The Devil Colony

Sigma Force #7

by James Rollins

Deep in the Rocky Mountains, a gruesome discovery — hundreds of mummified bodies — stir international attention and fervent controversy. Despite doubts to the bodies’ origins, the local Native American Heritage Commission lays claim to the prehistoric remains, along with the strange artifacts found in the same cavern: gold plates inscribed with an unfathomable script.

During a riot at the dig site, an anthropologist dies horribly: burned to ash in a fiery explosion in plain view of television cameras. All evidence points to a radical group of Native Americans, including one agitator, a teenage firebrand who escapes with a vital clue to the murder and calls on the one person who might help: her uncle, Painter Crowe, director of Sigma Force.

To protect his niece and uncover the truth, Painter will ignite a war across the nation’s most powerful intelligence agencies. Yet, an even greater threat looms as events in the Rocky Mountains have set in motion a frightening chain reaction, a geological meltdown that threatens the entire western half of the U.S.

From the volcanic peaks of Iceland to the blistering deserts of the American Southwest, from the gold vaults of Fort Knox to the bubbling geysers of Yellowstone, Painter Crowe joins forces with Commander Gray Pierce to penetrate the shadowy heart of a dark cabal, one that has been manipulating American history since the founding of the thirteen colonies.

But can he discover the truth — one that could topple governments — before it destroys all he holds dear?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Action, Suspense, Historical Fiction

480 pages, Hardcover

First published June 21, 2011

About the author

James 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.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil Colony : Where Ancient Secrets Meet Modern Thrills

Let me tell you about a book that kept me up way too late for three nights straight. It's James Rollins' The Devil Colony , and trust me, this isn't your average thriller.

Think of it as National Treasure meets Mission: Impossible, but with actual science that doesn't make you roll your eyes. The best part? It's set right here in the U.S., where Rollins' elite Sigma team finds themselves tangled in a mystery that stretches back to America's founding fathers. And boy, does it deliver.

What I love most about Rollins' approach is how he doesn't fall into the typical lone wolf hero saves the day trap. Instead, we've got this fantastic team of characters, each bringing their own special brand of genius to the table. It's like watching a high-stakes chess game where every piece matters. And if you've been following the series (this is book seven), you'll see how brilliantly these characters have grown - though don't worry if you're new here, you'll catch on quick.

The science in this book? It's the real deal. As someone who works with engineers and physicists, I can tell you Rollins knows his stuff. But here's the kicker - he explains complex concepts so smoothly that you won't even realize you're getting a crash course in advanced physics while chasing down bad guys.

The story weaves together Native American history, cutting-edge technology, and a centuries-old conspiracy that feels frighteningly possible. Rollins has this uncanny ability to make you feel like you're right there in the action - whether it's deep in a cave system or racing against time to prevent a catastrophe.

Here's a fair warning: start with book one if you can. Sure, you could jump in here, but that's like starting Game of Thronesin season 4 - you'll enjoy it, but you'll miss all those delicious "aha!" moments when past plots come full circle.

For anyone who loves their thrillers with a heavy dose of historical mystery and scientific intrigue, this book is your next addiction. Just don't blame me if you find yourself still reading at 3 AM, telling yourself, "Just one more chapter."

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigma Force #7, The Devil Colony, by James Rollins is an intense ride through Native American and Colonial history, touching on nanotechnology, the truth behind the Declaration of Independence signers, volcanoes, and the secrets of the people running The Guild. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, even if a good 10% went over my head! I'm sure if I slowed down and truly focused on every word, meaning, and implication, I might understand the technical details way more... but I'm a reader and a lover of a good story, not the way in which science works! LOL

What if there were a 14th colony composed of the Native Americans who were willing to work with the Colonial settlers on the formation of the United States? Were Jefferson and Franklin integral in making this almost happen, only for a ruthless family to stop it? Which family was that? We now know that's the family behind the infamous Guild leadership in this series, and we also know their last name... and who it connects to by the very last line in this book. Wow! What a way to immerse us in an amazing story full of fictional accounts, some realities, and a treasure of action adventure.

While not in my top 2 of this series so far, it's high up there. The background of the members in the Guild, the Native American connections, and the trip 250 years into history were great, and they made this one stand out more. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this 7th 'Sigma Force' novel, the fate of the entire world is at stake. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

The premise of this thriller is that, in the very distant past American Indians buried some kind of nanotechnology-fueled doomsday devices around the Earth in an attempt to save mankind from their destructive power.



In the present day a couple of anthropologists innocently unearth one of these devices setting off a chain reaction that could destroy the Earth.


Sigma Force (a group of government scientist/tough guys) sets out to contain the threat.


At the same time, 'The Guild' (ancient society of bad guys) sets out to obtain the devices for their own benefit.



The good guys and the bad guys rush from place to place as the threat spreads and there's a lot of kidnapping and shooting and killing.

The story is replete with conspiracies within conspiracies, Mormon beliefs about ancient Israeli tribes coming to the New World, pseudo-science, old maps made of nearly indestructible unknown metals, the Founding Fathers involvement, secret codes, and much much more.







