An ancient massacre unveiled. A fictional monster come to life. A stunning conflagration on the high seas. In Valhalla Rising, #1 New York Times be...
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Feb 08, 2009
Patrick
rated it: 
Who in their right mind would name a corporation Cerberus? I would! And so would Clive! So the naming of the evil conglomerate attempting to hoard the worlds oil supply and suppress a new engine that runs on faerie poo after the Janus-challenged guardian pet of hell isn’t a bad idea. Unfortunately that’s where the ideas stop. Unless you have the dark-haired blue-eyed hero meet the green-eyed woman of his dreams who turns out to be a lesbian and forces him to submit to a painless (heros feel no p
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Apr 05, 2010
Joe
rated it: 
This is one of the best organized of the clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt series, that reaches across centuries to create a fiction that is incredibly beleiveable.
The book pulls on history, old fiction, old mysteries, science, science ficition and adventure to create an unforgetable novel that leaves you asking how much of this could be true. In an Alfred Hitchcockish manner, Mr Cussler, weaves himself, his automobiles, his beloved sea craft, and his penchant to be an adventurer into his More...
The book pulls on history, old fiction, old mysteries, science, science ficition and adventure to create an unforgetable novel that leaves you asking how much of this could be true. In an Alfred Hitchcockish manner, Mr Cussler, weaves himself, his automobiles, his beloved sea craft, and his penchant to be an adventurer into his More...
Feb 15, 2011
Rebecca Wilson
rated it: 
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 More...
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 More...
Apr 23, 2009
Roasterx
rated it:
Clive Cussler must have some sort of fascination with machinery. I love the odd machines that Dirk Pitt and company use in their troublesome exploits. This is the second book by Cussler and they both used strange or antique planes and vehicles.
Cussler must also have a love of quirky history. He reminds me of Dan Brown in this sense. The old Viking ships and the Skraeling/Viking conflicts were just as much fun to read about as the adventures of Mr. Pitt.
The only way t More...
Cussler must also have a love of quirky history. He reminds me of Dan Brown in this sense. The old Viking ships and the Skraeling/Viking conflicts were just as much fun to read about as the adventures of Mr. Pitt.
The only way t More...
Mar 22, 2009
Caroline
rated it:
How many major cruise liners can you sink in one book? And still have the main character come out alive and well? Apparently one is not enough. It does make for lots of action and excitement as you turn pages wondering how he's gonna escape a brutal death this time. My favorite is how the author writes himself into the story to get himself out of corners he's written himself into. Makes me smile.
I quite enjoyed the old airplane fight scene over New York City. Except it's a little t More...
I quite enjoyed the old airplane fight scene over New York City. Except it's a little t More...
Aug 29, 2008
Jeff
rated it: 
My first Clive Cussler book - and perhaps still my favorite. Dirk Pitt is so much better than Kurt Austin. This was a great, fresh style for me at the time that I read it several years ago, and is the reason I'm a Clive Cussler fan today.
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Apr 25, 2011
DutchWaG
rated it:
It was very hard for me to rate this book because the idea for the story itself was nice, the action was fast-paced and the way I like it. But then there are things like: How many boats and lives can Dirk Pitt save in one novel? How come that he again beats the best trained people in these books? But what struck me most: Why the heck must the writer of this book be in the story itself? Give me a break!
But I would still have given it a four-star rating. But then the story had to finish and a More...
But I would still have given it a four-star rating. But then the story had to finish and a More...
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May 12, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
I've just started reading Clive Cussler books. I love them for pure adventure. This one bounces around from continent to continent, as do the other two I've read, and kept me guessing what would happen next. While the concept of an invention that could change the world - a secret I won't reveal here - is a bit outrageous, the story plot fits right in with what's going on today in the oil industry. If you don't actually believe that there's a plot behind our oil prices - you want to and this stor
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Aug 24, 2011
Dharmashanti
rated it:
The story was decent, but his characters were so nauseatingly cliched that it was an effort to keep reading. Also, there is a lot of info dumping, and much of the early chapters are telling rather than showing. In short, Cussler is just phoning it in.
If you like stories with "Harlequin romance"-type cardboard characters (i.e. perfect brawny men and timid, fainting women), then you'll love this.
However, if you prefer stories with complex, interesting characters More...
