محل اکتشاف هستند، مزاری پنهانی، و پر از گنج مییابند، و سپس راهی پنهانی، به دهکده ای پیدا می‌کنند، که ساکنین آن، نه تنها ادعا می‌کنند از بازماندگان «اینکا»ها هستند، بلکه خود، «اینکا»های بنیانگذار امپراتوری می‌باشند، و بیش از چهارصد سال، در آن جایگاه زندگی کرده اند؛ اما راز این ��ندگی جاودان چیست؟ و چه ارتباطی با کشیش مومیایی شده، پیدا می‌کند؟ آیا ممکن است این تمدن گمشده، و اسرار باستانی آن‌ها، تهدیدی برای زمین و ساکنانش باشد؟ پروفسور «کانکلین»، «دکتر جوآن انگل»، «سام»، و دانشجویان گرفتار شده، هر کدام به نوعی با خطر مرگ مواجه بوده، و باید از این پرتگاه، جان سالم به در ببرند، و دنیا را از این فلز باورنکردنی و شیطانی نجات دهند؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 21/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ 08/12/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
October 9, 2020
Review
Book:- Excavation
Author:- James Rollins
This book surprised me. I thought it would be a little 'fluff' read- i love history, archaeology, and ancient civilizations so this sounded like it would be a good palate cleanser. It was much better than i thought it would be! I mean the writing is a little redundant, at times too descriptive and others not descriptive enough. A few times i absolutely could not see what the author was trying to describe.
But i loved the variying points of view. I loved the cliffhangerd, twists, and surprises.
The book deals with an excavation in the Andes where a 500 year old mummified Spanish Inquisitor is found. He wears a gold cross etched with a warning and while on the examination table, his head explodes and some gold substance erupts out of it. This gold substance, which the scientists later coin "Substance Z" becomes the basis of the whole adventure.
This is also where the fantastic comes into play. You see, a ruthless sector of the Catholic Church is after this stuff for their greater purpose, which is outlined in the book. Meanwhile, our scientist heroes are working their way through the ugly depths of an underground passage way and they stumble across an actual living breathing Inca tribe. And as is typical of a Rollins book- all hell breaks loose.
The characters are basically likable. Henry and Joan are the ones dealing with the vicious priests while Henry's nephew Sam and his Irish love interest Maggie are dealing with the passage way and the Inca tribe.
Very good fantastic adventure. This is an early James Rollins book and i have read all of his books. But it shows that even during his early writing career he had a knack telling a good action adventure story while throwing in a fantastic theme.
I recommend this one but still prefer his Sigma Force books.
Personal Rating:- 4.50/5
© Shariful Sadaf
Book:- Excavation
Author:- James Rollins
This book surprised me. I thought it would be a little 'fluff' read- i love history, archaeology, and ancient civilizations so this sounded like it would be a good palate cleanser. It was much better than i thought it would be! I mean the writing is a little redundant, at times too descriptive and others not descriptive enough. A few times i absolutely could not see what the author was trying to describe.
But i loved the variying points of view. I loved the cliffhangerd, twists, and surprises.
The book deals with an excavation in the Andes where a 500 year old mummified Spanish Inquisitor is found. He wears a gold cross etched with a warning and while on the examination table, his head explodes and some gold substance erupts out of it. This gold substance, which the scientists later coin "Substance Z" becomes the basis of the whole adventure.
This is also where the fantastic comes into play. You see, a ruthless sector of the Catholic Church is after this stuff for their greater purpose, which is outlined in the book. Meanwhile, our scientist heroes are working their way through the ugly depths of an underground passage way and they stumble across an actual living breathing Inca tribe. And as is typical of a Rollins book- all hell breaks loose.
The characters are basically likable. Henry and Joan are the ones dealing with the vicious priests while Henry's nephew Sam and his Irish love interest Maggie are dealing with the passage way and the Inca tribe.
Very good fantastic adventure. This is an early James Rollins book and i have read all of his books. But it shows that even during his early writing career he had a knack telling a good action adventure story while throwing in a fantastic theme.
I recommend this one but still prefer his Sigma Force books.
Personal Rating:- 4.50/5
© Shariful Sadaf
December 24, 2023
Excavation is an earlier thriller from James Rollins, an author whose Sigma Force series has been a favorite of mine. As I make my way through his non-series releases, I find myself fascinated by how much knowledge this man has about the world. What a great way to learn about places in a fictional way but also piece things together that I hadn't know before. From the Incas in Peru to the museums around the world, this suspense novel brought tons of action, great characters, and curious settings. Enjoyed the swapping POVs and look forward to another historical mystery.
April 25, 2015