For me, the story just seemed to boil down to a bunch of people (whose identities tended to bleed together a bit) running from one place to another trying to outwit and kill each other amid a hodge-podge of hard-to-understand conspiracies. Just not my kind of story.

You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.75* of five

ON SALE TODAY 5 OCTOBER 2021 FOR $1.99 ON KINDLE!

I read this while I was in the goofy garage during 2014. My delightful friends supported my reading habit, and never once wondered (to me, that is, I have no idea what they said amongst themselves!) why I was asking for Rollins's books.

I wanted to read them because they are very entertaining, have enough plot and character development to keep me distracted from being in a public mental health facility, and are intensely visually told stories with deep sci-fi roots and some supernatural almost-Lovecraftian cosmic horror overtones.

Less exciting than The Doomsday Key, less intense and involving, but I give it extra points for going into American mythology...Meriwether Lewis's grave, cryptological clues in a painting of the Declaration of Independence...and was still eager to get to the resolution. But honest to goodness a cryptological Jefferson key? I was hard pressed to swallow that one.

Suited me down to the ground at a time when anything more or less challenging would've been impossible to handle.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the outset of this review, I need to make a couple of things clear:

1. I was asked by the PR dept. at Harper Collins if I would accept a free copy of this book and review it. I imagine they asked me (along with other Mormon writers/bloggers) to do this due to the book's subject matter including Mormons and Mormon history. I accepted, without any strings attached.

2. There exists no agreement that I would necessarily review this book favorably. The review below is my honest appraisal of this book with zero input from Harper Collins.

3. I believe that I am the target audience for this book. I am an adult male who loves espionage, thrillers, and history.

4. I'm assuming that since I am brazenly Mormon and Harper Collins asked me to do this review that they wanted me to add a Mormon perspective. What I say in this review is NOT an official position of my church, but it IS my, at times very nit-picky take on how Mr. Rollins treats his subject matter. To be clear: I nit and I pick in this review.

I shall start with my nit picking so that I can get it out of the way and review the book on its overall merit.

Nits and Picks:

1. Maggie Grantham is a BYU professor (not explicitly described as LDS). Hank Kanosh is a Mormon and BYU professor as well. He chews stogies, which is referred to in the book as a necessary concession, but there is a reference to a tryst between these two, with no judgement of such a thing. LDS doctrine considers an extra-marital sexual tryst as far more serious than chewing on a stogie. This would be of extreme significance to these two people in the context of their LDS culture. It would inform much of these people's lives and what they do. Also, both professors are expected to live by BYU's honor code; a sexual tryst is far, far outside that code.

2. Referring to the Mormon church as the Church of Latter-Day Saints is a sign of an incomplete knowledge of the church, its doctrine and history. It's officially called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, shortened to the LDS church, the Mormon church, or the Mormons.

3. Joseph Smith is the name of the man who translated the golden plates, which translation became the Book of Mormon. Rollins gets this right early in the book, but inexplicably starts calling him John Smith about halfway through the book and never gets it right again.

4. There is a point in the book wherein Kanosh (remember, a Mormon from birth) ostensibly seems to be meeting the prophet/president of the LDS church to give him something of great value. Kanosh does this in the Salt Lake City temple, apparently right outside the Holy of Holies. Not likely at all. And Kanosh kneels in front of the prophet. That's very not Mormon. People meet the LDS prophet all the time. We shake his hand and absolutely do NOT worship the man.

And that, my friends, is it. Harmless little things. There are plenty of other interesting references to Mormon beliefs, particularly regarding the history of the peoples talked about in the Book of Mormon. But those are generally authorial fabrications made in order to tell the story.

Now the review:

James Rollins is very like a combination of Dan Brown, Matt Reilly, and Clive Cussler. I would say that he is all three of those authors on their best day. I liked The Devil Colony about 17,452 times more than anything I have read by Dan Brown, particularly since Rollins demonstrates zero addiction to melodramatic adverbs and this book was populated by real people who do things that exact a real price upon them.

That's also why The Devil Colony is more effective than Clive Cussler's work, which I quite enjoy. Dirk Pitt, Cussler's usual hero, seems completely invincible and to always have the answers; there is never much doubt about the inevitable outcome of Pitt's adventures.

Matt Reilly is another favorite thriller writer for me, and Rollins really compares well to Reilly. The difference is that Reilly's action is so non-stop that you forget who's doing what sometimes. And there are a couple of eye rolls that come about with Reilly's work.

I have to say I think The Devil Colony is the best modern thriller I have read in ages. This is because the characters really seem human. Kai is a particularly good character-- her inner dialogue is deftly done and she never seems like a throwaway character. But each person is flawed, and they each have relationships that motivate what they're doing. They also all go through hell and pay a price for their narrow escapes and successes. I like it when a character uses ingenuity to fix the 'fix' that they're in.

Another place that The Devil Colony shines is that it's a team effort. The Sigma team is a group of folks who are all insanely intelligent and they work together. I like that they made solid use of modern technology to stay in touch and coordinate their efforts. The real-time sense of the pacing also lent a nice feeling of authenticity to the story. The characters are interesting and well developed, with plenty going on internally to lend tension to the conflicts around the characters.

