Rating: Summary: A pretty interesting start for a new author. Review: A good storyline with good characters good and bad. Action scenes are pretty good but is a tad slow at times. But overall a good adventure read with a strong-willed hero and bad guys-a- plenty. I would probably read the next book in the series to find out if this new hero develops.
Rating: Summary: Well written and enjoyable. Review: At the recommendation of friends, I read Jack Du Brul's novel "Vulcan's Forge." I found it to be an entertaining and enjoyable book. I found the pace of the book excellent. The descriptions of the characters and the situations they were in to be adequate and not over done to the point of Michael Crichton's "Congo." I remember when I read Clive Cussler's first book "Pacific Vortex" it was an entertaining book but not as well developed as his later books. I believe the same will be true of Mr. Du Brul's books. I enjoyed reading this book and I'm glad this will be a continuing series. I recommend this book.
Rating: Summary: Well written and enjoyable. Review: At the recommendation of friends, I read Jack Du Brul's novel "Vulcan's Forge." I found it to be an entertaining and enjoyable book. I found the pace of the book excellent. The descriptions of the characters and the situations they were in to be adequate and not over done to the point of Michael Crichton's "Congo." I remember when I read Clive Cussler's first book "Pacific Vortex" it was an entertaining book but not as well developed as his later books. I believe the same will be true of Mr. Du Brul's books. I enjoyed reading this book and I'm glad this will be a continuing series. I recommend this book.
Rating: Summary: Bad Science Passing for Entertainment Review: Cookie-cutter characters, paper-thin plot, and the most appalling science that I have ever had the displeasure of reading. DuBrul has a college education???? However, I will say that DuBrul is a decent writer. If he would write on a topic which he knows something about, he might actually produce something worthwhile.
Rating: Summary: Good read by a new author. Keep it up. Review: Finished this book and can honestly say it was a good thriller. Mercer seems like a good character to build a series around. Liked that the author gave some credence as to his extravagent habits. (explained how he can afford his toys) The action in this book was non stop. From the first explosion to the last gun shot it was quite a page turner. Keep them coming Jack. Did think that Mercer had too much of the Mike Hammer style in him though ( in dealing with the women). Maybe Jack read too many Mickey Spillane books. All in all it was a very good first book by this author. Have started on Charon's Landing and hope that it is as good as this one.
Rating: Summary: One Star. . .only because you can't go lower Review: Having read the book, I just don't understand how some of these reviewers can bring themselves to rate this book so highly. Du Brul's much-touted "research" surely wasn't displayed in any of the 378 pages that I read. His "knowledge" of FBI or "SEAL" tactics is non-existent. His character must have been based upon Capt. James T. Kirk (of the Starship Enterprise). I expected to hear the "battle" score from Star Trek every time Mercer resorted to fisticuffs. The "Kirkian" characterization continues as Mercer is driven by what must be the most testosterone-laden drive to procreate in the Universe. What a shame. . .the plot was a very intriguing one. . .it is unfortunate that the execution was so average. Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy, don't start worrying just yet. You may eventually recognize a Peer if Du Brul gets a little more Life Experience behind him and realizes that a great Main Character to whom a reader can relate need not be based upon a 60's sci-fi show or the semi-autobiography of a SEAL Commander.
Rating: Summary: awful- garbage Review: I am sorry to say I wasted my time with this book. It is, for one thing, completely implausible: a hydrogen-bomb grow-your-own-volcano kit, a super-human protagonist even more comically unpossible than James Bond, a separatist Hawaii, and just too many coincidences. For another, it contains horrible errors of speeling and grammar, and whole words left out. There are words in these that are the wrong word for that context, like a spell- checker was used but it was never proofread by a human being. I couldn't put it down .. fast enough!! I borrowed it from the library for free and I want my money back!
Rating: Summary: Messy, sloppy, and silly!! Review: I borrowed this book from a friend who liked it, but it really let me down. Mercer reads as a fantasy alter ego for the author, who manages to over-describe the entire cast while keeping them very shallow. I was a bit disturbed by some ethnocentric and misogynistic stereotypes.
Rating: Summary: A new star is born Review: I bought my first DuBrul book when I was on a business trip and needed some distraction. When I saw glowing words by Cussler I took a chance. This is my second book of his that I have read and it make more sense to read them in order. Cussler and Clancy should take the time to read his works, it will remind them of the books they wrote when they first started out. These books are fresh, with an unlikely hero, a geologist who thinks he is James Bond and sometimes is. The writing is very good, especially for a first novel the plot interesting and the main character a Clark Kent in disquise. The book has subplots and they all tie together unlike some famous authors of late who write subplots with no bearing on the main story to make political statements. It was a great read, with well developed characters, fast paced and well written. I have bought his other two books for my next trip and have already started reading. His works remind me of Fleming, Ludlum, Cussler and Clancy when they first started writing, I couldn't get enough of them, and am awaiting to see what he will write next.
Rating: Summary: An exciting thriller... Review: I found Vulcan's Forge to be an interesting book with many twists and turns. It did seem to plod when the background of the sunken ship was discussed. But the ending twist more than made up for it. A must-read.
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