The Last Odyssey: A Thriller

Written by James Rollins

Narrated by Christian Baskous

To save the world and our future, Sigma Force must embark on a dangerous odyssey into an ancient past whose horrors are all too present in this page-turning thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins that combines cutting-edge science, historical mystery, mythology, and pulse-pounding action.

For eons, the city of Troy—whose legendary fall was detailed in Homer’s Iliad—was believed to be myth, until archaeologists in the nineteenth century uncovered its ancient walls buried beneath the sands. If Troy was real, how much of Homer’s twin tales of gods and monsters, curses and miracles—The Iliad and The Odyssey—could also be true and awaiting discovery?

In the frozen tundra of Greenland, a group of modern-day researchers stumble on a shocking find: a medieval ship buried a half-mile below the ice. The ship’s hold contains a collection of even older artifacts—tools of war—dating back to the Bronze Age. Inside the captain’s cabin is a magnificent treasure that is as priceless as it is miraculous: a clockwork gold map imbedded with an intricate silver astrolabe. The mechanism was crafted by a group of Muslim inventors—the Banu Musa brothers—considered by many to be the Da Vincis of the Arab world—brilliant scientists who inspired Leonardo’s own work.

Once activated, the moving map traces the path of Odysseus’s famous ship as it sailed away from Troy. But the route detours as the map opens to reveal a fiery river leading to a hidden realm underneath the Mediterranean Sea. It is the subterranean world of Tartarus, the Greek name for Hell. In mythology, Tartarus was where the wicked were punished and the monstrous Titans of old, imprisoned.

When word of Tartarus spreads—and of the cache of miraculous weapons said to be hidden there—tensions explode in this volatile region where Turks battle Kurds, terrorists wage war, and civilians suffer untold horrors. The phantasmagoric horrors found in Homer’s tales are all too real—and could be unleashed upon the world. Whoever possesses them can use their awesome power to control the future of humanity.

Now, Sigma Force must go where humans fear to tread. To prevent a tyrant from igniting a global war, they must cross the very gates of Hell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Mar 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062892942

James Rollins

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the “top crowd pleasers” (New York Times) and one of the “hottest summer reads” (People magazine). In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets—and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight. He lives in the Sierra Nevada.

Reviews for The Last Odyssey

[Martay Burton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is full of fast pasted action. This book will not disappoint. It is a great read!.

[cteerbus1961 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

as with each new sigma force novel I think it's the best one yet. but having said that if Rollins kills off Joe Kowalski's character I'll stop reading them! so listen up James if you kill him off you better figure out a way to bring him back! ?

[Balazs Fodor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book was great. Just enough of the global warming hoax. Seems to be in every other book.

[Hyduke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All went well with audio but about 10 times it frozen and wouldn’t play about 10 seconds of audio. Maybe missed about 3-4 sentences each time.

[Kelvin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent narrator made the story better i loved his style

[ronrose1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

James Rollins has another winning entry in his popular Sigma Force series. This time the adventure starts in an ice cave deep in a melting glacier in Greenland where an ancient Arabian ship is discovered. It may contain the secret key to unlock the legendary tales first recounted by Homer in the Iliad and Odyssey. As members of Sigma Force are called in to help with the new discovery, they find to their dismay they are not the only ones aware of this valuable find. Ambushed by members of an unknown counter-force, Sigma must play catch up as the trail leads to the Mediterranean and the sites visited by Homer’s hero, Odysseus. This rip snorting adventure will lead the team to the legendary Greek Tartarus, the gates of hell. Fast paced. Keeps you guessing. Doesn’t disappoint.

[labdaddy4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As always, a fun read. Rollins did his usual fanciful blend of science, history, myth, and religion resulting in a ver fast paced action filled tale. While unrealistic and over the top this bit of pure escapism fits the bill in times like these.

[lamour_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A large piece of ice falls off a Glacier in Greenland revealing a large Arab dhow of Medieval vintage. When the Sigma team starts their investigation, they discover ancient weapons plus mysterious jars of an oil and a map made of gold that seems to show the route of Ulysses on his trek home from the Trojan War.

When some of jars are damaged and strange creatures come out of them with the intention of killing anyone close, experts in archeology and ancient history are contacted. There is also a sinister group who wish to bring the world to an end who are interested in the gold map and how it will lead them to Hell.

Fast moving and gripping narrative.

[niaomiya · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

James Rollins is one of my favorite authors, and I love his Sigma Force series. This one didn't engage me as much as the rest of the series, but it was still good because Rollins is an excellent writer.

As with all of the books in the Sigma Force series, you have to suspend your disbelief and just lose yourself in the story. I usually have no problem with this, but with "The Last Odyssey" it was just so outlandish that I had trouble going with the flow like I usually do. And because I had trouble keeping my disbelief suspended, I couldn't get completely absorbed into the story.

Most of the Sigma crew is back for this 15th book in the series: Gray, Seichan, Painter, Kowalski. However, Kat and Monk make only a blink-and-you'll-miss-them appearance near the beginning of the book, and that's it, which is too bad, because I really like those two characters. Nonetheless, the rest of the Sigma crew are in fine form with important roles throughout the book. Kowalski features quite prominently in this book, and I've always had a soft spot for him because he is so different from the others, so I really enjoyed seeing so much of him.

I can't imagine what Rollins is going to put the Sigma team through for book #16, but I can't wait to find out!

[mrmapcase · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sigma Force is back for their 15th adventure, and it’s just as jam packed as the others. You’ve got history, mystery, science, and action all rolled into one. This is the thinking person’s popcorn novel if that makes any sense.

Free review copy.