Fire Ice: A Novel from the Numa Files

Rating:
Summary: Hot & Cold
Review: A wealthy criminal plans to take over Russia. He must demonstrate his ancestry with Czar Nicholas. He also must distract the United States with a major underwater disaster. Only one man - Kurt Austin and his NUMA team can stop them. Clive Cussler -- best-selling author of the Dirk Pitt - NUMA series, and Paul Kemprecos -- oceanographer and past Cussler contributor, developed a hot tale with only a few cold spots.

'Fire Ice' is a great mix of history, technology and adventure. Kurt Austin is an ingenious hero with a courageous and cocky swagger. He is surrounded by well-rounded characters, like Vladimir Petrov -- a former KGM foe turned ally of Austin. The villains for the most part are pretty diabolical with enough evil to drive the plot. Kemprecos' contributions are evident with enough technology to sale an outrageous story line into credible waters.

One particular battle scene between "Old Ironsides' versus machine gun toting villains in Boston Harbor illustrates the skill Cussler and Kemprecos deliver in weaving a far fetched idea into a semi-plausible sub-plot. This does not work throughout the book. The key villains, so skilled at the outset, transform from smart Cossacks to Keystone Cops toward the end. A more balanced battle would have heightened the overall satisfaction.

Regardless of a few holes in the hull, 'Fire Ice' is a hearty tale that is worth a look. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: This is Cussler?
Review: Are we sure Fire Ice was written by Cussler? I've been fascinated by his imagination since I read Raise the Titanic years ago, and I've read a number of his books since. First, it is too much a reworking of other novels and too little an adventure based on historical possibilities. Second, it appears to be written with Hollywood, not readers, in mind; one can almost read the script's instructions between the lines and the director's voice in the background. Too bad. It really was an idea with possibilities.

Rating:
Summary: Fire Ice
Review: Fire Ice by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos is action packed entertainment with adventure and intrigue. Clive Cussler is a name that you CAN count on if you want this type of read. This is a novel written with a Romanov mystery and sea adventure with a real notoriously volatile and unstable compound known as fire ice aka methane hydrate. Yes, it is real and is mainly found off the Eastern shore of the United States as a compressed form of methane mixed with ice under extreme pressure and cold. Extreme pressure via the sediment of rock and the weight of the water and cold by the depth of the location under the water.

Now, combine these with the Cussler's ability to write a good story and you have excitement that will keep you riveted to the pages till you finish. Cussler is noted for his hero Dirk Pitt, but in this novel we have a more subdued hero Kurt Austin. Austin is as resourceful as Pitt and works for the same government entity, NUMA, with all of the same office people Admiril Sandecker, Hiran Yaeger and his supercomputer the lovely MAX, St. Julian Perlmutter and Rudi Gunn. Austin has his team with Joe Zavala and the Trouts, Gamay and Paul. Of course there is and old adversary turned friend Ivan.

Tsunamis, Cossacks, Russians, The Black Sea, Romanov treasure, submarines, oceanographic technology, and the fate of the world as we know it are all in play. A corporate megalomaniac thrown in the mix set to take over Russia with a Rasputin like mad monk. Now, your getting the picture.

You won't be disappointed reading this novel. There is great character development along with an interestingly intriguing story that will keep well entertained. Always...

Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 starts - an enjoyable summer read
Review: Fire Ice, the third installment in the series, is a classic Cussler story of good versus evil. The story pits Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala against a group seeking to create political turmoil and unrest in Russia with a return of the Tsar. The novel is filled with all of the action, suspense, and frequent plot twists that have become Cussler's trademark. Like Serpent and Blue Gold, Fire Ice provides a broader character set from NUMA than the typical Dirk Pitt novel, with each character's personality adding to the depth and breadth of the story. Although Austin and Zavala are at the center of the action, Austin has more of the top billing than in the previous two books. The ongoing inclusion of crossover characters from the Pitt novels (i.e. Admiral Sandecker, Hiram Yeager) also adds substance. All-in-all, the faithful followers of Clive Cussler will find Fire Ice to be an enjoyable summer read.

Rating:
Summary: Not the best Kurt Austin story but still ok
Review: Not my most favorite Clive Cussler book. I listened to the abridged audio version and didn't think it flowed as well as it could have. I thought things were a bit to choppy.

In this story you are given a possible link to the last days of the Czar's of Russia and the Kazaks that protected them.

Along comes the modern day Russian who wants to relive the rule of the Czar's and sees himself as the one to make it happen. How does this involve NUMA? Well as usual the story entangles a disappearing submarine, some underwater caverns and a fuel source from the ocean (Fire Ice) which can be more powerful than all other fuels we know if harvested correctly, it could also cause the east coast of the US to be under water after a title wave hits if it is done wrong.

A lot of your familiar characters are in this one though I do miss Dirk. But I do like Kurt Austin. If you are a Cussler fan I recommend this one thought it is not one of his best.

Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: This is a great book. It is innovative and captivating. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. That is what makes Cussler a great author he throws surprises at you to make you keep guessing and interested. I would recommend this book to anyone because it suits everyones needs in a story.