If you like stories with "Harlequin romance"-type cardboard characters (i.e. perfect brawny men and timid, fainting women), then you'll love this.
However, if you prefer stories with complex, interesting characters More...
Jul 06, 2011
Andy
rated it:
An evil oil baron is set to take over the US via bribery and the creation of panic in the US. Pitt and Giordino, of course, are there to save the day. Along the way they meet the daughter of a scientist who has developed not only an engine that uses sea water as a source of power and the oil needed for it to run effectively - Super Slick 66 that doesn't breakdown as quickly as regular oil - but also a way to tele-port the oil, cutting down on the need for pipelines or tankers. Oh, and by the
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May 02, 2011
Angela Parson
rated it:
Classic cars and aircraft, boats, ships and submarines, evil oil barons, science-fiction, Vikings and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea--and Cussler manages to tie it all together. What more could you ask for? Needless to say, it's a looong book. That's part of the problem, and I'm going to repeat something I've said in many of my reviews--it would have benefited from being carefully edited.
Cussler's writing style is rather formal and his dialogue tends to be stilted. He describes everythin More...
Cussler's writing style is rather formal and his dialogue tends to be stilted. He describes everythin More...
Aug 31, 2008
Susan
rated it:
Clive Cussler once again brings Dirk Pitt to life in the adventure thriller Valhalla Rising. Pitt comes to the rescue when the luxury liner The Emerald Dolphin catches fire and sinks. Among the survivors is Kelly Eagan, who is being hunted down for her scientist father's secrets. As Pitt and his compatriots at NUMA provide their assistance to Eagan, the organization is being drawn into a mysterious game of hijacked ships, sinking submarines and revolutionary technology.
This was my f More...
This was my f More...
Aug 22, 2010
Brian
rated it:
Cerberus, an evil oil cartel led by Curtis Zale, attempts to corner the oil market by bribing government officials, causing shipping accidents and eliminating rivals. Pitt comes to the rescue when the luxury liner The Emerald Dolphin catches fire and sinks. Among the survivors is Kelly Eagan, who is being hunted down for her scientist father's engine designs. Elmore Eagan's water driven engine is inspired by Jules Verne's Nautilus and a Viking settlement that is location under his up state Ne
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Oct 27, 2010
i have read a couple other clive cussler books before. to me i think this is one of his best.
theres a nice blend of history, fiction, mysteries. it's a book you cant put down. alot of the settings in this story you can picture your self standing right there in that setting. this book is basically about a big investigation of a ship going up in flames and sinking on its maiden voyage.
i reccomend this book to any one
theres a nice blend of history, fiction, mysteries. it's a book you cant put down. alot of the settings in this story you can picture your self standing right there in that setting. this book is basically about a big investigation of a ship going up in flames and sinking on its maiden voyage.
i reccomend this book to any one
Mar 24, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Okay, every now and then I pick up a Clive Cussler novel featuring Dirk Pitt. They're nothing but guilty pleasure and pure fun. Gotta love Dirk Pitt, who, in this particular novel saves the day more times than I can remember, manages to find several Viking longboats long hidden in a cave along the Hudson River, and the actual Nautilus submarine of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea fame. Like I said, gotta love Dirk Pitt.
Dec 22, 2010
Charleen
rated it:
This is an entertaining story, a whirlwind ride where you never know what crazy thing will happen next. It seems to be fairly typical of Clive Cussler, at least what I've read of his so far. Though I have to say, his writing itself sometimes distracts me (maybe it's a generation gap thing), and his author cameos make my eyes roll. But, it is a fun little escape, as long as you don't expect anything more than that.
Aug 29, 2009
Scott
rated it: 
My first Cussler book, and it will be my last. Before anyone sends me a nasty-gram about this review, remember, I'm not taking away your right to enjoy this book, it's just that I didn't. Dirk Pitt is just a little too much, don't you think? I mean, your ancient rare plane isn't showing up for your air show? Call Dirk Pitt! Need to know the exact year that some submarine crashed? He's your guy! I won't give it away, but I was glad that the ending of the book presented Pitt with a situation
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Jun 12, 2011
Stuart
rated it:
Usual Cussler style with a well produced historical episode (Vikings in America this time),then the good versus evil battle (US oil producers out to make a fortune) and finally the pulling of all the threads together. Overall enjoyable though I was not clear about the Viking connection to the main plot which seemed very tenuous (though quite interesting in its own right). However, the Jules Verne/Captain Nemo twist was a bonus. I will have to reread this sometime and find out whether there was a
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Dec 08, 2009
Allison
rated it:
I really don't understand how everyone drools over Cussler so much. Dirk Pitt is an asshole, and the entire thing just seems like one big Cussler Love fest. He's far too into himself for my tastes... I mean... Writing yourself into your own novels? Come on.
