Rating: 
Summary: NOT VERY ENTERTAINING
Review: "Charon's Landing" marks the return of Phillip Mercer (first seen in Du Brul's previous novel, "Vulcan's Forge").Mercer must stop Ivan Kerikov, an ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division, who teamed up with an Arab oil minister, plans to take control of the US oil supply. Even though the novel does contain some good action scenes, it is peopled with too many characters and jumps from setting to setting every chapter. Half way through "Charon's Landing" I gave up, I just did not care what happened. Jack Du Brul has been compared to Clive Cussler, and although he does show promise, I will take a novel by Cussler any day.
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!
Review: Charon's Landing is the rematch between geologist Philip Mercer and Ivan Kerikov, ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division. Last seen in Vulcan's Forge, the two combatants quickly sense that overcoming each other is the key to success and survival. Their continuing battle is like a championship heavyweight fight, with repeated powerful blows landing on them and bystanders in all directions. The book differs from Vulcan's Forge in that it has little geological information or plot details, a much simpler plot that takes a while to develop, a love story, and a key focus on sadistic pleasures among its villains. If you don't care much for reading about sadism, you won't like this book. On the other hand, Du Brul succeeds in using it (much like Ian Fleming did) to provide an edge to his villains. I graded the book down one star because the sadism was overdone for my taste. If you decide to read the book, avoid reading any detailed reviews or the material on the book's cover before you begin. The story itself will provide lots of suspense for about 300 pages if you do. In that sense, it is superior to Vulcan's Forge. Otherwise, you will find the first 300 pages move a little slowly. The double crosses within are a quality Du Brul trademark, and provide the main suspense in keeping the story interesting to the end. The last 50 pages are about as action-packed as you can imagine. A high point of the book comes in the remarkable ways that Du Brul designed to help Mercer rescue the world again. They are truly fascinating and bring the book to an exciting and powerful close. Philip Mercer is the ultimate bureaucracy stallbuster. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Sadistic Double-Dealing Action
Review: Charon's Landing is the rematch between geologist Philip Mercer and Ivan Kerikov, ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division. Last seen in Vulcan's Forge, the two combatants quickly sense that overcoming each other is the key to success and survival. Their continuing battle is like a championship heavyweight fight, with repeated powerful blows landing on them and bystanders in all directions.
The book differs from Vulcan's Forge in that it has little geological information or plot details, a much simpler plot that takes a while to develop, a love story, and a key focus on sadistic pleasures among its villains. If you don't care much for reading about sadism, you won't like this book. On the other hand, Du Brul succeeds in using it (much like Ian Fleming did) to provide an edge to his villains. I graded the book down one star because the sadism was overdone for my taste. If you decide to read the book, avoid reading any detailed reviews or the material on the book's cover before you begin. The story itself will provide lots of suspense for about 300 pages if you do. In that sense, it is superior to Vulcan's Forge. Otherwise, you will find the first 300 pages move a little slowly. The double crosses within are a quality Du Brul trademark, and provide the main suspense in keeping the story interesting to the end. The last 50 pages are about as action-packed as you can imagine. A high point of the book comes in the remarkable ways that Du Brul designed to help Mercer rescue the world again. They are truly fascinating and bring the book to an exciting and powerful close. Philip Mercer is the ultimate bureaucracy stallbuster. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Even BETTER than 'Vulcan's Forge'
Review: I am pleased to say that Jack Du Brul's phenomenally fun 'Vulcan's Forge' WASN'T just a fluke. 'Charron's Landing' picks up soon after 'Forge' and takes off with a vengeance. Should we or shouldn't we open up a section of the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge for the sole purpose of claiming the untapped oil reserves that will help make America totally independent from oil from the Middle East? Is it worth the cost in environmental damage? Is it a fair trade? Or are there select environmentalists who are willing to go to ANY lengths to stop the butchering of Alaska...even murder. Although I find that many 'tree-huggers' are willing to do some pretty stupid things in the name of the environment, I have to admit this is a bit hard to swallow-- but WHO CARES?? Oh, if you were wondering where Ivan Kerikov went, 'Charron's Landing' answers that question. Phillip Mercer is my new best friend! I simply could NOT put this novel down and if his books get any better (actually 'The Medusa Stone' IS better than this one)...let me rephrase that: WHEN his books continue to get better, he's going to flat out OWN the action/adventure market like Cussler did in the 80's & 90's. Now I KNOW that could ruffle a few collars out there--but let me remind you, Cussler is MY favorite author, and to see someone have the ability to assume the role that he himself defined is almost enough to bring me to tears...but as long as they both continue to write fantastic books (just check out 'Atlantis Found'--it's awesome) that won't be for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Even BETTER than 'Vulcan's Forge'
