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Charlotte Hennesey #2
The Sacred Blood
Secrets, miracles, prophecies, and the threat of Armageddon intertwine in this riveting sequel to the international bestseller "The Sacred Bones"
When American geneticist Charlotte Hennesey examined what she believed were the bones of Jesus, the Vatican tried to stop word of her discovery from spreading. Now her proof has vanished.
But the bones were just the beginning. In her tests, Charlotte discovers that the DNA extracted from the bones contains miraculous powers. Dying from cancer, the determined scientist uses herself as a human guinea pig to astonishing results. When she injects herself with this miracle DNA, the bone cancer that is slowly killing her doesn't just go into remission, it vanishes completely. It seems the DNA has the ability to repair damaged genes, to heal the sick, to cure incurable diseases. And much to her surprise, Charlotte discovers that now she possesses these very powers.
But someone wants those bones--and Charlotte. Rabbi Aaron Cohen--a descendent of the biblical Aaron and the high priests of the long-destroyed Temple in Jerusalem--foresees a time when Jerusalem's Temple Mount is cleared of the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque and replaced with the Third Temple. And for Cohen, that time is now. Cohen's family has been the guardian of the Ark of the Covenant for many years and he is ready to retrieve the Ark from its hiding place and bring it back to Jerusalem to unleash its awesome power. He has only one problem--he cannot touch the Ark because his bloodline isn't pure. Charlotte, her blood now purified by Jesus Christ's own DNA, is kidnapped and brought to Israel in order to open the Ark.
Cohen's dangerous plan doesn't go unnoticed, however. When Israeli archaeologist Amit Mizrachi--digging in the Qumran cave area where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947--uncovers a mysterious Egyptian hieroglyph in a hidden and previously undiscovered room, he brings in noted Egyptologist Julie LeRoux to interpret it for him. Their romantically charged sparring leads them on a quest to unravel the mystery, and when the bullets start to fly, they know they are onto something huge.
As Cohen puts his plan into action, the Muslim keepers of the mosques on Temple Mount are outraged. Will this be the act that leads to vast armies meeting on the hills of the town named Megiddo causing a global Armageddon?
When American geneticist Charlotte Hennesey examined what she believed were the bones of Jesus, the Vatican tried to stop word of her discovery from spreading. Now her proof has vanished.
But the bones were just the beginning. In her tests, Charlotte discovers that the DNA extracted from the bones contains miraculous powers. Dying from cancer, the determined scientist uses herself as a human guinea pig to astonishing results. When she injects herself with this miracle DNA, the bone cancer that is slowly killing her doesn't just go into remission, it vanishes completely. It seems the DNA has the ability to repair damaged genes, to heal the sick, to cure incurable diseases. And much to her surprise, Charlotte discovers that now she possesses these very powers.
But someone wants those bones--and Charlotte. Rabbi Aaron Cohen--a descendent of the biblical Aaron and the high priests of the long-destroyed Temple in Jerusalem--foresees a time when Jerusalem's Temple Mount is cleared of the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque and replaced with the Third Temple. And for Cohen, that time is now. Cohen's family has been the guardian of the Ark of the Covenant for many years and he is ready to retrieve the Ark from its hiding place and bring it back to Jerusalem to unleash its awesome power. He has only one problem--he cannot touch the Ark because his bloodline isn't pure. Charlotte, her blood now purified by Jesus Christ's own DNA, is kidnapped and brought to Israel in order to open the Ark.
Cohen's dangerous plan doesn't go unnoticed, however. When Israeli archaeologist Amit Mizrachi--digging in the Qumran cave area where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947--uncovers a mysterious Egyptian hieroglyph in a hidden and previously undiscovered room, he brings in noted Egyptologist Julie LeRoux to interpret it for him. Their romantically charged sparring leads them on a quest to unravel the mystery, and when the bullets start to fly, they know they are onto something huge.
As Cohen puts his plan into action, the Muslim keepers of the mosques on Temple Mount are outraged. Will this be the act that leads to vast armies meeting on the hills of the town named Megiddo causing a global Armageddon?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
79 people are currently reading
1740 people want to read
About the author
Michael Byrnes
16 books92 followersMichael Byrnes is the internationally bestselling author of The Sacred Bones, The Sacred Blood, and the The Genesis Plague. Bounty is his latest novel. Mike earned his undergraduate degree from Montclair State University and his MBA from Rutgers University. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 20, 2010
An equivalent rival to the Dan Brown's novels.