Try a James Rollins book. Much better action, more research into the technical and historical aspects, and more interesting characters.
Try a James Rollins book. Much better action, more research into the technical and historical aspects, and more interesting characters.
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Aug 23, 2011
Brian
rated it:
VR was a fun read with a couple of cool chase scenes. The arrival of the author himself in a high tech trimaran as a deus ex machina gave me a hearty internal chuckle.
Formula action page turner with a touch of history and science. Cussler is a glossy pulp writer akin to Dan Brown. Clancy's stuff has an edgier, true grit feel, albeit more conservative politically speaking.
Formula action page turner with a touch of history and science. Cussler is a glossy pulp writer akin to Dan Brown. Clancy's stuff has an edgier, true grit feel, albeit more conservative politically speaking.
May 13, 2010
RunRachelRun
rated it:
Wow. I started this book last night around 7 PM, and literally, it kept me up all night. I've only read three Cussler Dirk Pitt novels, but folks, this one was the very, very best. The plot stays tight, characters are always interesting...
I found myself still reading at 12 midnight, blowing any chance at all to be at the gym at 5:30 AM for Body Pump class. Darn it.
I found myself still reading at 12 midnight, blowing any chance at all to be at the gym at 5:30 AM for Body Pump class. Darn it.
Mar 08, 2010
Shane
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 04, 2009
Shauna
rated it:
I liked his style of writing well enough. I don't like the character too much though. He seemed to think it cool to not commit, have children and live a family life along with his professional life. His "girlfriend" also accepted that he had other women.
The story moved along quickly though and was interesting enough. The history lesson was appreciated as well.
The story moved along quickly though and was interesting enough. The history lesson was appreciated as well.
Dec 09, 2009
Nikki
rated it:
I listened to this book. A good adventure story. Dirk Pitt seems a little too good to be true. He's just perfect at everything and knows everything and ends up solving all the problems he's confronted with. That said, he is likeable and the stories are interesting mysteries, which I really like. I'll probably read some other Dirk Pitt novels.
Jul 21, 2010
Brian
rated it:
Fun read. But when I say "fun," I also mean that there's some silliness in this one. Once again, Cussler writes himself into the book and saves the day. I laughed out loud. This guy sure has some stones to do that over an over again. But still... it was a fun adventure. I was a bit disappointed at how quickly it all wrapped up at the end. It almost felt as if Cussler had 20 pages to go and far too many loose ends to tie up. So he did it very quickly. But on the whole, I enjoye
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Mar 09, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
There isn't a Dirk Pitt adventure that I haven't loved! Clive Cussler writes fantastic novels that stretch the believability factor but never the imagination. His adventures are all something that really could happen using smarts and technology. Dirk always gets the bad guy (or gal). The books always introduce a few different plots happening at the same time which seemingly have absolutely nothing to do with each other but somehow are all tied together. The process of tying them together is
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Feb 08, 2009
Toni
rated it:
I enjoy this thriller although I found it had way too much suspense in it. You will find yourself tangled in ancient Viking runes, diving in Captain Memo's nautilus, and flying with the Red Baron in Manhattan. You will experience the never ending wild adventures featuring Pitt and his pal Giordino.
Sep 27, 2010
Nathan
rated it:
Rather enjoyed this one, although Mr Cussler turns up again in a cameo. There are some rather good adventurous happenenings in this book, followed by some rather eye popping clunks and wobbles where science fiction is rather over egged. Fun and funny - probably for the wrong reasons.
Aug 31, 2011
Kristi
rated it:
This was my first time reading anything by Clive Cussler. I can't say that I hated it, but I can't say that I loved it either. So much of it was far-fetched to the point of being laughable, and the fact that Clive writes himself into his novels (a fact that I was unaware of before reading) was irritating to say the least. My favorite part? The opening chapter about early Viking expeditions. The rest of it was just "so-so".