ছোটবেলা থেকেই যেসকল জিনিস এর প্রতি আগ্রহ আমার তার মধ্যে একটা হল আরকিওলজি বা প্রত্নতত্ব। পুরানো সভ্যতা নিয়ে এই আগ্রহের কারণেই এই সংক্রান্ত বইগুলো আমি গোগ্রাসে গিলে ফেলি । আর বই পড়ার দিক থেকে আমার অন্যতম পছন্দের জনরা হল থ্রিলার । তাই যখন এই বই এর সিনোপ্সিস পড়ি তখন থেকেই পড়ার ইচ্ছা ছিল বইটার । কিন্তু কোথাও বইটার হার্ডকপি খুজে পাচ্ছিলাম না । সেদিন নীলক্ষেতে গিয়ে হঠাত করেই দেখি যে লোকাল প্রিন্ট বের অয়ে গিয়েছে বইটার ।সাথে সাথেই কিনে ফেলি । জেমস রোলিন্স ভদ্রলোকের সাথে আমার প্রথম পরিচয় তার Amazonia বইটার মাধ্যমে । প্রথম বই পড়েই ফ্যান হয়ে যাই। দুর্দান্ত অ্যাকশন অ্যাডভেঞ্চার এর সাথে বিভিন্ন বিস্ময়কর তহ্য বহুল বইটা আমার না ভালো লাগার কোন কারণ ছিল না । সেবার অ্যাডভেঞ্চার ছিল আমাজনে। এরপর তার পড়া Ice Hunt এর মাধ্যমে অ্যাডভেঞ্চার ছিল আর্কটিকে । Excavation লেখকের পড়া আমার পাচ নম্বর বই । এবারের অ্যাডভেঞ্চার পেরুতে । ইনকাদের এক পুরনো মন্দিরে থেকে যার শুরু ।
জেমস রোলিন্সের বইগুলোতে তথ্য গুলো এমন ভাবে দেয়া থাকে যে পড়লে তা বিশ্বাস হতে চায় না , কিন্তু বিস্ময়কর ভাবে বেশীরভাগসময়ই সেগুলো সত্য হয়। খুব কম সময়ই কল্পনার আস্রয় নেন লেখক । তবে এবার তার দেয়া তথ্যগুলোর ক্ষেত্রে বলতে হবে যে আগের পড়া বই গুলোর তুলোনায় একটু বেশীই কল্পনাপ্রবণ হয়ে গিয়েছে। তবে তাতে থ্রিল আরো বেড়ে গিয়েছে বলেই আমার কাছে মনে হয় । আর এটা একটা থ্রিলার ফিকশন, তাই সবশেষে পাঠককে কয়েক ঘন্টা রোলার কোস্টার এর মত এন্টারটেইন করতে পারলেই সেটা সফল । Excaavtion সেই দিক থেকে ১০০ ভাগ সফল ।
ইনকারা অনেক আগের জাতি , স্থাপত্য দিক থেকে অনেক উন্নত । পঞ্চদশ শতাব্দীতে স্প্যানিশরা আক্রমন করার আগ পর্যন্ত বীরদর্পে দাঁড়িয়ে ছিল সেই সভ্যতা । ঘটনা ক্রমে পেরুর কুজকোতে এক পুরনো এক মন্দির খুজে পায় আমেরিকার এক ইউনিভার্সিটির প্রত্নতত্ব বিষয়ের এক প্রফেসর । সেখানে এক মমি খুজে পায় তারা । মমিটা প্রাচীন এক স্প্যানিশ পাদ্রীর ! সেই মমিকে পরীক্ষা করতে গিয়েই অবাক হয়ে যায় তারা । এর খুলির ভেতরে ড্রিল করে ঢুকিয়ে দেয়া হয়েছে অদ্ভুত এক ধাতু । মানুষের কল্পনা অনুযায়ী পরিবর্তিত হতে পারে সেটা । অন্যদিকে সেই এক্সক্যাভেশন সাইটে গবেষনা চালাতে গিয়ে ঘটনাক্রমে আটকে পড়ে সেই প্রফেসরের ভাতিজা এবং তার তিন সহকর্মী । বোমা মেরে উড়িয়ে দেয়া হয় মন্দিরের প্রবেশ পথ । তাই বাধ্য হয়েই এর ভেতরে ঢুকতে হয় তাদের । আর এরপরই তারা মুখোমুখি হতে থাকে একের পর এক ঘটনার । ঘটনাক্রমে এর সাথে জড়িয়ে পরে রোমান চার্চ এর হারিয়ে যাওয়া এক গোপন সংঘ । যারা এই মন্দিরের আবিষ্কার হাতিয়ে নিতে চায় নিজেদের এক গোপন লক্ষ্যের জন্যে । এভাবেই ঘটনা এগিয়ে যেতে থাকে । যা সামনে বের হয়ে আসে তা হতবাক করে দেয় সবাইকে ।
জেমস রোলিন্সের লেখার ট্রেডমার্ক একটা ব্যাপার হল প্রাচীন কোন মিথের সাথে মডার্ন সাইন্স এর সংমিশ্রণ । এই বইটাতেও অভাব ছিলনা এটার । আর রোলিন্স সবসময় মূল ক্যারেকটার গুলোর পাশাপাশি অন্য ক্যারেকটার গুলোও দারূন আভনে ফুটিয়ে তুলেন । উনার অন্য বই গুলোর মতই এই বই এও ছিল শক্তিশালী কিছু অসাধারণ নারী চরিত্র যারা বই এর পরিণতিই বদলে দেয় । এটা লেখকের দ্বিতীয় বই , তবে সেই তুলোনায় বলব প্রত্যাশার চেয়েও অনেক ভালো লিখেছেন লেখক। অ্যাডভেঞ্চার প্রেমীরা নিঃসন্দেহে তুলে নিতে পারেন বইটা । মনে হবে যেন ইন্ডিয়ানা জোনস এর কাহিনীই সজীব হয়ে উঠে এসেছে বই এর পাতায় । :)
জেমস রোলিন্সের বইগুলোতে তথ্য গুলো এমন ভাবে দেয়া থাকে যে পড়লে তা বিশ্বাস হতে চায় না , কিন্তু বিস্ময়কর ভাবে বেশীরভাগসময়ই সেগুলো সত্য হয়। খুব কম সময়ই কল্পনার আস্রয় নেন লেখক । তবে এবার তার দেয়া তথ্যগুলোর ক্ষেত্রে বলতে হবে যে আগের পড়া বই গুলোর তুলোনায় একটু বেশীই কল্পনাপ্রবণ হয়ে গিয়েছে। তবে তাতে থ্রিল আরো বেড়ে গিয়েছে বলেই আমার কাছে মনে হয় । আর এটা একটা থ্রিলার ফিকশন, তাই সবশেষে পাঠককে কয়েক ঘন্টা রোলার কোস্টার এর মত এন্টারটেইন করতে পারলেই সেটা সফল । Excaavtion সেই দিক থেকে ১০০ ভাগ সফল ।
ইনকারা অনেক আগের জাতি , স্থাপত্য দিক থেকে অনেক উন্নত । পঞ্চদশ শতাব্দীতে স্প্যানিশরা আক্রমন করার আগ পর্যন্ত বীরদর্পে দাঁড়িয়ে ছিল সেই সভ্যতা । ঘটনা ক্রমে পেরুর কুজকোতে এক পুরনো এক মন্দির খুজে পায় আমেরিকার এক ইউনিভার্সিটির প্রত্নতত্ব বিষয়ের এক প্রফেসর । সেখানে এক মমি খুজে পায় তারা । মমিটা প্রাচীন এক স্প্যানিশ পাদ্রীর ! সেই মমিকে পরীক্ষা করতে গিয়েই অবাক হয়ে যায় তারা । এর খুলির ভেতরে ড্রিল করে ঢুকিয়ে দেয়া হয়েছে অদ্ভুত এক ধাতু । মানুষের কল্পনা অনুযায়ী পরিবর্তিত হতে পারে সেটা । অন্যদিকে সেই এক্সক্যাভেশন সাইটে গবেষনা চালাতে গিয়ে ঘটনাক্রমে আটকে পড়ে সেই প্রফেসরের ভাতিজা এবং তার তিন সহকর্মী । বোমা মেরে উড়িয়ে দেয়া হয় মন্দিরের প্রবেশ পথ । তাই বাধ্য হয়েই এর ভেতরে ঢুকতে হয় তাদের । আর এরপরই তারা মুখোমুখি হতে থাকে একের পর এক ঘটনার । ঘটনাক্রমে এর সাথে জড়িয়ে পরে রোমান চার্চ এর হারিয়ে যাওয়া এক গোপন সংঘ । যারা এই মন্দিরের আবিষ্কার হাতিয়ে নিতে চায় নিজেদের এক গোপন লক্ষ্যের জন্যে । এভাবেই ঘটনা এগিয়ে যেতে থাকে । যা সামনে বের হয়ে আসে তা হতবাক করে দেয় সবাইকে ।
জেমস রোলিন্সের লেখার ট্রেডমার্ক একটা ব্যাপার হল প্রাচীন কোন মিথের সাথে মডার্ন সাইন্স এর সংমিশ্রণ । এই বইটাতেও অভাব ছিলনা এটার । আর রোলিন্স সবসময় মূল ক্যারেকটার গুলোর পাশাপাশি অন্য ক্যারেকটার গুলোও দারূন আভনে ফুটিয়ে তুলেন । উনার অন্য বই গুলোর মতই এই বই এও ছিল শক্তিশালী কিছু অসাধারণ নারী চরিত্র যারা বই এর পরিণতিই বদলে দেয় । এটা লেখকের দ্বিতীয় বই , তবে সেই তুলোনায় বলব প্রত্যাশার চেয়েও অনেক ভালো লিখেছেন লেখক। অ্যাডভেঞ্চার প্রেমীরা নিঃসন্দেহে তুলে নিতে পারেন বইটা । মনে হবে যেন ইন্ডিয়ানা জোনস এর কাহিনীই সজীব হয়ে উঠে এসেছে বই এর পাতায় । :)
July 25, 2022
A bit reminiscent of Indiana Jones with all the traps. Overall, a pretty solid pulp fiction style adventure.
August 5, 2011
Exotic Location: Check
Incan tomb: Check
Boobytraps: check
Huge treasure + golden idol: check
Creapy crawlers: check
Hat always on main character's head: check
workers turning against archaeologists: check
evil organisation: check
Short Round (cleverly disguised as Denal): check
Mystical powers: check
Objects get destroyed/lost: check
Indiana Jones: chec... ...wait... Indiana isn't involved?!?
