I enjoyed this book a lot for being a thriller and an action adventure but its use of Vikings in the plot proved to be a bit of 'all talk and no substance'. The very first chapter is about Vikings settling and discovering North America but not an event that has a happy ending.The rest of the story focuses on new technologies regarding water propulsion on huge luxury cruisers, some scientists new ultimate engine oil and the corruption and power behind many of America's top homeland oil companies.You don't encounter anything to do with the first piece on vikings until the characters realise that the murdered scientist had an obsession with american rune stones. Even when they do make the viking discovery of the century it is kind of overshadowed with a blast from a Jules Verne story.Look at the story critically the vikings are only used to provide a convenient historic secret hiding place for the Verne aspect to the mystery and drama and all this still accumilates in the last few chapters at the end of the book after the main storyline regarding oil rich and power mad CEO's trying to be even more clever and lethal for more power and money. It would have still been a good book without the Viking influence as the Verne aspect adds a touch of bizarre interest to it.For once I am sad to say for any viking fans don't let the longship on the cover fool you into a rip roaring viking adventure - as you won't come across the image until the very end when it doesn't bare much impact or power on the entire story.
The luxury liner, Emerald Dolphin, was unsinkable. She was so opulent and spacious that her passengers basked in the height of luxury, being pampered by an attentive staff of officers and stewards too numerous to count. Suddenly, a fire ignited in her chapel, racing through the bowels of the ship with astonishing speed. Fire extinguishers and back-up systems failed and the lifeboats proved useless in the firestorm.The NUMA vessel, Deep Encounter, races to the rescue. Dirk Pitt, the captain and his stalwart crew take on more than their fair share of passengers, saving them from a fiery death. The Deep Encounter is overloaded and quickly in danger of sinking herself. Thankfully, help arrives in time, but a band of Vipers sent to silence her knows no bounds. The Deep Encounter is hijacked. Pitt and his friend, Giordano, bravely manage to free the ship and crew before all are destroyed to eliminate the evidence.The chase is on! Dirk Pitt returns to the United States and offers to help Kelly Egan and her group of disabled children. The dog fight between the Fokker triplane and Ford Trimotor was incredible! I also enjoyed the chase between the SUV and the vintage Packard. Cussler also zeros in on the vulnerability of New York harbor to a loaded, runaway LNG tanker before linking the story to the appearance of Norsemen in America just past the year 1000. As usual, an awesome ride with one of the kings of suspense and intrigue.
A Dirk Pitt adventure, that begins with a brand new luxury cruise ship starting on fire. After every safety measure malfunctions, most of the crew are saved when Pitt's NUMA vessel happens to be nearby. During the evacuation, one woman and her father, a renowned inventor/scientist, are attacked, making them think that the disaster is not really an accident. After more investigating, it becomes apparent that there is a some sort of plot in the works, which may just put even more people at risk. If Pitt cannot discover what it is, an even more terrible disaster may take place.Another fun read - clean and exciting. I love the Dirk Pitt novels, and the ending of this one especially got to me - when Pitt discovers what really happened to the love of his life, Summer.
—Lisa
Here we have more ocean adventures of NUMA superhero Dirk Pitt, along with Al and Sandecker (who disappointed me by failing to throw a temper-tantrum over some piece of ruined machinery/technology.) As always, Dirk Pitt can be an absolute charmer, but I literally rolled my eyes at Clive Cussler inserting himself into his own novel, then having his characters marvel at his magnificent catamaran. And the widowed oil executive and young heiress leaving nail polish bottles scattered around the bedroom, then making dinner and cleaning up after Dirk while staying at his apartment? Classic stuff. Totally made me squirm. I read this for the Jules Verne references and it was worth it for that, but Cussler writes the masculine equivalent of romance novels and I had a difficult time forgiving it this time. Also, I hated the surprise at the very end, although I suppose it's the price we must pay to make Dirk Pitt immortal. *sigh*
—Lillian Angelovic
Dirk Pitt, man...he's ruggedly handsome, mild-mannered, smart, clever, witty, selfless, and so many other things. He saves the day about FIVE TIMES in this book alone. He lives in a hangar by himself and collects antique airplanes and cars...cool. He's dashing and charming all of these other things. Oh, and he's got women all over his balls, too. All I really figured out in this novel was how awesome and good at everything Dirk Pitt was. I listened to this book on audio tape and it was a pretty awesome experience, because the reader (can't remember his name) was hilarious. The reader had ten different voices for all of the characters.So, in conclusion, this book was more of an entertaining read than a substantial one. Also: I DON'T THINK YOU'RE ALL THAT GREAT, PITT. YOUR PANTY-DROPPING SMILE AND MANNER HAVE NO EFFECT ON ME.
—Andrea
