James Rollins and the Sigma Force are two names that guarantee a good read. The story works as a stand-alone but is much richer with the history of the regular characters we already can identify. I've not been a reader of the Kane and Tucker books so felt like they were forced in here. Once I saw how they were incorporated, I was more accepting of them as part of the Sigma team. I liked how the author lets readers know the difference between what was factual and what was fiction. Writing about a killer virus in this time of Covid was hard but it was good to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.8 stars

A vicious unknown disease is spreading quickly in Africa. Sigma Force comes and tries to find the origin and a cure.

I liked the last 1/3 the best but the story didn’t grab me as they normally do.

If you are looking for an action-packed, high stakes, and well-researched science thriller, then look no further than the newest release from James Rollins, Kingdom of Bones. Rollins takes readers on a rollercoaster of a ride through the remote jungle of the Congo where the beloved characters of Sigma Force are battling against a very dangerous, unknown virus that is "leveling the evolutionary playing field." I've read all of Rollins's novels, and each one gets better and better. Highly recommend for fans of Clive Cussler, Steve Berry and Douglas Preston.

Strap yourselves in tight for a wild ride in Rollins latest thriller. Deep in the Congo jungle the environment is going topsy turvy with swarms of jackals and ants viciously attacking outposts. Topping that, a mysterious virus is killing people vexing the few medical staff in the area. Commander Gary Pierce and Sigma Force are tasked to locate the cause of the virus and environmental upheaval and save the world. The question becomes, is this a natural phenomenon or has someone, or something evil, set the disaster in motion? Characters range from wisecracking tough guys, to resourceful military personnel but stealing scenes in Kane, a loyal and tough Belgian Malinois. A high body count, advanced weaponry and ancient artifacts all intermix in Rollins’s tale that moves at breakneck speed. Readers will have to suspend disbelief in the details and just enjoy the action.

"Kingdom of Bones" was another great Sigma Force novel. I could not put it down. James Rollins is definitely an author you will want to start reading if you haven't already!

As a long time SIGMA fan I'm always excited to see a new one come out. Over the last few years, however, my enjoyment of the series has waned.

Rollins continues to amaze with his imaginative and impeccably-researched stories but I do occasionally find them boring, long-winded, and overly detailed.

Kowalski seems to have gone from lovable grump to raging asshole who contributes nothing but sarcasm.

Love Rollins, love SIGMA. The last few installments haven't really lit my fire like they used to.

The Sigma Force is back in this brand new adventure from Rollins. Like other books. Rollins has a wonderful way of sucking you into a rollercoaster of an adventure. In this novel, a virus has breaks loose in the Congo. The Sigma Force is called in to help identify and potentially find a cure. Thrown in the mix is a big rich arrogant baddy who plans to use the virus to his advantage.

What an amazing read! From the very beginning, I was pulled into the story, the action, and the characters. I couldn't put it down!. Part of the reason I enjoyed the book is that the author put a lot of research into the novel. The science and history is very accessible. I highly recommend this to any adventure book lover or anyone who just wants a fun adrenaline-fueled ride.

The action in Kingdom of Bones is as dense as the jungle it takes place in. Like the mighty Congo river, the situation on the ground goes from dangerous to deadly without warning and readers will be gripping the book like it’s a matter of life and death.

James Rollins can craft an engaging and entertaining novel as well as anyone putting pen to paper today. The latest Sigma novel might be his most action packed novel to date. There is simply not a single moment for the reader to take a deep breath and collect themselves. Things go from bad, to worse, to ‘oh good god’ at a blistering pace and I loved every second of it.

To give a quick summary of the plot, I’m going to steal a quote from another famous series involving ‘Bones’...

“A man who holds that much power, even with the best intentions, just can’t resist the urge to play god.” - Dr. Leonard McCoy

Ok, I’ll expound a bit more on the plot.

When a mysterious illness is discovered by a United Nations relief team in a small village in the Congo, they soon realize that something in the surrounding environment is very wrong. The local plants and animals have begun to display strange and predatory behavior as if they’re evolving at an exponential rate. Fearful that the situation has reached beyond this tiny slice of the jungle, Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma force are called in.