October 13, 2008
There must be a particular sub-genre of the action-adventure novel, one that relies on a discovery from antiquity that has real-world implications for power in the 21st century, or that upends hundreds or thousands of years of presumed wisdom. Surely the top of this heap is The DaVinci Codes. Righteous Men by Sam Bourne and Map of Bones by James Rollins pop to mind. There are many others. In this one, an ossuary is discovered under the Temple Mount. Could the bones found there in be those of Jesus?
Vatican operatives, a New York-born Hassidic leader in Israel, an attractive American geneticist, an Israeli and French archaeologist all vie to unveil the truth. This is set in a political context as well. What impact might the potential or real discoveries have on politics in the region. Armageddon is mentioned. This is a fun, by the numbers adventure. The characters are as thin as the paper you read, but then characterization is not the point here. Fun, speed, things blowing up, people shooting guns, exotic venues, ancient mystery, volatile contemporary politics all figure here. Characters are merely the delivery mechanisms. It is a page-turner, one that offers a bit of payload regarding Middle East history, biblical research, genetics and will be forgotten within minutes of completion. Candy for the brain. As long as you recognize this sort of product for what it is, that’s fine. It does its job well. But if you are looking for anything literary or substantial, this would leave you wanting.
Vatican operatives, a New York-born Hassidic leader in Israel, an attractive American geneticist, an Israeli and French archaeologist all vie to unveil the truth. This is set in a political context as well. What impact might the potential or real discoveries have on politics in the region. Armageddon is mentioned. This is a fun, by the numbers adventure. The characters are as thin as the paper you read, but then characterization is not the point here. Fun, speed, things blowing up, people shooting guns, exotic venues, ancient mystery, volatile contemporary politics all figure here. Characters are merely the delivery mechanisms. It is a page-turner, one that offers a bit of payload regarding Middle East history, biblical research, genetics and will be forgotten within minutes of completion. Candy for the brain. As long as you recognize this sort of product for what it is, that’s fine. It does its job well. But if you are looking for anything literary or substantial, this would leave you wanting.
November 16, 2020
A good engaging thriller that blends the elements of myth, history, religion, and some sociopolitical and ideological commentary on the diverse things that the story tackles with. It is an interesting take on Judaism and the Biblical Ark of the Covenant in a Dan Brown manner, but without the garrulous info dumping, and is more entertaining as a mystery/thriller story. The writing style is also lucid and quite better from the detached emotionless style of Brown. I enjoyed reading it.
Byrnes gives us enough facts and history mixed with his own speculative take on the matter. He doesn't try to over rationalize things, and keeps some of the magic intact while dealing with the legend and myth of Christ and the Ark. At the mean time, he also tries to look at things with an scientific outlook, but also leaves a sense of wonder and incredulity in matters of faith and belief. It was a plus point for me as a reader, that Byrnes balanced the mundane and the extraordinaire without affecting the story. I liked the way he has explored the Egyptian link between Judaism and Christanity, and the modern political consequences regarding the age old conflict of faiths, beliefs, and religion.
The characters were also well written. The zealot Rabbi, the inquisitive archaeologist, the messiah geneticist with miraculous and strange powers, are characters who will remain in my memory. I loved the quiet ending after the explosive action. It was just perfect. I read this without reading the first book, which definitely has some connection with the plot, but, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story much. Readers who want a book with religious/mystery elements should definitely pick this up.
Byrnes gives us enough facts and history mixed with his own speculative take on the matter. He doesn't try to over rationalize things, and keeps some of the magic intact while dealing with the legend and myth of Christ and the Ark. At the mean time, he also tries to look at things with an scientific outlook, but also leaves a sense of wonder and incredulity in matters of faith and belief. It was a plus point for me as a reader, that Byrnes balanced the mundane and the extraordinaire without affecting the story. I liked the way he has explored the Egyptian link between Judaism and Christanity, and the modern political consequences regarding the age old conflict of faiths, beliefs, and religion.
The characters were also well written. The zealot Rabbi, the inquisitive archaeologist, the messiah geneticist with miraculous and strange powers, are characters who will remain in my memory. I loved the quiet ending after the explosive action. It was just perfect. I read this without reading the first book, which definitely has some connection with the plot, but, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the story much. Readers who want a book with religious/mystery elements should definitely pick this up.
January 27, 2012
As part of my goal to finish all my physical books I finally picked up the sequel to The Sacred Bones. Picking up where the last book left off geneticist Charlotte Hennesey is once again drawn into the middle of a conflict between major religions, though this time the focus is on Jerusalem not Rome and between the Jews and Muslims.
I preferred the other main character, Amit, more than Charlotte. I wish there had been more about him and I hope he gets his own book. Overall though this book just felt more of the same. The ending was rather predictable. Just once I'd like to see them take it in a completely different direction.
A quick read I wouldn't recommend it without reading the first book.
I preferred the other main character, Amit, more than Charlotte. I wish there had been more about him and I hope he gets his own book. Overall though this book just felt more of the same. The ending was rather predictable. Just once I'd like to see them take it in a completely different direction.
A quick read I wouldn't recommend it without reading the first book.
February 25, 2011
This is a retelling of the story of the death of Jesus, what happened to his bones, the Ark of The Covenant and 2000 year old prophecies which brings it all together in modern Jerusalem. Remembering that this is fiction of course this is not a bad read right up to the end. The ending was very disappointing and took the conventional path that big events don't actually happen and evil doers are always thwarted at the end, especially when it comes to world changing events. But in this case the evil doers weren't really all that evil, just misguided and side tracked. And then days later it was as if nothing had happened.
Apart from the ending I enjoyed this.
Apart from the ending I enjoyed this.
December 27, 2014
Eh.
Where I thought the first book fell in line with plenty of other good old fashioned Indiana Jones type stories, this one fell flat.
It kind of got weird and introduced a whole 'nother plot line that wasn't touched on in the first book and felt like an afterthought. Maybe it wasn't, it was all planned out before he put pen to paper with this series, but it felt tacked on. Like maybe because the first book had some success (I'm assuming?) he thought to capitalize on it with this sequel. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just that I would prefer an entirely new idea as opposed to a random and chaotic sequel to an idea.
But maybe this is your kind of thing and you'll love it. I hope so, because everyone should have a thing to love no matter what other people may think of it. It's not my thing, but I've got my own thing. You go do you, and I'll be happy over here being me. Probably without reading this one again, unless I hold onto it and forget how I felt about it this time around. Which is entirely plausible.
Where I thought the first book fell in line with plenty of other good old fashioned Indiana Jones type stories, this one fell flat.
It kind of got weird and introduced a whole 'nother plot line that wasn't touched on in the first book and felt like an afterthought. Maybe it wasn't, it was all planned out before he put pen to paper with this series, but it felt tacked on. Like maybe because the first book had some success (I'm assuming?) he thought to capitalize on it with this sequel. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just that I would prefer an entirely new idea as opposed to a random and chaotic sequel to an idea.
But maybe this is your kind of thing and you'll love it. I hope so, because everyone should have a thing to love no matter what other people may think of it. It's not my thing, but I've got my own thing. You go do you, and I'll be happy over here being me. Probably without reading this one again, unless I hold onto it and forget how I felt about it this time around. Which is entirely plausible.
August 9, 2009
This was exciting from the very start. A genetecist gets involved with examining bones found in Jerusalem, which might be the bones of Jesus. Finding out she has cancer, her fiance injects her with the dna from the bones, and she finds she obtains certain qualities from this. This story involves the Vatican, who of course are all involved in trying to stop these findings, a Rabbi who's intentions are not so honorable, an archaelogist & a young priest. This was a good book.
February 25, 2010
This is book is similar to DaVinci Code. It keep me turning the next page and at times I couldn't put it down. Not as quite as good as DaVinci. Didn't like the unclimatic ending. But it was a good read.
