Rating: 
Summary: Is this the End?
Review: Cussler chips in again with another good piece. Sticking to his tried-and-true formula of a historical event, enviromental disaster (calling for the rescue of numerous people in peril) and bad guy trying to take over the world, it all comes together for a good read. Pitt spends alot of time agonising over getting older, and the normally amusing banter between Pitt and sidekick Al seems very strained, which leaves me as a long time follower a bit down! Maybe the surprise introduction of Pitt's twin offspring in the previous book will breathe some life into the Pitt legacy, as they play a signifigant part in Trojan Odyessy. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring book
Review: This poem is hard to follow because of the language and the vocabulary, and reading it can be somewhat of a chore. Sentences may have to be read over a few times before they are fully absorbed. Many of the words are difficult, and a few of the character's names, as well as the names of places, are similar to one another, which makes it confusing. The story is fast paced and does not stay focused on one event for too long. It does, however, explain the events in great detail, with plenty of sensory imagery, making it easy to form a mental picture of the action.
The general plot is rather repetitive. Odysseus overcomes a challenge on an island, and while leaving via boat, a storm takes him to yet another island, where the process is repeated. This makes the story predictable and less interesting. It is even a bit disappointing, because while one usually expects a hero to be happy, helpful, and maybe funny, Odysseus possesses none of these traits. He is stubborn, selfish, overly confident, and serious. Also, before the tales of Odysseus' travels even begin, the reader finds out that he was gone for ten years, and is now safely retelling his story to others. This and the fact that early in the story, a man tells Odysseus of a prophecy detailing exactly what will happen to him, spoils the ending, so there is little to look forward to.
This work would be more enjoyable for people with an extensive knowledge of Greek mythology, or for people who like poetry. It is doubtful that many people college age and younger would take an interest in this story, and it is certainly not something to read for fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Did Cussler Write This
Review: Did Cussler really write this book? Weakest plot of any of his work. Unlike his others, this book starts very slow...and then fails to pick up speed. And mistakes? There were many...especially with directions like east and west (hurricanes travel from east to west and not west to east as Cussler said)or distances like hundreds of miles and thousands of miles (the Pananma Canal was 100's of miles away and Cape Horn was 1,000's not the other way around as the book indicates). If Cussler actually wrote this book, who edited it? I have thoroughly enjoyed all the fiction Cussler has written with his name on the author's line. Until I read this one. It's a shame that Dirk and Al had to end their careers (or so the story implies) on such a low note. And how exciting are the books with Dirk Jr. and Summer as the main characters going to be? Being brother and sister, Cussler can't even turn the series into romance novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Cussler Sucess
Review: A Christmas present that comes early has arrived once again with the new Dirk Pitt novel by Clive Cussler entitled Trojan Odyssey. Once again Cussler has combined known history,action, adventure, romance, a evil villian and drama together. Cussler combines the plots of a terrible hurricane, a mysterious discovery by Summer Pitt, a evil man named Spector, a substance affecting the ocean, and mysterious tunnels. You will not be disapointed by Trojan Odyssey, it the typical Cussler and will be hard to put down. This novel also has great heart in it and leaves you wondering what happens next for Dirk Pitt, Al and company. Read this book it is well worth it for any Dirk Pitt fan.
Rating:
Summary: Homer, Amazons, and Human Sacrifice
Review: What, Dirk Pitt is getting old and is hanging up his shoes? Since when did he turn into Dick Marcinko? Of course readers could see this coming since "Valhalla Rising" introduced his son and daughter in a somewhat contrived fashion toward the end of the story. Storywise it features a fair amount of action and is worthy of being in the series. However it does seem to lose a fair amount of steam after the rescue of the floating hotel: the second part of story almost reminded me of something from "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death". Where was Adrienne Barbeau as Epona? I almost thought we'd escape a Clive Cussler cameo in this novel but he pulled one out very late. Nothing pivotal to the plot as they usually are...just a bit of fluff. So it's a good CC novel but nothing spectacular. That said, it's good to see the series end while it still has some modicum of respectability left.
