Rating: 
Summary: Certainly more of the same- in a good way!
Review: One does not read Clive Cussler's books for literary insight or deep, thoughtful themes. No, you read them for pure escapism and enjoyment- and perhaps a small history lesson (in the way that Indiana Jones gave 'history' lessons), and Cussler delivers once again with Kurt Austin. Somehow, Cussler keeps coming up with fresh, if formulaic, stories to entertain and thrill. Is there anything new here? No, but you can love it for the same reason you love James Bond. Buy it, unplug from the world, and enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: My Lost Innocence
Review: Others can provide spoilers for this story. I'll just disabuse the reader.
You think you learned some tidbits of history, culture and geography from Dirk Pitt, don't you? This book makes anything you think you learned questionable, at best. The authors have ignored simple geography, played havoc with population distributions, and butchered cultures and their inter-relationships. Don't bet anything on accuracy...especially don't try taking a firearm of any type through Canadian customs thinking it will be easy and/or smooth. It WAS fun to read but the agony of error made me cringe at every turn of the page. The only thing truly needed to make this a decent book was an editor with a large blue pencil and a sense of humor.
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars
Review: See storyline above.A fast-paced, no nonsense delivery is what you expect from Cussler. That's what you get. I too was surprised when I received this in a hardback instead of the paper. What I thought (since it was a hardback) was that Kurt Austin was going to replace Dirk Pitt as Cusslers main protagonist. I also got the impression that I would be reading a better novel (such as the Dirk Pitt hardbacks). Well it is good entertainment, and without a doubt, action packed, but its become a bit formulaic.
I will still always jump on the newest Cussler novel and certainly look forward to the newest Dirk Pitt. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Competently written but not very convincing
Review: This book is one of a series of thrillers featuring Kurt Austin, a near-superhero who works for a mysterious government organization called NUMA. Austin uncovers a plot to wipe out the ocean's fish species, replacing them with vicious, genetically engineered salmon (the economic theory behind this is never made very clear). The corporation behind the plot kills off people who get in its way, using stereotyped bloodthirsty Mongoloid men as shock troops. The plot involves a dirigible reconstructed from the wreckage of one that crashed in the Arctic during the 1920's (would you fly in this thing?) This zeppelin is housed in a huge structure in the Canadian wilds that makes itself invisible by adapting its exterior to its surroundings. When Austin and his sidekick are caught on board the airship, does the chief villain kill them on the spot? No, of course not. He keeps them alive to see how the plan will be carried out, and to escape. This wasn't very believable when Goldfinger decided not to cut James Bond in half with a laser. While the writing is generally competent, the story stretches credibility a bit too far. Austin's romantic relationship with the only significant female character is a perfunctory throwaway. Is it any surprise that she has to be rescued by our hero?
Rating:
Summary: Dirk, no I mean Austin, rides again
Review: This effort is better than the last Kurt Austin novel. Cussler continues to have interchangeable characters. The only difference between Dirk & Kurt are their hobbies of collecting cars vs guns. This story has an interesting plot. I believe the premise is well developed. Typical with any Cussler book, the heroes escape death by unbelievable means numerous times. I heard this book on unabridged tape. The narrator was excellent. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
Rating:
Summary: Now In Hardcover
Review: This is the first in this series of, "Kurt Austin NUMA", novels that have been presented to readers in a hardcover format attendant with a not insubstantial price increase. This series, which shares much in common with novels written solely by Mr. Cussler, have been entertaining and well worth reader's time and money for pure escapist fiction. With this upgraded price and format I believe it reasonable to expect even more from the series and I don't believe, "White Death", delivers. Mr. Cussler's books have always been entertainment that has not taken itself too seriously. This time, with contributing author Paul Kemprecos, the tale reads more like a James Bond adventure than a typical Cussler adventure yarn. The villain is a bit cartoonist and when you add his, "Frankenfish," an occasional smile is part of this read. When one adversary meets one of these finned critters and Austin is asked what happened, his response is, "We had a disagreement and he went to pieces". This is not a poor read and I believe fans of the series will enjoy it. I also feel that when readers are asked to separate themselves with substantially more money for the book, it should deliver more than this particular title offers.
Rating: 
Summary: Reads like Austin Powers trying to be serious
Review: When the Eskimo villain captured our hero, Kurt Austin (or is it Austin Powers?), I expected him to say, "Welcome to my evil lair." He even had his own form of ill tempered sea bass! I'm sorry, but this thing read like a farce. Dog sleds in downtown DC? Mutant fish that may take over the world? Give me a break. Furthermore, the book was just plain boring. The action was only compelling in a few sections (unlike most of Cussler's books).
Rating:
Summary: Reads like Austin Powers trying to be serious
Review: When the Eskimo villain captured our hero, Kurt Austin (or is it Austin Powers?), I expected him to say, "Welcome to my evil lair." He even had his own form of ill tempered sea bass! I'm sorry, but this thing read like a farce. Dog sleds in downtown DC? Mutant fish that may take over the world? Give me a break. Furthermore, the book was just plain boring. The action was only compelling in a few sections (unlike most of Cussler's books).
Rating:
Summary: Cliched and bland
Review: While I have earnestly hoarded many of Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt series, Kurt Austin cannot measure up to his predecessor. Sadly, this is clearly the problem with Clive Cussler & Paul Kemprecos's "White Death." Kurt Austin's character comes across to the reader as a bland imitation of Dirk Pitt as Cussler recycles several of Pitt's phrases. Additionally, Joe Zavala, while not unlike Al Giordino (from the D.P series), is far to similar to Kurt Austin, and the impressive contrast, so commonly present between Dirk and Al is conspicuously absent in Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala. Like many of Clive Cussler's novels, the novel opens with a historical expostion- here it is of a Basque merchant fleeing from the Spanish inquisition. As expected, the narrative then chronicles a maritime disaster, and the plot continues as an effort to unravel both mysteries.
The Sea Sentinel, a ship painted with a garish combination of colours, while attempting to stop traditional whale-killing, unexpectedly veers from its course to ram a Danish coast-guard craft. Naturally, the two sink into the depths of the ocean, and equally expected is Kurt Austin's lucky intervention. Here, however, the reader is introduced to yet another insidious corporation in the form of "Oceanus," a company specialising in the creation of bio-fish, mutant fish that grow far faster and larger than the average salmon. Perhaps Oceanus is behind the collision?
While this may seem like a rollicking good read, the novelis sadly diminished by the incapability of the two main characters to carry the narrative, their bland, stereotyped characters and a rather cliched plot (in particular the ending). That Cussler or Kemprecos misspells "Hiram Yaeger," a stalwart of all Dirk Pitt texts as "Hiram Yeager" compounds this problem, and it seems almost as if the novel was rushed.
In conclusion, while superficially an involving and interesting read, "White Death: is unfortunately diminished by a stereotyped plot and one-dimensional characters spouting frequent cliche. Unlike the vast majority of Clive Cussler books, "White Death" is unfortunately an ultimately unsatisfactory read.
Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: While I love Clive Cussler I was hesitant to read anything contained a 2nd or co-author. I decided too when I need my Clive Cussler fix. The book was a pleasant surprise. Lots of action - just like the other Clive Cussler novels. Running down bad guys, believable characters, and lots of fun I highly recommend this book!
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