June 15, 2009
Fast pcked action fully recommend and he finished the book and ties all the loose ends. A Goodread
September 14, 2012
good almost as good as first book. Slow at points but overall very satisfying
March 27, 2025
THE SACRED BLOOD by Michael Byrnes -- This is the second book in a two-volume series, the first being THE SACRED BONES. While the first volume can be read as a stand-alone, there is much in the second volume that really needs volume one as a previous read. In the sequel, the same characters and some plot is continued from the first volume, but with several fascinating and page-turning elements. There is a powerful Jewish family directly descended from Abraham, Moses, and David that is working to bring about a Third Jewish Temple, Armageddon, and the return of the Messiah. There are Jewish and Islamic terrorists, the discovery of lost scrolls and The Ark of the Covenant, the transmission of Jesus' blood and miraculous healing power, and a heart-stopping blend of archeology, history, science, and religion. This is exciting story-telling.
March 27, 2021
I learnt a great deal about the reverence with which The Temple Mount is felt by both Jews and Muslims, and have a bit better understanding of why they each want to have ownership. I could, however, have done with a map or diagram of the area as it was quite difficult to follow where everyone was as the action there was taking place. It was confusing at times trying to follow the geography of the area. The main premise of the story was interesting, revolving around the Tribe of Aaron and their responsibilities, but certain aspects of the story left my mind a little too stretched. It did finish with some challenging questions unanswered, but perhaps taking things any further would have been too much.
January 3, 2021
The first few of this genre were interesting. Now they are getting both dull and silly.
The author or his advisors are clearly trying to keep to a thin line between pleasing those Christians who like to see their faith's history and doctrines used this way and upsetting those who find such treatment of (to them) sacred topics to be undignified, offensive or blasphemous, while at the same time writing a thriller that will appeal to the non-Christian brought up with a vaguely Christian education or background. The end result is that all the action tends to fizzle out towards the end to avoid any blasphemous conclusions.
The author or his advisors are clearly trying to keep to a thin line between pleasing those Christians who like to see their faith's history and doctrines used this way and upsetting those who find such treatment of (to them) sacred topics to be undignified, offensive or blasphemous, while at the same time writing a thriller that will appeal to the non-Christian brought up with a vaguely Christian education or background. The end result is that all the action tends to fizzle out towards the end to avoid any blasphemous conclusions.
January 25, 2024
It is difficult to write a review without dealing with the plot. The theme of the book is very interesting, considering the present (Jan2024) turmoil in the middle east and the flaring of long held hatreds between Muslim, Jew and Christian. So I found the idea intriguing. What I did find a bit off-putting was the skipping backwards and forwards between different sets of characters. This made the story feel, at times, like a film script, one of things I really disliked about the DaVinci code et al. I did not read the first book (Sacred Bones) but found there were enough references in this to make it not a problem. An interesting read.
June 4, 2018
Charlotte is kidnapped and taken to Israel because a Rabbi needs her blood line which was made pure when she injected DNA from the bones of who she believes was Jesus into her blood stream to cure herself of bone cancer. The Rabbi has the Ark of the Covenant which he plans to use to reclaim all of Jerusalem including the Mount on the Rock for the Jewish people. The only trouble is he can't touch it and needs Charlotte to help fulfill what he believes to be a prophesy.
The book is full of biblical history and fictional action which makes for fast reading.
The book is full of biblical history and fictional action which makes for fast reading.
August 10, 2021
Ik heb het boek gelezen in de Nederlandse vertaling.
Geen thriller voor mij. Geen moord of politieonderzoek.
We trekken de wereld rond. New York, Brooklyn(epiloog waar vertelt word waarover het boek zal gaan). Rome, Vaticaanstad en Jeruzalem.
Jeruzalem waar alles begon voor de katholieken, de Joden en de Islamieten. Een plaats vol spanning en die de wereldpolitiek bezighoud.
Als men het boek leest vraagt men zich soms af waarover gaat het?
Waarom deze moorden en ontvoeringen?
Enkel om het idee van deze enkeling en zijn wens?
Zo is de tweede wereldoorlog ook begonnen.
Geen thriller voor mij. Geen moord of politieonderzoek.
We trekken de wereld rond. New York, Brooklyn(epiloog waar vertelt word waarover het boek zal gaan). Rome, Vaticaanstad en Jeruzalem.
Jeruzalem waar alles begon voor de katholieken, de Joden en de Islamieten. Een plaats vol spanning en die de wereldpolitiek bezighoud.
