Altar of Eden: A Novel by James Rollins (Epub)

Description

Baghdad falls . . . and armed men are seen looting the city zoo. Amid a hail of bullets, a concealed underground lab is ransacked–and something horrific is set loose upon the world.

Seven years later, Louisiana state veterinarian Lorna Polk investigates an abandoned shipwrecked fishing trawler carrying exotic caged animals, part of a black market smuggling ring. But there is something disturbingly wrong with these beasts–each an unsettling mutation of the natural order, all sharing one uncanny trait: incredibly heightened intelligence.

Joining forces with U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jack Menard–a man who shares with her a dark and bloody past–Lorna sets out to uncover the truth about this strange cargo and the terrorist threat it poses. Because a beast escaped the shipwreck and is running amok–and what is about to be born upon the altar of Eden could threaten not only the future of the world but the very foundation of what it means to be human.

User’s Reviews

Review “Rollins is as sure-footed on new ground as he is in the familiar Sigma Force world.” — Booklist From the Author About James RollinsJAMES ROLLINS is the New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. Known for unveiling unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets, Rollins’ knack for breakneck pacing and stunning originality has been hailed by critics and embraced by scores of millions of readers around the world.The Critics RaveThe New York Times says that his “roguish charm comes from his efforts to persuade readers the story is credible [through] real-life sources for his novel’s science, history and geography.” Rollins’ rare blend of action, suspense, and knowledge was also mentioned by the Huffington Post, which stated that “After Crichton passed away in 2008 he clearly passed the baton to James Rollins, who like Crichton, is a renaissance man.”NPR calls his work “adventurous and enormously engrossing…” and the New York Journal of Books had this to say: “If you’re a fan of smart, entertaining adventure fiction, this is your summer beach read writ large….All the science, all the history, and all the locations are masterfully intertwined. The characters are multi-dimensional. And the story is, well, a corker.”The Story Teller’s StoryAs a boy immersed in the scientific adventures of Doc Savage, the wonders of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, and pulps such as The Shadow, The Spider, and The Avenger, James Rollins decided he wanted to be a writer. He honed his storytelling skills early, spinning elaborate tales that were often at the heart of pranks played on his brothers and sisters.Before he would set heroes and villains on harrowing adventures, Rollins embarked on a career in veterinary medicine, graduating from the University of Missouri and establishing a successful veterinary practice. This hands-on knowledge of medicine and science helps shape the research and scientific speculation that set James Rollins books apart.Explosive Page-Turning AdventuresThe exotic locales of James Rollins novels have emerged as a hybrid between imagination, research, and his extensive travels throughout the United States and Europe, as well as New Zealand, the South Pacific, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. Recent jaunts include book tours and stops across the country and several European nations to give talks, seminars, and media interviews.In recent years, much of James’ travel has involved meeting readers in small and large groups, at writing and fan conferences, and even aboard seagoing “seminars.” James’ mentoring and coaching skills have made him a sought after writing instructor and guest speaker for workshops, symposia, conventions, and other forums throughout the country.James Rollins is the author of nine thrillers in the bestselling Sigma Force series (Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, The Last Oracle, The Doomsday Key, The Devil Colony, Bloodline, and The Eye of God); six individual adventure thrillers; and the Jake Ransom middle grade series (Jake Ransom and the Skull King’s Shadow, Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx.) From the Inside Flap A master at combining heart-stopping suspense and scientific intrigue, New York Times bestselling author James Rollins returns with a thrilling adventure like no other-a shocking story of cruel genetic experiments done in the name of national security…and, most disturbing of all, tied to a secret history of the Book of Genesis.ALTAR OF EDENFollowing the fall of Baghdad, two Iraqi boys stumble upon armed men looting the city zoo. The floodgates have been opened for the smuggling of hundreds of exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles to Western nations, but this crime hides a deeper secret. Amid a hail of bullets, a concealed underground weapons lab is ransacked–and something even more horrific is set free.Seven years later, Louisiana state veterinarian Lorna Polk stumbles upon a fishing trawler shipwrecked on a barrier island. The crew is missing or dead, but the boat holds a frightening cargo: a caged group of exotic animals, clearly part of a black market smuggling ring.Yet, something is wrong with these beasts, disturbing deformities that make no sense: a parrot with no feathers, a pair of Capuchin monkeys conjoined at the hip, a jaguar cub with the dentition of a saber-toothed tiger. They also all share one uncanny trait–a disturbingly heightened intelligence.To uncover the truth about the origin of this strange cargo and the terrorist threat it poses, Lorna must team up with a man who shares a dark and bloody past with her and is now an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol, Jack Menard.Together, the two must hunt for a beast that escaped the shipwreck while uncovering a mystery tied to fractal science and genetic engineering, all to expose a horrifying secret that traces back to humankind’s earliest roots.But can Lorna stop what is about to be born upon the altar of Eden before it threatens not only the world but also the very foundation of what it means to be human? From the Back Cover PRAISE FOR JAMES ROLLINS AND THE DOOMSDAY KEY”Rollins combines real-world science with high-octane action to create rousing stories of adventure that are as exciting as any movie.” — Chicago Sun-Times”Rollins’s prose explodes off the page in a twisty and compelling thriller…swashbuckling adventure, elite team effort, and religious symbology all add up to another gripping and terrifying read…An amazing and brilliant techno-thriller that might be his best to date.” — Library Journal (starred review)”James Rollins is a master of international action and intrigue.” — Richmond Times Dispatch”This guy doesn’t write novels-he builds roller coasters…Rollins excels at combining action and history with larger-than-life characters…A must for pure action fans.” — Booklist”Rollins does his job: thrills promised, then delivered.” — Tampa Tribune

