Rating: Summary: Interesting, but not all that different Review: It was certainly an interesting plot, especially with recent events, but I would agree that it was not all that different of a plot from normal.One thing I did notice that made me chuckle (it may have been noted earlier, I haven't read all the reviews) was Pitt's reference to the Titanic breaking into two pieces...for all you Cussler regulars, how did he manage to raise it then in one of the earliest Pitt books? Just curious...
Rating: Summary: AM I CRAZY? Review: I have just finished reading Valhalla Rising and as usual it was very enjoyable even if the plots are getting a bit thin. I actually was getting a bit sqeemish when I began to read about the ship heading to the World Trade Center docks. But to the point about my review. When Zale is discussing his plan to use a ship to come ashore in San Francisco, the ships name is PACIFIC CYBRUES. When the Coast Guard boards the ship it is called PACIFIC TROJAN. I can't find any link to show that Zane gave Sally the wrong ship name. He gave her the wrong port, San Francisco, instead of New York. Has anyone else noticed this or am I missing something.
Rating: Summary: DIRK PITT'S GREATEST HITS aka VALHALLA RISING Review: The Cussler magic has faded. Valhalla is a mish mash of all his previous novels to wit: Flaming cruise ship is right out of Deep Six down to the same descriptions of passengers breaking their necks by inflating life vests as well as the rescue ship also being a containership in both stories. Trimotor recyled from Iceberg (this was nice though) Cussler in the book given an even LARGER role-I HATE, HATE,HATE this! The stupid bit where ever ship captain in the past has to be named after Cussler friend Leigh Hunt Ignoring his own continuity about Titanic by saying how it broke in two. Other offenses inclucd Al Giordino character development from last novel being negated. Same stale scenes with Yaeger and his super computer, St. Julien Perlmutter and his knowledge of ships and the Sandecker cigar thing which was at least explained. The word above Stale seems to summ it up completely. The forumla is stale incarnate. Please Cussler-stay out of your novels and return them to the intricate politcal thrillers featuring the President and top aids in earlier classics such at TITANIC, VIXEN 03, DEEP SIX,and CYCLOPS- Side Note: Cussler seems to display an almost clairvoyance when you consider the Iowa explosion seemed identical to the one in his book and then Dirk Pitt flying airplanes among the towers of Manhattan turned into a terrifying true event.
Rating: Summary: Chillingly prophetic Dirk Pitt action thriller Review: Clive Cussler is back in stride with Valhalla Rising. As is his style, an amazing confluence of historical events and the present merges to create a quick reading and engrossing novel with an almost believeable plot. Cussler shapes his hero Dirk Pitt as sort of a newfangled version of James Bond, a modern problem solving protagonist. He is opposed by Curtis Merlin Zale an industrial megalomaniac who is bent on contolling the worlds oil supplies. To accomplish this he plans an unbelieveably eerie attack on New York Harbor centered on the World Trade Center. As a native New Yorker this was terribly disparaging. Of course the plot is thwarted. Happily unlike many of the Dirk Pitt novels this one ends with an unexpected joyous twist for our hero. Valhalla Rising was a step up from Cussler's previous offering and makes me want to read anything written by Jules Verne.
Rating: Summary: As Good As Ever Review: I've read all of Cussler's books along with Parker's Spenser books. I assumed Cussler would eventually do as Parker has recently done, rehash plot lines and have his characters plod along. I was pleasantly surprised. This may be Cussler's best Dirk Pitt book yet. It kept my attention with every chapter and page, bringing up the past at appropriate times combined with exciting new ideas. A good story that's well written. This book proves Cussler is at the top of his game.
Rating: Summary: Valhalla Rising, a hit Review: Valhalla Rising is a welcomed edition to Pitt's Underwater adventures. While it does not rate the "5 Stars" of Pitt's best adventure, SAHARA, the ending assures the reader that there will be more action packed NUMA/Pitt adventures to come. Thank you, Cussler.
Rating: Summary: Cussler Ageing Review: I have to agree with John D. from Charlotte, NC USA. Cussler overplays his cameo role and produces a book of medium wow factor. Superheros need reenergising possibly with the intro of some fallability angle eventually overcome by may be a new character. I have read all of Cusslers books so may be I am tiring of the plot style but I shall probably read any new works but for the moment I hereby declare disatisfaction.
Rating: Summary: That's Entertainment Review: One admits to enjoying Clive Cussler with some trepidation. His plots are, after all, wildly improbable; his main character impossibly heroic; and his inclusion of himself in passing as a minor character, simply maddening. But I never fail to read him! As with Tom Clancy I enjoy the earlier novels more, probably because each author seems to feel the need to top himself each time out. Despite my fussing, I enjoyed this outing. The rescue early on of passengers from a sabotaged cruise ship is fascinating--and stands in implicit contrast to the real life Titanic disaster of an earlier century. And, most intriguing of all, is the plot twist in the last several pages which seemingly leads on to a whole new, and I think promising, way to continue the series. I confess: I'm hooked.
Rating: Summary: Valhalla Should Have Stayed Lost Review: Picture this hypothetical conversation - "Cussler, you promised me a book by August, it's July now, where is the draft?" - "Was that this August??" - unfortunately, you get the idea. The latest Cussler throws together the same plot elements which have become overused by Cussler - antique car being chased, rescue of beautiful women, evil megalomaniacs, . The worst is that is that the mystery (as usual) is conveniently solved for Pitt by the troika of Cussler (who happens by at a convenient time), Yeager and Perlmutter. The Cussler appearance in the book used to be just a minor annoyance - you'll wish for those times again. Usually, you read a Cussler book and think "I could see how that would happen" - not this time. What's next, interstellar travel for Pitt which proves that aliens did land at Roswell? I have faithfully bought all of Cussler's books - this is the last one that I'll buy without reading first.
Rating: Summary: Dirk Pitt failure: inconceivable or not? Review: Dirk Pitt ranks among the likes of our action movie favorites: He's nearly a member of the AARP, and never stops to admit his real age. Clive Cussler will never euthanize the action and adventure hero that he's always wanted to be himself and any parent will tell you that we human beings may live vicariously through our own creations. Who said they couldn't be fictitious creations? But a more important question to ask would be whether or not the famous Captain Nemo of Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" really existed? What if he did? And what if Vikings had something to do with it? You think the two seem completely unrelated? Think again. Cussler always ties together the two most unlikely conditions that have earth-shattering consequences should the famous Dirk Pitt inconceivably fail. But dear reader should realize that "inconceivable" may not be the case in this Dirk Pitt adventure, or at least not in the way he was thinking. Don't be alarmed, dear reader. I haven't told you a thing. You'll have to read the story to find out. This is one of the most spectacular Clive Cussler novels of any. Very, very original and extremely interesting. As usual, the action and adventure never stop and Cussler is already dropping clues as to what Pitt's next mission will be. But I worry that Pitt may be losing his memory! Or maybe his creator may think we hadn't noticed a particular detail that I found comical: At one point during the story he makes reference to the fact that the famous Titanic lay in two pieces at the bottom of the ocean floor, when in fact many years ago, Dirk Pitt managed to raise her solid frame in one piece! But dear reader quickly forgives this technicality because the story is extremely fast paced, quick reading and ultimately enjoyable.
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