The Blood Gospel (The Order of the Sanguines #1) by James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell

Published: January 8th 2013

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. But 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.

Flawless.

Amazing.

Captivating.

Need I say more?

I must admit, the first few chapters were rather intimidating. I had the impression this book would be too much of a heavy read to be enjoyable. I am so glad I continued. The pace quickened, the emotional appeal for the characters escalated and I was pulled into the mysterious journey.

In an odd way, I particularly liked my first impression.  It serves as a metaphor for the book. It is interesting; almost like this book is such an adventure it is not for the faint of heart, only for those fully devoted to the journey to find the truth.

I loved the new terminology introduced in the story. This is a fantastic blending of archaeology, mixed with religious conspiracies and legends. One of the best books of its kind that I have ever read.

A must read. I can’t wait for the rest of this enthralling new series.

Thank you, Harper Collins Canada for the review copy.