Week 52 Review: The Last Odyssey

From Goodreads:
To save the world and our future, Sigma Force must embark on a dangerous odyssey into an ancient past whose horrors are all too present in this page-turning thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins that combines cutting-edge science, historical mystery, mythology, and pulse-pounding action.

For eons, the city of Troy—whose legendary fall was detailed in Homer’s Iliad—was believed to be myth, until archaeologists in the nineteenth century uncovered its ancient walls buried beneath the sands. If Troy was real, how much of Homer's twin tales of gods and monsters, curses and miracles—The Iliad and The Odyssey—could also be true and awaiting discovery?

In the frozen tundra of Greenland, a group of modern-day researchers stumble on a shocking find: a medieval ship buried a half-mile below the ice. The ship's hold contains a collection of even older artifacts—tools of war—dating back to the Bronze Age. Inside the captain's cabin is a magnificent treasure that is as priceless as it is miraculous: a clockwork gold map imbedded with an intricate silver astrolabe. The mechanism was crafted by a group of Muslim inventors—the Banū Mūsā brothers—considered by many to be the Da Vincis of the Arab world—brilliant scientists who inspired Leonardo's own work.

Once activated, the moving map traces the path of Odysseus's famous ship as it sailed away from Troy. But the route detours as the map opens to reveal a fiery river leading to a hidden realm underneath the Mediterranean Sea. It is the subterranean world of Tartarus, the Greek name for Hell. In mythology, Tartarus was where the wicked were punished and the monstrous Titans of old, imprisoned.

When word of Tartarus spreads—and of the cache of miraculous weapons said to be hidden there—tensions explode in this volatile region where Turks battle Kurds, terrorists wage war, and civilians suffer untold horrors. The phantasmagoric horrors found in Homer's tales are all too real—and could be unleashed upon the world. Whoever possesses them can use their awesome power to control the future of humanity.

Now, Sigma Force must go where humans fear to tread. To prevent a tyrant from igniting a global war, they must cross the very gates of Hell.

My Review:
Oh, man, this was a wonderful, fantastic read! I just absolutely adore this series and James Rollins' writing, it's such a great combination that keeps me on the edge of my seat! I mean, I read this on the day I had my 2nd part of Christmas, and I finished it in the car on the way over. I just couldn't put it down!

The whole idea of the Greek Hell, Tartarus, being a real city, that waged war in the time of the Greek Dark Ages? Burning World War Zero? Yeah, that was pretty fantastic, as was the Arab Golden Age, going into the European Golden Age of the Renaissance. This book was pretty heavy on the history! There wasn't really much modern day science, but a lot of historical inventions, which it always amazing me how easily believable it is that previous generations had that level of technology, either actually in real life, or fiction for this book.

This is the book where we see Gray and Seichan as parents, and it was great to see how their dynamic had changed. There's plenty of doubts on both sides, because a child is a big change in their lives. It was a great story line to follow with their characters!

If you remember the epilogue from The Bone Labyrinth-the book where Kowalski and Maria met? Well, it made it seem like these two weren't going to end up together. And this book played with that, wondering if they were right for each other. I totally didn't expect where it went!

This book was such a fantastic read, and I can't wait to see where this book goes!

Author: James Rollins
Series: Sigma Force #15
Read: December 26th, 2019
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Love his writing and this series so much! And it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2019 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: William Morrow
Expected Publication: March 24th 2020

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars