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Philip Mercer #7
La Clave de Babel
Seventy years after a murderous madman aboard the doomed Hindenburg tosses out a safe containing a dangerous secret, mining engineer Philip Mercer teams up with field researcher Cali Stone to figure out why a central African village is experiencing high rates of cancer.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 8, 2017
I wouldn't normally have picked this up since I abhor books about terrorists but I needed it for a book set in the Central African Republic. Not bad but a tad bit over the top though enjoyable to a degree.
January 10, 2014
one star because of the ridiculous, redheaded chick. Less than 15 min in her presence and boom! Mercer goes head over heels for her....Serious talk- oh lets talk about her 'soft, seductive, plump lips'.
Bad, Mary Sue, Author's wet fantasy. Ruined the book for me, sorry. I had such nice memories of Pandora's Curse, and I expected more from this book.
One word:
Disappointment!
Bad, Mary Sue, Author's wet fantasy. Ruined the book for me, sorry. I had such nice memories of Pandora's Curse, and I expected more from this book.
One word:
Disappointment!
December 19, 2012
It’s hard for a book I looked forward to as much as this one to live up to my expectations, but it did a pretty good job. Phillip Mercer is back at last, rolling onto the scene in war-torn Africa, driving a truck full of refugees. This is where he meets Cali Stowe, purportedly from the Centers for Disease Control. Cali is looking for a village that has the highest rate of cancer in the world, hoping to learn valuable information before civil war wipes the village off the map. She and Mercer find the village and a mysterious open pit mine just before being taken captive by some mercenaries, and then rescued by some shadowy men who warn them never to return.
Back in Washington, Mercer discovers Cali doesn’t work for the CDC, she’s actually a nuclear specialist who was sent to Africa to search for a source of radiation poisoning. Some stories they heard in Africa put them on the trail of an obscure historian and in the sights of the very dangerous men who are searching for what the historian found. Mercer and Cali follow a trail from Atlantic City, nearly over Niagra Falls, through remote parts of Russia, and into the heart of Egypt, dodging bullets and outrunning the bad guys the whole way. They are aided often by mysterious men who call themselves Janissaries as they hunt for a weapon once used by Alexander the Great that could cause untold destruction in the modern world.
Since Clive Cussler essentially retired, Jack du Brul is the best adventure writer out there, and he hangs onto the title with ease. There is something indefinable that made me grip the pages of his earlier adventures a little tighter that seems to be missing here, though. This was also a good 130 pages shorter than Mercer’s last adventure. Jack du Brul had a really good thing going with this series, but though I hate to say it, it seems to be suffering from his attention being diverted elsewhere. Not so much that this book isn’t good, but it’s not as good as the last four or so in the series. While it’s benefiting greatly from du Brul, I’d scuttle the “Oregon” in a heartbeat if I thought it was going to hurt Phillip Mercer. Quite simply, I love him. He’s tough, vulnerable, violent when he needs to be, and yet not a pig. He’s the perfect hero for the new millennium.
If you’ve never read Jack du Brul, this isn’t a bad place to start, though of course I recommend starting with Vulcan’s Forge and reading them in order. These are fast-paced, globe-hopping adventures with wonderful characters. Who else has an 80-year-old alcoholic sidekick with a lazy dog named Drag? This is a very fun series that delivers every time, and I couldn’t be happier that Mercer is back.
Back in Washington, Mercer discovers Cali doesn’t work for the CDC, she’s actually a nuclear specialist who was sent to Africa to search for a source of radiation poisoning. Some stories they heard in Africa put them on the trail of an obscure historian and in the sights of the very dangerous men who are searching for what the historian found. Mercer and Cali follow a trail from Atlantic City, nearly over Niagra Falls, through remote parts of Russia, and into the heart of Egypt, dodging bullets and outrunning the bad guys the whole way. They are aided often by mysterious men who call themselves Janissaries as they hunt for a weapon once used by Alexander the Great that could cause untold destruction in the modern world.
