Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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57 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who KNEW?? Dirk Cussler really CAN write!, November 28, 2006
I have to admit, I was VERY skeptical that lightning could strike twice when it came to the amazing talent of one of my all-time favorite authors. Black Wind was fantastic, pure & simple. Light YEARS better than the first two Oregon Files novels (the most recent two co-written by Jack DuBrul have been great) and I would have to say better than the last two Dirk Pitt novels. NOBODY was more shocked than I at this...but shocked I was and thrilled to admit I was wrong, too.
Move along to a very interesting beginning to 'Treasure of Khan'. As usual, Dirk Cussler has followed Dad's sure-fire patented formula which has served so well over the years. The novel begins hundreds of years ago, but not necessarily where you may expect considering the title. Instead of meeting up with the Great Conquerer Khan, we follow along on a ride of his followers bent on defeating the Japanese. I must admit I was left wondering how this particular beginning would end up coming together with the rest of the story, but once again, I gotta hand it to Clive & Dirk for keeping a close watch on the plot and carefully weaving all of the loose strands into one seamless plotline which actually surprised me towards the end.
SOME of the storyline seemed vaguely reminiscent of 'Sahara' only this time Dirk and Al instead of being trapped in the African desert, they find themselves lost in the Gobi. Other than that, everything else was as original as one could hope to expect from the Grand Master of Adventure Fiction, and now his son. We learn along the way about Seiche Waves and how one may conceivably trigger one on purpose. The entire plot and the association between Khan, his descendents and the oil industry makes for some compelling reading...plus I felt that after I finished the book I had learned a few things along the way. I can't think of ANY novel or movie which gave me a fairly decent insight into Mongolia like 'Treasure' did for me.
Unlike 'Black Wind', this time around Dirk Sr. is back at the helm along with Al and eventually Rudy, too. Last time, Dirk Jr. was more or less the main character, and as I recall the ending of 'Trojan Odyssey' I had the distinct feeling that this is the general direction in which the authors wanted to take this series...but welcome back Dirk Pitt Sr! Don't get me wrong, I'll read a Cussler novel regardless of which Pitt is in the drivers seat, but it was nice to see him hit the action after a bit of a vacation behind the desk back at the helm of NUMA. All in all, let's just say a new breath of fresh air has been injected into this series and by the looks of things, Clive's son has the REAL talent in order to continue the series for years to come...which is all I ever wanted anyway. Kudos to Dirk Cussler for his amazing attention to detail and the right *FEEL* of his Father's famous creations.
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40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A new adventure for Dirk Pitt and friends!, December 2, 2006
Ever since it was first published, "Raise the Titanic" has ranked among my favorite heart-pounding action/adventure novels. Now, Clive and Dirk Cussler present the nineteenth Dirk Pitt endurance test, "Treasure of Khan." Like Superman and other fictional heroes, Pitt never leaves behind someone in need or danger, is always gallant to gentleladies (but not necessarily to women up to no good), quips while suffering, and possesses the ingenuity to solve puzzles that stump others. Joining him in "Khan" is the whole gang. Happily, faithful sidekick, Giordino, and Pitt get most of the book space allocated to TFGG (the familiar good guys). The young Pitts -- Summer and Dirk Jr. -- do play a notable role, but aren't as prominently featured as in "Black Wind." That satisfies this reader who wasn't thrilled when these fraternal twins were conjured up a few outings ago, but who is willing to afford them a place in the Dirk Pitt scheme of things as long as they don't usurp their elders. It was also great to see Rudi Gunn have more to do this time around. Too bad Admiral (Vice President) Sandecker got only a cameo.