Rollins, like many other thriller writers, uses 3rd person omniscient, thus enabling him to allow the reader to follow the antagonist. This is effectively done in The Devil Colony, and again, it's far better than anything by Dan Brown. Browns' villains all feel like they're out of an old melodrama like Klondike Kalamity. Rafael Saint Germaine, the main antagonist of The Devil Colony, is an intriguing fellow whose secrets are murky but who seems like a real fellow. A bad fellow, mostly, but a real one.

This is a big book. It comes in at 474 pages. But it was engaging enough and well paced to the point that I felt like it was a quick read. Even the prose is smooth and well-crafted. Rollins is clearly a master of this game.

As a book-- a novel-length story-- I really don't have anything critical to say about The Devil Colony. It's very creative, manages cliffhangers very well, moves things along at a suitably breathless clip, makes you mostly care about the characters, and pulls some slick twists.

I liked the book. As a dyed-in-the-wool, true-blue Mormon (a convert, yes, but nonetheless), I found nothing at which to take offense. Rollins takes a few liberties, but they're more or less innocuous. I'd like to chat with the fellow about some of his research, actually.

I'd say, read the book. If you like thrillers, you'll love The Devil Colony. Vast in scope, daring in its implications, and rollicking in its action; it's a great read.

4.5 out of 5 pens.

[Giovanni Gelati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider this: 14 arrows in a bundle, nanotubes, Indians, Lewis & Clark, Sigma Force, Thomas Jefferson, 5 guys in a painting that aren’t supposed to be there, Ben Franklin, a buffalo hide, Jewish settlers and Mormons. What are you going to do with all? Hunh? I mean seriously! Well that is exactly what James Rollins has inside this novel plus a lot more.If you want to hear him talk about it as an added bonus , go to the archives of The G-ZONE, my blogtalk radio show, from Monday and listen in. Jeff Mudgett was my guest on the show also. He was discussing Jack the Ripper. Here is the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatiss...
Here is the synopsis of the novel:
“Deep in the Rocky Mountains, a gruesome discovery — hundreds of mummified bodies — stir international attention and fervent controversy. Despite doubts to the bodies’ origins, the local Native American Heritage Commission lays claim to the prehistoric remains, along with the strange artifacts found in the same cavern: gold plates inscribed with an unfathomable script.
During a riot at the dig site, an anthropologist dies horribly: burned to ash in a fiery explosion in plain view of television cameras. All evidence points to a radical group of Native Americans, including one agitator, a teenage firebrand who escapes with a vital clue to the murder and calls on the one person who might help: her uncle, Painter Crowe, director of Sigma Force.
To protect his niece and uncover the truth, Painter will ignite a war across the nation’s most powerful intelligence agencies. Yet, an even greater threat looms as events in the Rocky Mountains have set in motion a frightening chain reaction, a geological meltdown that threatens the entire western half of the U.S.
From the volcanic peaks of Iceland to the blistering deserts of the American Southwest, from the gold vaults of Fort Knox to the bubbling geysers of Yellowstone, Painter Crowe joins forces with Commander Gray Pierce to penetrate the shadowy heart of a dark cabal, one that has been manipulating American history since the founding of the thirteen colonies.
But can he discover the truth — one that could topple governments — before it destroys all he holds dear? “
James Rollins expanded my brain and made hypothesis that I thought were unbelievable. But, and I need to add this, if you read past the end of the novel, he has some added bonus material and it does explain what is fact and what is not. My brain still hurts. Amazing stuff in this novel: a fiction/non –fiction novel that also gives a new history lesson/science lesson/kick-a@# action story. The pages were flying through my fingers, they wouldn’t stop turning themselves. If I read it on my Kindle it may have caught fire or I would have busted the next page button. I am a Sigma Force and I thoroughly enjoy the way that James Rollins weaves the science and history throughout the piece. This is a novel that needs to get into your hands. Please treat yourself to the interview also. Listening to Jeff Mudgett and James discuss their individual writing processes is well worth the time.

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a couple of years ago and it's brilliant, my favorite book in this series. Btw this series is awesome! Read it!

[Freda Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Rollins is a brilliant writer. His works lure you through adventurous and historical events, both factual and fictional, that makes the readers feel like they are actually there, side by side with the Sigma Force of Monk, Kat, Painter Crowe, Gray and the Guild villains. I loved this book particularly because it centers on our founders (founding fathers) and the history of the growing claims of the United States, the Louisiana Purchase, Indian tribes, links between the bloodlines of our peoples and the nature of our volcanic mountains. I still can not comprehend all the scientific information Rollins creates, but it doesn't deter me from reading on, savoring the adventure of suspense and wonder of it all. I like that Rollins reveals what is truth and fictional in his books, otherwise I just might believe it all. A gripping addition to the Sigma series that had me at page 1.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mysteries and excitement here... like the founding of America, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, the Native American peoples, the Book of Mormon, and nanotechnology are all plots that fit well into the Sigma story frame that fans of this series have come to expect and look forward to. There is a large number of side characters here that also takes some time to place them in their places and importance in the story. Overall I have to call it a very enjoyable read though it was a bit too long. On a side note I read that it took Rollins 2 years to write this novel...so...another winner in this series and a well earned 4.5 stars.

