Rating: 
Summary: A Whale of a Tale or Two . . . .
Review: Ever since there have been ships, the ocean has inspired tall tales about sea serpents, mysterious dangers, lost adventurers, pirates, disaffected geniuses, and exotic locales. Clive Cussler's remarkable series about his heroes, Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino, continues that marvelous tradition in particularly fine form in Valhalla Rising. So suspend belief, pull up a chair, prepare your favorite beverage, and get ready for a whale of a tale or two!The book's structure follows the usual Cussler outline. You open with a historical mystery that will be tied back to the modern story line near the book's end. In this case, there are two historical mysteries. One relates to Vikings traveling to North America who disappeared, and the other describes ships being rammed by mysterious ironclad vessels. Set in 2003, the modern story begins aboard the world's newest, most luxurious, and technologically advanced cruise ship, the Emerald Dolphin. Soon things go terribly wrong, and you will feel like you are on board. From that moment forward, the action rarely pauses and takes on some of the most thrilling possible variations on rescues and chases that you can ever hope to read. I found one that occurred in the air to be especially surprising and fascinating. If the rest of the book were as good as the rescues and chases, this would be a more than five star book. So focus on enjoying those aspects of the story! No one will ever read a Cussler novel for its deep development of characters, so don't look for that in this novel either. The marvelous flavor of the stories turns off-key, however, with the evil mastermind behind the various events and his plot. This nemesis just doesn't seem credible or very interesting, and dilutes the plot from some great adventure writing involving some pretty nasty and interesting bad guys. The book's other weakness (a smaller one) is a plot line built around a high potential technology. Although very imaginative in its features, the described technology comes much closer to being science fantasy than science fiction. Mr. Cussler would have strengthened the book without hurting the story if he had stuck a lot closer to reality here. Mr. Cussler is fully able to laugh at himself, and includes several jokes in the story that the reader will enjoy. One of the best features of the story is that the plot takes many unexpected turns and twists. You get many more action episodes than you have any right to expect in one novel. It's almost like getting two novels in one, because Mr. Cussler has been so generous in the material he has shared with us about the sea and old aircraft. If you are like me, you will also be attracted to Mr. Cussler's interesting speculations about historical events, possible new ways that the oceans will be used in the future, and opportunities to use the oceans in more constructive ways in the near future. I started reading this book in the late afternoon, and couldn't put it down. My heart was racing through many hundreds of pages, as I loved every minute of the many action scenes! Where does variety play a role in providing entertainment? Obviously, even the most pleasant experiences pale if they are repeated in unsurprising detail, day-in and day-out. How fortunate we are that writers like Mr. Cussler have virtually unlimited imaginations to expand our horizons. Be open to enjoying a rewarding surprise at the end of Valhalla Rising, for example, that you may not see coming. Mr. Cussler reminds me of Siegfried and Roy, by always adding new ways to top his last act. Grasp the full potential of every situation!
Rating: 
Summary: Escapist fiction, pure and simple fun
Review: I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Reading Clive Cussler is the literary equivalent of watching a James Bond movie.
I telephone intereviewed Cussler (no, I don't have his number anymore, so don't ask) when Flood Tide came out, and he told me that he figured that he had "two more Pitt novels in me." Since this is that second one, there might not be any more. That is a pity, because no one else tells such absurd escapist fiction so well. Cussler is finally letting Pitt and Giordino show their age somewhat, but both are still steely-eyed and ready to take on the worst foes the world has to offer. If I was an insurance agent, I would run away from these guys. They just have the knack of being in the wrong place at the right time. The SPECTRE-like foe this time is the meglomanical CEO of the Cerberus corporation, who has the financial clout to hire his own mercenary army to stifle any perceived competition. A passenger ship on its maiden voyage burns to its framework for no apparent reason, and Pitt leads the rescue. Of course, Pitt can't walk away from a mystery, and the war between Cerberus and Pitt is on. Like a James Bond movie, you know who will win in the end, but there are plenty of death-defying scrapes along the way. Cussler continues to take established stories and weave them into his novels (even James Bond made an appearance in Night Probe, as the former British spy Brian Shaw); this time he weaves in the Vikings and Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Cussler also continues his somewhat irritating habit of weaving himself in as a minor character who just happens to push the plot in the right direction, but the intrusion is not as self-serving as it has been in the past. Vahalla Rising is a worthy entry in the Pitt series, and is highly recommended. And those fans who remember all the way back to Cussler's first Pitt adventure, Pacific Vortex, will get an interesting suprise.
Rating:
Summary: The Grand Master Does it Again
Review: Each time you pick up a new Clive Cussler book, you know before reading the first chapter that you are guaranteed an incredibly exhilerating, complex, and mindboggling story crafted in the most unusual of ways. He does it again with Valhalla Rising. Take my advice, buy the book, and discover for yourself the awesome story telling abilities of the Grand Master of action/adventure, Clive Cussler.
Rating: 
Summary: Borrows from earlier Pitt adventures
Review: I've read all of the previous Cussler novels and found few surprises here. There are several scenes that are very similar to other Pitt adventures. Cussler's formula remains largely intact, except the antique car chase is replaced with an antique airplane dogfight. For those who haven't read Cussler before: imagine a James Bond movie with a little bit of Indiana Jones thrown in. The stories are jammed with non-stop action and adventure. The heroes are seemingly unbreakable, the villians are usually meglomaniacs with no regard for human life, and the damsels are always in distress. All this fast-paced action comes at a price. Don't expect complex character development. Most of the characters are described simply by their eye color (blue or green signifies an important character). They are always athletic and taller than normal people. They also don't talk like real people. Usually, Cussler writes himself into the story in the form of a local fisherman or gas station attendant with some useful tidbit for Pitt. This time he gives himself a whole chapter as the owner of a futuristic sailboat willing to assault an island to help out a couple of strangers. Most people are either big fans of Cussler or they think his stories are silly extensions of his own ego. I like Cussler's ability to mix ancient history with modern action. However, I've gotten to the point where I can predict what's going to happen next because it happened in a previous Pitt adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Deep-Six this one
Review: The beginning sequences of ancient norsemen and a 19th century mystery sub seemed interesting, and I was hoping they would tie together later. Unfortunately, the ideas were never really picked up again, and it seemed as if they were thrown in at the end of the book to "tie" everything together.
