The Blood Gospel: The Order of the Sanguines Series by James Rollins (Epub)

Description

New York Times bestselling authors James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell combine their talents in a gothic tale about anancient order and the hunt for a miraculous book known only as . . . The Blood Gospel.

An earthquake in Masada, Israel, kills hundreds and reveals a tomb buried in the heart of the mountain. A trio of investigators–Sergeant Jordan Stone, a military forensic expert; Father Rhun Korza, a Vatican priest; and Dr. Erin Granger, a brilliant but disillusioned archaeologist–are sent to explore the macabre discovery, a subterranean temple holding the crucified body of a mummified girl.

But a brutal attack at the site sets the three on the run, thrusting them into a race to recover what was once preserved in the tomb’s sarcophagus: a book rumored to have been written by Christ’s own hand, a tome that is said to hold the secrets to His divinity. The enemy who hounds them is like no other, a force of ancient evil directed by a leader of impossible ambitions and incalculable cunning.

From crumbling tombs to splendorous churches, Erin and her two companions must confront a past that traces back thousands of years, to a time when ungodly beasts hunted the dark spaces of the world, to a moment in history when Christ made a miraculous offer, a pact of salvation for those who were damned for eternity.

Here is a novel that is explosive in its revelation of a secret history. Why do Catholic priests wear pectoral crosses? Why are they sworn to celibacy? Why do the monks hide their countenances under hoods? And why does Catholicism insist that the consecration of wine during Mass results in its transformation to Christ’s own blood? The answers to all go back to a secret sect within the Vatican, one whispered as rumor but whose very existence was painted for all to see by Rembrandt himself, a shadowy order known simply as the Sanguines.

User’s Reviews

Review “Pure genius…The pairing of Rollins and Cantrell has brought the best out of both authors. The Blood Gospel is not just a must read, it would be a sin not to read it!”– Suspense Magazine”Irresistible. The DaVinci Code meets vampires.” — Booklist”This work is all thriller fans would expect from a combination of Rollins (Bloodline) and the Macavity Award-winning Cantrell (A Trace of Smoke): cutting-edge science, ancient history, and a solid gothic mystery plot. Publishing plans call for this to be a trilogy, but this combination may be just too good to stop with only three books. Fans of the authors will not be disappointed, and those who lapped up The Da Vinci Code will be clamoring for more in this series.” — Library Journal (Starred Review) From the Author About James RollinsJAMES ROLLINS is a #1 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 In his first-ever collaboration, New York Times bestselling author James Rollins combines his skill for cutting-edge science and historical mystery with award winning novelist Rebecca Cantrell’s talent for haunting suspense and sensual atmosphere in a gothic tale about an ancient order and the hunt for a miraculous book known only as…Blood GospelBLOOD GOSPELAn earthquake in Masada, Israel, kills hundreds and reveals a tomb buried in the heart of the mountain. A trio of investigators–Sergeant Jordan Stone, a military forensic expert; Father Rhun Korza, a Vatican priest; and Dr. Erin Granger, a brilliant but disillusioned archaeologist–are sent to explore the macabre discovery, a subterranean temple holding the crucified body of a mummified girl.But a brutal attack at the site sets the three on the run, thrusting them into a race to recover what was once preserved in the tomb’s sarcophagus: a book rumored to have been written by Christ’s own hand, a tome that is said to hold the secrets to His divinity. The enemy who hounds them is like no other, a force of ancient evil directed by a leader of impossible ambitions and incalculable cunning.From crumbling tombs to splendorous churches, Erin and her two companions must confront a past that traces back thousands of years, to a time when ungodly beasts hunted the dark spaces of the world, to a moment in history when Christ made a miraculous offer, a pact of salvation for those who were damned for eternity.Here is a novel that is explosive in its revelation of a secret history. Why do Catholic priests wear pectoral crosses? Why are they sworn to celibacy? Why do the monks hide their countenances under hoods? And why does Catholicism insist that the consecration of wine during Mass results in its transformation to Christ’s own blood? The answers to all go back to a secret sect within the Vatican, one whispered as rumor but whose very existence was painted for all to see by Rembrandt himself, a shadowy order known simply as the Sanguines.In the end, be warned: some books should never be found, never opened–until now.

