Customer Reviews

Vulcan's Forge (Philip Mercer)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Philip Mercer, mining engineer, is a worthy addition to the pantheon of adventure heroes who rove the globe to save the world for democracy. He is as tough, well connected, smart, and fearless as any of them. If you haven't read a good adventure yarn about the good guys versus the bad guys in a while, this book may be a good choice for you. It is the first of a series that now includes three books (the next two are Charon's Landing and The Medusa Stone), and gets better with each one.

The main mystery here involves an underwater volcano, so the story could just have easily involved Dirk Pitt, which is why I used the headline above.

Du Brul's strength as a writer is an ability to create really intricate plots that keep your attention from wandering. This book clearly has a five star plot, with double, triple, and quadruple crosses abounding. There's a surprise ending that you will appreciate.

The book has lots of action, and more than a little violence. So if you like shoot 'em ups, you will like this one. If you like a more subtle story, you'll probably find this a little crude. Think of this as being on the masculine end of the masculine adventure story.

The book's main weakness is that Du Brul is still developing as a novelist in this one. His transitions are not always smooth, and sometimes it is possible to get lost for a minute or two. As a new novelist, he doesn't always take full advantage of developing the characters as much as he could. On the other hand, he builds interesting characteristics to keep you thinking into the characters he does establish.

Since this is not a deep book (despite being based in part in a deep part of the ocean), Du Brul has the wit to be a little ironic with himself and his dialogue. Just when you think the formula will go one way for the plot, he will twist it just enough and add a pun in the dialogue to make you laugh at the normal plot conventions.

I found the book to be very entertaining, fast-paced, and with a constantly-evolving plot. That made it a good quick read for me. I think you may find it to be similarly enjoyable.

If you dislike Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, and Ian Fleming, then skip this one. It is just the lastest incarnation of books in the same genre, with a geologic twist. If you like those authors, Du Brul emulates them, but is not yet in their league. He does show high poential, though.

If you enjoy reading Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, or Stephen Coonts, then get ready to add Jack Du Brul to your list. Phillip Mercer could be a brother to Dirk Pitt. They both get into more trouble than humanly possible. It's how Mercer gets out of it that is riveting. Vulcan's Forge keeps the action going by mixing plots, action, and double-crossing double agents. Be prepared to stay up late reading this book. You will be as exhausted and bruised and Mercer is by the time you get to the very last page. The story twists and turns until you think that you can't take anymore suspense, then it twists some more. Add this future bestselling author to your list. You will not be disappointed!

Jack Du Brul is the new king of action!!! He outwrites Clancy and Cussler with more plot twists and turns than you can shake a stick at. Just when you think you have everything all figured out, Jack spins you for another 180 and turns everything around on you yet AGAIN!!! Vulcan's Forge is an awesome book to introduce his hero, Dr. Philip Mercer, a down to earth, devilishly cunning geologist who saves the United States from a horrible fate from both within and without. I reccomend this book to all those who like Clive Cussler and other authors along those lines. This book makes for a long night of GREAT reading.

I bought my first DuBrul book when I was on a business trip and needed some distraction. When I saw glowing words by Cussler I took a chance. This is my second book of his that I have read and it make more sense to read them in order.
Cussler and Clancy should take the time to read his works, it will remind them of the books they wrote when they first started out.
These books are fresh, with an unlikely hero, a geologist who thinks he is James Bond and sometimes is. The writing is very good, especially for a first novel the plot interesting and the main character a Clark Kent in disquise.
The book has subplots and they all tie together unlike some famous authors of late who write subplots with no bearing on the main story to make political statements.
It was a great read, with well developed characters, fast paced and well written. I have bought his other two books for my next trip and have already started reading.
His works remind me of Fleming, Ludlum, Cussler and Clancy when they first started writing, I couldn't get enough of them, and am awaiting to see what he will write next.

Having grown up on Clive Cussler and Indiana Jones, I was drawn to Jack DuBrul. This first effort was decent, but not great. The subplot dealing with racial tensions and secession of Hawaii from the United States was disturbing, most likely since I grew up in there. I did enjoy the Philip Mercer character, but as a geologist I found the science a little lacking. I certainly wish I made the kind of money he does. Overall a decent story and I am looking forward to future adventures since this was his first book.

DuBrul does a decent job with his first book in the Philip Mercer Series. The action is little wan, and several situations that Mercer takes over, I found myself envisioning a guy in a blue suit, red cape, with a big "S" on his chest. Forge is not bad as a first book, but it certainly does not compare to later hits like, "Medussa Stone" or "River of Ruin". But good nonetheless. DrBrul does present a sense of history for some of his characters which flows through to other books, and gives the characters like, Harry and Dick Henna a sense of worth and understanding when they materialize in the other books. Overall, this is a good read, and one worthy of Mercer fans.

When I first picked up this book I thought it was another Star Trek novel. However, after reading the liner notes I thought I would give it a try anyway. I was surprised to find that Du Brul's first novel waa fast moving with many twists & turns in the plot. His writing style is easy. The plot was interesting and intricate without being overwhelming. The only negative feeling I got from the book was Du Brul's liberal use of four-letter words. Contribute it to my Southern, Bible-belt upbringing but I think almost any story can be told without an excessive amount of those types of words. That being said, however, I would recommend the novel to anyone willing to overlook this shortcoming. Had it not been for the language I would have rated it a solid "five-star" novel.

I read this from cover to cover without putting it down. Again excellent book.

To say this book is excellent is an understatement. In my 40 + years of reading I thought I had read them all. Du Brul ranks with Cussler as a master story teller. This is a "can't put down" book for all readers. Not in the least bit gender biased as so many adventure writers are. Mercer is a man's man as well as a woman's man!(different from a lady's man) Easy to follow and associate with the characters and interesting background information. I like a book that excites as well as informs. This one has it all.

It is second book from Jack Du Brul that I read and it was excellent. My first was Pandora's Curse: surely a 5 stars for me. His other books are already on the shelf waiting to be read. I love adventures like these. Other authors I suggest: Clive Cussler, Matthew Reilly and James Rollins.