Rating: 
Summary: NOT VERY ENTERTAINING
Review: "Charon's Landing" marks the return of Phillip Mercer (first seen in Du Brul's previous novel, "Vulcan's Forge").Mercer must stop Ivan Kerikov, an ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division, who teamed up with an Arab oil minister, plans to take control of the US oil supply. Even though the novel does contain some good action scenes, it is peopled with too many characters and jumps from setting to setting every chapter. Half way through "Charon's Landing" I gave up, I just did not care what happened. Jack Du Brul has been compared to Clive Cussler, and although he does show promise, I will take a novel by Cussler any day.
Rating:
Summary: NOT VERY ENTERTAINING
Review: "Charon's Landing" marks the return of Phillip Mercer (first seen in Du Brul's previous novel, "Vulcan's Forge"). Mercer must stop Ivan Kerikov, an ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division, who teamed up with an Arab oil minister, plans to take control of the US oil supply. Even though the novel does contain some good action scenes, it is peopled with too many characters and jumps from setting to setting every chapter. Half way through "Charon's Landing" I gave up, I just did not care what happened. Jack Du Brul has been compared to Clive Cussler, and although he does show promise, I will take a novel by Cussler any day.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent eco-thriller
Review: Into his first term, and already tired and wary, the President of the United States has decided not to run for a second term. Instead, he will concentrate on pushing his energy agenda even though the media pundits consider his plan political suicide. His strategic goal is a ten year plan to clean up the environment through the increased use of cleaner alternate energy sources. The President remains concerned that the global economy and his plan do not collapse. He obtains Congressional agreement to allow the extremely powerful "Seven Sisters" oil companies to explore the abundant Alaskan oil in the previously environmentally protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Ajman Oil Minister Hasaan bin-Rufti and former KGB Science Division chief Ivan Kerikov have formed a partnership to stop the American plan before it can gain a foothold. Hasaan plans to become the head of his nation and OPEC while Ivan expects to earn millions of dollars. Only Ivan's arch enemy, geologist Philip Mercer, accompanied by extreme environmentalist Aggie Johnston, stands in the way. In an incredibly short span of time, Jack Du Brul has earned a reputation for some of the best eco-thrillers on the market. Fans and critics enjoyed his previous Mercer novel, VULCAN'S FORGE. His current Mercer tale, CHARON'S LANDING, will also be held in high esteem by readers and reviewers. The story line is exciting and crisp, but provides no easy answers to the environment-energy debate. Mercer remains an intelligent character, whose field exploits are becoming legendary among the sub-genre audience. Aggie softens Mercer and his arch foe Ivan adds the strong villainous element that turns this novel into one of the most entertaining tales of the year. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!
Review: Charon's Landing is the rematch between geologist Philip Mercer and Ivan Kerikov, ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division. Last seen in Vulcan's Forge, the two combatants quickly sense that overcoming each other is the key to success and survival. Their continuing battle is like a championship heavyweight fight, with repeated powerful blows landing on them and bystanders in all directions. The book differs from Vulcan's Forge in that it has little geological information or plot details, a much simpler plot that takes a while to develop, a love story, and a key focus on sadistic pleasures among its villains. If you don't care much for reading about sadism, you won't like this book. On the other hand, Du Brul succeeds in using it (much like Ian Fleming did) to provide an edge to his villains. I graded the book down one star because the sadism was overdone for my taste. If you decide to read the book, avoid reading any detailed reviews or the material on the book's cover before you begin. The story itself will provide lots of suspense for about 300 pages if you do. In that sense, it is superior to Vulcan's Forge. Otherwise, you will find the first 300 pages move a little slowly. The double crosses within are a quality Du Brul trademark, and provide the main suspense in keeping the story interesting to the end. The last 50 pages are about as action-packed as you can imagine. A high point of the book comes in the remarkable ways that Du Brul designed to help Mercer rescue the world again. They are truly fascinating and bring the book to an exciting and powerful close. Philip Mercer is the ultimate bureaucracy stallbuster. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Sadistic Double-Dealing Action
Review: Charon's Landing is the rematch between geologist Philip Mercer and Ivan Kerikov, ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division. Last seen in Vulcan's Forge, the two combatants quickly sense that overcoming each other is the key to success and survival. Their continuing battle is like a championship heavyweight fight, with repeated powerful blows landing on them and bystanders in all directions.