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:

⭐ The first book of The Order of the Sanguines Series. I was immediately hooked as I lam fascinated with the vampire myth, intrigued by the mythologies surrounding religion, particularly Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and have a reverential love of history. As a fan of Rollins’ Sigma Force books, I am familiar with his Action/Adventure novels elegantly written with the juxtaposition of Religion/Science, Justice/Corruption, etc., while embracing the fluidity of history. Unfamiliar with Rebecca Cantrell’s writing, I suspect she too has alternative views of religious history with a hearty dose of gothic horror and mysterious suspense. Their collaboration seems to have opened a portal to an alternative approach to macabre mysticism as the tale begins with a concordance, an Order of Vampiric Catholic priests. The characters in this book are sublime; the brilliant, but disillusioned archaeologist, Dr. Erin Granger; the good-natured and brave military forensic expert, heroic Sergeant Jordan Stone; the disconsolate albeit noble Father Rhun Korza, a Catholic vampire belonging to the Order of Sanguines; and finally, the infamous and anarchic Bathory (based on Elisabeth Bathory 1560-1640, Hungarian, aka The Blood Countess), enthralled to Him. They are each sent, by different entities, as experts in their fields, to modern Israel after an earthquake destroys the fortress at Masada and reveals an ancient tomb holding the mummified body of a young girl who had been crucified. The Isreali government requests Dr. Granger to join forces with American Army Ranger , Sgt. Stone investigating the cause of the earthquake, searching for artifacts of destruction. After a brutal attack by the soulless Striogi, led by their tortured leader, Bathory, the Dr. and the Sgt. ally themselves with their savior, the Vatican’s representative, Father Korza. The battle begins as the Sanguines (priests protected by the blood of Christ) and their ancient enemies, the Striogi, each determined to acquire and decipher the divine secrets of the Gospel of Christ, believed to have been written in his own blood and rumoured to have been kept in the ancient temple turned tomb.

⭐ Not the best work from James Rollins. Before opening this book I had just finished “The Wolf Gift” (Anne Rice) which, although a bit too wordy in places, was a pleasure to read. This book in comparison is almost a chore. Writing is not naturally smooth, depends far too much on paragraphing short non-sentences for dramatic effect (amateurish really), and I’m not sure at this point (about 60% through) if I’ll finish reading it. Probably not. It seems that the whole (of two authors here) is sometimes actually less than the sum of the parts.

⭐ Amazing creative writing by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell. The story revolved on the holy scripture and a prophecy. It’s action-packed with a tinge of romance, humor, and mystery. I was on my toes from start to end awaiting for the mystery to unravel. I was a little worried that the Feds would tag me for probable threat to homeland security due to my online search of weapons being used in the story. With this book, I was given a chance to travel in Israel and Rome. I thank LVCCLD for lending me the kindle format of this book.

⭐ I couldn’t even finish this book it is so poorly written. It takes the authors 30+ chapters to cover a mere 2-3 days because they try to be wordy and eloquent and all it does is mire the plot down. Rollins has his characters circling the globe and having adventures in numerous countries in said 2-3 days which is ludicrous. I don’t think this is a book meant for adults although they do try to weave sex and romance into the storyline and it only comes across as cringe worthy. This book is certainly not a page-turner and failed to hold my interest at all. I chose a Rollins book because I like his Sigma Force series but even his last one of those was not good. I may have to give up on this author. Sad.

⭐ Very scary fictional interpretation of the search for a lost Gospel. Erin, archaeologist working at Caesarea, discovers a gravesite of an infant. Realizing she is in fact in a large, unknown cemetery area , events start to move forward at a deceptive speed pulling her from her site to an accidental collapse at Masada. There she is joined by multinational specialists focused on the origin and reason for the mountain to split. Teamed with Jason, a military combat specialist, and a mysterious priest Rhun Korza, she will emerge into the world of supernatural powers bent on causing the discovery of a lost gospel and its opening. Members of the Vatican Special Order of Sanguines, the hunt for clues in Nazi records, lost vaults and tunnels inside old war bunkers, crypts, Roman tunnels, and the discovery of Rasputin, charge them headlong into a final showdown with horrendous potentials. The author had taken the mysteries of the inner Vatican, closed to all but the few who are there, and throws out another version of the religious meanings, secrets, and future from New Testament stories. Wonderful descriptions of the scenery, locale, libraries, and religious orders. What is the Blood Gospel that is so dangerously elusive? The ending of book is totally unexpected, even for suspicious minds of the readers.

