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The Devil Colony: A Sigma Force Novel
The Devil Colony: A Sigma Force Novel
The Devil Colony: A Sigma Force Novel
Audiobook15 hours

The Devil Colony: A Sigma Force Novel

Written by James Rollins

Narrated by Peter Jay Fernandez

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

From James Rollins, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sigma Force series, comes another electrifying combination of suspense, history, science, action, and ingenious speculation.

Deep in the Rocky Mountains, a gruesome discovery—hundreds of mummified bodies—stir 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 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?

LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperAudio
Release dateJun 21, 2011
ISBN9780061988752
Author

James Rollins

James Rollins is the author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the “top crowd pleasers” (New York Times) and one of the “hottest summer reads” (People magazine). In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets—and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight. He lives in the Sierra Nevada.

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Reviews for The Devil Colony

Rating: 4.36231884057971 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

69 ratings25 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fast paced a fun read with many interwoven threads. Most of the way through the book many concepts seem unlikely fabrications - but - Rollins uses just enough scientific and historical fact to cause the reader to at least "scratch their head".
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Shenanigans among the founding fathers? Well, of course!Shenanigans and Politics, those words are practically interchangeable. Rollins gives us a story that involves the Native Americans, Mormons and the founding fathers. Much of this story is based in fact, which makes it all the more fascinating. The author takes the facts, and the Sigma forcewe have come to know and love, and gives us yet another great story. Nano technology, is something we have all heard about...somewhere. Not many of us really have much of a grasp of what it is or what it does. Believe me, you will know more about it after youread this book. There are good guys and bad guys and which group will end up being the winners is anybody's guess until nearly the final page. There is a leak in the highest echelons of the American government. No one has time to even find it, much less stop it. A matterof rather grave importance keeps everyone busy for the entirety of this book. If the information they seek is not found, and very soon, it will be the end of perhaps lifeon this planet as we know it. Maybe even all life, period. To say that the planet itself is in danger is not stretching the truth. Read this book. Sooner rather than later, I promise you won't be sorry. Well, you will be sorry, but that will be when you close the covers becauseyou have read the book and this story has come to an end. For now, at least, because I am pretty sure that Rollins has something in the wings, and we just have to wait to see what it is.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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 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 a well earned 4.5 star rating.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Rollins books get better and better and this by far was Rollins best. Great story, great characters (Rollins Sigma characters are fully developed and very interesting now), and the plot just flowed naturally through the pages. To me, Rollins is this generation's Michael Crichton, and I hope his good works continue.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was one of the better Sigma Force books in a while. Lots of different things going on, some involving bad guys, some invovling ... other stuff. History played a part leading to the sort of puzzles that make the Sigma Force books fun. Plus, I really liked some of the additional characters that found their way into this story. Just good fun. 
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    What mess of a book, not sure who thought this was a good story. Jumps all around, little to no character development, a book that you pray will end soon. I know that I've read a couple of other James Rollins books that were good. Not this one!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I always gush about the Sigma Force novels. This one is no exception, I loved it. The book takes the team out to Utah, and into the Mormon faith. Living in Idaho, with many Mormon friends, this particular story covered territory I was quite familiar with, which made it extra fun. I highly recommend the book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a fast paced thriller with fascinating facts from history and science woven into the plot. So glad Rollins keeps them coming!
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    It’s not believable, the story could be good, just wasn’t assembled very well