This book obviously shares *some* similarities with the Indiana Jones stories. Not necessarily a bad thing, because Indy totally rocks, but it just didn't work for me in this one.
So, we have our excavation in the Andes, looking for a huge Temple with a mysterious treasury. This of course doesn't come without any deadly boobytraps... Thus far: ok, some similarities with Indy, but ok. Then it goes from bad to worse... dialogues don't work, characters are a bit too one-dimensional, cliché building on cliché, and don't forget to mention the sudden appearance of zombie-like humanoid things, dwelling in subterranean locations.
The story unfolds in a series of storylines; The students that are trapped in the pyramid and bash their way through noxious bat caves (dude, since when do bats release noxious fumes? And do you really have to overreact to it? - the bats of course are also evil and attack our main characters), filled with albino actacking spiders... and the zombie-filled subterranean city to the Incan world, Philip the student left at the camp (keeps being self-centered), The evil Spanish Inquisition monks, and Henry, Sam's uncle, and H's love interest Joan.
What's more in this story? The presence of a mysterious gold-like subsistence, influenced by the human mind... Centuries old Incas with a horrifying truth lying hidden and more little bit over the top actions.
What got me most, apart from the zombie-like creatures (that are always 'drooling foam from their mouths'), were the 'love stories'. Too obvious, and sooo bad, especially the dialogues between the characters in question; "Keep walking ahead of me and I'll be plenty warm" Seriously?!
Further more, don't get me started on the ending.. both of the story, and the epilogue.
This was not a good start with James Rollins. I'll try some other novels, but this one definitely didn't make it for me.
Incan tomb: Check
Boobytraps: check
Huge treasure + golden idol: check
Creapy crawlers: check
Hat always on main character's head: check
workers turning against archaeologists: check
evil organisation: check
Short Round (cleverly disguised as Denal): check
Mystical powers: check
Objects get destroyed/lost: check
Indiana Jones: chec... ...wait... Indiana isn't involved?!?
This book obviously shares *some* similarities with the Indiana Jones stories. Not necessarily a bad thing, because Indy totally rocks, but it just didn't work for me in this one.
So, we have our excavation in the Andes, looking for a huge Temple with a mysterious treasury. This of course doesn't come without any deadly boobytraps... Thus far: ok, some similarities with Indy, but ok. Then it goes from bad to worse... dialogues don't work, characters are a bit too one-dimensional, cliché building on cliché, and don't forget to mention the sudden appearance of zombie-like humanoid things, dwelling in subterranean locations.
The story unfolds in a series of storylines; The students that are trapped in the pyramid and bash their way through noxious bat caves (dude, since when do bats release noxious fumes? And do you really have to overreact to it? - the bats of course are also evil and attack our main characters), filled with albino actacking spiders... and the zombie-filled subterranean city to the Incan world, Philip the student left at the camp (keeps being self-centered), The evil Spanish Inquisition monks, and Henry, Sam's uncle, and H's love interest Joan.
What's more in this story? The presence of a mysterious gold-like subsistence, influenced by the human mind... Centuries old Incas with a horrifying truth lying hidden and more little bit over the top actions.
What got me most, apart from the zombie-like creatures (that are always 'drooling foam from their mouths'), were the 'love stories'. Too obvious, and sooo bad, especially the dialogues between the characters in question; "Keep walking ahead of me and I'll be plenty warm" Seriously?!
Further more, don't get me started on the ending.. both of the story, and the epilogue.
This was not a good start with James Rollins. I'll try some other novels, but this one definitely didn't make it for me.
November 14, 2011
This is the first James Rollins book I have read and I can safely say that after this venture there are going to be more James Rollins books in my future. Never before had I experimented with a book like this which felt like watching a full length Indiana Jones movie. Kingdom of skulls was the first Indiana Jones movie I have watched and this book does go around a similar setting. The book opens with a Dominican priest almost 500 years in the past on the run form a group of Inca warriors and his attempt to sent a message to the world about an unknown evil. Fast forward to the present where a group of archaeologists stumble upon a lost city of the Incas along with the mummified remains of what they believe to be an Inca warrior. From there on the story takes place in two continents where the pieces of the same puzzle are trying to be solved by two groups. One includes the veteran archeologist Prof Henry who is baffled by the discovery of an unknown gold like substance preserved within the uncovered mummy and it strange properties. The second group is headed by Henry's nephew Sam and deals with their startling discovery of a yet unexplored room with in the folds of the lost mountain city and the secrets beyond it. But in stories like this things seldom go as planned and certain unforeseen circumstances take Sam and his team through a race for survival which in turn takes them through the heart of the lost city and the mystery surrounding these ancient people. Meanwhile Henry has his own run in with a Dominican priest sect whose existence and the secret they guard could prove deadly. Extremely imaginative and immensely exhilarating this book is an action packed fun package that will leave you wanting more. Added to that this book is highly informative. This book is one of those rare books that manage to thrill you and teach you at the same time. It provides valuable insights into the Inca's and there customs while taking us through life threatening situations and there where quite a few such situations in this book. Altogether this is a good read and should be given a chance.
November 11, 2024
James Rollins can write a helluva good action/adventure story. Granted, they are blatantly derivative, but the fact that he doesn’t really hide the fact makes it seem okay.
“Excavation”, published in 2000, essentially “steals” whole plot lines, devices, twists, and scenarios from a myriad of sources, including Edgar Rice Burroughs, H. Rider Haggard, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler, and all four of the “Indiana Jones” movies.
Rollins does, in book form, what Quentin Tarantino does in film: throw an assortment of stolen ideas from a variety of different sources and genres together into something new and original. And I’ve always disagreed with Tarantino’s critics that he is unoriginal and an idea-thief. I always thought Tarantino was paying homage to the original source material he was “borrowing”. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Tarantino is one big, fat, talented imitator.
So is Rollins.
For fear of dropping spoilers, I’ll refrain from giving a full synopsis, other than to say that exploding mummy heads, lost Incan tribes, the Spanish Inquisition, nanotechnology, and ancient meteorites containing gold all play significant roles within the story.
This is just a rollicking good yarn. I think Rollins may be shaping into one of my new favorite authors.
“Excavation”, published in 2000, essentially “steals” whole plot lines, devices, twists, and scenarios from a myriad of sources, including Edgar Rice Burroughs, H. Rider Haggard, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler, and all four of the “Indiana Jones” movies.
Rollins does, in book form, what Quentin Tarantino does in film: throw an assortment of stolen ideas from a variety of different sources and genres together into something new and original. And I’ve always disagreed with Tarantino’s critics that he is unoriginal and an idea-thief. I always thought Tarantino was paying homage to the original source material he was “borrowing”. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Tarantino is one big, fat, talented imitator.
So is Rollins.
For fear of dropping spoilers, I’ll refrain from giving a full synopsis, other than to say that exploding mummy heads, lost Incan tribes, the Spanish Inquisition, nanotechnology, and ancient meteorites containing gold all play significant roles within the story.
This is just a rollicking good yarn. I think Rollins may be shaping into one of my new favorite authors.
March 25, 2012
Excavation
What about the action? Well, there was more going on than at a three ringed flea circus at the Westminster Dog show! And of course I can’t talk about them because it would spoil the fun. Yes, I heave a heavy sigh because there’s so much to talk about.