Review: I am pleased to say that Jack Du Brul's phenomenally fun 'Vulcan's Forge' WASN'T just a fluke. 'Charron's Landing' picks up soon after 'Forge' and takes off with a vengeance. Should we or shouldn't we open up a section of the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge for the sole purpose of claiming the untapped oil reserves that will help make America totally independent from oil from the Middle East? Is it worth the cost in environmental damage? Is it a fair trade? Or are there select environmentalists who are willing to go to ANY lengths to stop the butchering of Alaska...even murder. Although I find that many 'tree-huggers' are willing to do some pretty stupid things in the name of the environment, I have to admit this is a bit hard to swallow-- but WHO CARES?? Oh, if you were wondering where Ivan Kerikov went, 'Charron's Landing' answers that question. Phillip Mercer is my new best friend! I simply could NOT put this novel down and if his books get any better (actually 'The Medusa Stone' IS better than this one)...let me rephrase that: WHEN his books continue to get better, he's going to flat out OWN the action/adventure market like Cussler did in the 80's & 90's. Now I KNOW that could ruffle a few collars out there--but let me remind you, Cussler is MY favorite author, and to see someone have the ability to assume the role that he himself defined is almost enough to bring me to tears...but as long as they both continue to write fantastic books (just check out 'Atlantis Found'--it's awesome) that won't be for a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Mercer's da man!
Review: I found this sequel to Vulcan's Forge to be highly entertaining and very readable. DuBrul and Mercer could very well be the next Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt. Very high praise indeed!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Sequel to continue a Great Series
Review: I thought that Vulcan's Forge was spectacular, but Charon's Landing is so ingenious, it beats the first book in all categories. Charon's Landing quite simply puts the formula seen in Vulcan's Forge to a new level. The result is a high-caliber adventure. If you're looking for some fun involving eco-terrorists and Arab conspirators, dazzling settings and high-octane action, an unforgettable protagonist and a gorgeous femme fatale, then you've found your book!
Rating: 
Summary: Probably Worth Reading
Review: I was impressed with Du Brul's first novel and recommended it highly. This novel does not quite come up to the same standard as Vulcan's Forge. While the plot is good, the story moves much slower than Du Brul's previous outing. I was disappointed in the apparent glorification of alcohol in this story. It seems like every turn requires a drink! I still recommend the novel if for no reason other than to follow up on the hero of this series. I do like the writing style and will more than likely read other titles by this author just to see where it takes me. I'm just hoping that the next Du Brul novel I read will bring me the same excitement that Vulcan's Forge provided.
Rating:
Summary: Probably Worth Reading
Review: I was impressed with Du Brul's first novel and recommended it highly. This novel does not quite come up to the same standard as Vulcan's Forge. While the plot is good, the story moves much slower than Du Brul's previous outing. I was disappointed in the apparent glorification of alcohol in this story. It seems like every turn requires a drink! I still recommend the novel if for no reason other than to follow up on the hero of this series. I do like the writing style and will more than likely read other titles by this author just to see where it takes me. I'm just hoping that the next Du Brul novel I read will bring me the same excitement that Vulcan's Forge provided.
Rating:
Summary: Gratuitous graphic violence
Review: In Philip Mercer's second adventure he comes face-to-face with his Russian nemesis, Ivan Kerikov. The Russian is angry with Mercer for foiling his plan in VULCAN'S FORGE. He was forced to flee from Russia but not before stealing several Top Secret documents pertaining to Cold War plans. CHARON'S LANDING is one of the plans.
This latest scheme involves creating the biggest man made disaster in recorded history making the Exxon Valdez spill seem like spilt milk. Kerikov enlists and bankrolls a radical environmentalist group without telling them of his hidden agenda. The Russian is also teaming up with a group of Middle Eastern mercenaries for reasons that will be made clear later in the novel. Mercer gets involved in this debacle through unforeseen circumstances. Together with a group of friends he witnesses a shipwreck that was not meant to be found. Kerikov in his haste orders everyone killed in order to prevent them to ruin his plans. Had he left them alone Mercer would have not been involved and therefore there would not have been any novel. This book was a major disappointment compared to his previous novel. There is a lot of action, humor and suspense but the author went a bit overboard. There were several scenes of graphic violence in this book that seemed to be a bit gratuitous. The author can accomplish this better if he lets the reader's imagination take flight. We do not need a play by play action. Anyone who reads CHARON'S LANDING as their first Du Brul novel might be leery of trying his other novels. Only time will tell.
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