Serpent: A Novel from the NUMA Files (NUMA Files Series Book One)

When I first saw the novel Serpent I said "Cool, a new Cussler book." Then I looked and saw that it was not a Dirk Pitt novel. I thought to myself "blasphemy." I wasn't too sure how I was going to accept Kurt and Joe.Let me ease your mind. You are going to love them. While they aren't Dirk and Al, they are fun characters with their own pizazz.All in all this is a pure Clive Cussler yarn about the sea, treasure and bad guys. And that ain't half bad!

While it's disappointing to see Dirk Pitt go, but Kurt Austin gives the Cussler novel a new lifeblood. It's like replacing Sean Connery as Bond...it's not quite the same, but after a while, it's just as good. The storyline in Serpent is classic Cussler and just as satisfying as the previous books. With the classica great combination of archaeology, marine archaology, action, adventure and history, Serpent is a great read!

I have read all of Cussler's novels, and I tought this one was one of the best. People feel they should critizice the writing just because of the new author. Yet I didn't notice anything different about the style of writing nor the characters in the book. The only flaw that I noticed were the actual two characters. I just felt that they were a little too much like Dirk and Al. What I mean is that they were exactly like them in almost every way. It just didn't seem believable to me(not that the story did). But throughout the story Cussler brought up the historical elements which make his books so enticing and unique. The historical background was even more interesting and more researched than his other books which I loved. This was one of Clive Cussler's greatest books yet, and I recommend it to any one.

I have read and loved all of Cussler's books. I was hesitant at first about reading this one. I was torn between loyalty to Dirk and Al, while at the same time realizing that after so many novels there had to be an infusion of new character blood. I was thrilled with this joint venture. There are similarities between the two action heros, but at the same time there are definite differences. The new team of Kurt and Joe have their moments. While this plot is not as complex, tension filled or as fast paced, as some of Cussler's other books, it is nonetheless in the true Cussler style. I was not disappointed with the new boys on the NUMA team nor with Nina, Kurt's apparent love interest. Cussler skillfully linked all four action characters and hopefully in a future novel the four will be able to share in a joint adventure. I am optimistic that Cussler will also rev the Kurt/Joe team up to the nail biting adventures that Dirk/Al seemed to constantly land in. I am excited that Mr Cussler would accept the challenge of bringing new characters into a well establish cult following of his. He not only accepted the challenge; he has won me over with them. Looking forward to more adventures of these new characters - soon I hope.