The
Demon Crown
by James Rollins, a Sigma Force novel, blends action, adventure,
science, and history. Per usual, he takes a unique idea based
on some truth and builds a narrative around it. Readers, in
typical Rollins style, learn something, while being entertained
at the same time.
In this latest novel, the characters see creatures flying
through the air wondering if it is a bird, a plane, and then
realize they are gigantic wasps. It begins in 1903 when Alexander
Graham Bell flies to Italy to retrieve the bones of James
Smithson, the founder of the Smithsonian Institute. Within
the grave is something that unleashes the “hordes of
Hell.” The enemy organization, the Guild, releases a
massive infestation of giant killer wasps, hoping to bring
the world to its knees. On a beach in Hawaii, these indestructible
wasps that reproduce at staggering rates attack Sigma operatives,
Grayson Pierce and Seichan, who are there enjoying some R
and R. Now he and the rest of Sigma Force must race to eradicate
these massive insects to save not only the world but also
his true love.
Rollins commented, “I grew up watching the B movie version
of some biological horror. I wanted to capture this, put it
into a story, and add a scientific spin. I try to find an
event where I can connect history with science. This story
came about after I read an article about homeland security
concerns with invasive species. We already have these type
of species accidentally introduced in the US whether it’s
the Pythons in the Everglades or the various plants in other
places. The national security concern is that some type of
hostile power can weaponize the invasive species by making
it toxic and difficult to get rid of. Once an insect is released
into the environment they become hard to control, like the
Killer Bees or Fire Ants. I had this in my idea box for a
number of years.”
In this novel, more than in the other books, the author emphasizes
the relationship between Seichen and Gray. As Seichen is put
through the ringer in this story, having to endure wasp stings,
a major blast, and lethal powder thrown at her, Commander
Grayson Pierce will be forced to make an impossible choice.
He is fighting to eradicate the invasive insects, and fighting
against time to help Seichen. He must protect not only the
world but Seichen and his unborn child.
Part of the realism comes from the similarities with those
in the military. Both feel a responsibility to their families
and to making the world safe. Rollins is “supporting
a new enterprise called Veterans Publications. US 4 Warriors
and I want them to immortalize their stories and experiences
regarding what they did on the battlefield and after it.”
Another personal aspect of the story is Gray’s guilt
over killing his father with an overdose of morphine. Rollins
noted, “My mom and dad died of it. Watching them suffer
and seeing they had no quality of life was very hard. Commander
Gray Pierce also saw his dad suffering from no quality of
life so I had him end the suffering. But it is never an easy
decision and he is still plagued and haunted by his choice.
He just knew that his dad would not want to live this way
and felt enough is enough.”
The Demon Crown blends technology, science, and history,
the signature of Rollins. This might be the most disturbing
and creepy book he has ever written. Readers will find these
bugs can be deadly to one’s health and mental state
as they read the story.
Previous
reviews for this series:
Sandstorm
#1
Map
of Bones #2
Black
Order, #3
The
Judas Strain, #4
The
Last Oracle, #5
The
Doomsday Key, #6
The
Devil Colony , #7
Bloodline, #8 [review
1] [review
2]
The
Eye of God #9
The
Sixth Extinction #10
Seventh
Plague #11
The
Demon Crown #12
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