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is a Reading Good Books review.* In compliance with FTC guidelines, it should be noted that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.I tried to beat the release date of this book but I could not finish on time. But hey, better late than never, right?I am familiar with James Rollins’ work by way of the novelization of the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Later on, I came across his Sigma Force series. When I received this book, I must say that I was concerned that I would not be able to grasp it very well because being the seventh in a series, it would be hard for me to catch up on character development; that the author would not put that much time in explaining who these characters are for the new reader. Luckily, that was not much of an issue after all.The Devil Colony brings Director Painter Crowe and his team at Sigma Force to a race against time. A series of nanobot caches threaten to explode and blow up the planet. It takes them across the United States and even an adventure to Iceland. It all begins with a discovery of a Native American gravesite containing gold plates with ancient script engraved on them. Things become heated between the Native American groups and the National Guard and amidst that riot, the lead anthropologist of the dig dies suddenly, her body consumed by an unexplainable explosion.Not long after Sigma Force was called in to help, it becomes personal to Director Crowe. His niece, Kai, is caught in the middle of it all, even being accused of masterminding the explosion. Together with the rest of his team, Crowe will do anything to not only save his niece but prevent these explosions from destroying the world.This incorporated Native American history with the history of the Mormon faith (is it just me or did I read “JOHN Smith” somewhere in the book as supposed to “JOSEPH Smith”?) as well as nanotechnology. All of it was pretty new to me so it was a lot to take in. I appreciate all the explanations and the illustrations provided. They were very clear and it really did help push the story forward. Information-heavy as this book was, it was not boring at all. I found myself getting more and more interested in the topics being talked about. It was easy to understand.I also love all the action and adventure the characters went through. I do not know how this compares to the other Sigma Force novels but this one was great. A bit of Indiana Jones-like thing going on with Painter Crowe and his part of the story while Commander Grayson Pierce was on his own vigilante mission.As someone who is not familiar with these characters, I found them all engaging. They worked well with each other, which was what I would expect with six books of development behind them. At first, I was afraid that the author would just go into these characters without much introduction but Rollins gave hints of their backstories here and there. Not a lot, but enough to for a new reader to get her feet wet. My favorite was Kowalski. I am sure he is a tough guy through and through but his lines are just hilarious. Definitely the comic relief of the whole book! His penchant for C4 explosives reminds me of one of my favorite Mythbusters quotes from Jamie Hyneman: “When in doubt, C4.” I sympathized with Gray and the many problems he is facing on top of his already numerous responsibilities. I am very curious about Seichan. I was the most curious about her story and at the same time, confused by it. Kat and Monk, they are so sweet. Those two parts, I wished I read the other books so I would have a better grasp of their characters/relationships.I do enjoy these kinds of books, in general, even if I am not familiar with the history they are basing their story from. Apart from not knowing the characters very well, I thought this was a solid and well thought out story. This definitely made want to get the rest of the series and start from the top. James Rollins, consider me a fan.Rating: 4/5.Recommendation: Fans of Steve Berry and Dan Brown would find something that they would like in this book. If you are interested in technology and fictionalized history, especially Native American history, give this a try. Although I might not recommend this being your first book to read out of the series. As much information that the author gave about the characters, I was still pretty much in the dark.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love the the suspense and how everything comes together in the end. The history and biology references in all the books is intriguing This series is definitely well worth completing. On to the next book...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    If you grew up loving the likes of Tom Swift and Jonny Quest, you can continue to get your fix as an adult by reading the Sigma Force novels of James Rollins. And this, the seventh outing for Painter Crowe and his group, shows us that Rollins is just getting better with age. This time around, Mormonism, Native Americans, America's founding fathers, nanotechnology, neutrinos, volcanism, and more combine to make a terrific thriller that also offers ample opportunities to be pleasantly distracted by side trips to check further into the many people and issues that comprise the tale. In short, it's a perfect explanation for why I find Rollins to be the best thriller writer working today.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Not a masterpiece, characters are kind of wooden - which is typical for this author, as well as for many others writing in this genre. However, it provides some interesting facts and hypotheses (related to Mormons, Native Indians and founding fathers) and fast pace (sometimes too fast - I kept forgetting where I was as the action switches all the time between different characters).