Rating:
Summary: exciting action thriller
Review: It's been two years since Dirk Pitt discovered that he had two grown fraternal twin children Dirk and Summer who he loves dearly. They, like their father, love the ocean and work for NUMA where they investigate toxic contamination that is destroying the fragile sea life in the Caribbean ecosystem. While taking samples underwater, they discover a man made palace that sunk to the bottom of the sea millennia ago. While NUMA scientists analyze the find, the twins head to an island off of Guadeloupe to see if a sailing expedition lies beneath the waters and if so is it from the same era that was found in the Caribbean. Their father is saving a floating hotel from a force five hurricane before going to Nicaragua where the toxic contamination seems to be originating from. He finds a company owned by a mysterious four hundred pound man is working with the Chinese to construct underground tunnels that will connect one ocean to another. When he learns what the tunnels will be used for, he and the U.S. government try to stop them without creating an international incident. Clive Cussler always writes an exciting action thriller that appeals to readers of both genders. Pitt is a modern day James Bond who hooks the readers into hoping that his heroic acts won't get him killed. The hero realizes with a family to care for he can't take so many chances and is prepared to change his lifestyle. In the last part of the book, the protagonist feels he will cross paths with his enemy once more implying hopefully that there will be more Dirk Pitt novels in the future. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Dirk Pitt's Swan Song???
Review: At the end of 'Valhalla Rising' we found out quite by surprise that Dirk Pitt, hero and world-class adventurer has not just one, but TWO children (fraternal twins Dirk Jr. & Summer). This came as quite a shocker, especially for those of us who have known Dirk to be quite the ladies man -- but also a confirmed bachelor. His relationship with Congresswoman Loren Smith has come CLOSE to wedding bells once before, but I personally figured that if it didn't happen THEN, it was probably NOT going to happen at ALL. However, I've learned long ago to NEVER say NEVER. As usual, 'Trojan Odyssey' begins with an interesting re-telling of Homer's Odyssey, a version that is apparently gaining in popularity. How does it tie-in with events from today? As is always the case, finding out is half the fun. Summer & Dirk Jr. are busy attempting to examine a tide of brown crud that has infested waters in the Carribbean when they stumble upon something extraordinary (well Summmer does, at first). Suddenly things take a nasty turn as the Mother of ALL Hurricanes begins to form and head directly towards Summer & Dirk Jr. and also towards the most unique floating Hotel ever designed. Can they all safely escape before the Hurricane arrives? Maybe, maybe not. Along the way Dirk Sr. and Al make an appearance and suddenly as a direct result, their plans for the next few weeks are set in motion. Are massive tunnels being excavated underneath Central America, and if so, for what purpose? Once Dirk & Al figure it out, an all-out race is on to avert an incredible disaster of amazing proportions. Along the way, Dirk Sr. and Al discover one of lifes more unfair absolute rules: we cannot remain young forever. Getting shot at and risking your life can only remain fun for so long. Dirk realizes that with the sudden appearance of two grown children his death defying exploits are no longer a challenge, and more of a major hindrance to his ultimate goals. Dirk does a LOT of soul searching, and along the way it wasn't hard to figure out where it would eventually end up. Is 'Trojan Odyssey' the last outing for Dirk Sr. as a souped up version of James Bond? Maybe. I can't answer that for certain, but with a son named Dirk Jr. it can safely be assumed that Dirk Pitt adventures WILL continue. Along the way I found a few genuine surprises (Admiral Sandecker's New appointment for one) and a few genuine sad moments for us die-hard Dirk Sr. fans. Unlike James Bond who will forever remain youthful, Clive has treated us fans to one simple reality: we ALL grow older, and so did Dirk. He no longer can do all the stunts he used to without serious repercussions. Healing from wounds no longer are as quick as they used to be, and the thought of leaving his two children without a Father begins to seriously force Dirk to re-think his life. I finished 'Trojan Odyssey' with mixed emotions. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Did it make me excited about what was on the horizon for Dirk & Co.? Again, yes. But it also saddened me at the same time. You will just have to read it for yourself to figure out what all of this means, and why. Clive continues to be the BEST action/adventure author writing today, and no matter WHAT it is, if his name is on it, you can be rest assured that I WILL be reading it. Long Live Clive & Dirk Pitt, both senior & junior.