Since Clive Cussler essentially retired, Jack du Brul is the best adventure writer out there, and he hangs onto the title with ease. There is something indefinable that made me grip the pages of his earlier adventures a little tighter that seems to be missing here, though. This was also a good 130 pages shorter than Mercer’s last adventure. Jack du Brul had a really good thing going with this series, but though I hate to say it, it seems to be suffering from his attention being diverted elsewhere. Not so much that this book isn’t good, but it’s not as good as the last four or so in the series. While it’s benefiting greatly from du Brul, I’d scuttle the “Oregon” in a heartbeat if I thought it was going to hurt Phillip Mercer. Quite simply, I love him. He’s tough, vulnerable, violent when he needs to be, and yet not a pig. He’s the perfect hero for the new millennium.
If you’ve never read Jack du Brul, this isn’t a bad place to start, though of course I recommend starting with Vulcan’s Forge and reading them in order. These are fast-paced, globe-hopping adventures with wonderful characters. Who else has an 80-year-old alcoholic sidekick with a lazy dog named Drag? This is a very fun series that delivers every time, and I couldn’t be happier that Mercer is back.
July 27, 2012
As a big fan od Cussler and the Oregon Series, I thought that de Brul and this book will be quite enjoyable too. It had all the right ingredients for an interesting book at first sight-likeable main characters, one of which a beautiful and independent woman, nice dose of humour, action, historical mystery, exotic locations....But I just couldn't bear all the bulshit about how strong, perfect and peaceful is America, while the always bad Russians and Arabs are ruining the peaceful and ideal world! The Arabs were represented all as fanatical killers, mainly from Al Kaida of course, the Africans were shown as stupid apes and the Russians and South Europeans as thugs and gangsters. The whole action was too predictable, a great scientist, far greater than Einstein was made to look like a mindless idiot, the Jews were the good guys, America is always right, and their wars are good and helpful, and they help everyone else be as perfect as them! Sorry, but this piece of American Propaganda shit is purely ridiculuos ;)
October 14, 2012
If you accept that Phillip Mercer is a combination of Bond and McGyver you'll enjoy these books.
Mercer (as he prefers) is a geologist. Having a hero geo' is a real kick for me as I'm married to one. And being so, I have a source to check details with. Needless to say Mercer's combination of professional skills is extremely rare and unlikely - but I like him all the same.
Mercer is the last white knight who needs to make the situation right whatever that may be. He has connections to the White House and special forces and is practically a special force himself. The story is a typical action / adventure and there is even a lady to feature as well. I love Harry. I like that such a character as he has been created if only for the light relief.
This book is a ride from beginning to end, our hero and heroine essentially don't get a break from the bad guys but just managed to stay ahead of them and save the world (of course).
This is a fun action read.
Mercer (as he prefers) is a geologist. Having a hero geo' is a real kick for me as I'm married to one. And being so, I have a source to check details with. Needless to say Mercer's combination of professional skills is extremely rare and unlikely - but I like him all the same.
Mercer is the last white knight who needs to make the situation right whatever that may be. He has connections to the White House and special forces and is practically a special force himself. The story is a typical action / adventure and there is even a lady to feature as well. I love Harry. I like that such a character as he has been created if only for the light relief.
This book is a ride from beginning to end, our hero and heroine essentially don't get a break from the bad guys but just managed to stay ahead of them and save the world (of course).
This is a fun action read.
June 3, 2015
One of my favorite books of all time, an extremely perplexing story line that leaves everything a mystery until the end where the reveal all the facts. Without spoiling the book to much I can honestly say I learned a few things. The whole conspiracy theory about the oil industry and obtaining nuclear weapons was awesome to follow along with. It is also a good book for women representation because the man who could have been the main protagonist didn't help a lot and was the brain while the girl was like Black Widow and did all the fighting.
June 14, 2020
There was a lot going on in this book. I got sick of hearing about Cali's lips. Not my kind of story.
December 24, 2017
These Philip Mercer books are very formulaic but are a fun read as long as you can ignore some liberties taken by the author and suspend a little belief. I enjoy the fact that I can check these books out from my local library in electronic form reading them on my computer and Kindle Fire.
May 10, 2019
Not a great book but not terrible either. It was kind of formulaic and the fight scenes were unrealistic. I liked the use of historical events as part of the story but that should come as no surprise since he co-authors some Clive Cussler books.
November 9, 2022
Better than I thought it was going to be. Lots of topics meshed together but none the less very entertaining. I kept describing it like a cross between Indiana Jones and Jason Bourne. Would read other books with this main character.
