Sandstorm: A Sigma Force Novel by James Rollins Series: Sigma Force #1
Published by HarperCollins, William Morrow on June 29, 2004
Genres: Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Pages: 463
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal Copy
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A heart-stopping novel of adventure and suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins—the first in his critically acclaimed Sigma Force series
A freak explosion in the British Museum in London ignites a perilous race for an earth-shaking power source buried deep beneath the sands of history. Painter Crowe is an agent for Sigma Force, a covert arm of the Defense Department tasked with keeping dangerous scientific discoveries out of enemy hands. When an ancient artifact points the way toward the legendary “Atlantis of the Sands,” Painter must travel across the world in search of the lost city–and a destructive power beyond imagining.
But Painter has competition. A band of ruthless mercenaries, led by a former friend and ally, are also intent on claiming the prize, and they will destroy anyone who gets in their way. Ancient history collides with cutting-edge science–with the safety of the world at stake.
Review
Let’s talk about explosions. Sandstorm starts with a big one at London’s British Museum, and James Rollins never really takes his foot off the gas after that. This book is what you’d get if you crossed Indiana Jones with Nikola Tesla and gave them a black ops budget.
The story follows Painter Crowe (yes, that’s his real name) and museum curator Safia Al-Maaz as they tear across Arabia chasing an ancient power source that could either save the world or blow it to bits. Crowe works for Sigma Force – think Navy SEALS with PhDs – while Safia brings the historical know-how and a personal stake that makes you actually care what happens to these people.
Rollins writes like someone who’s never heard of writer’s block. The pages practically turn themselves as he throws his characters from one impossibly tense situation to another. But here’s the thing: as wild as it gets (and it gets pretty wild), Rollins’ background as a vet shows through in the way he grounds even the craziest science in reality. You’ll find yourself Googling stuff afterward, wondering “Wait, is that actually possible?”
The desert itself becomes a character, and Rollins makes you feel every grain of sand. His action sequences hit hard – they’re blockbuster-worthy without feeling cartoonish. Sure, there’s a love triangle that feels about as necessary as a sunburn, and some plot twists you’ll see coming from a mile away. But when the rest of the ride is this good, who cares?
If you like your thrillers smart but not pretentious, Sandstorm delivers. It’s the perfect gateway drug to the Sigma Force series, mixing historical mysteries, cutting-edge science, and enough adrenaline to power a small city. Michael Crichton fans, this one’s for you.
Bottom line: Sandstorm is a rocket-powered start to a series that proves brains and brawn aren’t mutually exclusive. Pack this one for your next flight – just don’t expect to get any sleep.