In truth, as much as I liked this, and I liked it a lot, I found the action less exciting than some of the other Rollin’s reads. Don’t misunderstand me, I liked what was in the book, but compared Ice hunt, or Amazonia, it seemed more suspense to build tension, rather than intense action for the first half of the book. As all Rollins books seem to do, the intensity and action from the middle to the end, with a large action sequence coming up about the 80% mark and rolling to the end in typical Rollin’s fashion.
Perhaps the difference here is that Rollins relied more on the suspense of what was happening with Henry and Joan, and the mystery behind the native temple. The situation with Henry and Joan was fine, but more of a mystery suspense leg and at the point where Rollins is usually working the clutch and shifting up, he brought in the secret tribe took them in and the action that had gotten going in the lower city/temple, inside the caves, bleed away back into mystery, adventure and suspense.
I’m not saying it was bad. I actually enjoy the mysteries behind Rollins’s stories. I’m just saying that that where other Rollin’s books shift quickly through the gears to overdrive then run till the engine redlines and blows up, this one seemed to have a governor on the engine so it couldn’t get past the max. Sometimes I get the feeling that Rollins books get too revved up, to the point that it’s hard to remember or follow the mystery as it unravels. That wasn’t a problem in this one.
I also think Rollins needs to redefine for us what he believes a “nanobot” is. This isn’t the first time I’ve read about some sort of micro-bot-like organism. I believe he includes a lot of different things and the term “nanobot” refers more to the micro-unit’s function, however
I also found myself going “and then…” as the ancient history mystery unfolded. I’m not sure what I was looking for, because what came out was exciting and fun. Strangely I found the Monks more interesting than the ancient Indians. We never seemed to get their story. I didn’t get the feeling that we ever got the bottom of the monk stories (Yes, I know there’s more to them than monks but I’m spoiler avoiding).
Characters
Start with the good. I loved Joan. It’s not often someone writes in a hot older lady who has enough confidence to seduce a Monk. She reminded me of the Queen classic song “Killer Queen”. She had the old boys fussing and posturing over here from the first day, knew which one she wanted, and still got one of the monks to forget the inquisition and contemplate his commitment to celibacy for a long enough moment she could pocket the stuff needed to escape. She did all her own stunts, used her brain and saved herself, no thank’s to Henry who got her into this.
Henry? What a duefus when it comes to dating? I mean, come on Hank, it’s not like you’ve never gotten to first base with Joan, right? Other than that, he seemed abit like “instant crazy scientist uncle, break glass and add water.”
Sam- can you say Freddy from Scooby-Doo with a Stetson? When it came to girls, I could tell he was related to Henry. I mean, how many times did he blow his chance at smooch? (This is Rollins, he might get more than that, but, not till the adventure’s over. What Rollins book ever takes more than couple of days of story time from start to finish? The Hero rarely gets more than a peck on the cheek and a doughnut. But we can only assume what happens after the epilogue, right?)
Norman—Shaggy from the Scooby gang. Okay, I liked Norman. He had a sense of humor that was funny and never went to far or got on my nerves like Ralph's. I happened to like the way the relationship between Norman and Ralph worked for me. Sure, there it was a little cliché’ but, who the hell cares? I even liked the end…if you think about it, Ralph did the only thing he could do, given his religious beliefs about Norman’s life style, if one of them hat to sacrifice himself, it was Ralph, because, as Ralph would probably believe, Norman would go to hell, so he sacrificed himself…okay, maybe that’s reaching a bit, but it worked for me.
Norman was also a hoot. I liked his sense of humor and I like that Rollins was content to let Norman be the comic relief and didn't let the other characters pile on the funny train. (Norman should have been on “The Big Bang Theory,” except he’d be the only one without Asperger’s Syndrome.)
Maggie… aheeeaaah… yeah. (Danger Prone Daphne from Scooby) Where to feckin’ begin. This is one of the few characters I think Rollins just got wrong. He’s had some that I’ve had to stretch for to stay on the same page. Maggie, was off the chart. Where to begin.
Well, first her language. I have no problem with a potty-mouthed Irish babe, who doesn’t? But, Maggie, should have been Molly, if she’s really from Ireland, probably says “Bloody” more than feckin’. I’m just feckin sayin’. And this business about “I’m from Belfast, I can handle guns and going to school in a war zone left me psychologically scared…she’s like a “fecken red-headed Vietnam Barbie.” And why write her accent in, and leave lonesome Sam the Dove Conklin’s Texas draw-aal out of it? Y’all might wanna think about that.
I usually appreciate someone willing to take a chance to show PTSD and other mental illness. The problem here is, Maggie’s age. At the time she was growing up in Belfast it’s not likely that it was enough of a war zone to warrant the idea that any random child would grow up knowing how to use a rifle. The incident that brought about her PTSD, could have happened anywhere (more school shootings in the US than anywhere) but, it seemed a bit expedient to lump all of Ireland’s bad press in her character concept.
If you ignored the Irishisms, she was feisty, a thinker, a bit needy for my tastes but not for the story and I could manage to enjoy the story. I just think she’s not his best female character ever.
The villains. These guys got short changed. They were actually some of the more interesting Rollins villains, and ones we learned the least about. Rollins also failed to connect, or rather, marry the lone escapee priest in the prologue, to the monks in the story.
So, after reading all of this, you might get the idea that I didn’t like it. Well, if you do, your wrong. Saying that this didn’t have the swift break neck pace other Rollins reads has, is like saying an Indy Car doesn’t accelerate as fast as a stock Car (NASCAR). It doesn’t, believe it or not, but it handles better and it’s top speed is higher. Complaining about stock and two dimensional characters in an action adventure story is like eating an antacid tablet and complaining that it’s chalky. Sure it is, but it works.
This is a 3 to 3.5 star read. If you follow my rating system, you should know that 3 star reads are good reads and recommendable from me. It’s 3 star because it seems like this book was a dry run for the Sigma Force books to come later.
Given all of the things that look like complaints here, you’d think I hated this book. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The writing was good, the plot flowed well, the science was fun, if stretched. The Scooby Gang was likeable, and even though Henry seemed a bit like a “stock disgruntled scientist” he was likeable, even when he was sulking over the probability of a “Closer” than average relationship between Joan and the metallurgist and floundering with the…okay, I’m forty, just fell in love (for all of a week) what do I do now? Stuff going on. (and I loved Joan.)
A mediocre Rollins Novel, in the action adventure genre, is still more fun than most other reads.
Warnings- I could give the usual warnings, but, in truth, there’s very little here, if anything, that YA couldn’t handle. There is violence and guns and that kind of thing, not to mention things that try to eat people. I’ll let you take your chances.
Bottom line- A bit of a dry run for Sigma Force, a bit of two dimensional characters from the Scooby-Doo Show, one psycho Irish babe to many, but it was still a fun read. (I didn’t mention it, but the romance worked for me, though I liked Henry and Joan better than Sam and Maggie.)
What about the action? Well, there was more going on than at a three ringed flea circus at the Westminster Dog show! And of course I can’t talk about them because it would spoil the fun. Yes, I heave a heavy sigh because there’s so much to talk about.
In truth, as much as I liked this, and I liked it a lot, I found the action less exciting than some of the other Rollin’s reads. Don’t misunderstand me, I liked what was in the book, but compared Ice hunt, or Amazonia, it seemed more suspense to build tension, rather than intense action for the first half of the book. As all Rollins books seem to do, the intensity and action from the middle to the end, with a large action sequence coming up about the 80% mark and rolling to the end in typical Rollin’s fashion.