May 17, 2023
Odyssey Redux! A damn good one too!
What’s not to like? Great story, familiar and fantastic new characters, a plot that races at light speed with the excellent writing to match. Well done, well done!!!
What’s not to like? Great story, familiar and fantastic new characters, a plot that races at light speed with the excellent writing to match. Well done, well done!!!
January 7, 2019
Loved it. Great as usual.
April 4, 2019
Actually, I would rate it 3 1/2 stars
August 27, 2019
I enjoyed this book, the theme was interesting and believable.
September 24, 2020
This book has tons of action. A real thriller.
June 7, 2021
This was a decent book. Some nice action, a few twists and turns that sort of kept you kept guessing. Overall it kept me entertained for few days!
September 6, 2021
Solid Du Brul.
February 24, 2024
Another enjoyable read. Great fun.
November 18, 2024
Pretty good!
December 14, 2024
One unbelievable situation after another.
Very exciting, enjoyable
Very exciting, enjoyable
July 26, 2017
First Line
Alone in his cabin for the past three days, the madman rocked gently on his narrow bunk, his eyes fixed on the dull sheen of his personal safe while fever sent alternating currents of heat and cold through his body.
So begins an adventure. Nothing different than other fantastical adventures on a world scale, but our main protagonist is a geologist by trade. He also is pretty adept at doing just about anything else, including running, jumping, shooting, skydiving, swimming, fighting, driving, and drinking. Philip Mercer is the bee's knees. He also finds himself looking for some naturally made plutonium that was discovered and mined from the Central African Republic before WWII. The historical aspect surrounds the Hindenburg and atomic bombs.
Globetrotter: Starts in the CAR. Finds "the girl", finds the mysterious history connection, finds some bad guys, finds how best to be captured. Back to USA: Atlantic City, NJ...Niagara Falls, NY. Whip-pan to Russia for some shenanigans and onwards to Egypt.
The story is told almost exclusively from Mercer's POV. A few exceptions to add depth to the story follow the other characters. I think this is a way to clue to the reader in on story aspects so things don't seem a little deus ex machina-y. This is fine for me, it is some extra chapter reading and whatnot.
The bad guys want to disrupt the future plans, which would hurt their current bottom line and influence. So when a cache of plutonium is re-discovered, it is all hands on deck to get it and use it. And apparently this sort of thing falls to the Mercer & Co. to track down and handle, personally. As mentioned, suspend the disbelief, strap in, hold on, and enjoy the ride. The writing is good, the characters do things, the story is wrapped up at the end. What more could one ask from an adventure book?
I will note that Cali Stowe is rail thin and has sensual lips. Why do I point this out? So that any future readers would not be shocked when her appearance is commented on multiple times and her lips especially apparently drive men crazy...because sex appeal=lip size. Also for a surprisingly well stocked bar, every character drinks their own drink and nothing else. If that is the case, why would the bar have anything but the essentials? Vodka gimlets are easy to make. Anyways, good read with no real problem picking up at Book #7 without any experience with the author or his characters before.
Norwood Press 17/98
Summary Haiku
World wide adventure;
Natural Plutonium;
Like Odysseus.
Alone in his cabin for the past three days, the madman rocked gently on his narrow bunk, his eyes fixed on the dull sheen of his personal safe while fever sent alternating currents of heat and cold through his body.
So begins an adventure. Nothing different than other fantastical adventures on a world scale, but our main protagonist is a geologist by trade. He also is pretty adept at doing just about anything else, including running, jumping, shooting, skydiving, swimming, fighting, driving, and drinking. Philip Mercer is the bee's knees. He also finds himself looking for some naturally made plutonium that was discovered and mined from the Central African Republic before WWII. The historical aspect surrounds the Hindenburg and atomic bombs.
Globetrotter: Starts in the CAR. Finds "the girl", finds the mysterious history connection, finds some bad guys, finds how best to be captured. Back to USA: Atlantic City, NJ...Niagara Falls, NY. Whip-pan to Russia for some shenanigans and onwards to Egypt.
The story is told almost exclusively from Mercer's POV. A few exceptions to add depth to the story follow the other characters. I think this is a way to clue to the reader in on story aspects so things don't seem a little deus ex machina-y. This is fine for me, it is some extra chapter reading and whatnot.
