The Eternity Code: A page-turning archeological thriller with a twist

by Robert Rapoza

An archeological action thriller where a former Special Forces operative races across continents to uncover an ancient secret, blending lost legends, cutting-edge science, and globe-trotting adventure in a high-stakes fight for humanity’s future.

A forgotten legend. A missing scientist. A discovery that could change humanity forever.

When respected archeologist Francisco Andrade is violently abducted, his former protégé, Dr. Nick Randall, is pulled into a race that spans continents and centuries. The only clue left behind is a cryptic artifact tied to an ancient the Fountain of Youth.

What begins as a desperate rescue mission soon spirals into something far more dangerous.

From the jungles of South America to hidden caves in the Caribbean and the shadowed corridors of global power, Randall and an elite covert team uncover evidence that the legend may be real. Buried within it is a biological secret modern science is finally capable of unlocking. A discovery that could extend human life. Or end it.

As rival forces close in—ruthless mercenaries, powerful corporate interests, and those willing to kill for control of eternity—the hunt turns lethal. Everyone wants the secret. Few care about the cost.

With time running out and enemies closing in from every direction, Randall must decipher a code hidden for centuries before it falls into the wrong hands. Every step closer to the truth brings him closer to a choice that could reshape the future of humanity.

The Eternity Code is the fifth novel in the Nick Randall series, blending archeological mystery, high-stakes science, and global adventure, perfect for fans of James Rollins, Steve Berry, and Clive Cussler.

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

Robert Rapoza is the award-winning author of the Nick Randall archeological thriller series. Described as a cross between the works of Dan Brown and Indiana Jones, his action-packed thrillers keep readers riveted from beginning to end. Tommy Howell from Readers Favorite calls protagonist Nick Randall “A statesman and action hero worthy of Pierce Brosnan or Liam Neeson.”

His latest series features Jake Stone, a former Marine Raider turned CIA operative, dismissed after refusing to follow an order that crossed a line he wouldn’t compromise. Now operating in the shadows as part of Nemesis—an off-the-books covert unit that officially doesn’t exist—Stone and his team serve as America’s last line of defense against enemies, both external and internal. God’s Eye and State of Betrayal are now available, and fans describe our new hero as “Take Jack Reacher with a dash of Jack Ryan and a twist of Jason Bourne and you have Jake Stone.”


Find Robert Rapoza on Facebook and Twitter and sign-up for The Randall Report to learn about appearances, events and chances to win autographed books and other great prizes at http://www.robertrapoza.com/contact/.

Reviews

[Amanda McKendree]

This book was absolutely awesome. Look out, Dan Brown - you've got competition!!
Grabs you from the very beginning and takes you on an exciting adventure with a wonderful lead protagonist and supporting characters. So well written, I could see this playing out in my head as I was reading along. This would make one action-packed movie!

Not to mention the amazing historical aspects the writer incorporates into their adventures. Absolutely well done.

[Mirjana]

From page one, you’re thrust into a world of ancient treasures, and I don’t think any book has ever required my imaginary passport as much as this one. The pacing is spot on, and I loved how vividly the author describes each location—it really pulls you in and makes you feel like you’re traveling alongside the characters.

This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in treasures, action, and a very unexpected twist. The characters are well written, and the story stays engaging all the way to the end. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action, treasure hunting, and a lot of globe-trotting adventure—so don’t forget your book passport.

A truly fun and immersive read.

[Martin Herrmann]

Wonderful thriller

Throughly enjoyed this short novel and I frequently found myself googling places and Templars history. Characters held together and it was nice to see they were human. Can't wait to read more about Nick Randall and his adventures!

[Rawhi Omar]

Informative Thriller

Very captivating but also full of intriguing information about World history and geography. Some writing skill effort could have been made to make the stories flow much more smoothly . Certainly entertaining.

[Joe Cochran]

The Eternity Code by Robert Rapoza was a so‑so read for me, landing squarely at three stars. It’s fast‑paced and full of action, which kept me turning the pages, but a lot of the plot beats felt predictable. I could usually see where twists were headed, and that took away some of the tension that an action/adventure story really needs.

One of the bigger distractions for me was bringing Nick’s daughter into the story. Her involvement didn’t feel like it added much real value to the plot or character development; instead, it came across as an unnecessary complication rather than an emotional anchor. Rather than deepening the stakes, it pulled me out of the main narrative.

Overall, this was just a middling action/adventure book for me. The ingredients are there—danger, secrets, and a race against time—but they never quite come together in a satisfying way, especially toward the ending. By the time I reached the final chapters, the resolution felt more rushed than earned, leaving me with the impression of a story that had potential but never fully delivered on it.

[Kathy]

Nick has been contacted by his old friend General Flores to find another friend that had been abducted - Father Francisco, a professor now. When he gets to his office, it appears he was on the trail of the Fountain of Youth. They are attacked and now Nick is abducted by someone else. It is obvious there are two groups interested in the research of the Padre.

It is very confusing about who is on what side and some parts come out that are from an unscrupulous person. At that point they are unknown and you really start to wonder who is the bad guy and why? Someone is doing some terrible experiments and seem to be on this trail for a specific item.

There are many unexpected twists to this story and it will keep your interest.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sally Westleigh]

Having received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author, here's my honest review.
It is a fast paced novel that I thoroughly enjoyed! First, the book begins with two men kidnapped...a scientist forced to assist in an unbelievably horrific experiment, and a. archeologist to locate a religious relic needed to complete the experiment. Then begins the chase to find and rescue these men and stop the mastermind from completing her experiment and unleashing its horrors.
I enjoyed the twists and turns in this story as well as its historical aspects, and would highly recommend it to all adventure-loving readers.

[J.]

The Eternity Code is a thriller following archaeological clues to an ancient relic. When a friend of Prof. Nick Randall is kidnapped, he is asked for his assistance to track down the missing man. The key is his search for a relic, believed to have special powers. A race between the group who want to use the relic for evil and the groups who want to stop that begins. When Prof. Randall is taken hostage, too, his daughter is brought in to help, much to Nick’s dismay.
Filled with action, suspense, and history, this was a fun read. It also works well as a stand-alone, as I have not read the previous novels in this series.
Thanks to Book Sirens for the ARC.

[Doug]

Modern Indiana Jones meets the X-Files. Well-paced story with some twists, although the main one isn't really that much of a surprise. Characters lack a lot of depth, but the story drives the plot so it doesn't really detract from the overall effect. Part of a series, which I plan to read more of. Would recommend.

[Maureen Horswell]

Brilliant, brilliant book. Fast paced with twists and turns.trying to stop a megalomaniac from taking over the world. Randell ends up being kidnapped , supposedly to help save the world.
His daughter was captured, and Randell is furious as he was promised that if he helped the government his children would be safe.

[Laura]

The Eternity Code can stand alone (good thing, as I jumped into the middle of the series) but I'm sure the various characters will have even more impact if you've gone along for the ride from the very beginning.

For a first introduction to Robert Rapoza and Nick Randall, The Eternity Code hits the sweet spot. High-stakes adventure with elements of a thriller, TEC exceeded my expectations for the story. I wasn't sure what I was getting into - would I even want to finish it, if it follows the gratuitous nature of so many adventure thrillers where the author feels obligated (for some unbeknownst reason) to include gratuitous violence and cursing.

TEC kept the graphic violence to a minimum and the language stayed clean. Yes, there were a few curses but no f-bombs (THANK YOU) and the cursing was appropriate as opposed to just generating word count.

I'd highly recommend TEC to anyone looking for a clean, adventurous thriller that keeps you engaged without terrorizing your sleep.

I received an ARC; this review is my own.