Professor Henry Conklin has mummy issues, especially
with the one he’s recently unearthed high in the Peruvian Andes. He’s convinced it predates the Incas, and has
flown back with it to the United States to have tests run that will prove
his hypothesis, leaving his student archaeologists to carry on with the
excavation.
Alas, the test results are not what the professor was hoping for – the mummy
is actually a Dominican priest from the conquistador days. But what is found inside his cranium more
than compensates for the archaeological disappointment.
Meanwhile,
his crew of interns are making some amazing discoveries themselves. Unfortunately, their finds have attracted the attention of the local thieves, who think those things are worth killing for. And when it comes down to a fight between college students versus hardened bandits, put your money on the latter.
What’s To Like...
The story is fast-paced with non-stop action
that is at times over-the-top. The
temple travails in particular will remind you of Indiana Jones. The combination of Archaeology, Ancient
History, and Science makes it my kind of book.
The Historical Fiction portions felt quite believable and
well-researched. I particularly enjoyed
the “is it
natural or is it supernatural?” motif. Preston & Child would give it four thumbs up.
There are some kewl beasts and critters to contend with. Anyone up for taking on the albino
tarantulas? Nah, didn’t think so. The “native tribe” is well-crafted. They may seem primitive, but you don’t want
to get on their bad side.
The
rest of the characters are rather stereotyped, especially the professor’s
student interns. You have the black
athletic jock, the glasses-wearing nerd, and the spoiled, rich-kid a**hole. There's a pair of love interests, but both are obvious
and predictable.
There are some cusswords, but no sex or drugs or rock-&-roll. This is a standalone novel, and AFAIK none of
the characters appear in any other books by James Rollins. Oh yeah, the (mass paperback) book cover is way kewl.
Excerpts...
“What now?”
Maggie asked.
Sam glanced
forward and backward. Everyone began
talking at once. Sam raised the light to
get everyone’s attention. “Stay
calm! It won’t do us any good to panic!”
At that moment,
Sam’s flashlight flickered and died.
Darkness swallowed them up, a blackness so deep it seemed as if the
world had completely vanished. Voices
immediately dropped silent.
After a long held
breath, Norma spoke from the darkness.
“Okay, now can we panic?” (pg. 155)
Ralph stood with
his head cocked, listening to the growing howls. “Whatever we decide, we’d better hurry.”
“Like I said
before, they’re growing more confident because we aren’t doing anything,”
Maggie said. But if we began moving,
taking the fire with us, that ought to spook them again. Also, maybe this cavern is their home. If it’s a territorial thing, by moving,
showing them that we’re leaving, they may not attack.”
“That’s a lot of
maybes,” Ralph countered. (pg.
210)
“It is only ordinary
gold. Worthless.” (pg. 90)
Excavation is an early effort by James Rollins,
his second published novel to be exact.
It felt a little “rough around the edges”. Although there are an ample number of plot
twists, their resolutions seemed predictable (was there ever any doubt about how Joan
was going to escape?) and clichéd.
This book is not part of his “Sigma Force” series, which will turn off
some prospective readers. I’ve now read
four of his books – 2 featuring the Sigma Force troupe, 2 not. I find I prefer the “non-Sigmas” by a slight
margin.
Excavation may not go down as Rollins’
masterpiece, but I didn’t find any plot holes and/or scientific/historical
implausibilities. It was an entertaining
read, and sometimes that’s all you’re looking for.
8 Stars.
Add 1 star
if you prefer your Action-Adventure reads to be over-the-top.
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