The bad guys want to disrupt the future plans, which would hurt their current bottom line and influence. So when a cache of plutonium is re-discovered, it is all hands on deck to get it and use it. And apparently this sort of thing falls to the Mercer & Co. to track down and handle, personally. As mentioned, suspend the disbelief, strap in, hold on, and enjoy the ride. The writing is good, the characters do things, the story is wrapped up at the end. What more could one ask from an adventure book?
I will note that Cali Stowe is rail thin and has sensual lips. Why do I point this out? So that any future readers would not be shocked when her appearance is commented on multiple times and her lips especially apparently drive men crazy...because sex appeal=lip size. Also for a surprisingly well stocked bar, every character drinks their own drink and nothing else. If that is the case, why would the bar have anything but the essentials? Vodka gimlets are easy to make. Anyways, good read with no real problem picking up at Book #7 without any experience with the author or his characters before.
Norwood Press 17/98
Summary Haiku
World wide adventure;
Natural Plutonium;
Like Odysseus.
July 22, 2014
A Review of the Unabridged Audiobook
Jack Du Brul's Havoc is a techno-thriller that races from the Hindenburg disaster to Africa to Washington, D.C to Atlantic City to Niagara Falls to Russia and back to Africa with hardly any time to take a breath.
The book features Philip Mercer, a geologist by training that often troubleshoots for the White House. This is the seventh book featuring Mercer, a fact that was not on the audiobook label. However, Du Brul does a great job of catching the reader up on what has been going on - I assumed it was the first book in the series as I was listening to it.
The action starts with a traveler on the infamous Hindenburg as it flies to its fate with destiny in Lakehurst, New Jersey in 1937. A crazed man is hiding a secret in a safe in his room and he is afraid that the Nazis know he has it and are plotting to steal it from him. As this man sits and watches his safe he devises a plan to get it safely off of the airship before it lands in New Jersey - he throws it overboard into a farm field with an attached note for Albert Einstein. The note falls off and the safe gets forgotten in the chaos of the Hindenburg disaster.
Fast forward to modern day in the Central African Republic. Mercer accidentally meets Cali Stowe, a fellow American. Mercer tells her he is here to investigate a geological hunch for someone as a favor. She says that she is there to investigate a village that has an extraordinarily elevated cancer rate. They are both telling half-truths. But, most importantly, this village is in the middle of a civil war and a dangerous warlord is on his way, burning and looting as he comes...
As the story progresses, Stowe and Mercer find that they have a mutual interest in this village and in each other. The more they find out about, the more tense the situation becomes. There are a lot of complicated threads in this book but Du Brul does tie them all together at the end
The story is full of action and adventure - some of it fun, some of it believable, some so outrageous that the story...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2014/...
Jack Du Brul's Havoc is a techno-thriller that races from the Hindenburg disaster to Africa to Washington, D.C to Atlantic City to Niagara Falls to Russia and back to Africa with hardly any time to take a breath.
The book features Philip Mercer, a geologist by training that often troubleshoots for the White House. This is the seventh book featuring Mercer, a fact that was not on the audiobook label. However, Du Brul does a great job of catching the reader up on what has been going on - I assumed it was the first book in the series as I was listening to it.
The action starts with a traveler on the infamous Hindenburg as it flies to its fate with destiny in Lakehurst, New Jersey in 1937. A crazed man is hiding a secret in a safe in his room and he is afraid that the Nazis know he has it and are plotting to steal it from him. As this man sits and watches his safe he devises a plan to get it safely off of the airship before it lands in New Jersey - he throws it overboard into a farm field with an attached note for Albert Einstein. The note falls off and the safe gets forgotten in the chaos of the Hindenburg disaster.
Fast forward to modern day in the Central African Republic. Mercer accidentally meets Cali Stowe, a fellow American. Mercer tells her he is here to investigate a geological hunch for someone as a favor. She says that she is there to investigate a village that has an extraordinarily elevated cancer rate. They are both telling half-truths. But, most importantly, this village is in the middle of a civil war and a dangerous warlord is on his way, burning and looting as he comes...
As the story progresses, Stowe and Mercer find that they have a mutual interest in this village and in each other. The more they find out about, the more tense the situation becomes. There are a lot of complicated threads in this book but Du Brul does tie them all together at the end
The story is full of action and adventure - some of it fun, some of it believable, some so outrageous that the story...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2014/...
