Rating: 
Summary: Well written and enjoyable.
Review: At the recommendation of friends, I read Jack Du Brul's novel "Vulcan's Forge." I found it to be an entertaining and enjoyable book. I found the pace of the book excellent. The descriptions of the characters and the situations they were in to be adequate and not over done to the point of Michael Crichton's "Congo." I remember when I read Clive Cussler's first book "Pacific Vortex" it was an entertaining book but not as well developed as his later books. I believe the same will be true of Mr. Du Brul's books. I enjoyed reading this book and I'm glad this will be a continuing series. I recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Science Passing for Entertainment
Review: Cookie-cutter characters, paper-thin plot, and the most appalling science that I have ever had the displeasure of reading. DuBrul has a college education???? However, I will say that DuBrul is a decent writer. If he would write on a topic which he knows something about, he might actually produce something worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Good read by a new author. Keep it up.
Review: Finished this book and can honestly say it was a good thriller. Mercer seems like a good character to build a series around. Liked that the author gave some credence as to his extravagent habits. (explained how he can afford his toys) The action in this book was non stop. From the first explosion to the last gun shot it was quite a page turner. Keep them coming Jack. Did think that Mercer had too much of the Mike Hammer style in him though ( in dealing with the women). Maybe Jack read too many Mickey Spillane books. All in all it was a very good first book by this author. Have started on Charon's Landing and hope that it is as good as this one.
Rating:
Summary: awful- garbage
Review: I am sorry to say I wasted my time with this book. It is, for one thing, completely implausible: a hydrogen-bomb grow-your-own-volcano kit, a super-human protagonist even more comically unpossible than James Bond, a separatist Hawaii, and just too many coincidences. For another, it contains horrible errors of speeling and grammar, and whole words left out. There are words in these that are the wrong word for that context, like a spell- checker was used but it was never proofread by a human being. I couldn't put it down .. fast enough!! I borrowed it from the library for free and I want my money back!
Rating: 
Summary: A new star is born
Review: I bought my first DuBrul book when I was on a business trip and needed some distraction. When I saw glowing words by Cussler I took a chance. This is my second book of his that I have read and it make more sense to read them in order.
Cussler and Clancy should take the time to read his works, it will remind them of the books they wrote when they first started out.
These books are fresh, with an unlikely hero, a geologist who thinks he is James Bond and sometimes is. The writing is very good, especially for a first novel the plot interesting and the main character a Clark Kent in disquise.
The book has subplots and they all tie together unlike some famous authors of late who write subplots with no bearing on the main story to make political statements.
It was a great read, with well developed characters, fast paced and well written. I have bought his other two books for my next trip and have already started reading.
His works remind me of Fleming, Ludlum, Cussler and Clancy when they first started writing, I couldn't get enough of them, and am awaiting to see what he will write next.
Rating:
Summary: Who are you kidding?
Review: I have read many of the touted books in the adventure-thriller genre. After reading the Medusa Stone, I had to wonder who this author knew that got his books into print. It is interesting to see how publishers get reviewers to praise mediocrity especially when a big name like Mr. Doherty, the boss of TOR books is involved. Comparing this body of work to James Bond or Tom Clancy is not even worth the metaphor. I hope that some day some new voices in this genre will come out.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I read this from cover to cover without putting it down. Again excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Great start
Review: It is unfair to compare Jack Du Brul's writing with those of Ian Fleming and Clive Cussler. In reading this novel the author's influences are very clear but he does it with his own sense of style. He is a promising new author who will probably be successful with his projects. Philip Mercer is a geologist who becomes embroiled in a disaster happening in the Pacific Ocean area. Several ships have disappeared near the island of Hawaii including a NOAA ship where Mercer would have been part of the crew if not for prior commitments. In that ship is Mercer's mentor's daughter Tish Talbot. She is the only survivor of that shipwreck and there are people who want to kill her. Out of a sense of obligation Mercer becomes her bodyguard until he can figure what is going on. In the island of Hawaii a civil war is beginning to brew. Takahoru Ohnishi is one of the most powerful men in Hawaii. He controls the cops as well as several government officials and is currently bankrolling a coup attempt. Ohnishi is a racist who wants to break out of the United States in order to give Hawaii its own independence and be able to do business with the Japanese. The reality is that all of this is a diversion to what is really happening in the Pacific Ocean. It is a Russian top secret plan that has been set into motion fifty years ago and it is now coming to fruition. If successful it will bring a lot of money and influence to the participants. The book has a lot of humor and action making it quite entertaining. The supporting characters in this novel are strong and are probably going to return in the near future. If you are looking for a great beach read this is the book for you. It is the start of what appears to be an incredible series.
Rating:
Summary: The new 'kid' on the block writes like an old master!
Review: Jack Du Brul is a talented author who has managed to distinguish himself in a crowded genre. His hero Mercer is a believable one, more like an everyman living an exciting life than a super- human immortal. The pace is brisk, the plot is plausible and the action scenes don't get too ridiculous like some other adventure authors are apt to pen. If you like Cussler and Crichton you'll be impressed with Du Brul!
Rating:
Summary: Top notch
Review: Just a top notch book tape. Before you know it, you become part of the this make believe world. Spellbinding.
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