Perhaps the difference here is that Rollins relied more on the suspense of what was happening with Henry and Joan, and the mystery behind the native temple. The situation with Henry and Joan was fine, but more of a mystery suspense leg and at the point where Rollins is usually working the clutch and shifting up, he brought in the secret tribe took them in and the action that had gotten going in the lower city/temple, inside the caves, bleed away back into mystery, adventure and suspense.
I’m not saying it was bad. I actually enjoy the mysteries behind Rollins’s stories. I’m just saying that that where other Rollin’s books shift quickly through the gears to overdrive then run till the engine redlines and blows up, this one seemed to have a governor on the engine so it couldn’t get past the max. Sometimes I get the feeling that Rollins books get too revved up, to the point that it’s hard to remember or follow the mystery as it unravels. That wasn’t a problem in this one.
I also think Rollins needs to redefine for us what he believes a “nanobot” is. This isn’t the first time I’ve read about some sort of micro-bot-like organism. I believe he includes a lot of different things and the term “nanobot” refers more to the micro-unit’s function, however
I also found myself going “and then…” as the ancient history mystery unfolded. I’m not sure what I was looking for, because what came out was exciting and fun. Strangely I found the Monks more interesting than the ancient Indians. We never seemed to get their story. I didn’t get the feeling that we ever got the bottom of the monk stories (Yes, I know there’s more to them than monks but I’m spoiler avoiding).
Characters
Start with the good. I loved Joan. It’s not often someone writes in a hot older lady who has enough confidence to seduce a Monk. She reminded me of the Queen classic song “Killer Queen”. She had the old boys fussing and posturing over here from the first day, knew which one she wanted, and still got one of the monks to forget the inquisition and contemplate his commitment to celibacy for a long enough moment she could pocket the stuff needed to escape. She did all her own stunts, used her brain and saved herself, no thank’s to Henry who got her into this.
Henry? What a duefus when it comes to dating? I mean, come on Hank, it’s not like you’ve never gotten to first base with Joan, right? Other than that, he seemed abit like “instant crazy scientist uncle, break glass and add water.”
Sam- can you say Freddy from Scooby-Doo with a Stetson? When it came to girls, I could tell he was related to Henry. I mean, how many times did he blow his chance at smooch? (This is Rollins, he might get more than that, but, not till the adventure’s over. What Rollins book ever takes more than couple of days of story time from start to finish? The Hero rarely gets more than a peck on the cheek and a doughnut. But we can only assume what happens after the epilogue, right?)
Norman—Shaggy from the Scooby gang. Okay, I liked Norman. He had a sense of humor that was funny and never went to far or got on my nerves like Ralph's. I happened to like the way the relationship between Norman and Ralph worked for me. Sure, there it was a little cliché’ but, who the hell cares? I even liked the end…if you think about it, Ralph did the only thing he could do, given his religious beliefs about Norman’s life style, if one of them hat to sacrifice himself, it was Ralph, because, as Ralph would probably believe, Norman would go to hell, so he sacrificed himself…okay, maybe that’s reaching a bit, but it worked for me.
Norman was also a hoot. I liked his sense of humor and I like that Rollins was content to let Norman be the comic relief and didn't let the other characters pile on the funny train. (Norman should have been on “The Big Bang Theory,” except he’d be the only one without Asperger’s Syndrome.)
Maggie… aheeeaaah… yeah. (Danger Prone Daphne from Scooby) Where to feckin’ begin. This is one of the few characters I think Rollins just got wrong. He’s had some that I’ve had to stretch for to stay on the same page. Maggie, was off the chart. Where to begin.
Well, first her language. I have no problem with a potty-mouthed Irish babe, who doesn’t? But, Maggie, should have been Molly, if she’s really from Ireland, probably says “Bloody” more than feckin’. I’m just feckin sayin’. And this business about “I’m from Belfast, I can handle guns and going to school in a war zone left me psychologically scared…she’s like a “fecken red-headed Vietnam Barbie.” And why write her accent in, and leave lonesome Sam the Dove Conklin’s Texas draw-aal out of it? Y’all might wanna think about that.
I usually appreciate someone willing to take a chance to show PTSD and other mental illness. The problem here is, Maggie’s age. At the time she was growing up in Belfast it’s not likely that it was enough of a war zone to warrant the idea that any random child would grow up knowing how to use a rifle. The incident that brought about her PTSD, could have happened anywhere (more school shootings in the US than anywhere) but, it seemed a bit expedient to lump all of Ireland’s bad press in her character concept.
If you ignored the Irishisms, she was feisty, a thinker, a bit needy for my tastes but not for the story and I could manage to enjoy the story. I just think she’s not his best female character ever.
The villains. These guys got short changed. They were actually some of the more interesting Rollins villains, and ones we learned the least about. Rollins also failed to connect, or rather, marry the lone escapee priest in the prologue, to the monks in the story.
So, after reading all of this, you might get the idea that I didn’t like it. Well, if you do, your wrong. Saying that this didn’t have the swift break neck pace other Rollins reads has, is like saying an Indy Car doesn’t accelerate as fast as a stock Car (NASCAR). It doesn’t, believe it or not, but it handles better and it’s top speed is higher. Complaining about stock and two dimensional characters in an action adventure story is like eating an antacid tablet and complaining that it’s chalky. Sure it is, but it works.
This is a 3 to 3.5 star read. If you follow my rating system, you should know that 3 star reads are good reads and recommendable from me. It’s 3 star because it seems like this book was a dry run for the Sigma Force books to come later.
Given all of the things that look like complaints here, you’d think I hated this book. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The writing was good, the plot flowed well, the science was fun, if stretched. The Scooby Gang was likeable, and even though Henry seemed a bit like a “stock disgruntled scientist” he was likeable, even when he was sulking over the probability of a “Closer” than average relationship between Joan and the metallurgist and floundering with the…okay, I’m forty, just fell in love (for all of a week) what do I do now? Stuff going on. (and I loved Joan.)
A mediocre Rollins Novel, in the action adventure genre, is still more fun than most other reads.
Warnings- I could give the usual warnings, but, in truth, there’s very little here, if anything, that YA couldn’t handle. There is violence and guns and that kind of thing, not to mention things that try to eat people. I’ll let you take your chances.
Bottom line- A bit of a dry run for Sigma Force, a bit of two dimensional characters from the Scooby-Doo Show, one psycho Irish babe to many, but it was still a fun read. (I didn’t mention it, but the romance worked for me, though I liked Henry and Joan better than Sam and Maggie.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2021
ভালো লেগেছে। রেটিং ৩.৫★। যদিও বইটা পড়তে বেশ সময় লেগেছে কিন্তু মজা পেয়েছি পড়ে। অনুবাদ মোটামুটি ভালো, দুর্দান্ত বলা যাবেনা কিন্তু খারাপ লাগেনি।
July 23, 2011
I normally quite like James Rollins' novels, but this one? Not so much.
Although it is in his usual pseudo sci-fi style of writing which I have no problem with, I don't know whether the reason I wasn't really that sold on this one is due to the rather ridiculous (even for him) plot devices used, that fact that it's not one of his Sigma Force novels (best described as scientists with guns) and so lacks that over-reaching plot strands that connects all those novels, or (more likely) that he seems to share the common American misconception of my home town of Belfast as being (almost) a bombed out Beirout. Choice lines include:
"Surviving among the constant gunfire and bombings between the warring Irish factions and the British military had taught Maggie O'Donnell the vlaue of a good hiding place"
"Maggie knew that expression. A childhood friend ... had worn that same shocked face when caught by a stray bullet during a firefight back in Belfast"
"Henry crossed in front of the man and knocked the rifle towards Maggie. 'You know how to use that?' / 'I'm from Belfast' she said, retreiving the gun"
I mean, really? I could understand it a bit better if the book was set during the 70s, or if she was described as being older, but for somebody who I got the impression was meant to be in her 30s?