April 12, 2013
I'd already read Jack DuBrul's collaborative efforts with Clive Cusller (from the Oregon Files) but this was the first solo novel of his that I read, and I enjoyed it very much. Philip Mercer is one cool cat (I like his taste in handguns, specifically the Beretta 92), as his banter with Harry White (and Harry's dog Drag) is a hoot, and is his flirtation with the lovely nuclear specialist Cali Stowe. Cool action sequences, exotic locales (it's not every day you see the Central African Republic used as a setting), international intrigue, and as a history buff, I like how the Hindenburg played a role in the Prologue.
Definitely want to read more novels in the Philip Mercer series now!
Anyways, if "Havoc" were ever made into a movie, and I were with Central Casting:
Philip Mercer: George Clooney
Harry White: Gene Hackman or Clint Eastwood
Cali Stowe: Julianne Moore (not tall enough, I know but at least she's redheaded and slender) or Laura Prepon (of "That 70s Show" fame; not skinny enough, I know, but at least she's redheaded and tall)
Poli Feines: Dolph Lundgren
Booker Sykes: LL Cool J
Ibriham Ahmad: Kevork Malikyan (best known as Kazim of the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword "in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade")
Caribe Dayce: Yaphet Kotto ("Aliens," "Live and Let Die," "Midnight Run")
Definitely want to read more novels in the Philip Mercer series now!
Anyways, if "Havoc" were ever made into a movie, and I were with Central Casting:
Philip Mercer: George Clooney
Harry White: Gene Hackman or Clint Eastwood
Cali Stowe: Julianne Moore (not tall enough, I know but at least she's redheaded and slender) or Laura Prepon (of "That 70s Show" fame; not skinny enough, I know, but at least she's redheaded and tall)
Poli Feines: Dolph Lundgren
Booker Sykes: LL Cool J
Ibriham Ahmad: Kevork Malikyan (best known as Kazim of the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword "in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade")
Caribe Dayce: Yaphet Kotto ("Aliens," "Live and Let Die," "Midnight Run")
August 19, 2011
What could be more exciting that a modern day search by wanna-be terrorists for a stash of old world plutoniumm? Caught my interest.
Havoc starts off with a twist, causing the reader to question what history has taught us about the Hindenburg disaster. From there we are led on a chase through Africa, Atlantic City, Niagara Falls, Russia, Turkey and back to Africa again as Mercer, our rugged, fearless hero along with Cali Stowe the independent, educated, undercover government operative follow the clues set down in an ancient monument telling of the exploits of Alexander the Great. With them is Harry, an elderly friend of Mercer's who loves to gamble and Booker Sykes, a Navy Seal-type of mercenary.
The action is quick. While the outcome is predictable, the story is a twist on the action thriller genre. Lots of historical data for the history buff. Men will love the idea of the strong, silent hero who get the girl in the end. The story held my interest although I have read better.
Ladies who prefer strong and independent heroines will fail to find that here as Cali in the end succumbs to the macho power of the leading man and falls into his arms. Too predictable for my taste!
Recommended Instead: Code Black by Philip Donlay
Havoc starts off with a twist, causing the reader to question what history has taught us about the Hindenburg disaster. From there we are led on a chase through Africa, Atlantic City, Niagara Falls, Russia, Turkey and back to Africa again as Mercer, our rugged, fearless hero along with Cali Stowe the independent, educated, undercover government operative follow the clues set down in an ancient monument telling of the exploits of Alexander the Great. With them is Harry, an elderly friend of Mercer's who loves to gamble and Booker Sykes, a Navy Seal-type of mercenary.
The action is quick. While the outcome is predictable, the story is a twist on the action thriller genre. Lots of historical data for the history buff. Men will love the idea of the strong, silent hero who get the girl in the end. The story held my interest although I have read better.
Ladies who prefer strong and independent heroines will fail to find that here as Cali in the end succumbs to the macho power of the leading man and falls into his arms. Too predictable for my taste!