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ After having read all of James’ more recent Sigma force series, I am finding this earlier work of his disappointing. I am having a really hard time getting into this novel. The characters are bland and predictable, the plot, though it should be gripping, is not. I find myself having to go back and reread paragraphs to find out who is talking because somewhere along the way it lost me. He uses the term “bastard” way too many times when describing some foul character and I begin to wonder if James has a thesaurus. If I had read this book before the Sigma series I might have found it to be more gripping. By comparison, his book The Crucible kept me up all night so I could finish it. I could not put it down! Alas, I am not even sure I will finish Altar of Eden.

⭐ With the advent of gene manipulation and DNA/RNA research we have coded for around 20% of what makes us, us. In our hubris we have declared that everything else in the code is ‘ junk’ DNA. Not so. We have studied as to why and how birds have used tiny magnetic particles in their brain to determine direction and migratory flight paths as well as flying in coordinated groups. In application to other animals ( including man) it could be used to control and enhance behavior. The medical applications are endless as well as the military ones. Throw in New Orleans Cajun characters and ‘ Laissez les bon temps rouler’, or ‘Let the good times roll’. Can’t wait for a second book , after all one female character is ripe, oh you just have to read the story…

⭐ There is something about James Rollins novels that truly set the bar so high when compared to other authors. I read 2-3 books a week and I like to change it up between every novel. So I’ll always read one from James Rollins, followed by something different by another author – I never read any series or authors works back to back to back. EVERY SINGLE time I follow up a Rollins novel with another author, I am left feeling as though I’m comparing a senior level college term paper to a 5th grade grammar assignment.His writing style and ability just seems to make other books seem inferior. This book is no exception. Every aspect of the book was entertaining and well written. Like most of his books, he slowly draws you in within the first 50-60 pages to a point that you feel like you are side by side with the main characters.

⭐ If this were by a different author, I’d enjoy it quite a lot. It’s a good read and an interesting story that explores the typical set of interesting science and socio-political intrigue Rollins tends to do. In this case, it’s government military contractors, junk DNA, viral warfare, and genetic manipulation/cloning.I do have problems with a lot of his stand alone (non-Sigma force series) novels though and this is no exception. It just doesn’t seem as rich. In this one there’s really only two locations (swamp south USA and “Eden Island” and the later isn’t really well developed and is pretty sterile). I don’t know if it’s because he spends more time on characters since they aren’t ones he’s developed in the past? The skills, resources, and “ruggedness” of the “Cajuns” seems a bit hard to believe. It’s also quite shocking that the violence that occurs can raise so little notice from the larger world. Some of the supporting characters are interesting, but they feel a bit neglected too. The main focus is on the veterinarian hero, the US CPB officer hero, and the scarred villian, with a lesser nod to some family members and a doctor of questionable ethics. Pretty much everyone else comes and goes. The background story between the hero/heroine is meant to establish a past relationship but it ends up being clunky (family guilt, young mistakes, etc) as does their semi-romance.The part that I found the most interesting was the genetically engineered animals. Sadly, it felt like there was so much more that could have been explored about them, but the ended up being pretty minor to the story on the whole.So it was an interesting book…don’t get me wrong. I just feel like Rollins can and has done a lot better.