⭐ I know I have said this soooooo many times but I think I have truly found THE book that did it for me. I absolutely loved everything about this book, it was well put together and beautifully described. The combination or facts, religion, and historical events was simply amazing and I loved the scriptures that were use in this book as well. I had this book for every long time and never got past the first chapter because it really didn’t seem that interesting to me, boy was I wrong. I’m so glad I read this book it really was an amazing story. The use of history blew my mind from Elizabeth Bathory (The Blood Countess), the Crusades, and Religion I know certain things of the story are not true facts but nonetheless it was awesome. I can’t wait to start reading the next book in the series. Erin, Jordan, and Rhun are definitely my favorite they manage to make a bad situation a great one. Thrust together by some prophecy that can save or destroy humanity and so they embarked on a hell of a journey, literally. What I liked most about the story was the detail description into each characters lives and who they were and how they came to be where they are. I believe that. Erin loves Rhun and Jordan in her own very different way and has a connection to them. This is a must read I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

⭐ Wow! This book totally blew me away!I’ve always been a James Rollins fan, since the day I discovered him (ie needed a book for a LONG cross-country drive in a moving van, randomly picked up Map of Bones paperback off the shelf at Target and BAM! LOVE!). He’s got great characters, stories spanning centuries and continents, and the fate of the world in the hands of a small group of heroes.I think my favorite part about this book is that James Rollins really stepped out of his “norm” for his adults books. It’s not fantasy, like he writes under his other pen name James Clemens, and it’s not historical-adventure-techno-secret agent-thriller like his Sigma series and standalones. It’s so much more than that. It’s like the genius of those with a whole new supernatural element mixed in.For his first ever written collaboration, it seems like a partnership made in Heaven. Rebecca Cantrell and Rollins’ writings mesh so well together, you’d never recognize that this was book was written by two authors.The story is masterful — a “save the world” epic, driven by prophecy, religion, and honor. The characters are likeable, believable, and relatable — even those who are more than human. Cantrell and Rollins have created a fantastical new world of adventure and populated it with a wide array of new heroes and villains — and it will suck you in and leave you breathless as you jump from continent to continent.You’ll not want to put this book down until you get to the last page. And when you do get to the last page, REJOICE! It’s going to be a SERIES! 🙂

⭐ Great start to a new series! Prepare for a fast paced novel that is going to engage your emotions from the first page turned until the last page read. Rollins always does an amazing job of creating a story by using scientific and historical facts then twisting them in such a way as to make the unbelievable seem not only reasonable but plausible. I’m torn here trying to write this because I don’t want to ruin any of the astonishing twist and turns taken throughout the entire story. And–WOW–are there ever some tense moments created that seem impossible to find a way out of. The different sub-characters that make appearances are going to blow your mind!Erin, as the heroine, is the type of female I personally love. She is smart, strong willed, and not easily pushed around. She’s not without baggage though, created from a past that has predisposed her into rejecting anything that carries a religious nature to it. When Erin is pulled away from her own archaeological dig in Caesarea, Israel to help at the historical site of Masada it is the beginning of a race across several countries, with two companions, to try and find a book. A book, the Blood Gospel, which if delivered into the wrong hands can conceivably mean the end of the world. Erin companies a mysterious Vatican Priest, Father Rhun Karza and a less mysterious but very attractive Sergeant Jordan Stone, of the Ninth Ranger Battalion, in pursuit of the Blood Gospel. This is going to be a journey for Erin and Jordan not only from country to country but into the fantastical realm of myths and legends. A realm Father Rhun is not only familiar with but a card holding member of. Evil follows them every step of the way.The BLOOD GOSPEL reminds me of a cross between INDIANA JONES and THE DEVINCHY CODE. Rollins and Cantrell have created a wonderful tale that kept me up way later than I should have been reading. I cannot wait until the next book in the series, INNOCENT BLOOD, comes out!Highly recommend this book to anyone over the age of 16 because of the graphic depiction of violence.

⭐ I am a big Rollins fan and would have purchased this book regardless of the topic but this book is definitely one of my favorites. Other reviewers have mentioned the supernatural angle and the vampires so I won’t go into chart any further except to say that I am pretty much one the whole vampire/zombie apocalypse type books and despaired of reading anything new or inventive in that genre. Well thanks to Mr. Rollins, I do see something quite different here and it was very welcome. I enjoyed his main characters immensely, finding them believable and fleshed out. I thought there was a good flow between action scenes and the more sedate scenes of character development. The story grew beautifully from the dig at Masada to every event thereafter. The idea of the Blood Gospel was fascinating.. and for me, an original “relic” amongst all the historical adventure novels coming our way. I really enjoyed this book and can highly (and have been!) recommend it to fans of the action adventure/ historical quest/ prophecy type books.

⭐ I enjoyed Rollins’ Sigma Force series, and most of his stand-alones are at least OK, but this first of the series struck me as bizarre in the extreme. Not really a thriller, more like a horror story of vampire-like creatures, some of which serve the Vatican, others some unnamed evil force. Not to my taste.

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