As the hunt for the source of the mysterious outbreak develops, the battle between man and nature only intensifies. There was always going to be a breaking point when nature began to push back against mankind, the only question is how many of us will survive when it happens.

I also want to highlight the inclusion of Tucker Wayne and Kane in this book. Tucker and his canine companion have made a few appearances in the Sigma series and even has a couple standalone novels of their own. This duo has always been one of my favorite parts of the series and I cannot tell you how great it was having them back in action. I’m hoping this means there may be a third Tucker and Kane adventure coming our way.

I recently had a debate with someone that said Rollins should be categorized as a Science Fiction writer. Which is fine by me. There is a ton of science in this one (I never knew I’d be so interested in the history of viruses) and let us pray that none of the fiction in this story becomes fact. You can label this book SciFi, a thriller, or general fiction… it doesn’t matter. It is one hell of a story regardless of whatever genre you try and put it in.

An absolutely chilling, timely thriller of an adventure. I thought Rollins reached a peak with The Last Odyssey, but Kingdom of Bones is, very simply put, spectacular.

Reading is too tame a description for what one does with a James Rollins' Sigma novel. I drowned in this book, tugged under by the first words and pushed along by the current with my face barely above water, battered by the twists and turns of the story until his river of words spat me out at the end of the book. James' way of blending action and twisting information will leave you gasping and begging for more.

I really enjoyed this installment of James Rollins' Sigma Force series. It offers a great mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense combined with a heavily researched and well-developed storyline. The team must find a cure for a virus that spreading in the Congo while combating a greedy, power-hungry capitalist bent on using a pandemic to increase his control over Central Africa. It's a great story with an amazing cast of characters -- for readers looking for an adventure thriller. I always appreciate Rollins' recommendations for further study at the end of the book.

A UN relief team is in a small village in the Congo where villagers have come down with a paralytic sickness which leaves the nearly catatonic. Before the group can begin to diagnose the camp is overrun by giant ants, and wild baboons. Sigma Force, led by commander Grey Pierce is called in to help.The camp is also attacked by unknown forces and the UN doctors are kidnapped along with some of the patients. The biologist and the Kubu shaman and his assistant escape capture and are rescued by Sigma. This begins a harrowing adventure to seek a cure, to rescue the UN doctors, to outsmart the villain and to restore peace to the region.
Rollins blends his knowledge and curiosity about the environment, history, folklore, medical, veterinary and botanical science to create a wonderful, frightening, informative and enjoyable read. At the end of the book he includes a section which tells you what is factual in the book and what came purely from his imagination. He includes sources for further study or information.
This is book 16 in his Sigma Force series with hints to the next book included.

Another excellent entry in the Sigma Force series! As always, James Rollins pushed my suspension of disbelief to juuuuust the edge, and kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. This book was especially interesting, reading it in the age of Covid-19. It's well researched, with an underrepresented look at the history of the Congo, and a relevant look into viruses. And, as always, the action is top-notch.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I feel like I've been waiting forever for this next installment in Sigma to come out! I really, REALLY liked this, on the heels of the pandemic. Fascinating story/concept, well researched as always, with a few character absences and a couple special additions that were GREAT. Rollins knocked it out of the park with this one, with a captivating ride from start to finish. I don't want to spoil too much with any extras or spoilers but this one was just perfect from beginning to end.

I love the scientific research James Rollins always includes in his books, and this one is full of interesting, and sometimes scary facts about bats, insects, viruses, and the possible next epidemics. I always have a chill, in a good way, as I read his novels. The plot in Kingdom of Bones is unique and interesting, as is his impressive knowledge of Africa, the people and the animals who inhabit this beautiful country. However there are too many characters, and although I’ve met some of them in other books, it was too confusing trying to remember who was who, what they did, and what their field of expertise was. It did lessen my enjoyment of the book. Too many balls in the air.
But all in all a fascinating and throughly interesting novel.