⭐ Having never read any of James Rollins work before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Based on the book’s description, it sounded like a dose of escapism with plenty of action, larger than life heroes and villans, exotic locations and a bit of romance. Altar of Eden does, in fact, contain all those elements, but I found it kept surprising me by going in directions I hadn’t anticipated.For example (and this is a fairly mild spoiler), I was certain that when one of the characters noted the tracking ability of one of the escaped animals and it was also noted that the main character had been carrying the creature infant in her arms, I thought ‘Aha! So now we know that the main character will be imperiled by the beast because she carries the scent of the creature’s baby!’ But I was wrong. Not only in that case, but in other observations I made during the first quarter of the book. It wasn’t that Rollins was intentionally tossing red herrings into the plot. It was more that I have read enough genre fiction to guess which direction the plot will take. That’s not so hard to do when you’re reading some authors; but with Rollins, I felt like I was in the hands of a master story-teller. Instead of trying to see where the story was going I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.That’s not to say there weren’t weak spots scattered here and there. The whole discussion of “junk” DNA seemed to be under-explained (or else I am overly dense). And the bad guys seemed more like super villans in a James Bond movie. In fact, the bad guys’ tropical paradise/base of operations sounded like the type of place where you expect to run into Bond villans like Blofield, Odd Job and Dr. No around every corner.Taken as a whole, Altar of Eden makes for great escapism. You probably won’t confuse it with great works of literature, but as a great way to spend a weekend snowed in at home it can’t be beat.

⭐ This was very well written, had some small typos. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve read a book written by Mr. Rollins and I was not disappointed.I always enjoy an author’s note informing me about real places and equipment used. I won’t say anymore so I don’t give the story away.I recommend this book to those that enjoy reading a well paced book and have a basic curiosity about genetics. This book held my interest for the three days it took me to read it, between work and all.

⭐ James Rollins is one of my favorite authors. His Sigma Force series, with Pierce Gray and his force, including my favorite character, Monk, is a superb series. He takes a breather from the Force with an excellent offering, Altar of Eden. He states that he is a vet and has wanted to write a novel dealing with veterinary subjects as well as intriuge.Louisiana vet, Lorna Polk stumbles on what is found in a trawler – animals of great intelligence that are malformed, but acting together, form an intelligence beyond the comprehension of a normal animal. Clearly there are experiments going on and Lorna must work with Border patrol agent Jack Menard, whom she had a past dealing with his brother, years before.Together they try to unlock what a force is trying to do to innocent animals, and try to find the origin of the terror that is in the core of the book. Biological engineering and exposing the mystery of these innocent animals is both plausible and amazing to read.Rollins is an amazing writer and he could write his interpretation of the phone book and it would have me on the edge of my seat.But I look forward to the next Sigma Force book from him, especially enjoyable when he features Monk, my favorite character.Altar of Eden is an excellent read and is a tour de force for vet James Rollins to show his expertise in the non-stop action of this book.It will cause you to think, loving every moment of it as you grow to care for Lorna and Jack and the other colorful characters of the Bayou. You will also care for the innocent animals being used for science in the wrong hands.A wonderful read by James Rollins.

⭐ First, I should say that I love James Rollins’ writing. His characters are engaging – albeit light on the romance. His stories are full of intrigue and action, and his plots always unique. I gave Altar of Eden four stars because I felt Rollins could’ve taken the story to yet another level, fleshed out the characters more, this time particularly in the area of romance, since it’s so tied to the backstory. I don’t want to give away any spoilers. The novel opens in an exciting arena of genetically altered animals/beasts, and as always with Rollins’ novels, the action is superb. There’s intrigue to the backstory of brothers and lost love, new found love. And then the author moves into a whole other sticky story with the island business, which IMHO, was too fanciful and led to an ending that fell slightly short. Don’t get me wrong, AOE is a novel worth reading. It just didn’t measure up to my last Rollins’ read. Still a HUGE fan…

⭐ Just finished ALTAR OF EDEN and I must say it was a can’t put down thriller/science fiction novel up to Mr. Rollins’ high standards. As much as I like his Sigma Force series, I’m glad he chose a stand alone this time around. He started out writing them and I hope he continues to sprinkle them in.That said, this is a tale of genetic manipulation and the lengths the perpetrators will go to to cover their tracks when things go awry during a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.Lorna Polk, veterinarian in charge of the frozen genetics banks of ACRES(Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species) is called in to a grounded trawler by border patrol agent Jack Menard, with which she has a history, to investigate the cargo.A parrot without feathers. a snake with vestigial legs, a pair of conjoined monkeys, a newborn jaguar cub the size of a medium dog with fangs, a feature that shouldn’t develop until later. all surprisingly intelligent.The jaguar mother would be about five hundred pounds and has escaped.The hunt is on. The two of them race to stop the mother before she reaches an alligator farm where a troop of boy scouts are camped.A nice little thriller here.

⭐ James Rollins never ceases to amaze me! I love how his stories have a religious background. He does extensive research on the history his stories revolve around and throws in new age information and studies. I don’t know how he has so much time to research! The female narrator takes some time to get use to, all of his other books I’ve listened to has a male narrator.

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