Dirk Pitt (the superhero NUMA research engineer) has numerous poorly written escapes from death. He doesn't just get attacked by an old biplane while flying over NYC. He doesn't just get attacked by an old biplane while flying a planeload of children over NYC. He gets attacked by an old biplane while flying a planeload of disabled children over NYC. The story quickly degrades from here, if that is at all possible, into one about an Evil MegaOilCorp out to dominate the USA (and secretly paying off over 100 Congressmen&women/govt agents), as well as numerous ridiculous nautical-themed terrorist attacks.
I payed $0.27 for the book at a thrift shop, and can plainly see why. Deep-six this one.
Rating:
Summary: Ehh..great
Review: This book was another generic Clive Cussler book, still great. The book has more of a historical twist to it than many of his other books. The role of the past and connection with the present to solve the universal marine mysteries are outstanding. The ending however, left much to be desired. Not in the cliff- hanging- sequel-desiring kind of way, but in the unsatisfied sense. The climax just didnt push me to the edge like many of his others have. Rather writing one large conflict resolving climax at the end, there are many sporatic spread out ones.
Rating: 
Summary: Same old stuff, but much worse
Review: Lets start by saying that I have read every Dirk Pitt book through Valhalla Rising and this will be the last one I read. This book was awful and was the first Cussler book I didn't finish. It follows the same pattern and I'm not even talking about the impossible plots or sci fi stuff. I'm talking about a ship that sinks, then for for some reason Dirk Pitt gets a bug up his butt to figure the mystery out. First he goes to Hiram Yaeger who seem to be the only programmer for what must be the biggest computer in the world. If only NASA had as nice a computer. But for as super as this computer is, there is always something it can't figure out. So then he goes to see the heart attack waiting to happen Julian Perlmutter to look it up the old fashion way...in a book. Then there is Cussler who seem to think he has to put himself into every Dirk Pitt book he writes. He has done that so many times that it insults the intelligence of Pitt and Gordino (By the way, I always call my childhood friends by their last names...not) who are not allowed to remember him. Maybe his son (who is named Dirk) will do a better job. If you want to read Dirk Pitt stories, try Iceberg, Raise The Titanic, Deep Six or The Mediterranean Caper. The difference in the stories will amaze you.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable story in spite of some weaknesses
Review: Dirk Pitt and the crew on a NUMA ship are in the right place at the right time when a cruise ship with a new propulsion system catches fire on its maiden voyage. Heroically, they manage to save most of the 2,500 passengers, but soon find out that the fire was set deliberately. Dirk and his friend Al get drawn into the murderous plot of a huge oil corporation and narrowly escape several attempts on their lives, while saving many others, including some beautiful damsels in distress. The stories of an ancient Viking settlement and Jules Verne are woven into the tale as well, although I thought the connections were a bit shakey.
This is the first novel by Clive Cussler I've read. The story has plenty of adventure and excitement, but it often sounds unbelievable. And the character of Dirk Pitt is often too good to be true (that's not as negative as it sounds, however), almost in an old-fashioned sort of way. Perhaps the part I found most hokey was that the author writes himself into the story at one point. But what I appreciated most about this book is the total lack of trashiness and profanity. It's refreshing to see someone write something nice without stooping to vulgarity. (I realize not everyone appreciates or cares about that, but I wanted to point it out for those who do). Overall, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to reading more from Mr. Cussler.
Rating:
Summary: How does this retard publish books...
Review: I wish there were negative stars. I swear i thought it was a freakin' joke when i listened to it. Let me get this straight, this scientist invents an engine that SOLVES ALL WORLD ENERGY PROBLEMS FOREVER, and some agency sends TWO assasins to steal the secret to the most valuable thing EVER CONCIEVED that the media DOESN'T CARE ABOUT which an old man carries in a briefcase supposedly... oh wait, no, not only has he created an endless source of energy, but he stole it from captain Nemo, perfected the system with another impossible invention of super oil, again which nobody in the media seems to care about, and then (here is the kicker) to keep it safe he invents a way to TELEPORT THE OIL FROM HIS SECRET HIDEOUT. I listened to this book on audio tape on a 24 hour drive and almost threw them all out the window, but then decided to ebay them to some tool. Clive Cussler is a waste of oxygen, unless Cussler is the pseudonym for a 13 year old writing books out of homeroom in 8th grade.
Rating:
Summary: Dirk Pitt delivers again
Review: I know of no one who writes with more vividness than Clive Cussler. From the opening, the action scenes are remarkable and non stop and Dirk Pitt continues to be one of the great James Bond-like adventures figures of our time.
Cussler's use of the ocean and the history of ocean travel make his books unique among adventure stories. He has also mastered the art of weaving a variety of themes into one compelling action-filled narrative. In this volume we go back and forth from the Vikings in the eleventh century to Jules Verne and the Nautilus in the 19th century to a giant cruise ship being sabotaged with thousands of lives at stake in 2003.
All of this is tied into a giant corporate conspiracy which seems a little more plausible after Enron and other recent scandals. You will be kept guessing on at least three different fronts as Pitt and his team rush from problem to problem and from threat to threat.
The action never stops; the entertainment never stops.
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