[Julia Spencer-Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but gave it a try on Lee Child's recomm. Wow! Awed by the multiple subplots, multiple historical angles, multiple characters and the sheer number of balls Rollins keeps in the air while maintaining a jet-propelled storyline. And his characters have a LOT more depth than most of what you see in the mega-thriller genre. Man, I gotta take notes. But I was too busy enjoying a terrific story the first time through. Gotta read some more SIGMA FORCE.

[Rakib Hasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

দ্য ডুমসডে কি এর থেকে এই বইটা বেশি ভাল লেগেছে।

[Jerry Mead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigma force continues to battle evil in their trademark style.

[Roxanne Barbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb:Deep in the Rocky Mountains, a gruesome discovery--hundreds of mummified bodies--stirs international attention and fervent controversy. Despite doubts about the bodies' origins, the local Native American Heritage Commission lays claim to the prehistoric remains, along with the strange artifacts found in the same cavern: gold plates inscribed with an unfathomable script.
During a riot at the dig site, an anthropologist dies horribly, burned to ashes in a fiery explosion in plain view of television cameras. All evidence points to a radical group of Native Americans, including one agitator, a teenage firebrand who escapes with a vital clue to the murder and calls on the one person who might help--her uncle, Painter Crowe, Director of Sigma Force.
To protect his niece and uncover the truth, Painter will ignite a war among the nations's most powerful intelligence agencies. Yet an even greater threat looms as events in the Rocky Mountains have set in motion a frightening chain reaction, a geological meltdown that threatens the entire western half of the U.S.
From the volcanic peaks of Iceland to the blistering deserts of the American Southwest, from the gold vaults of Fort Knox to the bubbling geysers of Yellowstone, Painter Crowe joins forces with Commander Gray Pierce to penetrate the shadowy heart of a dark cabal, one that has been manipulating American history since the founding the thirteen colonies.
But can Painter discover the truth--one that could topple governments--before it destroys all he holds dear?

I enjoyed this novel immensely. Even though I had not been introduced to any of these characters previously, Rollins does an excellent job of re/introducing them--even to new readers.

I thought the plot was a tad too complicated--but only a little.

The scientific concepts were well explained, with just enough detail.

The close timing (character predicaments) seemed a little too forced a couple of times.

I haven't read any other Sigma Force novels, but that will be remedied shortly!

I only found two editing errors (not that I was actually looking for them), a "\" popped in two places (page 135, and 213).

This was a wonderful novel, and I am looking forward to the next Sigma Force novel.

[Yim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I like that structure, one thing happens to cause the problems for the other and then they are interrupted by another. At the end, there is some lost but they save the big spot. Most of all, the mystery still remains to keep me want to read the next one! :)

[Tim The Enchanter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second half was great but the first half was basically a repeat of the previous book. Not nearly his best but it was still quite good.

[Tannaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

جناب آقای رولینز! لطفا کمتر من وپینتر جانم را دق بدهید! مرسی

[Jeff Posey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is fiction in the truest sense of the word: a tall tale, a yarn, a leg-puller. If you have any sort of a rational sensibility grounded in fact, then be prepared to suspend your disbelief -- time and time again.

That's my main issue with this book and every James Rollins book I've read (three to date, including Altar of Eden and Map of Bones). He reaches so far beyond the reasonable it begins to feel childish to me and my interest wanes in the story. It enters the realm of fantasy. It's too much to swallow -- or at least it's too much to swallow again. This will likely be my last James Rollins book.

Example: A Jewish temple built of gold in a subterranean chamber beneath Yellowstone National Park by the Anasazi.

Yeah. Right. Next.

Rollins almost carries it off. He turns it into a high-pressure, fast-paced romp (as he always does), with a ticking clock and a nest of nanotechnology robots (mastered by the Anasazi Jews, of course) that could destroy the world. It's edge-of-the-seat breathtaking. It's ... so incredibly unbelievable I almost abandoned the book several times.

But I already said that.

From a writer's perspective, what else did I see? Rollins injects just enough character development to sustain the plot and give a little depth to the story. But not much. He's not a character kind of writer. He's a plot guy. Who needs character development when you find a booby trap set by Anasazi Jews hundreds of years ago that could cause the human race to become extinct?

I try to pull lessons from the bestsellers. Here's the best I can do:

Mass market readers prefer a wild ride over veracity
A hard- and fast-driving plot can let you scrimp on character development
Physical motion is a key part of sustaining the wild ride

The best thing about James Rollins is that he's the keynote speaker at the 2012 DFW Writers' Conference, May 19-20. He is no doubt a master of his chosen craft, and we writers would be foolish to ignore his advice. I'll certainly be there.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED "The Devil Colony" by James Rollins. It is the 2nd book by him that I've read and I've become addicted to the Sigma Force series.

This book held even more interest for me, because of who wrote it and what he wrote about.

