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Excavation By James Rollins ( Harper )
Release Date: 2000-07-01
Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $7.99
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Product Description
High in the Andes, Dr. Henry Conklin discovers a 500-year-old mummy that should not be there. While deep in the South American jungle, Conklin's nephew, Sam, stumbles upon a remarkable site nestled between two towering peaks, a place hidden from human eyes for thousands of years. Ingenious traps have been laid to ensnare the careless and unsuspecting, and wealth beyond imagining could be the reward for those with the courage to face the terrible unknown. But where the perilous journey inward ends—in the cold, shrouded heart of a breathtaking necropolis—something else is waiting for Sam Conklin and his exploratory party. A thing created by Man, yet not humanly possible. Something wondrous . . . something terrifying.
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 Some Faults, But Brilliant Nonetheless ( jongjungbu )
Excavation is definitely more refined than Rollins' previous novel, Subterranean, and managed to entice me as early as the first or second chapter. However, once more the efforts of providing some form of romance falls a bit shy of the goal line. The two romantic relationships seemed rather strewn together, as if the characters were being forced to exhibit these emotional inclinations throughout the novel. Much of the physical contact and body language between the two romances was quite unbelievable--even given the circumstances. Towards the end, where you expect these characters to finally establish a true relationship, I raise an eyebrow in curiosity at how unrealistic the events appear. Such developments take place in the limited timeframe of the cinema, but surely not in the many pages of a novel.
The end of the novel seemed to glaze over some of the more finer details, rushing to complete the story and move the characters into a 'safe zone'. I felt a bit turned off by some of these events, as I truly wanted to read more. For instance, the climax of Joan's story arc is almost in absentia. The prologue even felt a bit anti-climactic, as if Rollins was attempting to resuscitate this rushed ending with an afterthought.
Though the romance and finale left something to be desired, the journey itself was well worth the trip. Rollins' mixture of history and modern day thinking fluidly develops into a brilliant, foreboding mystery. I found myself unable to resist continuing further in the saga, even as night drew me into sleep. Each piece of the puzzle was presented with encompassing danger and excitement that kept me asking what would happen next. The stories and events of the Incan civilization alone really push this novel into a level of excellence I cannot deny.
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 Another Rollins adventure story! ( gangsteroflove7 )
James Rollins second novel, "Excavation", is not as good as his prior novel - "Subterranean" - but follows along a similar premise. A team of archeological explorers/students are searching a South American jungle for evidence of an ancient Incan pyramid (and the legendary treasure said to exist there).
The characters are all stereotypical and the action moves quickly. The story reads like a serial/Indiana Jones-like adventure, with both treasures and traps found in the excavated pyramids. What is most remarkable is the discovery of Substance Z - a gold liquid alloy that is not recognized by any scientist and may be the key to the Incan fountain of youth.
A nice summer read!
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Couldn't put it down!
Ok, I think I need to start ordering more than 2 books at a time!
Again a book I couldn't put down.
This one is filled with excitement!
Definately a page turner! Just when you think that the characters might actually get a break and you think about putting the book down...BANG! Something else happens and you find yourself still turning the pages!
Way to go James! Keep them coming!
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 Characters please - not cartoons ( brup6 )
Ever read a book that just screamed - "Make this into a movie that teen age boys will go see?" Heavy on action, quick paced plot and characters drawn with crayon... oh and the perfect hollywood action flick ending.
If anyone else has read the book... Maggie's seizures... dehabilitating and then they disappear, completely gone "poof".
Oh, and the bad guys? Well, nobody ever expects them ;-)
Not even a twinge of piety? - and the sadistic drooling torturer - geez! "Central casting... big guy, balding, big belly - leacherous looking would be good... just for one scene - oh, would be good if he was comfortable around pyrotechnics"
Save a few bucks - wait for the movie - or maybe just the DVD.
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 Just READ IT! ( tschmidt58 )
Everyone has their own opinions, and this is mine. Excavation is one of the most unique, interesting, and thrilling books I've ever read. And I've read thousands of books through my life. Does that age me? lol
James Rollins has the gift of making an unrealistic plot seem totally real. A very hard thing to do with a book in this category.
This is definitely a page turner in my opinion.
Just READ IT!
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