Fire Ice

In his third installment in the NUMA Files series, Clive Cussler delivers another exciting adventure packed with action, intrigue, and dangerous exploits.Emanating from the Soviet Union, a mining and shipping tycoon has designs on overthrowing the current Soviet government believing himself to be the Tsar of Russia. To avoid the interference of the United States, he orchestrates a plan to create a massive disaster that would affect a large part of the U.S. eastern seaboard. On the continental shelf are pockets of a highly combustible compound known as methane hydrate or Fire Ice. Detonating this material would cause tidal waves sufficient enough to destroy major cities. Unbeknownst to NUMA officials and the American government alike, an even more insidious plan is in the works and time is fading fast to avert a catastrophic event that could have global implications.Fire Ice is a fast paced and very entertaining read that will be sure to please Clive Cussler fans and anyone who enjoys a solid, well written adventure tale.

It is impossible NOT to notice the overwhelming similarities between the characters of Kurt Austin & Joe Zavala and Dirk Pitt & Al Giordino. As I read the first installment ('Serpent') I couldn't help but think if you substituted the name Dirk with Kurt, and Al for Joe, well, you pretty much had your basic Dirk Pitt adventure. I must admit that it bugged me -- at FIRST. Instead of collecting classic cars, Kurt had classic firearms...and other than that, the differences were slim & none. Al and Joe are virtual clones, too. Both are strong, both love the ladies, and both can sleep at the drop of a hat in almost any possible situation. Did I enjoy running around with Kurt & Joe as much as I did with Dirk & Al? Well I must admit that for the most part, the answer was YES. 'Serpent' was a slam-bang introduction into the life of our newest NUMA hero. While 'Blue Gold' wasn't as all-out entertaining, I have to say that 'Fire Ice' has been Cussler's best bet since 'Atlantis Found' (for ME anyway). This adventure reads like something out of the Cold War ala Robert Ludlum, with an adventure twist that only Cussler could serve up. Russia is on the verge of collapse (actually I can't remember when they weren't...) and a wealthy Russian bad guy who claims royal ancestry with the tsars is poised to make the biggest coup since the Bolsheviks de-throned the original royal family back in the early part of the previous century. There seems to be only one thing standing in his way: The United States. He knows that a takeover of this magnitude can't possibly be ignored by the world's foremost superpower. So he arranges a few surprises in the form of the title of the book, 'Fire Ice'. Unstable pockets of explosive gas trapped in bedrock all over the globe under the seas and oceans. Just a simple trigger of this amazingly powerful stuff can cause waves of incredible force to slam into the coast of America -- giving our Russian bad guy just the sort of diversion he needs to keephis plans of taking over his country in motion.Along the way we meet Kurt's Russian rival (from the Cold War) who turns out to be a great friend in the fight against the self proclaimed New Tsar of Russia. The pace is frenetic (as you have come to expect from ANY Cussler novel) and while nothing seems to come as a complete surprise, I lapped up this adventure eager to find out how it all tied together in the end. Either Cussler has a great deal of input in the storytelling of these Kurt Austin stories, or Paul Kemprecos has mastered the art of imitating Cussler's style. Without question I felt that 'Fire Ice' is an above-average adventure tale, and better than severalDirk Pitt stories. Again, this is just MY opinion. I have never been disappointed with Clive's novels, and he seems to be keenly aware that in order to continue his fan base, he must write adventures based upon his tried-and-true formula which he has perfected over the years. A formula which WORKS, I

Fire Ice by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos is action packed entertainment with adventure and intrigue. Clive Cussler is a name that you CAN count on if you want this type of read. This is a novel written with a Romanov mystery and sea adventure with a real notoriously volatile and unstable compound known as fire ice aka methane hydrate. Yes, it is real and is mainly found off the Eastern shore of the United States as a compressed form of methane mixed with ice under extreme pressure and cold. Extreme pressure via the sediment of rock and the weight of the water and cold by the depth of the location under the water.Now, combine these with the Cussler's ability to write a good story and you have excitement that will keep you riveted to the pages till you finish. Cussler is noted for his hero Dirk Pitt, but in this novel we have a more subdued hero Kurt Austin. Austin is as resourceful as Pitt and works for the same government entity, NUMA, with all of the same office people Admiril Sandecker, Hiran Yaeger and his supercomputer the lovely MAX, St. Julian Perlmutter and Rudi Gunn. Austin has his team with Joe Zavala and the Trouts, Gamay and Paul. Of course there is and old adversary turned friend Ivan.Tsunamis, Cossacks, Russians, The Black Sea, Romanov treasure, submarines, oceanographic technology, and the fate of the world as we know it are all in play. A corporate megalomaniac thrown in the mix set to take over Russia with a Rasputin like mad monk. Now, your getting the picture. You won't be disappointed reading this novel. There is great character development along with an interestingly intriguing story that will keep well entertained. Always...

See storyline above.Kurt Austin returns for another adventure that's sure to keep you pumped till the last page.When Cussler teams with Kemprecos, you get the Dirk Pitt clone known as Kurt Austin. An original character on his own but still as tough as they come. This time around Austin and his regular partners-including Joe Zavala-- must stop a Russian mad man, who claims to be a Romanov descendent, from destroying the United States and becoming the new Tsar of Russia.I am never disappointed with a Clive Cussler novel. The entertainment value is unbeatable. The subjects he writes about are well researched, as are the locales (Black Sea, Istanbul). Even though the good guys always miraculously win, it's still darn good storytelling.Highly recommended.

Clive Cussler has done what some other accomplished writers have tried and failed to do. He started a new series that he co-authors, he has kept the quality of the reading very near that of his own books, and now they have gone from a paperback format to hardcover. The last step is a major one and speaks very well of the care this new series was created with. Other authors have tried the same diversification and they are not worth the soft cover format they were introduced with, and will never see the more expensive binding.The central organization is the same; specifically NUMA, but the central character and the events he is involved in are stepped down from the more outrageous elements that sometimes turn a Dirk Pitt adventure into something akin to Indiana Jones. The famous bathtub escape comes to mind. The Pitt adventures have become classic in the genre and they make for great reading, they also have had occasion to go over the top at times. Kurt Austin is Dirk Pitt on a smaller scale. Austin collects antique dueling pistols while Dirk accumulates World War Two German Jets, railroad cars, and fantastically rare cars.The idea of introducing a Romanov theme into a story is a gutsy decision for it has been used countless times, and in the majority of uses has become an overused cliché. Cussler and Paul Kemprecos handle the idea well, and while it is still a bit fantastic it does not cross the line in to storytelling that really is a pretty wild stretch to suspend disbelief.I don't know the science of the Methane (Fire Ice), but again it strikes me as being credible. These books almost seem to take their cue from some of the countless ships that Mr. Cussler has located in real life, and which history will always owe him a debt. This story has a tragic event, but unlike many of the Pitt series the results are far less dramatic and flamboyant. Austin certainly enjoys the beautiful woman that NUMA scientists seem to have a knack for finding wherever they go, but again it is toned down quite a bit.Whether on his own or in collaboration with another author, if a book has Cussler's name on it you invariable get your money's worth. He is a great teller of tales, and knowledgeable of history, a combination that guaranties good books. This is really escapist fiction at its best. And for those who enjoy the non fiction work of Cussler and his search for old ships there is a second installment of that book on the way as well.