The Author, James Rollins, is a Catholic who wrote a novel about a covert military team investigating spikes in neutrino emissions. Turns out they are emanating from gold plates buried by a lost civilization of Caucasoid Native Americans in Utah, Arizona and Wyoming. In the process of tying all the pieces together, the underground lab in the Eyring Science Building at BYU gets a big hole blown in it.

It even turns out that Thomas Jefferson and Merriwether Lewis were both aware of the existence of these "pale Indians" They considered the "pale Indians" to be from the lost tribe of Menassah

As a Mormon, living in Utah, with a lot of interest in learning exactly how Book of Mormon people contributed to not only the gene pool but also the religion and linguistics of America's Native people, I really got my money's worth from "The Devil Colony"!

It is a novel, but Rollins liberally stirs in accurate history and correct science. He always includes notes and the end of the story to summarize what parts of the story were accurate history or science. It is truly fascinating! (Don't just start at chapter 1 - you have to start at the very beginning of the book.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the idea of "summer reads," as in books that are heavy on plot and fun to read--but who am I fooling? I'll read this kind of stuff year 'round.

This installment in the Sigma books stood out because, in it, Rollins shows his hand and ties together bits and pieces from earlier installments to suggest a larger narrative that is bound up in a big, nifty conspiracy. My reaction to this reveal was a) "Awesome," and b) "I am reading the next book, pronto." I give Rollins major kudos for crafting these connections while keeping each book accessible to new readers in its own right.

On another note, I am beyond feeling frustrated by Rollins's penchant for kidnapping plots so that now it just makes me chuckle every time it happens. I swear, the bad guys in these stories all use the same playbook and they *never* compare notes after losing (probably because most of them die). Imagine: "All right, huddle up: at some point, you'll have the chance to capture one of their best operatives to use as a bargaining chip for something they have that you want. I urge you to reconsider this action and pursue a different tactic--like killing said operative on the spot." Dr. Evil would get along splendidly with these goons.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kind of mixed on this one. I have enjoyed most of the previous Sigma novels from Rollins, however, this one just seemed too far-fetched to me. When I first heard about this new Sigma adventure, I was really looking forward to it mainly because of the aspects related to Mormonism (I grew up as a Mormon in Utah) but I don't think Rollins researched this very well - he actually got the name of the Mormon founder wrong a few times, citing John Smith when it should have been Joseph Smith. Then there was the premise in the start of the book about a secret history to the founding of America - I don't think this was ever properly addressed in the novel. Yes, there was all the information about a 14th colony of Native Americans, the gold plates and a possible Caucasian race who came to America from Israel, and the nanotechnology they supposedly used. But to me, this all didn't tie together very well. Then there was the non-stop violence and action - every time the Sigma team was making a discovery, the bad guys (Guild) would be right there! This was a little too much. I did like some of the information about native Americans and the locations of the book including Yellowstone Park which I visited last summer. It is pretty frightening that Yellowstone could erupt sometime soon as a massive volcano and wipe out mankind! But overall, to me this was one of the weakest of Rollins novels and I would only mildly recommend it.

[Marialyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me preface this by saying that I have loved anything James Rollins has written and this book is certainly no exception. Mr Rollins takes us into the world of nanotechnology, coupled with the lost tribe of the Israelites, and the missing Anazai even have their time in the sun (or should I say the cave).

Exciting and fast moving, the story propels us forward to the ultimate destruction of our planet (of course) where we again read of the exploits of the Sigma Force and its cast of characters. You can always trust Rollins to come up with a what if blend of science, technology, and history that make the reader often wonder and be somewhat amazed. I think no one does that better that Rollins.

So if you are a Rollins fan, this book will not disappoint you in any way. Full of adventure, a page turner if ever there was one, I could hardly put it down. I love when a favorite author keeps on delivering the thrills and the chills of a suspense novel. I only wish Mr Rollins would write faster....

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Rollins undoubtedly writes some of the best techno-thrillers in English, as i am having the opportunity to realise and savour these days, thanks to his works dealing with the 'Sigma Force'. This book was also very good, very fast, very interesting, and highly enjoyable. I, however, am also developing the idea that these books, which can't be re-read, should be used for intensive reading aimed at learning more about some of the most intriguing things of human history, especially the development of science and technology. Rollins has a style of presenting such nuggets of knowledge in a manner that makes them immensely thought-provoking, rather than drab or boring. However, to sum it up, this is another volume from the said author that should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in history, especially American history. Recommended.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Couldn't finish it. Not in the mood for the violence. And honestly felt like if you're going to base large parts of your story on a religion you're "fascinated by" you could at least be a little more respectful. (The tone just didn't feel right that way.)

Also, living in Utah all the little things about Utah that were so obviously written by someone not from here drove me nuts. It happens, it's not a big deal, but it bugs me.

Overall, I was intrigued by the storyline but just couldn't devote that much time to it with everything that was bugging me.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book and terrifying too.
The story might be fiction but the backdrop of science and history makes you believe it could be true. I think that makes Rollins books so scary is that his theories are as good as anyones and can possibly be true.

[David Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun exciting Sigma Force thriller. It has been a while since I read one of these. Don't know why, as I own books 7, 8, 9 and 10. Time to get back on board. Remains me of the Clive Cussler and Jack De Brul thrillers I used to read (and need to back to as well).

