Rating: 
Summary: Liked the book but wasn't what I was looking for
Review: I liked this book, and think it is pretty darn good. Still, I was extremely disappointed when I bought it. I assumed that this new series would follow the Area 51 cast, but instead we are introduced to all new characters.As I said, I did enjoy this book, but my expectations were way too high coming in.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Popcorn Sci Fi Novel - but I read it.
Review: I was once intrigued by these Area 51 books; being a fun and quick read. But then I realized that he has managed to cram what should have been 2 books (maybe 3) into 6 books. The story is fast and readable, but it also seems like he is trying to get into his stories every single myth, mysterious object, and story ever known into the thread of this and his other books. The story of Aliens having been here for thousands of years (Atlantis) and then having gone to sleep (why?), to return to plague the humans with ridiculous situations, in a never-ending story, seems a bit much. Doherty has some good stuff in these stories, nonotech ideas, and has managed to keep my interest in the story enough to consider reading his final novel in this series. If you want a simple and enjoyable read without having to exercise your brain to much (beach or vacation reading), this one will do.
Rating:
Summary: Only Two More Mountains to Climb
Review: It has been almost two years since I read the previous volume in this series, 'The Grail.' While these are excellent action adventures, they do not stay long to mind. I am embarrassed to admit that, when I picked this up and started reading, I was without a clue as to what was going on. It was rough going until I remembered the basic plot and characters, so I do not recommend this as a good starting point. The entire series is quite good, especially if you like alien inspired paranoid plots. So I heartily recommend going back to 'Area 51,' and inhaling the entire series. These books are not heavy going. The primary premise is that the human race owes much of its mythology to the accidental arrival of an alien race called the Airlia back in prehistoric times. Originally, they were benevolent, but an internal rift between two leaders, Artad and Aspasia, caused sufficient chaos that the aliens took a more secretive role, influencing humankind for their own reasons, with little thought to the eventual effects on us. The 'Area 51' series is about what happens when humans become aware enough of this interference to take action against the aliens. The last several volumes have turned on various factions competing for the possession of several artifacts - the Ark (both of them), the Grail, and now Excalibur, Arthur's sword. In the last volume Lisa Duncan, an American scientist, finds and activates the Grail. In the short time of her exposure, she is remade into something that appears human, but which is immortal. Unfortunately, the Grail is lost to Aphasia's forces, and Lisa returns to the U.S. to find herself and object for close scrutiny and testing. As Aspasia and Artad marshal their forces in competing efforts to conquer the earth it is left to two men, American Mike Turcotte and Russian agent Yakov, each of which has a mountain to climb. Turcotte must scale Mount Everest to pull Excalibur from its scabbard and turn on the Airlian master computer. Yakov heads for Mount Ararat and the Ark, which is really the Airlian mother ship, which contains the master computer itself. In the meantime, war breaks out in Korea and Taiwan, and the Pacific Fleet is nearly immobilized. Dire straits indeed. Doherty writes in a classic action oriented style. While his language isn't stilted, the characters speak in short bursts, and introspection is a rare thing indeed. But, the plot is complex enough to keep the reader's attention moving from one cliff hanger to the next. Expect to enjoy the book, but as I found out, don't expect to remember it!
Rating:
Summary: Only Two More Mountains to Climb
Review: It has been almost two years since I read the previous volume in this series, 'The Grail.' While these are excellent action adventures, they do not stay long to mind. I am embarrassed to admit that, when I picked this up and started reading, I was without a clue as to what was going on. It was rough going until I remembered the basic plot and characters, so I do not recommend this as a good starting point. The entire series is quite good, especially if you like alien inspired paranoid plots. So I heartily recommend going back to 'Area 51,' and inhaling the entire series. These books are not heavy going. The primary premise is that the human race owes much of its mythology to the accidental arrival of an alien race called the Airlia back in prehistoric times. Originally, they were benevolent, but an internal rift between two leaders, Artad and Aspasia, caused sufficient chaos that the aliens took a more secretive role, influencing humankind for their own reasons, with little thought to the eventual effects on us. The 'Area 51' series is about what happens when humans become aware enough of this interference to take action against the aliens. The last several volumes have turned on various factions competing for the possession of several artifacts - the Ark (both of them), the Grail, and now Excalibur, Arthur's sword. In the last volume Lisa Duncan, an American scientist, finds and activates the Grail. In the short time of her exposure, she is remade into something that appears human, but which is immortal. Unfortunately, the Grail is lost to Aphasia's forces, and Lisa returns to the U.S. to find herself and object for close scrutiny and testing. As Aspasia and Artad marshal their forces in competing efforts to conquer the earth it is left to two men, American Mike Turcotte and Russian agent Yakov, each of which has a mountain to climb. Turcotte must scale Mount Everest to pull Excalibur from its scabbard and turn on the Airlian master computer. Yakov heads for Mount Ararat and the Ark, which is really the Airlian mother ship, which contains the master computer itself. In the meantime, war breaks out in Korea and Taiwan, and the Pacific Fleet is nearly immobilized. Dire straits indeed. Doherty writes in a classic action oriented style. While his language isn't stilted, the characters speak in short bursts, and introspection is a rare thing indeed. But, the plot is complex enough to keep the reader's attention moving from one cliff hanger to the next. Expect to enjoy the book, but as I found out, don't expect to remember it!