Rating: 
Summary: Dragging but enjoyable
Review: If you've never read Cussler, all his books are done via formula. Essentially they're all the same, but you'll never complain about the retread. They're all the same, yet all very entertaining. This book is Cussler's last (though not the last of the series). It suffers for that reason, as Cussler strives to tie loose ends. The reigns are being passed from Dirk Sr to Dirk Jr (a convenient appearance, but not wholly unbelievable). At the same time the reigns are being passed from Clive to his son. The story is entertaining, and likely was likely read by the writers of The Day After Tomorrow. It was novel before the movie, might be tired after, but this came first. There are some creepy moments between Dirk Jr and his sister, as she's set up to be a sexy character despite spending much of her time alone with her brother in the middle of the ocean - am I the only one that sees this? Couldn't the editor have stepped in on these? I won't complain much, though. Cussler has given us many, many (many) entertaining reads, and even though he ends on a dip it is a necessary one, and still a solid effort. If you're a Cussler fan buy it. If you're not yet a Cussler fan buy this, along with some older ones and read those first. Adventure fans will not go wrong.
Rating:
Summary: Stick to English!
Review: The novel is very much a repeat of previous plots --an old event or war, a ship that somehow made it to America, a treasure to be found, an evil mastermind, Clive Cussler meeting Dirk Pitt-- and so would merit the same reviews as all the previous novels.
However, I'd like to suggest that the author stick to English: whenever he has anybody speaking Spanish, there are glaring syntax and vocabulary faults, that any competent Editor would have pointed out. One of the best (worst) examples: a guard calls out to Pitt "LA PARADA!", hopefully meaning "HALT!", but actually being "THE BUS STOP!"... not much of a warning, isn't it?
Rating:
Summary: Cussler's own Trojan Horse
Review: Having recently read Black Wind in hardback, I dropped back to Trojan Odyssey when I saw the paperback. Is this the novel where Mr. Cussler's problems with simple science began? Or am I gonna have to go back and re-read some of his earlier works?
My mental warning sirens went off as I read the description of Summer Pitt diving in tropical waters in a full dry suit as protection against suspected toxic substances in the water. Leaving aside for the moment the question of whether an off-the-rack dry suit was ever intended to be an effective shield against an irritating or perhaps lethal contaminant, was it not ludicrous to begin the paragraph by mentioning the wisps of auburn hair that were peeking out from under her dry suit's hood? Wouldn't that compromise the suit's seal?
Further on, Summer and her twin brother Dirk Jr. were left at their undersea habitat by the NUMA research ship. A hurricane was bearing down and there wasn't enough time to carry out the long decompression process that would allow them to surface without suffering the `bends.' When the NUMA vessel returned after almost being sunk in the hurricane (and not visiting any port in the meantime), it miraculously had a hyperbaric chamber on board, which then allowed the two castaways to be quickly treated after their rescue from the now-tattered habitat. Wouldn't it have been more logical to employ the chamber before the hurricane struck, thereby removing the two siblings from immediate danger? Or at least concoct a story as to why the chamber couldn't be used sooner.
Oh, and what type of helicopter has an operational ceiling sufficient to fly over a typical hurricane (which easily tops out above 30,000 feet) so as to bring Dirk Sr. and Al down through the eye to engineer the rescue of the giant floating hotel? Finally, the Spanish translation of "Little Tuna" for Sandecker's new gizmo-packed boat can be misinterpreted as "slightly pretty" in English. Better "el Atún Pequeño" or something similar.
Since I'm only one-third the way through the book, I suppose there will be more of these issues to come!
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