The book differs from Vulcan's Forge in that it has little geological information or plot details, a much simpler plot that takes a while to develop, a love story, and a key focus on sadistic pleasures among its villains. If you don't care much for reading about sadism, you won't like this book. On the other hand, Du Brul succeeds in using it (much like Ian Fleming did) to provide an edge to his villains. I graded the book down one star because the sadism was overdone for my taste. If you decide to read the book, avoid reading any detailed reviews or the material on the book's cover before you begin. The story itself will provide lots of suspense for about 300 pages if you do. In that sense, it is superior to Vulcan's Forge. Otherwise, you will find the first 300 pages move a little slowly. The double crosses within are a quality Du Brul trademark, and provide the main suspense in keeping the story interesting to the end. The last 50 pages are about as action-packed as you can imagine. A high point of the book comes in the remarkable ways that Du Brul designed to help Mercer rescue the world again. They are truly fascinating and bring the book to an exciting and powerful close. Philip Mercer is the ultimate bureaucracy stallbuster. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Advance rave from Clive Cussler (cover of the bound galley)
Review: Dear Jack:
Have read Charon's Landing. You're a helluva writer. You certainly turn a phrase better than I do. Your attention to detail and your research boggles the mind. The technology you come up with is on a par if not superior to Clancy. I consider it a privilege to have your work compared favorably with mine in your reviews. You're coming along at a good time and I'm honored to give a quote for Charon's Landing: "Jack Du Brul has to be the finest adventure writer on the scene today. Romance, violence, technology are superbly blended by a master story- teller in Charon's Landing. Du Brul creates a fast-moving odyssey that is second to none." You've got the gift, Jack. You launch the story and slowly begin to tighten the tension. I predict your break- through book, your big bestseller, is just around the corner. Clive Cussler
Rating:
Summary: Even BETTER than 'Vulcan's Forge'
Review: I am pleased to say that Jack Du Brul's phenomenally fun 'Vulcan's Forge' WASN'T just a fluke. 'Charron's Landing' picks up soon after 'Forge' and takes off with a vengeance. Should we or shouldn't we open up a section of the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge for the sole purpose of claiming the untapped oil reserves that will help make America totally independent from oil from the Middle East? Is it worth the cost in environmental damage? Is it a fair trade? Or are there select environmentalists who are willing to go to ANY lengths to stop the butchering of Alaska...even murder. Although I find that many 'tree-huggers' are willing to do some pretty stupid things in the name of the environment, I have to admit this is a bit hard to swallow-- but WHO CARES?? Oh, if you were wondering where Ivan Kerikov went, 'Charron's Landing' answers that question. Phillip Mercer is my new best friend! I simply could NOT put this novel down and if his books get any better (actually 'The Medusa Stone' IS better than this one)...let me rephrase that: WHEN his books continue to get better, he's going to flat out OWN the action/adventure market like Cussler did in the 80's & 90's. Now I KNOW that could ruffle a few collars out there--but let me remind you, Cussler is MY favorite author, and to see someone have the ability to assume the role that he himself defined is almost enough to bring me to tears...but as long as they both continue to write fantastic books (just check out 'Atlantis Found'--it's awesome) that won't be for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Even BETTER than 'Vulcan's Forge'
Review: I am pleased to say that Jack Du Brul's phenomenally fun 'Vulcan's Forge' WASN'T just a fluke. 'Charron's Landing' picks up soon after 'Forge' and takes off with a vengeance. Should we or shouldn't we open up a section of the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge for the sole purpose of claiming the untapped oil reserves that will help make America totally independent from oil from the Middle East? Is it worth the cost in environmental damage? Is it a fair trade? Or are there select environmentalists who are willing to go to ANY lengths to stop the butchering of Alaska...even murder. Although I find that many 'tree-huggers' are willing to do some pretty stupid things in the name of the environment, I have to admit this is a bit hard to swallow-- but WHO CARES?? Oh, if you were wondering where Ivan Kerikov went, 'Charron's Landing' answers that question. Phillip Mercer is my new best friend! I simply could NOT put this novel down and if his books get any better (actually 'The Medusa Stone' IS better than this one)...let me rephrase that: WHEN his books continue to get better, he's going to flat out OWN the action/adventure market like Cussler did in the 80's & 90's. Now I KNOW that could ruffle a few collars out there--but let me remind you, Cussler is MY favorite author, and to see someone have the ability to assume the role that he himself defined is almost enough to bring me to tears...but as long as they both continue to write fantastic books (just check out 'Atlantis Found'--it's awesome) that won't be for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Mercer's da man!
Review: I found this sequel to Vulcan's Forge to be highly entertaining and very readable. DuBrul and Mercer could very well be the next Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt. Very high praise indeed!
Rating:
Summary: THRILLING ACTION PACKED ADVENTURE
Review: I just finished reading Charon's Landing. Wow, what a book. If you like your action fun heroes who don't have law degrees, and a plot that's truly original, Charron's Landing won't let you down. Dubrul has put the thrill back into thriller.
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