Rating: 
Summary: Sit back and enjoy
Review: Millennia ago, aliens arrived on Earth and using the disguise of gods they ruled Atlantis until a civil war broke out and destroyed the island completely. Some of the Airlia retreated to Egypt and again wore the guise of gods and mated with six women who bore children that were half alien and half human. Unlike the immortal Airlians, the halflings needed blood to stay alive and thus was born the legend of vampires. The Airlians treated the halflings cruelly, keeping them in metal containers, only allowing them to wake up when they wanted to drink their blood. Eventually the halflings rebelled and three of the six halflings survived although Vampyr's twin sister was murdered. He swore vengeance on the Airlian and humanity, but Nosferatu only cared about finding a way to make him and his love immortal so that they don't need blood. Vampyr has his own agenda and with his allies makes his move on the very eve of Nosferatu's triumph. Vampires, the Holy Grail, Excalibur and many other objects and events from myth and legend are explained in AREA 51: NOSFERATU. A very highly evolved race of aliens used these avatars to rule mankind. The minatour on ancient Crete and then the monarchs such as King Minos, Ghenghis Khan, Vlad Tepes and Ivan the Terrible, rulers whose power was absolute and used for evil purposes, were all the doings of one vengeful fledging. The lives that the two fledglings lived make for fascinating reading and the audience will find themselves sympathizing with Nosferatu who only acts according to his nature. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: 'The Truth' is near
Review: More plot twists, and surprising new facts. In the tradition of the Area 51 series you are left at the end of this book feeling confused, excited and concerned. At least there will not be another 12 month waiting period until the next chapter in this saga. 'The Truth' will be reveled this summer. I have been reading this series of books since it began in 1997 and have yet to be disappointed. The books are all quick, easy reads and yet the story gets increasingly complex. To me this is the greatest strenght of this book and the entire series. If you are new to the Area 51 series do yourself a favor and start from the beginning otherwise you will be lost.
Rating:
Summary: The story goes on ...?!
Review: No, it does not! Robert Doherty is now spinning tales out of his first 6 books to complete the puzzle. Our usual heroes are there no longer, they are mentioned only marginally. The Undead are in our focus now, and the story is as interesting as its predecessors. Perhaps the time-span is just a little bit too long. But the novel is as exiting as those of "Season 1". I sincerely hope this is the beginning of Season 2.
Rating:
Summary: Book 6 in the series and still going strong
Review: Robert Doherty's sixth book in the Area 51 series, "Area 51: Excalibur" is an excellent addition to the series and, as usual, filled with plenty of action and interesting characters. Doherty does a great job re-introducing characters providing and background information to the series in the first 40 pages of this novel. Former Navy SEAL, Mike Turcotte and his eclectic group of cohorts again lead the fight against an alien takeover of the planet. But which of the alien races is our friend and which is our enemy? That is only one of the questions that Doherty tries to answer in this installment of the series. Faithful readers of the series will soon find the unique "tie-ins" with Earth's history that Doherty provides. His vivid imagination does a fantastic job linking The Sphinx, Noah's Ark, The Black Plague, The Arc of the Covenant, The Holy Grail, the rise of the Nazi SS, and Excalibur together as activites and events that were either casued by, or affected by the alien cultures. In this installment, Turcotte and his band attempt to quell the attacks of the Kortad and Airlia as they each try to take over the globe. The adventure stretches from Area 51 to Pearl Harbor and from Mt. Ararat to Mt. Everest. If you are a fan of the series, you'll love "Excalibur". If you are new to the series you need to go back and start with "Area 51". Either way, you can't go wrong with this series. The series (as we know it, anyway) culminates with the 7th and last installment, "Area 51: The Truth" later in the year.
Rating:
Summary: Tension not resolved - yet!
Review: The next book in the series keeps up the tension. The fight against the aliens and/or their supporters becomes more and more intense and desperate. We cannot even be sure about the position of the protagonists, and, oh boy, we have a dramatic final, which solves problems, but does not resolve the plot. We will have to wait for the final in "The Truth". I have never come across a series of novels that could keep up the tension as Doherty does here. An absolute must for SF - fans, who love this kind of science fiction. But I can imagine that those who like thrillers more than SF may be attracted by these books as well.
Rating:
Summary: Area 51-Excalibur
Review: The series continues. Reading the first fifty pages one questions all that has gone before. Information and events flow fairly evenly thoughout until the last fifty or so pages when everything speeds up to an almost frustrating pace.
A new twist to the Excalibur Legend used as a hook to interest those whose interest may not be "aliens". Just when you think it's over, another chapter is forthcoming in summer '02.
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