Customer Reviews

Charon's Landing (Nova Audio Books)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Charon's Landing is the rematch between geologist Philip Mercer and Ivan Kerikov, ex-leader of the KGB's secret science division. Last seen in Vulcan's Forge, the two combatants quickly sense that overcoming each other is the key to success and survival. Their continuing battle is like a championship heavyweight fight, with repeated powerful blows landing on them and bystanders in all directions.

The book differs from Vulcan's Forge in that it has little geological information or plot details, a much simpler plot that takes a while to develop, a love story, and a key focus on sadistic pleasures among its villains. If you don't care much for reading about sadism, you won't like this book. On the other hand, Du Brul succeeds in using it (much like Ian Fleming did) to provide an edge to his villains. I graded the book down one star because the sadism was overdone for my taste.

If you decide to read the book, avoid reading any detailed reviews or the material on the book's cover before you begin. The story itself will provide lots of suspense for about 300 pages if you do. In that sense, it is superior to Vulcan's Forge. Otherwise, you will find the first 300 pages move a little slowly.

The double crosses within are a quality Du Brul trademark, and provide the main suspense in keeping the story interesting to the end. The last 50 pages are about as action-packed as you can imagine.

A high point of the book comes in the remarkable ways that Du Brul designed to help Mercer rescue the world again. They are truly fascinating and bring the book to an exciting and powerful close.

Philip Mercer is the ultimate bureaucracy stallbuster. Enjoy!

I thought that Vulcan's Forge was spectacular, but Charon's Landing is so ingenious, it beats the first book in all categories. Charon's Landing quite simply puts the formula seen in Vulcan's Forge to a new level. The result is a high-caliber adventure. If you're looking for some fun involving eco-terrorists and Arab conspirators, dazzling settings and high-octane action, an unforgettable protagonist and a gorgeous femme fatale, then you've found your book!

The indomitable geologist/mining engineer Philip Mercer has just finished conducting tests on a revolutionary rock boring machine invented by UCLA professor Howard Small. The two men are kicking back on a fishing excursion in the frigid waters off of Homer, Alaska with Small's two cousins. They happen upon a mysteriously fire charred boat bobbing in the water serving as the coffin for two bodies burnt beyond recognition. Within days Small and his two cousins are found murdered and so begins the adventure of Charon's Landing.

The President of the U.S. in his new Energy Direction Policy was pushing for the country to end its reliance on foreign oil within a ten year period. This initiative had pushed the countries of the Middle East and the large oil companies into a tizzy, laying the fertile ground for an all encompassing international plot.

Previous Mercer adversary, Ivan Kerikov, the cagey and lethal ex-KGB spymaster had initiated a plot to upset the President's plans while lining his pockets and actually changing the face of world's power hierarchy. In concert with Hasaan bin-Rufti, corpulent oil minister of Ajman, a small country and part of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E), Charon's Landing was hatched.

Mercer aided by Aggie Johnston, green eyed beauty and member of PEAL, a radical environmental group rushed to Alaska to thwart Kerikov's plans. Johnston happens to be the daughter of Max Johnston head of Petromax, one of the biggest oil companies in the world. Together and with the help of Khalid al-Khuddari, petroleum minister of OPEC, a plan was formulated to combat the world wide threat that Charon's Landing posed.

Du Brul as is his custom, crafts a fast paced and well conceived adventure tale that puts him near the top as an author in this genre.

Dear Jack:

Have read Charon's Landing. You're a helluva writer. You certainly turn a phrase better than I do. Your attention to detail and your research boggles the mind. The technology you come up with is on a par if not superior to Clancy. I consider it a privilege to have your work compared favorably with mine in your reviews. You're coming along at a good time and I'm honored to give a quote for Charon's Landing:

"Jack Du Brul has to be the finest adventure writer on the scene today. Romance, violence, technology are superbly blended by a master story- teller in Charon's Landing. Du Brul creates a fast-moving odyssey that is second to none."

You've got the gift, Jack. You launch the story and slowly begin to tighten the tension. I predict your break- through book, your big bestseller, is just around the corner.

Clive Cussler

Jack has done it again, only better! What started with Vulcan's Forge has come back 10 fold! Mercer is saving the world again and doing it with such style. Jack has taken the eco thriller to a new level. You find yourself gasping for breath and tensing your body as you anticipate the blows! You will be as battered and bruised as Mercer by the end. The villan that just won't die is back and "mad" as ever. Aggie is good as the love interest, but I think we women might be a tad bit jealous of her. We all want Mercer for ourselves. I can honestly say that Jack's books bode well for the millenium. Mercer can only keep getting better and better. Bravo Jack! Keep them coming!

