Seeker's Curse (Rogue Angel)

• Publisher:   Gold Eagle
• Number Of Pages:   320
• Publication Date:   2009-07-14
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   037362137X
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780373621378

Enlisted by the Japan Buddhist Federation to catalog a number of ancient shrines dotted across Nepal, archaeologist Annja Creed is honored to help. Political violence has prompted the Federation to protect holy sites from desecration and vandalism, and Annja is their last hope to properly conserve these sites.

Where there's vandalism, there's plundering, and local police soon become suspicious of Annja's presence. But she is more concerned about the antiques smugglers and Maoist guerrillas trying to kill her. When she must trek high up in the Himalayas to protect a sacred golden Buddha statue from falling into the hands of her pursuers, she's told that the place is cursed—and guarded by demons. And Annja has no choice but to face her demons….

Annja Creed is a part-time archeologist, part-time tv host of Chasing History's Monsters, and full-time adventurer. When Annja is hired by the Japan Buddhist Federation to track down several shrines in Nepal, she attracts the attention of Maoist guerrillas. With the help of an attractive policeman, Annja tries to pass the Buddhist "tests" in order to find a sacred shrine before her pursuers. This is another exciting installment in the Rogue Angel series. Though, the plot is light and characters shallow. There isn't a lot of relevant history regarding actual archeology. And there's little-to-no mention of actual relics or antiquities. But for pure action and adventure, Seeker's Curse was a nice mindless-romp through the Himalayas with a kick-butt heroine. Annja is a fantastic character. This series always makes it to the top of my reading pile.

As a fan of the Rogue Angel series, I've been disappointed by some of the recent releases. Most of them have had shoddy to nonexistent plots, and even take major liberties with the character of Annja Creed (and not in a good way). So I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up Seeker's Curse. While not as good as some of the other (earlier) books in the series, it's at least a step in the right direction. Annja is asked by the Japanese Buddhist Federation to find and preserve Buddhist shrines in Nepal. (I have to admit, I found that one to be a stretch. Why wouldn't it be a Nepalese group instead?) While many small, hidden shrines abound in the country, the big prize is a legendary lost shrine, high in the mountains, that was also the goal of an ancient Macedonian general. The shrine is rumored to be guarded by demons - and Annja must also deal with the very real threats of guerilla fighters, terrorists, and other various bad (human) guys. The plot is kind of convoluted, but once the author picks up on it, it's decent. The only thing that muddies this book down is too much action. Hard to believe, but true - the first two thirds of the book are mostly fight scenes in various places (Greece, then a village in Nepal, on top of a mountain, etc.). I found myself getting bored with the action scenes, simply because they came up so much. The spiritual quest and reincarnation theme are sort of buried beneath all the fighting. But if you stick with it, the plot picks up. The last few chapters, sort of a rush job, are the best part of the book. However, I do wish the author would have delved a little deeper into Pan's character and extended their time in and around the lost shrine a little more. But overall, and especially compared to what else is out there currently to represent the Rogue Angel series, Seeker's Curse is pretty good. Recommended.

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