Recommended Instead: Code Black by Philip Donlay
April 11, 2010
I apologize for not reading this series in order that they were written, rather in the order by which the library gets them for me. This is Jack Du Brul's 7th novel in the Philip Mercer series. For those not familiar with Mercer, he is Du Brul's version of Dirk Pitt, a geologist rather than an oceanographer, they both seem to be Indiana Jonesish in that that take a hell of a beating yet continue on to accomplish that which they set out to do.
In this book Mercer finds a played out plutonium mine in Africa while helping an an attractive CDC worker(who is actually with NEST) look for a village where there is an abnormal cancer rate. They coninue to travel several continents/countries to find who has mined the plutonium and why. Solve the reason behind the Hindenburg disaster, and find that WWII was actually caused by Testla.
Well written and fast paced it is another adventure to be read . . .
In this book Mercer finds a played out plutonium mine in Africa while helping an an attractive CDC worker(who is actually with NEST) look for a village where there is an abnormal cancer rate. They coninue to travel several continents/countries to find who has mined the plutonium and why. Solve the reason behind the Hindenburg disaster, and find that WWII was actually caused by Testla.
Well written and fast paced it is another adventure to be read . . .
November 10, 2013
Aunque el tema es muy bueno (la idea de que Alejandro Magno pudo haber utilizado radiación para vencer a los ejércitos enemigos), y se pudo haber hecho una historia espectacular con él, el argumento parece sacado de las peores películas estadounidenses de los 80's. Una historia por demás tirada de los pelos, donde los protagonistas (norteamericanos) son buenos, inteligentes, finos y todo les sale bien (hasta los acompaña demasiado la suerte), y los enemigos (africanos, europeos del Este y árabes) son exageradamente malos y torpes, y coronan buenas ideas maliciosas con alguna última acción muy poco inteligente que parece hecha a medida para que "ganen los buenos".
Éste libro es mucho mejor como apoyatura para lustrarse el mocasín, que para ser leído. Me tomó varios meses leero de lo vacío que es; es malísimo, pero quería terminarlo.
Y todavía no sé por qué se llama "La Clave de Babel", pero esa seguramente sea una falta de cultura general mía.
Éste libro es mucho mejor como apoyatura para lustrarse el mocasín, que para ser leído. Me tomó varios meses leero de lo vacío que es; es malísimo, pero quería terminarlo.
Y todavía no sé por qué se llama "La Clave de Babel", pero esa seguramente sea una falta de cultura general mía.
September 18, 2011
It was a great story, one of his best. Rousing Mercer and Co. adventure, and people you really care about. He has a nice way of delineating his characters in swift strokes that bring out their essence, but don't create a complicated backstory. To get that, you have to read each book as it is dribbled out. Engaging heroine, and as I have said before, you learn so much about things you didn't know. This one is complex, with places all over the globe, and a mysterious thing that dates back to Alexander the Great. Fast action, good fun, and a ride through some very interesting places. Good strong villain, and one that seemingly can't be beaten or killed.
November 24, 2019
I love a good adventure, but this book wasn't it. The hero is an emotional wreck, his elderly sidekick is very pathetic and contributes little to the story, and the minor characters are pure stereotype. The battle scenes are unrealistic; the good guys come unscathed through withering gunfire in every battle while taking out dozens of bad guys. There is way too much description, which makes the book drag. Nowhere does the author explain how the hero gets his military-like training. Finally, if the hero is so tight with the president, why doesn't he get some help from the military with this issue of national security instead of getting ambushed at each stop?
January 26, 2013
Loved this one! Mercer is probably one of my favorite series books. I'm a big fan of Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt and the NUMA files books and am kinda shocked to say that I think I like Mercer a little bit better than Dirk or Kurt Austin. Du Brul weaves just the right amount of everything: history, technology, action, adventure, and romance into a phenomenally fast paced story. I am EXTREMELY sad that he has not picked back up with this character in quite awhile. Every few months I search the web to see if I can find any Mercer updates :( I sorely hope that he hasn't given up on this!!!
January 22, 2017
This was my first Philip Mercer novel, and I really enjoyed it on a pure entertainment level. A great villain, some fun sidekicks for our hero, and a lot of exotic locations and terrific action fill out this book. Unfortunately, there are undercurrents of xenophobia and misogyny throughout the book, which left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. However, if you're looking for a good bit of old-fashioned, fun adventure escapism, you could do a lot worse. Just don't expect much ambition or heart.
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