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    This was my first book I’ve read from this author and i hope the lackluster writing in this novel isn’t indicative of his other work because he’s got a lot of it to read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Race to stop the end of the world thriller. Ending was a bit rushed and weak, otherwise I would have gone with four stars.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I feel like I've been waiting forever for the next Sigma series book and this one was well worth waiting for. The team is back on home ground in the United States and it tackles topics that have always fascinated me-the Anazasi and the mystery that surrounded them as well as some new nuggets that I never really thought about-the origins of the US seal and the ideas contained in the constitution. The team is separated for most of the story and we rotate following each group. I love that Seichan is a regular in the Sigma books now and I am really rooting for her and Gray to get together. I think they would be so great together and the chemistry between the two of them is hot! Speaking of Seichan, we get to see a little more about her background and it's fascinating as we slowly peel away the layers of what made her into what she is now.The action is thrilling as usual but there is also a little bit of heartache thrown in here and there. And for those Kowalski fans, he is definitely there and in top form. I think he definitely got some of the best lines in the book. I'm glad that he is playing a larger part on the team and we are starting to get glimpses of the hidden intellect he really has and that he's not just pure muscle power for the team. There are a lot of new twists and turns revealed regarding the Guild and it keeps me constantly unbalanced and antsy to find out where did they really originate from and who are the top echelon of the organization. We find out that their roots go back farther than we first thought and there are some surprising members.If you are a fan of Rollins other Sigma books I think you will definitely enjoy this one. I cannot wait for the next one to come out! If you haven't read Rollins before I definitely suggest picking up the Sigma series books.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Best. Novel. Yet.Over the years, I’ve written a lot of enthusiastic things about the novels of James Rollins. But until now, I’ve never written this: THE DEVIL COLONY IS THE BEST NOVEL THAT JAMES ROLLINS HAS EVER WRITTEN! (Yes, in all caps even!) Like many readers, I was disappointed in the two-year wait for this latest installment in the Sigma Force series. Now, I’m thinking perhaps he should take two years on all the novels—I don’t know if it was the extra time, but something has paid off huge dividends.As always, summarizing the story is the hardest part. First, because I’d hate to spoil any surprises. And secondly, because it’s just really hard to summarize one of Rollins’s everything-but-the-kitchen-sink plots. The main action of this book opens in present day Utah. From two boys who can’t resist the lure of the forbidden, a great and terrible discovery is made at a sacred Native American site. There are bodies. There is an artifact. And, astonishingly, something that goes to the very core of Mormon theology!Just as the scientists on site are beginning to grasp what they’ve discovered, there is a huge explosion. The explosion is blamed on a Native American activist, but it’s clear that this wasn’t your standard bomb. It’s something far more dangerous, with implications that spread further and further afield, and which drag Sigma operatives into the story on differing assignments and for different reasons. All the usual suspects are back, including the enigmatic Seichan, who is again paired in an uneasy alliance with Gray Pierce. Painter Crowe is also back in the field this time around. Operatives from the Guild are up to their usual tricks, and even as readers learn more about the shadowy organization in this novel, new questions are raised for the next book. (It’s infuriating how he does that.)In provocative messages leading up to the publication of The Devil Colony, James Rollins repeated asked, “Was America founded on a lie?” The plot of this novel does get right to the heart of the formation of this country. What were Lewis and Clark really up to? What was Thomas Jefferson communicating in secret ciphers? It also explains the fate of some of the most mysteriously lost cultures through history. It delves into the not only the most cutting-edge technology, but also some amazingly advanced ancient technology. And, yes, it also explores the foundation of the Mormon Church. Oh, and there’s a super-volcano! And killer whales! And the heist of all heists!Seriously, I could go on like this all day. The scope of this novel is breath-taking. What’s amazing is that Rollins pulls all of these diverse threads together so plausibly that you’ll find yourself wondering if he has indeed solved half the puzzles of the ages in one fell swoop. As always, there’s a staggering amount of fact laced throughout his fantastic plot. It’s enough to make you go, “Hmmm.” The pace starts to race early on, and it just never slows down. The stakes in the book simply get bigger and bigger. Technically, it’s a well-structured page-turner. But in the end, it’s the story that got me and held me. Every part of it was just so inventive, exciting, and so darn interesting! I entitled this review “Best. Novel. Yet.” I don’t anticipate Mr. Rollins topping The Devil Colony any time soon, but I hold out hope. He wrote this one. What wonderful tales can we look forward to in the future?