[Petya Stoyanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Джеймс Ролинс не ме разочарова за пореден път.

[শুভাগত দীপ · Rating 5 out of 5]

|| রিভিউ ||

বইঃ দ্য ডেভিল কলোনী (সিগমা ফোর্স # ৭)
লেখকঃ জেমস রোলিন্স
রূপান্তরঃ আদনান আহমেদ রিজন
প্রকাশকঃ আদী প্রকাশন
প্রকাশকালঃ ফেব্রুয়ারি, ২০১৭
ঘরানাঃ অ্যাডভেঞ্চার/থ্রিলার/অ্যাকশন/হিস্টোরি
প্রচ্ছদঃ রিজন
পৃষ্ঠাঃ ৩৪৬
মুদ্রিত মূল্যঃ ৪৪০ টাকা
ধরণঃ হার্ডকাভার


কাহিনি সংক্ষেপঃ অভিশাপ। আধুনিক পৃথিবীতে বেশিরভাগ মানুষই প্রাচীন কোন অভিশাপে বিশ্বাসী না। কেউ কেউ তো এসবকে নেহাত বুজরুকি ও কুসংস্কার হিসেবে ধরে নিয়ে হাসিঠাট্টা করতেও ছাড়েনা। আমাদের এই গল্পের শুরুও তেমনই এক অভিশাপকে ঘিরেই৷ আমেরিকার বিখ্যাত রকি পর্বতের গভীরে হঠাৎ করেই আবিস্কৃত হলো প্রাচীন এক নেটিভ ইন্ডিয়ান সমাধি গুহা। জনশ্রুতি আছে, এই গুহায় কেউ প্রবেশ করার পর আবারো যদি জীবিত অবস্থায় বেরিয়ে আসে তাহলে ধ্বংস হয়ে যাবে পৃথিবী৷ গজব নামবে সমগ্র মানবসভ্যতার ওপর।

প্রাচীন এই নেটিভ ইন্ডিয়ান সমাধি থেকে পাওয়া গেলো প্রচুরসংখ্যক নেটিভ ইন্ডিয়ানের মমি আর সেই সাথে দুর্বোধ্য এক প্রাচীন ভাষা সম্বলিত বিপুল পরিমাণ সোনার প্লেট। আরো একটা জিনিস পাওয়া গেলো। প্রাগৈতিহাসিক এক প্রাণীর মাথার খুলি। কিন্তু খুলিটাকে গুহার বাইরে বের করে আনতেই রহস্যময়ভাবে বিস্ফোরণ ঘটলো ওই এলাকায়। তার চেয়েও বড় ব্যাপার হলো, বিস্ফোরণের জায়গায় ব্যাখ্যার অতীত সব পরিবর্তন ঘটতে লাগলো। অজানা কোন কিছুর প্রভাবে সেখানকার সবকিছুর ভাঙ্গন শুরু হলো আণবিক পর্যায়ে। ওই অজানা বস্তুর সংস্পর্শে আসা সবকিছুই পরিণত হতে লাগলো ধূলিকণায়।

রকি পর্বতের ওই সমাধি গুহায় বিস্ফোরণের ঘটনার সাথে ঘটনাচক্রে জড়িয়ে গেলো কাই নামের এক ইন্ডিয়ান তরুণী। তাকেই দায়ী করা হতে লাগলো ঘটনাটার জন্য। বিস্ফোরণ থেকে বেঁচে যাওয়া ইতিহাসবিদ প্রফেসর হেনরি কানোশও এসে জুটলেন মেয়েটার সাথে। ওদের ওপর হঠাৎ করেই শুরু হলো প্রাণঘাতী হামলা। বাধ্য হয়েই কাই সাহায্য চাইলো তার চাচা সিগমা ফোর্স ডিরেক্টর পেইন্টার ক্রো'র কাছে।

এদিকে দীর্ঘকাল ধরে ঘুমিয়ে থাকা আগ্নেয়গিরি গুলো হঠাৎ করেই সক্রিয় হয়ে উঠছে৷ ঘটাচ্ছে অগ্নুৎপাত। হুমকির মুখে পড়ে গেছে জনজীবন। আমেরিকায় তো বটেই, আইসল্যান্ডের ওয়েস্টম্যান দ্বীপপুঞ্জের এলিরেই দ্বীপের আগ্নেয়গিরিতেও বিরাজ করছে একই অবস্থা। এদিকে বিশ্বজুড়ে বিজ্ঞানীরা অদ্ভুত ও অকস্মাৎ নিউট্রিনো সংঘটিত আন্দোলন খেয়াল করলেন। ব্য��পারটা সরেজমিনে তদন্ত করতেই আইসল্যান্ডে পাঠানো হলো সিগমা ফোর্স কমান্ডার গ্রেসন পিয়ার্স, তার বন্ধু মঙ্ক কক্কালিস ও সাবেক গিল্ড এজেন্ট শেইচানকে। পদে পদে তাদেরকে বাধা দিতে লাগলো সিগমা'র চিরপ্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী গিল্ড। আর ওদিকে ডিরেক্টর পেইন্টার ক্রো সিগমার বিস্ফোরক বিশেষজ্ঞ কোয়ালস্কিকে নিয়ে উদ্ভূত সমস্যার সমাধানে নিরলস দৌড়ে বেড়াতে লাগলেন অ্যারিজোনার উষর মরুর গভীরে।

ভয়াবহ এক বিপর্যয়ের দ্বারপ্রান্তে দাঁড়িয়ে বিশ্বকে রক্ষা করতে একদল মানুষ ইতিহাস ও বর্তমানকে এক সুতোয় গাঁথতে ব্রতী হলো। অবশ্য তাদের এই উদ্যোগে বাগড়া দেয়ার জন্য রাফায়েল নামের এক প্রতাপশালী ব্যক্তি তার দলবল নিয়ে সর্বদাই চেষ্টারত থাকলেন। শেষমেষ এমন এক সত্য আবিস্কৃত হলো, যার বীজ রোপিত হয়েছিলো আমেরিকার ইতিহাস শুরুরও অনেক আগে৷ যার সাথে সরাসরিভাবে সম্পর্ক আছে বহু আগে হারিয়ে যাওয়া এক জনগোষ্ঠীর৷ যার নাম দ্য ডেভিল কলোনী৷ স্বাভাবিকভাবেই, গল্পটা আরো একটু জমে উঠলো যেন।


পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়াঃ জেমস রোলিন্সের সিগমা ফোর্স সিরিজের সপ্তম বই 'দ্য ডেভিল কলোনী'-এর কাহিনির বেশিরভাগ অংশ জুড়েই ছিলো আমেরিকা ও তার ইতিহাস। আরো নির্দিষ্ট করে বলতে গেলে এই উপন্যাসে উঠে এসেছে আমেরিকার আদি অধিবাসী নেটিভদের কথা। সেই ইতিহাসের সাথেই রোলিন্স বরাবরের মতোই আধুনিক প্রযুক্তি ও সময়কে একীভূত করেছেন দারুনভাবে।

কাহিনির বেশিরভাগ অংশ আমেরিকা কেন্দ্রিক হওয়ায় এর ইতিহাস সম্পর্কে যেমন সম্যক একটা ধারণা পেয়েছি তেমনই ফোর্ট নক্সের ভল্ট, অ্যারিজোনার মরুভূমি, ইয়েলোস্টোন ন্যাশনাল পার্ক, উপাতকি ও সানসেট ক্রেটার সম্পর্কে অনেক অজানা বিষয় জেনেছি। 'দ্য ডেভিল কলোনী' এই কারণে বেশ তথ্যবহুল মনে হয়েছে। শ্বাসরুদ্ধকর অ্যাকশন আর অ্যাডভেঞ্চারের ফাঁকে ফাঁকে এমন তথ্যের সমাবেশ সত্যিই উপভোগ্য ছিলো।

সিগমা ফোর্স সিরিজের মাঝেও একটা ট্রিলোজি আছে। যার প্রথম কিস্তি 'দ্য ডুমসডে কী', দ্বিতীয়টা 'দ্য ডেভিল কলোনী' ও সর্বশেষ বই 'ব্লাডলাইন'। পুরো সিরিজের মধ্যে এই ট্রিলোজি আলাদাভাবে বিপুল পাঠকপ্রিয়তা লাভ করেছে। এই ট্রিলোজিটা আলাদা কারণ, ইতিহাস ও বিজ্ঞানের মারপ্যাঁচের সাথে সাথে এখানে তুলে আনা হয়েছে সিগমা ফোর্সের চিরপ্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী অপরাধী সংগঠন গিল্ডের পেছনের নানা কথা। 'দ্য ডেভিল কলোনী'-তে বেশ অনেকটাই পাঠকের সামনে হাজির করেছেন রোলিন্স। এবার তৃতীয় ও শেষ কিস্তি 'ব্লাডলাইন' পড়ার অপেক্ষা।

এই বইটা আদনান আহমেদ রিজনের দ্বিতীয় রূপান্তরকর্ম। তাঁর রূপান্তর এই বইয়ে এসে আরো পরিণত হয়েছে৷ সহজ, সাবলীল ও সুখপাঠ্য ছিলো বইটা তাঁর রূপান্তরের গুণে। অধ্যায় থেকে অধ্যায়ে যাওয়ার সময় বারবার মনে হয়েছে, বেশ গুছিয়ে ও যত্ন করে রূপান্তরের কাজটা করেছেন রিজন। অল্প মাত্রায় কিছু টাইপিং মিস্টেক ছিলো। তবে ওগুলো ধর্তব্যের মধ্যে আনছিনা। বইটার প্রচ্ছদটাও চমৎকার লেগেছে। রিজনের পরবর্তী কাজগুলোর জন্য রইলো শুভকামনা।


ব্যক্তিগত রেটিংঃ ৪.৫/৫
গুডরিডস রেটিংঃ ৪.১৮/৫

© শুভাগত দীপ

(৩ সেপ্টেম্বর, ২০১৮)

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a new fan of James Rollins having discovered his books a few months ago here at goodreads and sped through the first six Sigma novels last May. In The Devil Colony, Rollins once again combines history (founding of America) with new-fangled technology (nanotechnology) to create a huge problem that if left unsolved would blow up the whole world. It is a daredevil of a ride to see if Pierce and Crowe will win this one and save the ones they love.

