Rating: 
Summary: His Worst Yet!
Review: The saddest part, after being a loyal Dirk Pitt fan for the last 15 years, is each book is now getting prorgressively worse. The plots are not only completely implausible and just downright stupid, but they are carried out by protagonists that could only exist in ancient Greek mythology. The simple-minded plot 'twists' are written for my nine-year-old to understand, but the problem is my nine-year-old is a smart kid, and he laughed out loud at the silliness when he read this. Cussler has entertained for years, but apparently used an Excel spreadsheet to do a side by side comparison when trying to come up with a new 'hero' for the new millenium. Take some time off, Clive, and go find some sunken ships instead.
Rating: 
Summary: An improvement over the first, but still not quite the same
Review: I was very critical of the first joint effort by Mr. Cussler and Mr. Kemprecos ("Serpent") because it was subpar by Cussler standards. I also thought he had let himself fall into the "franchise trap", where he stamps his name on books authored by someone else and watches his credibility and reader base suffer. However, I wound up giving Mr. Cussler the benefit of the doubt and read "Blue Gold"."Blue Gold" is the second novel featuring the NUMA team of Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala. As with the first book, however, one cannot help but continually visualize Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino - the descriptions of the characters are that similar. Oh, there are some minor differences, but they only serve to make you feel that you are reading the adventures of "Pitt Lite" and "Giordino Lite". The Trouts, minor characters spotlighted both here and in "Serpent", are wholly unappealing because they don't bring much to the overall story, other than an excuse to print an extra chapter or two revolving around a chase or escape. This book is much improved over "Serpent" mostly due to its, shall we say, more judicious use of detail. Whereas "Serpent" was bogged down by mind-numbing, superficial detail, "Blue Gold" is free of most of these anchors. The end result is a story that reads slightly closer to the Cussler adventures we fans are accustomed to, and moves along at a much quicker pace. The plot is average, though the closing sequence is exciting and unique, with an interesting turn of events not typically found in the Dirk Pitt tales. All in all, the "sophomore" Kurt Austin adventure is an average effort. It is much improved over the first outing in this series, but continues to be vexed by too many similarities in characters and plot. It seems to me that for this series to fly, Mr. Cussler needs to ditch Mr. Kemprecos and just write the stories himself. Also, if he does indeed have this wealth of material for stories, he should have not bothered creating Kurt Austin and stuck with the tried-and-true Dirk Pitt. After all, Cussler claims Pitt to be his "alter ego", and that familiarity has lent itself to great storytelling. Creating a "mirror" alter ego in the persona of Austin has not had the same effect, in my opinion. I will continue to anticipate and read the Dirk Pitt novels. However, this series has proven to be a general disappointment, and makes me less inclined to shell out a few extra dollars in between Pitt adventures. I hope that Mr. Cussler will realize that he can't keep running with a knockoff version of the character that made him a top-notch author. His reputation will suffer otherwise, and he will quickly find that even lending his name to generate sales won't work the same magic.
Rating: 
Summary: blue gold
Review: Blue Gold was a disappointment. I don't think Cussler wrote a word of this book. His new heroes Austin and Zavala, were only involved in about 10% of the story. The first couple of chapters were o.k. After that it was a very predictable story line. I miss Pitt and Giardino. Although I must say the last couple of Cussler novels have not impressed me that much. I hope Clive Cussler has more to give in the future. Regarding Austin and Zavala. Dump them. I won't buy another Cussler book with those two in it. I want Pitt!
Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing - save your money
Review: Let's get one thing straight: I LOVE Cussler's books. I have read every one of them more than once. The problem with _Blue Gold_ is that it ISN'T Cussler's book. Yeah, he probably outlined the plot - and you can tell this, there's some neat ideas in there - but it is handicapped by a stilted, highly contrived, cliche-ridden, juvenile style. Every plot twist requires an incredible amount of faith on the reader's part. This book reads like it was written as a high school creative writing assignment. I honestly had to force myself to finish it. I won't reveal the ending, but it was probably the silliest and most implausible ending ever seen in a Cussler novel. (And if you've read them all, that's saying something! I recall a bathtub in the Caribbean, which was a LOT more plausible that most of the stuff in this book.) I am more than willing to suspend disbelief, but I can't suspend incredulity. In summary: This book is an insult to Cussler fans. Don't these big publishers have editors any more? Clive, you are capable of so much better.
Rating:
Summary: Good read, but dissapointing...
Review: This second installment of the novels with Kemprecos is readable but certainly not memorable. I don't particularly think that Cussler was much involved with this novel and it shows, the story line is just too tired. However, I read it and enjoyed it. A quick read, not much in depth and not much in the true 'Cussler tradition'. I would recommend the book, but just don't expect much from it. It is entertaining, but not very detailed. Hopefully, the next DirkPitt adventure will measure up to the other excellent works by Cussler...
Rating: 
Summary: I Loved It!!!
Review: I read it in 2 days, that's a first in a long time. After reading Oprah's tear jerkers, this was a fun and entertaining read. James Bond eat your heart out. If you like adventure and a bit of James Bond you'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, but a poor book
Review: It appears, like other reviewers have said, that this book was written entirely by Kemprecos. It comes off as if an understudy were trying to mimic the master's work. (and doing poorly at it, by the way) The action sequences were much more far fetched than usual, and all the main characters seemed to be more superhero-esque than they typically are. Towards the end of the read, I couldn't wait until it was over. Then, when the ending finally arrived, it too was a complete letdown. I remember reading a few action passages, and then re-reading them to see if they were as ridiculous as I originally thought. Overall, definitely not worth it. A huge letdown especially after reading Atlantis Found, which was terrific. I will pass on these collaborations going forward, and stick to Cussler.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best
Review: I felt this book was not up to typical Cussler Standards. the characters and the plots were a bit to strained. Fans of Cussler will still want to read this novel, it is entertaining enough but do not expect the to blown away. just my opinion. I just finished an interesting adventure thriller: "A Tourist in the Yucatan" check it out if you are looking for something different.
Rating:
Summary: Fun reading, 31/2 stars!
Review: Kurt Austin is classic Clive Cussler, heroic, handsome, and intelligent. The women in this novel are outstanding too,heroic, beautiful,and intelligent. This story moves rapidly from scene to scene, uncovering one puzzle piece at a time, leaving you wondering how all these pieces will fit together to form the big picture, and what will that picture look like. From scenes of a kidnapping and plane crash in the Venezuelan jungle, to San Diego boat race ending in near disaster, to an explosive trip to a Mexican tortilla factory, the scenes fit together in an intricate pattern that holds whispers of truth and reality. It makes you realize how critical water is. Would it be possible for someone to gain control over significant portions of water, and gain financial and political control derived from a water cartel? The wonderful thing about a Clive Cussler novel is that there is enough plausibility and fact woven into his story to keep the pages turning and to keep the reader intrigued through the end and to keep your mind engaged with the questions long after the novel has been consumed.
Rating:
Summary: NOT UP TO EXPECTATIONS
Review: Blue Gold was far below average for Clive Cussler's typical standard. Feasibly this was written by Paul Kemprecos and not something that Clive truly was involved with. But not worh the $$$
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