Als men het boek leest vraagt men zich soms af waarover gaat het?
Waarom deze moorden en ontvoeringen?
Enkel om het idee van deze enkeling en zijn wens?
Zo is de tweede wereldoorlog ook begonnen.
February 11, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable book.
It's like Indiana Jones meets the Vatican meets the Chief Rabbi.
Rabbi Aaron Cohen has been searching for the lost Ark of the Covenant and the bones of Christ. Geneticist Charlotte Hennesey shares the same DNA as the bones. A sect of people want to cause worldwide chaos. Charlotte is being pursued with a view to being kidnapped.
All the plotting comes to a climax at the Temple Mount, a site holy to all three main religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
It's like Indiana Jones meets the Vatican meets the Chief Rabbi.
Rabbi Aaron Cohen has been searching for the lost Ark of the Covenant and the bones of Christ. Geneticist Charlotte Hennesey shares the same DNA as the bones. A sect of people want to cause worldwide chaos. Charlotte is being pursued with a view to being kidnapped.
All the plotting comes to a climax at the Temple Mount, a site holy to all three main religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
March 4, 2018
History and religion woven into a great story
Awesome follow up to the Sacred Bones. The continuation of the story was unexpected and done delightfully well. Fast paced action, cool mythology and beautiful interpretation to underpin the story. Really enjoyed this, just as I did the Sacred Bones!
Awesome follow up to the Sacred Bones. The continuation of the story was unexpected and done delightfully well. Fast paced action, cool mythology and beautiful interpretation to underpin the story. Really enjoyed this, just as I did the Sacred Bones!
May 3, 2018
Breakneck Speed
This is the speed that you'll want to read this. Well researched and portraying extraordinary events. This links the Egyptians to a sect of Jews tracing their bloodline to ancient times. It continues with some of the characters from Sacred Bones. If you love ancient conspiracies then you'll love this
This is the speed that you'll want to read this. Well researched and portraying extraordinary events. This links the Egyptians to a sect of Jews tracing their bloodline to ancient times. It continues with some of the characters from Sacred Bones. If you love ancient conspiracies then you'll love this
March 25, 2020
Another good read and sequel to the Sacred Bones. Great pace and more than enough to keep me engaged. I've read so many Dan Brown style thrillers and I rate Michael Byrnes as being up amongst the best along with Simon Toyne. I will look out for more of his work but I'm going to have a break from this genre.
March 3, 2018
Really enjoyed this novel, it moves quite rapidly from the Jewish faith, Islam, Christianity, even the Bishop of Rome and his idoliters. Sadly it ended as expected, but not much of a novel ends with the demise of the key characters!
April 2, 2018
Very enjoyable sequel, that follows on nicely. Full of twists & turns and historical/biblical/genetics mix. Very much like Dan Brown. Great fun. I have downloaded the next book for an immediate follow on.
June 19, 2022
The plot is nice and a good approach to Dan Brown's (Robert Langdon) series. Mixing historical mysteries with ongoing action thriller is my favorite type. The historical part is crooked and far-fetched in this one though. All in all, I enjoyed it.
Read
October 25, 2022The author, Michael Byrnes, knows the current atmosphere in Jerusalem between the three different religious and how they interact with each other. While some may call this book a knock off of Dan Brown, I found it interesting and a good read.
May 17, 2017
Could not put it down
July 13, 2017
Loved it
This book just hooked me in from the start. Just loved reading the story and seeing it develop. Again another nice easy read.
This book just hooked me in from the start. Just loved reading the story and seeing it develop. Again another nice easy read.
January 23, 2018
The book was okay however I wanted those at good reads to know that my copy of this book had 333 pages not 272. Just letting you know.
December 2, 2018
Great read
Really good book couldn't put it down
Need more books like this where life and legends mix and get you thinking could it these things have some truth in them
Really good book couldn't put it down
Need more books like this where life and legends mix and get you thinking could it these things have some truth in them
September 16, 2021
Not my sort of book couldn't get past chapter 6.
February 12, 2022
Très compliqué, roman d'aventure basé sur la religion et ses dévots fanatiques. Tres mystique difficile à avaler pour ma part.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews