Rating: 
Summary: Valhalla Rising proves Cussler IS the King of all Action
Review: For us die-hard Cussler fans, waiting for a new Dirk Pitt novel is like an addict waiting for that next fix. Sometimes the wait can be excruciating. Of course, some waits are more satisfying than others, but they ALWAYS manage to entertain. The same goes for 'Valhalla Rising'. While not necessarily as fulfilling as 'Atlantis Found' (in my opinion) I still found this to be an above-average Cussler adventure. It is a genuine thrill to see just how the events at the beginning of each of the Dirk Pitt stories will impact the rest of the plot, and Cussler has given us not one, but TWO separate events ranging between early Vikings who visited Northeast America to the possibility of Jules Verne basing the story of '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea' on actual events. Finding out how these seemingly unrelated events will tie in with the rest of the story is of course half of the fun of your traditional Dirk Pitt adventure. 'Valhalla Rising' starts off with a bang, literally. The newest, most sophisticated luxury liner afloat suddenly begins to burn, and a series of unfortunate mishaps insure that before long, the ship becomes doomed. Pitt and a NUMA survey ship sees the ship ablaze and investigates and the story unfolds from there. After the rescue and later being abandoned in the middle of the ocean in a tiny submersible and a few other implausible (but fun nevertheless) narrow escapes from death, a search is on to find the hidden laboratory of a scientist who was a sheer genius, and who just might have a part in inventing the most incredible oil substitute the world has ever known. I admit I read a few of the reviews before cracking the pages of 'Valhalla Rising' and although nobody actually came out and spoiled the surprise that Cussler springs at the end, I managed to make an educated guess and I was almost 100% right as to exactly 'what' the surprise actually was. I am by no means a plot genius, but as I read, my imagination went to work as to what it could have been, and I just happened to get it pretty close--actually only about half-right (read it and you'll figure out what I mean). There has been talk for a few years about Cussler ending his amazing Dirk Pitt adventures, but as others have noted, I don't think that Clive is ready to do that just yet...and fortunate for us Pitt fans, we'll have more adventures to look forward to for (hopefully) years to come. I find myself looking forward to the next book now with more anticipation than I have in a very long time. Unlike others who have been upset with Cussler over the 'surprise' at the end, I personally enjoyed it and has reminded me once again just why I read this
incredibly talented writer in the first place. Long live Clive and Dirk Pitt.
Rating: 
Summary: How does he do it?
Review: Although the plots do seem to repeat from book to book, I find no less joy when reading each new book and can hardly wait for the next to be published. While in the past I have noticed Cussler's seeming precognitions of future world events, how eerie to read this book just one week after the events in NYC, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. Haunting.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Exactly Rising
Review: Another Dirk Pitt novel another crisis. After the first dozen, Clive Cussler has seem to lost his edge. All the plots are getting more and more generic with cookie cutter villians. Clive Cussler remains a nice quick read for those who want to leave their brains at the door. Hopefully, his next novel will show a little more creativity and not as much predictability.
Rating:
Summary: Dirk is back!
Review: Clive Cussler comes through with yet another fine adventure that provides a great escape. It all starts when Dirk Pitt, working for NUMA in the South Pacific, notices a fire burning on the horizon. It seems a state of the art cruise ship named 'Emerald Dolphin' is experiencing a major fire. The radios, as well as the sprinkler system, has been sabotaged and the lifeboats have been burned. Dirk must now rescue over 2000 people. This amazing rescue, along with 3 or 4 others in the novel, seem to be somewhat miraculous, but they sure are fun to read. As a multi-billionaire attempts to take over the oil business and eventually the government, Dirk has his work cut out for him. Dirk, and his long time friend Al Giordino, get together once again in this entertaining and fast-paced story. This well rounded and well researched novel includes tales of the old Vikings and Norsemen. Jules Verne also plays a part in this story. Cussler paints a vivid picture of his disasters and the ensuing action. The threat on Manhattan cut especially close to home. A Dirk Pitt novel that ranks among the best. Highly recommended for action and thrills.
Rating:
Summary: Dirk Pitt is winding down.