If this had been the first James Rollins book I had read I don't think I would have bothered with any others! Thankfully, I had the good fortune to read one of his far-superior Sigma Force novels first instead and hope that this is just a momentary blip on his track record - I also read somewhere that this is one of his earlier novels which, perhaps, excuses some of the flimsy plot devices used.
Although it is in his usual pseudo sci-fi style of writing which I have no problem with, I don't know whether the reason I wasn't really that sold on this one is due to the rather ridiculous (even for him) plot devices used, that fact that it's not one of his Sigma Force novels (best described as scientists with guns) and so lacks that over-reaching plot strands that connects all those novels, or (more likely) that he seems to share the common American misconception of my home town of Belfast as being (almost) a bombed out Beirout. Choice lines include:
"Surviving among the constant gunfire and bombings between the warring Irish factions and the British military had taught Maggie O'Donnell the vlaue of a good hiding place"
"Maggie knew that expression. A childhood friend ... had worn that same shocked face when caught by a stray bullet during a firefight back in Belfast"
"Henry crossed in front of the man and knocked the rifle towards Maggie. 'You know how to use that?' / 'I'm from Belfast' she said, retreiving the gun"
I mean, really? I could understand it a bit better if the book was set during the 70s, or if she was described as being older, but for somebody who I got the impression was meant to be in her 30s?
If this had been the first James Rollins book I had read I don't think I would have bothered with any others! Thankfully, I had the good fortune to read one of his far-superior Sigma Force novels first instead and hope that this is just a momentary blip on his track record - I also read somewhere that this is one of his earlier novels which, perhaps, excuses some of the flimsy plot devices used.
February 28, 2011
This book was recommened by one of my students (I teach high school Physics) along with "Fragment" by Warren Fahy. I approached it with the same open mind, but was not nearly as entertained or impressed by the writing. Excavation did have a mildly interesting premise (gold-like silicon-based nanobiotech), but after that, the whole book was a large cliche'. The token black guy died. The requisite homosexual survived impossible odds, managed to stumble into 'miraculous' discoveries, and was one of the heroes. His homosexuality had no purpose in the book other than to make readers read about homosexuals as a character. The main character, a rough cowboy-type named Sam, gets the girl in the end. And so on. The relationships were predictable. The personality types were two dimensional (e.g. the black Southern Baptist hates the homosexual but has a pivotal event where the homosexual saves his life and now they're bffs). Even the Catholic church is, without surprise, the bad guys (at least the sect represented in the book). I'm not defending or bashing any particular group here, I'm pointing out that nothing was a surprise to me. From the Raider's of the Lost Ark trapped tomb to the Davinci Code Catholicism to the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull alien ending, the book was utterly predictable. Even the resurrection of Sam at the end could be seen coming from a mile away, and the potential suspense of Joan's survival or death was wasted.
If you are looking for a book to read because you have nothing else, you'll make it through this one alright. But if you have other choices, you might want to start with those.
If you are looking for a book to read because you have nothing else, you'll make it through this one alright. But if you have other choices, you might want to start with those.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2017
Rather, I should say, "I think I liked it" as I read it while heavily medicated (after a surgery and while in a hospital bed). I remember very little: various factions are somewhere in the jungle looking for something...I assume some kind of treasure. I've read other books by this author which I've enjoyed and this book did help pass the time, so thanks Mr. Rollins as I did need all distractions possible. Oddly, I found myself craving a TRUE archeology adventure, so I am now reading "The Lost City of the Monkey God" by Douglas Preston. So to Mr. Rollins, thanks again for inspiring me to explore a new genre!
March 27, 2018
What an adventure! If the synopsis for this book doesn't intrigue you then nothing I can say will do the trick. I love archaeology mysteries and James Rollins just never disappoints. It's thrilling and educational all at the same time. You learn some new facts about the Incas and their customs while taking you through some "Hold on to your chair" life threatening situations. Mystery addicts, adventure addicts, and those that just love a good book will thoroughly enjoy this one.
September 26, 2021
এল সাঙরে ডেল দায়াবলো বা শয়তানের রক্ত, হারানো ইনকা সভ্যতা, আন্দিজ পর্বতমালার সৌন্দর্য্য, মিথলজির সাথে বিজ্ঞ্যানের মিশ্রণ সমেত উপভোগ্য জার্নি!
March 25, 2022
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
April 23, 2022
Durante lo scavo di quello che dovrebbe essere un antico sito Inca, sulle Ande peruviane, il ritrovamento di un corpo mummificato, nella cui testa viene rinvenuto un materiale dorato misterioso, dà l’avvio ad una fantastica avventura.
Gli ingredienti ci sono tutti: ambientazione straordinaria, protagonisti coraggiosi insidiati dai cattivi di turno, insediamenti a più livelli disseminati di trabocchetti, scoperte strabilianti, sepolcri, creature fantastiche, misteri svelati, colpi di scena a non finire, suspense e adrenalina a piene mani... e tanta, tantissima fantasia (a volte esasperata) a condire il tutto.
Ma attenzione: sotto la scorza della fantasia che accompagna le scoperte archeologiche, ma soprattutto quelle scientifiche, si avverte un fondo di verità, frutto di ricerche accurate. Ho cercato in internet e alcune cosine si sono rivelate molto interessanti... altro che fantasia!
Ok, il solito Rollins... ma quanto mi piace ‘sto Maestro dell’avventura!
🌎 LdM - Sfida 2022: Avventura
🌎 Perù 🇵🇪
✍️ JR
Gli ingredienti ci sono tutti: ambientazione straordinaria, protagonisti coraggiosi insidiati dai cattivi di turno, insediamenti a più livelli disseminati di trabocchetti, scoperte strabilianti, sepolcri, creature fantastiche, misteri svelati, colpi di scena a non finire, suspense e adrenalina a piene mani... e tanta, tantissima fantasia (a volte esasperata) a condire il tutto.
Ma attenzione: sotto la scorza della fantasia che accompagna le scoperte archeologiche, ma soprattutto quelle scientifiche, si avverte un fondo di verità, frutto di ricerche accurate. Ho cercato in internet e alcune cosine si sono rivelate molto interessanti... altro che fantasia!
Ok, il solito Rollins... ma quanto mi piace ‘sto Maestro dell’avventura!
🌎 LdM - Sfida 2022: Avventura
🌎 Perù 🇵🇪
✍️ JR
February 19, 2011
I'm beginning to love James Rollins. He merges the Adventure antics of Clive Cussler (minus the bromance) and the contemporary Sci-Fi Horror found in the best novels by Michael Crichton. I loved his book Subterranean and I enjoyed this book even more. Don't get me wrong - you have to suspend belief a good deal and roll with the popcorn, but it's just a fun and exciting tale. I've been eying Deep Fathom and after this, I'm definitely going to check it out.
While a bit more epic in scope, I believe I also have to draw parallel between Rollins work and that of Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. While their beloved Pendergast Series is more character driven, if you're a fan of any of their stand-alone novels, you'll definitely dig Excavation. (see what I did there?)
While a bit more epic in scope, I believe I also have to draw parallel between Rollins work and that of Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. While their beloved Pendergast Series is more character driven, if you're a fan of any of their stand-alone novels, you'll definitely dig Excavation. (see what I did there?)