I am pleased to say that Jack Du Brul's phenomenally fun 'Vulcan's Forge' WASN'T just a fluke. 'Charron's Landing' picks up soon after 'Forge' and takes off with a vengeance. Should we or shouldn't we open up a section of the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge for the sole purpose of claiming the untapped oil reserves that will help make America totally independent from oil from the Middle East? Is it worth the cost in environmental damage? Is it a fair trade? Or are there select environmentalists who are willing to go to ANY lengths to stop the butchering of Alaska...even murder. Although I find that many 'tree-huggers' are willing to do some pretty stupid things in the name of the environment, I have to admit this is a bit hard to swallow-- but WHO CARES?? Oh, if you were wondering where Ivan Kerikov went, 'Charron's Landing' answers that question. Phillip Mercer is my new best friend! I simply could NOT put this novel down and if his books get any better (actually 'The Medusa Stone' IS better than this one)...let me rephrase that: WHEN his books continue to get better, he's going to flat out OWN the action/adventure market like Cussler did in the 80's & 90's. Now I KNOW that could ruffle a few collars out there--but let me remind you, Cussler is MY favorite author, and to see someone have the ability to assume the role that he himself defined is almost enough to bring me to tears...but as long as they both continue to write fantastic books (just check out 'Atlantis Found'--it's awesome) that won't be for a long time.

Jack DuBrul has produce a good one in this thriller. You might say it has romance, violence, and technology. But the story has too many subpolts for the average reader to follow through until the end. A good reader or a constant reader would probably enjoy this type of writing. I found this story somewhat difficult to follow with all its characters. Each chapter jumps back and forth among the story line. It make a good story a slow story in my opinion. In J.D. first book, Vulcan's Forge, the villian was Ivan Kerikov.

I am here to tell ya, Kerikov is back in this installment in Alaska. Kerikov joins forces with a renegade Arab oil minister to control the supply of oil. The Main character as we know, Phillip Mercer, saves the day and again get the girl, Aggie Johnson. Kerikov's fate was......well I can't tell ya here. I recommend this book, even if I say its a difficult read, you must read it for yourself. This is pure adventure like the famous Dirk Pitt character in Cussler's novels.

Overall with its difficult writing style flaws, I give it a 4 1/2 to 5 stars. I do plan to get his next book "THE MEDUSA STONE". I understand the Stone has better reviews.

Jack Du Brul hit the ground running with last year's "Vulcan's Forge," and this newest entry in the Philip Mercer franchise builds upon the solid footings of Du Brul's first effort.

Oil is the source of all wealth and evil in Mercer's newest outing, where the geologist and mining expert is plunged into thwarting a trident of assaults on the environment and the economy of the entire globe. The action runs from the wilds of Alaska through suburban Washington D.C., with lightning strikes into the heart of London and the arid expanses of the Middle East. Du Brul weaves painstakingly researched details of mining, ecology, politics and technology through a well developed and fast-moving plot filled with believable characters with human traits and emotions. The talent he showed in "Vulcan's Forge" for writing action sequences has been honed to near perfection in this effort, and Mercer emerges as a fuller, more complex hero. With his cadre of supporting characters firmly in place and getting stronger with each appearance, Du Brul has built a foundation that should support many yarns for years to come.

Jack Du Brul has raised the bar for new thriller writers with "Charon's Landing." To be able to produce this level of entertainment after only two novels is amazing. If you missed "Vulcan's Forge," find it now and read it. You won't be disappointed.

The Adventure Continues.

From Hawaii in Vulcan Forge, to Alaska in Charons Landing. Jack Dubrul weaves an intelligent, strong story line that will keep you on the edge on your chair.

You will feel every blow of the fist, every gun shot wound, every fall, that our hero,Mercer receives.

With the help of some very good friends, and contacts from important places, Mercer manages to take the worst situation and turn it his way.

Join Mercer, and his crochety old friend Harry, at Tiny's bar for a drink. Then watch the story line explode with clever, well researched adventure writing that parallel Clive Cusler and Tom Clancy.

Keep it up Jack DuBrul

This book is great reading for the beach or weekend. It moves quickly with a decent plot. The characters tend to be a little cardboard, particularly the villans. Du Brul does for geology what Clancy does for weapons systems-makes the subject interesting and the details give momentum to the story.

With the villan (Kerikov) living to fight again, I'm anxious to read the next installment of the story