Review: Yes, my hero is winding down. Probably making way for that newer team of "Blue Gold". Somehow Dirk didn't seem to have his heart in the adventure this time. The search for Norse colonists on the Hudson seemed a bit contrived and only a sideline. And Al was hardly heard from at all! He was more like the ever present bodyguard - the guy that hovers, but never speaks.It sounds as if I hated the book, but I actually enjoyed it tremendously. There were numerous changes that I did like - along with the subtle hint that there was a good chance that we haven't seen the last of Dirk and Co. I was very happy to see the relationship with the congresswoman played down. I never liked her, and I hope in light of the ending - which was simply fabulous - I hope she disappears altogether. (Big hint,Mr Cussler!) The one, most unfortunate, circumstance, was the use of the World Trade Center as a target. People must remember that it was written many months before the recent attack, and was, in fact, published prior to the event. But it sure did bring chills when I read it only a few days after. But as redeeming factors, the expanded role of Mr Cussler himself and the aforementioned ending, was worth it. It was surprising,touching,unconventional for our hero,and one of the best endings Mr Cussler has ever devised. I cannot wait for the followup!
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the next one!
Review: This is one of the best of the Pitt series. The last 5 pages will blow you away! I can't wait for the next Pitt installment because it has so many possibilities now. YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Valhalla Over the Top
Review: This long-time Cussler fan was disappointed by the latest Dirk Pitt adventure. Although populated by the usual techno-wonders, beautiful/unobtainable women and outstanding adventures (both in the air and undersea), Mr. Cussler was sloppy with distracting and unecessary complications -- most notably, the rescued briefcase that mysteriously refills itself with oil -- which took this novel clear over the top. Watch for a clumsy introduction of new characters at the very end, which promise immortality for Dirk Pitt and possible yawns for Mr. Cussler's faithful readers.
Rating:
Summary: A bit of Everything
Review: If you've read Cussler before, specifically his Dirk Pitt novels, you know the superhero status Pitt enjoys. Well, Pitt does it again in Cussler's latest incarnation, "Valhalla Rising." When the latest and greatest new cruise liner is mysteriously engulfed in a raging inferno, Pitt's survey ship, which just happens to be within a binocular's view, rushes to the cruise ship's setting the stage for a daring rescue of the nearly 2,000 passengers on board. During his heroic efforts, Pitt runs across Kelly Egan, a predictable beauty who has just lost her father under suspicious circumstances when abandoning the ship. Kelly's father is a famous and ingenious scientist/engineer whose revolutionary and unprecendented engines powered the ship prior to meeting her fate. Upon hearing Kelly's tale, Pitt believes someone with nefarious intentions has set this fire and disabled the fire alarms and sprinkler system. This was a death trap. Pitt and his ever-present sidekick Al Giordino, begin their investigation into the cause of the cruise ship's demise. Unbeknownst to them, their journey will take them to the bottom of the ocean in a luxury submarine, the skies over New York in a firefight with a vintage aircraft, into the pages of "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and down the Halls of Congress. Truly a whirlwind track. To top off this thriller, Cussler makes a cameo appearance himself. All-in-all, a great read and thrilling adventure. Oh, by the way, I won't tell you why this book is named "Valhalla Rising" but rest assured, this is another twist you're sure to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: 4 stars for the chase scenes, otherwise 2 = 3 stars
Review: Valhalla Rising has a stronger plot than the last book, some great chase scenes, an excellent submarine save, but the boys and girls in the cast are tired and want to go home. We saw Dirk Pitt, yes, our Action Hero Dirk Pitt, directing operations from a lawn chair, when he wasn't working on his crossword puzzles. Cussler being Cussler is pulled our leg here,acknowledging that the boys are getting too old to pull off this man-of-steal stuff, and that was good for a laugh. But the ending. No. Cussler does not have the ability to make characters walk and talk in the 21st century. He can't do it, and the concept is too far over the top. So: 4 stars for the chase scenes and 2 stars for the consistently weary, two-dimensional players and bogus last chapter.
Rating:
Summary: Valhalla Rising
Review: I continue to enjoy Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt series. I found this book to be up to the standards I have expected, and then some! Cussler's ability to handled multiple plots and "toenail" them into a final solution at the end of the story has made me a confirmed member of "Cussler's Crusaders". If you enjoy adventure and the good guys against the bad guys, you can't go wrong with any of the books in the Dirk Pitt series. They are easy readers without all of the techinical B.S. that seems to be used as filler by some writers. Enjoy yourself and get this book,then read the others!!!
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