When Painter Crowe cut short his career in the field to become the director of Sigma Force at the end of Sandstorm, I was a little disappointed to not see him much in action again. Of course, I fell in love with Grayson Pierce but wanted to see Crowe in a mission again. In this book, his time in the field is the same as Pierce's if not more. And did he prove himself despite his misgivings that he might be too old now!

I immensely enjoyed the action and suspense in the story but somehow the groupings did not appeal to me. I felt that Crowe's team here did not match up well to Pierce's team in Map of Bones or The Doomsday Key. Not in terms of expertise, or clashing personalities but something was just lacking. Chemistry perhaps? But then, we all have our favorites in this series. As for Pierce and Seichan... They should just go ahead and do it and see where they end up. Like Pierce and Rachel. At least they tried. Or still trying?

Rollins referenced Biblical text and Catholic history in other books of the Sigma series but he now delves into the Book of Mormon. The Mormon beliefs here are all new to me and was quite a learning experience.

Rollins also challenged his fans to spot his favorite Kowalski line. This is hard. Kowalski has lots of funny lines. Monk used to be the one that cracked me up but Kowalski has long since overtaken him. I'll quote my favorite Kowalski line instead which is one he says at the underground physics research lab at BYU and Crowe asks him if he has a blasting cap for the C4."C'mon Boss, I can't think of everything." It sounds very plain but it spoke volumes to me considering it was only for muscle power that he got into Sigma. He may be afraid of monkeys and going into holes but he is tough and has proved his loyalty. And yeah, Rollins gives him the laugh-out-loud quips.

The inclusion of orca whales and a dog is a joy. The author was a veterinarian and he knows these little or not so little guys. I also appreciate how Rollins can write an engaging story with a sparse use of expletives. Five minutes into a movie like this and I would have counted more than ten. The whole book contains less than that.

Devil Colony presents the highest betrayal Sigma Force never imagined. There is a death to avenge, a resignation to contend with and sexual tension to release. With these new developments, I am excited to see where James Rollins will take us next.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Rollins is absolutely the best at taking disparate elements and crafting a thriller that keeps one turning the pages. I feel safe in saying that this might be his best novel yet.

The disparate elements here are America's Founding Fathers, early Native Americans, and Mormonism.

The cave in Utah was the subject of legend among tribes of the west. A forbidden cave, one that, if entered, could signal the end of the world. Those who entered could never leave if the world were to be saved.

No one knew where the cave was located. Except for an elder of each generation who passed it on to the next. Now one had talked while drunk and his grandson and a friend had found the map and were looking for the fabled mountain, thinking the whole thing a lark.

The find ignited a firestorm. A large group of mummified bodies are found. They're wearing Native American dress, but otherwise appear Caucasoid. Blond hair, red hair, the features. But Native Americans are there protesting the desecration of the site. Scientists are there, guarded by the National Guard, to investigate. The press are there to cover it all.

A young woman, a member of a militant Native American protest group, is there with C4 to bury the cave. But something goes wrong and an explosion, not the C4, kills a scientist and ignites a riot.

Painter Crowe, head of Sigma Force, recognizes the young woman on the news reports scrambling away: his niece! He heads to Utah to find her and learn what's going on. The ground around the explosion has begun to break down, dissolve, and everything it touches as well!

A volcano soon erupts and things suddenly calm down.

But it's not over.

Scientists have detected another group of neutrino emissions, exactly like what preceded the explosion in Utah.

Commander Pierce Gray and a second team from Sigma head to that area.

The race is on to find out what's going on. Crowe's team goes from Utah down into Arizona and up to Yellowstone. Gray's team goes from Iceland to Fort Knox to a Federal Park in Tennessee. Both are dogged by their old enemy, The Guild along the way.

Gun battles, explosions as the plot unrolls. Jefferson is brought in, Meriwether Lewis, one of the lost tribes of Israel as they unravel a hundreds of years old mystery, possibly older.

Things move along nicely as I said. Rollins keeps us guessing all the way to the last mystery on the last line of the book.

If you read the book, don't go there first.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read a handful of books by James Rollins and have been meaning to dive into the Sigma Force series for a while. Although this was a book that I was happy to power through, I do feel like I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I’d read the series in order.

There were many elements to this one, which ensured I was constantly curious to see how the details came together. As interested as I was, there were some details that I felt somewhat lost about. These elements were clearly linked to the story that has been continuing throughout the series, and they did not have the powerful impact they could have as my knowledge came purely from information dumps rather than having watched things develop. Although I did not connect to the overarching storyline, I was curious about the individual pieces within the story. There were some clichés in the story, but it was action packed enough to ensure I kept turning the pages.

All in all, this isn’t my favourite book by James Rollins, but it does have me curious about the rest of the Sigma Force series.