Like all Dirk Pitt novels, "Treasure" follows the proven formula of our heroes tracking down and confronting a wildly rich private citizen of some country (in this case, Mongolia) whose megalomania and perverted use of cutting-edge science and technology are threatening the world's security. Had my druthers, the Cusslers would make their villains two-dimensional at least. It would add some character robustness. But we're talking action/adventure, so I won't quibble too much. As usual, the book begins in the past; in this case, when Kublai Khan ruled. Then we are whisked to China in 1937, where a British Museum representative tries to safeguard some treasures before the invading Japanese arrive. Thereafter the time is just a bit ahead of present day and our minds can buzz about how these blasts from the past will challenge our heroes. The first time we see Dirk Pitt he is aboard a survey ship on Lake Baikal in Russia. This portion of the book is, to my mind, the most engrossing part of the adventure. Not only is there some superduper action (with a very sharp save by Giordino), but the Cusslers manage to pack in a lot of fascinating facts about the real pristine-water lake without losing plot momentum.
"Treasure of Khan" isn't great literature (and I doubt anyone would think that's its goal), but it is rousing, adrenaline-pumping fun. Especially since we readers can sit back comfortably and only vicariously chew our nails over 30-feet water walls, Gobi Desert death marches, or ramming drill ships! Enjoy.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another hit from Clive Cussler and son Dirk, December 12, 2006
A number of authors tried to extend their franchise as they aged or, as with the lamentable case of Robert Ludlum, died. W.E.B. Griffin, one of the best of the military adventure writers, enlisted his son on his latest work with absolutely disastrous results.
Fortunately for thriller lovers, Clive Cussler has been far more successful for the most part in extending his franchise first with co-authors such as Jack Du Brul. (Cussler had a lamentable outing with Craig Dirgo, though). In "Treasure of Khan," Clive Cussler teams for the second time with his son Dirk and the results are outstanding.
Those familiar with Clive Cussler know he is one of the best adventure/thrille writers of all time. The man develops memorable characters like Dirk Pitt (featured in this novel), Kurt Austin and the crew of the Oregon.
Plots in a Cussler novel are like a coatrack; just a place to hang things temporarily. Anyone hoping for airtight plotting in a Cussler novel will be sorely disappointed; but Cussler fans don't really care because the author(s) keep the action rolling and roiling on every page.
"Treasure of Khan" is richer in its non-plot plot than usual for a Cussler novel. The story begins in the year 1281 as a Mongol invasion fleet gathers off the coast of Japan. Most people with a bare knowledge of history knows that this fleet was ripped asunder by a typhoon. The story continues with a Mongol commander's shipwreck someplace in the Pacific. Of course, the devoted commander makes his way back to the court of Kublai Khan. Moments later, we are in the China of the 1930s with a British archaeologist who makes a momentous discovery as Japanese troops advance.
Flash forward to 2007 and Dirk Pitt, head of the fictional NUMA, an agency charged with maritime research and often enough sideline jobs like saving the world. From this point on, it's pure action. Pitt saves a seismic exploration team from drowning on Siberia's Lake Baikal only to have the ship he's on sunk. Vast oil production facilities are destroyed by mysterious means. Something is brewing in Mongolia. Not fear, Dirk Pitt is on the job with a couple of trusty colleages, well known from earlier Pitt novels.
Oh, one shouldn't forget the Pitt children, twins Dirk and Summer who showed up on dad Dirk's doorstep a few novels back. They're in the family business of underwater adventure too, though they start off in Hawaii this time.
And of course no Clive Cussler novel is complete with the self-referential inclusion of the author himself in a cameo role.
Altogether, "Treasure of Khan" is can't-out-it-down adventure. 552 pages of surprises, history, impossible to believe (but thoroughly exciting) bravado and close calls, heroism and just plain fun. More importantly, the writing is both seamless and perfectly Clive Cussler. You cannot tell where Clive and Dirk begin and end. (If you want to see a truly awful Cussler collaboration, look - if you can stand the pain - at what he did with Craig Dirgo.)
It must be a wonderful thing for Clive Cussler as he ages to know that the characters he has so lovingly created - and who have provided entertainment and vicarious adventures to millions of loyal readers - will prosper for at least another generation in the talented hands of son Dirk.
Jerry
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