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An ancient threat is revealed resulting in a race against time to save the world. Although my introductory statement might seem a little cliché, there is nothing cliché about The Devil Colony.Nanotechnology today is found in almost everything we see, everything we purchase, but what if nano nests were not of this century, but something discovered long ago? And what if these nests were buried to protect people against the destruction that these nests could cause? And what if an event triggered activity among these nano nests?Such is the premise for this story by James Rollins. With this adversary that could destroy the world, and a second human adversary who will stop at nothing to solidify his place in the True Blood Line, the Sigma Force has its work cut out for it.Throw into the mix some Native American history and a little romance and you have the makings of a great story.Quick read and engaging till the end.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It seemed easier to get into this book than some of the previous ones in the series (Perhaps because this time I skipped all the 'Historical' or 'Science' notes and maps at the beginning?) On the other hand once I got into it, the novel turned out to be extremely long and at times it seemed to drag on and on, less thriller and more of a plodder. Then it was if a switch were flipped, and it was one of the most thrilling thrillers I've ever read.This time Rollins' themes/topics are nano-technology and how it has permeated our culture as well as the super secret top of the food chain of The Guild. Plus, they're trying to literally prevent the end of the world in this book.As usual the new to this book characters (who'll probably disappear from the next one) are pretty good, and the main characters actually change and grow from book to book. That's something that doesn't always happen in genre fiction, especially in some of the male oriented thrillers. But here it's done pretty well, and only every once in a while does a cliffhanger at the end of a book seem forced.A solid, if long, book, three stars for sure.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I like how these are fiction books but with true facts within it awesome reads
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Devil Colony is the 7th book in James Rollins Sigma Force series. This time an ancient secret sought after for centuries, has resurfaced once again. It caused a strange explosion then everything seemed to disintegrate into sand, including the bedrock. Sigma’s arch-nemesis ‘the Guild’ have an excellent idea what it is, so have a large head-start. Painter Crow becomes personally involved when he discovers his niece was present and is being blamed for the catastrophe. The trail goes back in history all the way to Thomas Jefferson and Lewis & Clark, who were attempting to find the treasure before the ‘enemy’. It has tracks all over the US, Utah, Kentucky, DC as well as Europe. It appears to be a nanotech that is weapons grade and could kill the entire planet.Honestly, I enjoyed the last book much more. I think most of my problem with this one was the whole back story on the nanotech, how dangerous it was, and how it got to be in the places it showed up in. Half the story was making up excuses to explain away a bunch of very important things that I needed for me to accept it, and I couldn’t swallow it. I know a bit about history, about cultures, and about physics which interfered with plausibility. The rest of the story was excellent, the weaving of histories and the suspense, even the conspiracies. I just couldn’t believe in the threat itself, in how it ‘worked’ or in how long it’s existed undetected.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I have enjoyed Rollin's previous works however I was not sure if this book would be as enjoyable. I was concerned about the topic being too far fetched and the characters all seem to be moving apart as a unit. This book was a good read. Rollins has added more depth to his characters and has written a great thriller with many twists and turns. I would recommend this book to fans of thriller novels or for those looking for a good summer read. Enjoy!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I always enjoy James Rollins books as the always seem to include some historical references and figures even though some of it may be contived. This story includes Native Americans, Founding Fathers and Lost Tribes of Isreal. A very good read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fast paced a fun read with many interwoven threads. Most of the way through the book many concepts seem unlikely fabrications - but - Rollins uses just enough scientific and historical fact to cause the reader to at least "scratch their head".
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Rollins does it again. Always thrilling and always interesting.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Entertaining read. The book reads like it is meant to be made into an action movie. On a side note, as a BYU Physics grad, it was fun having the Science Center featured in the story and having the quad in front of it get a hole blown in it...