Customer Reviews

The Adventures of Vin Fiz

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Ten-year-old twins Casey and Lacey Nicefolk live on an herb farm in California with their parents and basset hound Floopy. The small farm requires lots of hard work, but Casey and Lacey love their home. They swim, boat, and camp in the nearby forests, and of course they go to school and help their parents with chores on the farm.

One day, a strange man named Mr. Sucoh Sucop and his mule, Mr. Periwinkle, arrive at the herb farm. Mr. Sucop offers to work there for free in exchange for food and lodging. The farm never earns any profits; it makes just barely enough to keep going, so Casey and Lacey's parents gladly accept the offer from the stranger.

Mr. Sucop works hard everyday, and then joins the family for dinner. Afterwards he disappears into the barn, locking the door behind him. Casey and Lacey are curious about what the strange man could be up to, but they respect his privacy. Finally, at the end of the harvesting season, Mr. Sucop lets the twins in on his very special secret. Inside the barn he has built a magical mat. Anything placed on the mat will magically transform into a life-sized, fully functioning version of that object! Mr. Sucop gives them two rules: first, the twins must believe with all their hearts that the magic will work; and second, they must only use the magic for good. With that, Mr. Sucop leaves the farm.

The twins try out the magical mat on a toy tractor, and it works! Suddenly, parked in their barn is a real-life tractor. Casey and Lacey give the tractor to their parents to use on the farm. Next, in the cover of the morning darkness, they transform one of Casey's model airplanes. They name the life-sized plane Vin Fiz, and set off with their dog Floopy on an adventure they will never forget.

THE ADVENTURES OF VIN FIZ is a fun and imaginative story that will thrill any and all readers. Clive Cussler fills the pages with exciting quests (like rescuing a runaway train) and tosses in a bit of silly humor for flair (including some of the characters' unusual and pun-like names). For an extra bonus, Cussler artistically slips in some interesting trivia, like how a steam engine works, so readers may even learn something along the way.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author

My mom saw this book and bought it for me. I noticed that Clive Cussler wrote it and I remembered that my Dad loves this writer. Well, I do too! I liked that it was an adventure that started in one of my fovorite states! I also liked that it was about kids my own age that helped solve problems and nearly saved peoples lives. I suggest this book for all kids my age (10).

Casey and Lacey Nicefolk are 10-year-old twins living on an herb farm near Castroville, California. One summer, their father hires a hand, Sucoh Sucop, who builds things in secret in the barn. The day after harvest, before moving on, Mr. Sucop gives the twins a device he's built that can make their toys real.

After first turning a toy tractor into a real one for their father, the twins turn a Wright Brothers model airplane into a life-size machine and hop in for an adventure across the United States. As they make their way to the Atlantic with their Basset hound Floopy, they find a number of adventures along the way, each involving a rescue and feats of derring-do by the twins, their dog, and Vin Fiz, the airplane.

Dirk Pitt fans hoping for a toned-down Pitt-style adventure shouldn't bother. This is a story for kids and the plot is far from intricate. What we get instead is a cute, fun adventure grade schoolers will enjoy, full of silly names to tickle their funny bones, as well as a number of fun facts to learn along the way. Both Casey and Lacey are likeable kids with good values, too. Cussler fans with kids should definitely pick this one up and get them started young.

I am a HUGE Cussler fan, but Clive, you got lost in the story. The storyline concept is interesting, the characters could use more development (which is usually a Cussler strength). However, reading the book through the eyes of a parent, I wonder what the story teaches young children when the concept is to lie to your parents and run away from home in order to achieve an adventure with no consequences?

My 6 year old and I just finished reading this...and we both loved it! It's fiction. We read it as fiction, for entertainment. Along with many other great "magic" books out there it's a wonderful way to let a child learn of various past wonders (trains, waterfalls, mining, steamboats), on their level. My son knows it's not real. Model planes cannot become real, and its not acceptable to lie to your parents...but the story is truly enchanted when even an airplane wants to help those in danger and has a "personality". Way to go Cussler for creating an adventure fitting for the younger ones!! We are ordering Hotsy Totsy today!!

I gave this book to 3 children about 10 that loved the book. I bought it mainly because it involves flying.

This children's book completes my Clive Cussler collection. Children like adventures and this book provides them with one. Also, there are fun names to aid any child's imagination. I look forward to each new paperback book to add to my library. When I wish, I can pull one of Cussler's books out of my library and reread it. Clive Cussler is one of the few authors I collect.

My 10 year old grandson enjoyed the book immensely. I'm sure he will become a huge Cussler fan like myself.

Arrived in great condition. This is a Christmas Gift. I am sure that my Grandson will love it. Thank you.

This book is written for a teen audience and is O.K. for adults too, but I would have preferred a book on the REAL VIN FIZ instead of this book on a fictional Viv Fiz.