October 16, 2018
The plot was just too preposterous for me. It also had awkward romances and a constant stream of threats, dangers, spiders, etc. followed by inevitable escapes. I did not enjoy any of this. The exploding mummy at the very beginning of the book was a nice touch though.
September 26, 2021
Trigger warnings: death, murder, blood, gun violence, explosions, horror elements??
26/9/2021
This book is ridiculous but in a thoroughly enjoyable way. It's 21 years old now and it definitely has its problematic moments. But I always have a lot of fun reading this. So. There's that.
25/1/2014
This book is kind of insane. But in a good way. I think... I mean, I really like the whole idea of an archaeological thriller where there are ancient puzzles to solve or else you die in crazy booby traps and there's a group of evil monks chasing you. That part is all Indiana Jones-esque and lots of fun. I'm on board with the mysterious gold substance that doubles as plastic explosive. The characters are fun (except for Philip, who's a douche), the plot's mostly great and it's pretty exciting stuff.
Where it loses a star for me is in two places: 1. The relationship between Henry and Joan. Sure, they're totes adorbs as the kids are saying these days. But the story tells us that they met at university, dated a little, lost touch, married other people and are now a widower and a divorcee respectively. That's all good. EXCEPT that the book explicitly tells us that Henry had his 60th birthday the previous year and that Joan is 48. Which means that when she started university, he was 30, and it's slightly implausible that they lost touch because he went to a different school to do his Masters. Plus, the idea of them dating when she's a teenager and he's a grown-ass man is kind of creep-tastic.
Anyway, it's a minor quibble but one that I couldn't quite get over this time around. My other issue is a bigger one, and that's the idea of a mysterious gold substance that . That part was hella whack, but still kind of entertaining. So yeah. It's fun, but will sap your suspension of disbelief well quite dramatically.
26/9/2021
This book is ridiculous but in a thoroughly enjoyable way. It's 21 years old now and it definitely has its problematic moments. But I always have a lot of fun reading this. So. There's that.
25/1/2014
This book is kind of insane. But in a good way. I think... I mean, I really like the whole idea of an archaeological thriller where there are ancient puzzles to solve or else you die in crazy booby traps and there's a group of evil monks chasing you. That part is all Indiana Jones-esque and lots of fun. I'm on board with the mysterious gold substance that doubles as plastic explosive. The characters are fun (except for Philip, who's a douche), the plot's mostly great and it's pretty exciting stuff.
Where it loses a star for me is in two places: 1. The relationship between Henry and Joan. Sure, they're totes adorbs as the kids are saying these days. But the story tells us that they met at university, dated a little, lost touch, married other people and are now a widower and a divorcee respectively. That's all good. EXCEPT that the book explicitly tells us that Henry had his 60th birthday the previous year and that Joan is 48. Which means that when she started university, he was 30, and it's slightly implausible that they lost touch because he went to a different school to do his Masters. Plus, the idea of them dating when she's a teenager and he's a grown-ass man is kind of creep-tastic.
Anyway, it's a minor quibble but one that I couldn't quite get over this time around. My other issue is a bigger one, and that's the idea of a mysterious gold substance that . That part was hella whack, but still kind of entertaining. So yeah. It's fun, but will sap your suspension of disbelief well quite dramatically.
September 9, 2015
a outstanding novel. its 2nd book of james rollins as i read. a great bookish Rizwan vai suggested me
once to read. that book amazed me so did this one.
i wish this writer will continuously keep me in the loop.if any body like techno-thriller with historical/fantasy background he/she should give James Rollins a try. happy reading.
cheers!!!
once to read. that book amazed me so did this one.
i wish this writer will continuously keep me in the loop.if any body like techno-thriller with historical/fantasy background he/she should give James Rollins a try. happy reading.
cheers!!!
November 23, 2008
James Rollins has really been filling that archaeological-action-adventure-thriller niche in my library. Although it could be ridiculously melodramatic in places, Excavation was even better than his first book, Subterranean. It spent less time setting things up and practically plunged right into the action and mystery right away. It also rolled along at a brisker pace - I didn't have the need to skim like I did with Subterranean.
Rollins is a fun author; his books aren't high literature, but they're certainly lots of fun. The only downside is that his characters only exist for the action. I'd love it if he could come up with some memorable characters like Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child do in their collaborations.
Rollins is a fun author; his books aren't high literature, but they're certainly lots of fun. The only downside is that his characters only exist for the action. I'd love it if he could come up with some memorable characters like Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child do in their collaborations.
September 25, 2011
James Rollins is one author whose laundry list might also become a best-seller (if he pursues it), and the reasons were pretty obvious to readers like us who had read him when he were only marking his presence. This novel was a "winner" right from the first page, and when it finally concluded (with sufficient hints that may be elongated into a sequel at a later phase) like many other readers I had also realised that I had been holding my breath for some time. It is a very good read (Rollins' usual high standard), and might make several readers keenly interested in the history of South America and its bloody colonisation by the Spaniards & the Portugese. But overall, the book supremely succeeds in achieving its aim: it remains heck of a story even after re-reads. Recommended.
March 14, 2018
Tannaz Forouhar:
"همه مردم اختیار دارند پروفسور کالکین. همین اختیار ما رو نجات می ده یا نابود می کنه."( ویرانه های معبد- جیمز رولینز- انتشارات تندیس)
"همه مردم اختیار دارند پروفسور کالکین. همین اختیار ما رو نجات می ده یا نابود می کنه."( ویرانه های معبد- جیمز رولینز- انتشارات تندیس)
December 20, 2020
বেশ ভালো কিছু হইতে পারতো, কিন্তু রলিন্স মাইন্ড ওয়েভের বালসাল ঢুকানোর লোভ সামলাইতে পারলো না দেখে হইলো না।
January 29, 2021
বড্ডো কল্পকাহিনী হয়েগেছে
August 3, 2013
Excavation By James Rollins Smoothie Review
James Rollin is the a master of treasure hunting, tomb raiding adventures as Ludlum is to spy novels and as Crichton is to science fiction. It is a bit of a tall claim. But this is my fourth book I’ve read by him and so far it proves to be true. He has not proven me wrong with the exception of the Sigma force novels. So now I’m about knee deep into the James Rollins novels and the latest adventure is called Excavation.
So what is it about? It centers on a professor and his nephew. The professor just found a mummy from the jungles of Chili and is sure that it is proof of a civilization that predates the Inca. But he finds that it is actually a Spanish priest. As he looked further he also finds that the skull of the priest is filled with liquid gold. Upon this discovery a secret society of Spanish monks take him hostage because they are searching for this rare gold that they call “the blood of the devil,” because with it they believe they can build the vessel so god can come to earth. The professor’s nephew is Sam, who is with a team of student archaeologists down in the Andes. They have just discovered a new temple in the side of a mountain. They are accidentally trapped in it as it crumbles during a attack from tomb robbers. The temple into the mountain goes to the source of the “blood of the devil,” And it is no surprise that in and professor Conklin’s and Sam’s path intertwine.
So the good? After reading Ice Hunt, and Deep Fathom, I was relieved to not see the military or army of kind as a big factor. Its much simpler. The team is stuck inside living on limited supplies, facing cave dwelling creatures and booby traps as Conklin’s side foreshadow things to come and reveal secrets behind the temple. Action is fun. The story is also one of the oddest. So it is unpredictable.
The bad? It is very similar to Rollins other book Subterranean. In more ways than one. At one point I thought I was re reading a old book. So there is nothing new or groundbreaking here except for the of off the wall scifi twist at the end. I also felt for the first time in a Rollin’s book, the characters were shallow. They felt like cardboard cut outs to me.
But overall it’s a fun read. The end may be silly but its still fine. If you like adventure novels. I most definitely recommend this one.
P.S. If you like books then check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/
James Rollin is the a master of treasure hunting, tomb raiding adventures as Ludlum is to spy novels and as Crichton is to science fiction. It is a bit of a tall claim. But this is my fourth book I’ve read by him and so far it proves to be true. He has not proven me wrong with the exception of the Sigma force novels. So now I’m about knee deep into the James Rollins novels and the latest adventure is called Excavation.
So what is it about? It centers on a professor and his nephew. The professor just found a mummy from the jungles of Chili and is sure that it is proof of a civilization that predates the Inca. But he finds that it is actually a Spanish priest. As he looked further he also finds that the skull of the priest is filled with liquid gold. Upon this discovery a secret society of Spanish monks take him hostage because they are searching for this rare gold that they call “the blood of the devil,” because with it they believe they can build the vessel so god can come to earth. The professor’s nephew is Sam, who is with a team of student archaeologists down in the Andes. They have just discovered a new temple in the side of a mountain. They are accidentally trapped in it as it crumbles during a attack from tomb robbers. The temple into the mountain goes to the source of the “blood of the devil,” And it is no surprise that in and professor Conklin’s and Sam’s path intertwine.
So the good? After reading Ice Hunt, and Deep Fathom, I was relieved to not see the military or army of kind as a big factor. Its much simpler. The team is stuck inside living on limited supplies, facing cave dwelling creatures and booby traps as Conklin’s side foreshadow things to come and reveal secrets behind the temple. Action is fun. The story is also one of the oddest. So it is unpredictable.
The bad? It is very similar to Rollins other book Subterranean. In more ways than one. At one point I thought I was re reading a old book. So there is nothing new or groundbreaking here except for the of off the wall scifi twist at the end. I also felt for the first time in a Rollin’s book, the characters were shallow. They felt like cardboard cut outs to me.
But overall it’s a fun read. The end may be silly but its still fine. If you like adventure novels. I most definitely recommend this one.
P.S. If you like books then check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/
September 22, 2020
So... As all thrillers they start the same with a little introduction usually regarding the mystery in the blurb of the novel. Then we are introduced to all characters. Always going forward and then adversity appears. Then the bad guys appear - usually in the beginning they are that bad - they are hidden. Then the plot advances and they discover something ah and then the bad guys unveil their Machiavelli plan. And go we go and battles ensure the all plot is unveil with all the mystery "AHH!" and the bad guys lose and good guys without that much loses.
Basically this is all thrillers and this is no different.
Everysingle character (good guys) are perfect human beings. Okay Ralph (the black) is a bit homophobic but he has an answer - his family is very christian so he learn that way. BUT no problem he sacrificies himself for the gay character.
What about the women? Well she also has a excuse - she was born in northern ireland so of course she excused - I laugh when they throw a gun at her and "of course I can handle - I was born in nothern ireland" oh my - didn't know it was like texas or something like that. Of course there were IRA but no all people work with guns
What about the main character? Oh my is so perfect that even dies... and his reborn again! and gets the girl! oh yeah
Even the old uncle gets a girl.
Enfin... weak plot about Incas. I expected something different. But then it got "aliens" and some weird stuff that nobody see except incas and the conquistadors but everyone shut up about it...
And the bad guys you ask?
Basically this is all thrillers and this is no different.
Everysingle character (good guys) are perfect human beings. Okay Ralph (the black) is a bit homophobic but he has an answer - his family is very christian so he learn that way. BUT no problem he sacrificies himself for the gay character.
What about the women? Well she also has a excuse - she was born in northern ireland so of course she excused - I laugh when they throw a gun at her and "of course I can handle - I was born in nothern ireland" oh my - didn't know it was like texas or something like that. Of course there were IRA but no all people work with guns
What about the main character? Oh my is so perfect that even dies... and his reborn again! and gets the girl! oh yeah
Even the old uncle gets a girl.
Enfin... weak plot about Incas. I expected something different. But then it got "aliens" and some weird stuff that nobody see except incas and the conquistadors but everyone shut up about it...
And the bad guys you ask?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2018
This is my second James Rollins book and from what I remember of the last book I read of his (Subterranean), this feels like the same exact story. In fact, the author describes the setting as "Subterranean" multiple times throughout this novel so really you could probably interchange the titles of the two books I read and it wouldn't matter.
I'm convinced Rollins is a solid writer because he's got so many books out there at my local B & N and his books tend to get pretty good overall review scores here on this site. I think I might be going about things the wrong way by reading Rollins' books in order of when they were released. Maybe his writing gets a lot better as you go, but so far these first two book I read were a tad disappointing. They start strong and promising, but contain weak characters who you really could care less about and by page 500 you're happy to be finished. It's basically an Indiana Jones type story (main character has a hat, a female love interest and a kid that saves his butt multiple times) that consists of action after action scene filled with just over the top scenarios with no breaks in between. Sounds great right? Well it has it's moments...just needs better characters and maybe LESS action to make the action that's there more interesting and exciting.
I've got one more Rollins book sitting on my shelf to read at some point, but something tells me it will just be more of the same. Let's hope not.
I'm convinced Rollins is a solid writer because he's got so many books out there at my local B & N and his books tend to get pretty good overall review scores here on this site. I think I might be going about things the wrong way by reading Rollins' books in order of when they were released. Maybe his writing gets a lot better as you go, but so far these first two book I read were a tad disappointing. They start strong and promising, but contain weak characters who you really could care less about and by page 500 you're happy to be finished. It's basically an Indiana Jones type story (main character has a hat, a female love interest and a kid that saves his butt multiple times) that consists of action after action scene filled with just over the top scenarios with no breaks in between. Sounds great right? Well it has it's moments...just needs better characters and maybe LESS action to make the action that's there more interesting and exciting.
I've got one more Rollins book sitting on my shelf to read at some point, but something tells me it will just be more of the same. Let's hope not.
July 21, 2012
I love a good adventure novel, and James Rollins is on the cutting edge of the modern action thriller that pits man/woman against some strange discovery and throws them into seemingly unwinnable situations, only to see them (most of them at least) come out the other side on the basis of wit and skill alone. "Excavation" is the type of novel I can't turn down -- jungle adventure, ruins exploration, and intrigue. Yes, I know a million-and-one people think "Indiana Jones" any time you mention such things these days, but the annals of pulp fiction are full of the types of stories that inspired Indiana Jones. Honestly, as a fan of pulp fiction, I find Rollins to be a real master of resurrecting its best features, and presenting them to a new audience with just enough scientific facts to make his stories seem like they could really happen.
This book takes you into the jungles of South America, high in the Andes, where an ancient mummy of strange attributes has been discovered. Also -- a temple beneath the Earth beckons the explorers deeper into its heart of mystery. There's seldom a dull moment in this book, and I found myself reading longer than I'd intended whenever I sat down to peek at its pages. The ending was great, if a little predictable in parts, but well worth the time spent. Rollins is a good writer and "Excavation" is escapism near its top form.
This book takes you into the jungles of South America, high in the Andes, where an ancient mummy of strange attributes has been discovered. Also -- a temple beneath the Earth beckons the explorers deeper into its heart of mystery. There's seldom a dull moment in this book, and I found myself reading longer than I'd intended whenever I sat down to peek at its pages. The ending was great, if a little predictable in parts, but well worth the time spent. Rollins is a good writer and "Excavation" is escapism near its top form.
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