Rating: 
Summary: Once again, great storyline
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: keep doing what your doing clive
Review: I have read all of the reviews on "Serpent" and I find that most so called fans can't make up there minds on what is to me an excellent read. So Mr. Austin is not Dirk. but the book has a great solid story line. In my own opion Clive Cussler should keep doing what he has been doing. He has taken yet another sunken ship story and transfered it into a thrilling world. With danger, pretty ladies, cameo apperenceas by Dirk and Al. plus of course, a new hero for the new century. I look forward to a younger, stronger numa hero. after all dirk has his cars to drive in his retirement. But I agree lets do it in hardback next time.
Rating: 
Summary: Credibility Impossible
Review: This review is for the audio tape, which I listened to on my daily commute on 495. In "Serpent: The NUMA Files", Clive Cussler tests your credulity far too much. At the book's beginning, Cussler wants us to believe that a seaman, with a long scar from eye to lips, is the major cause of the ramming of the Andrea Dora by the Stockholm. This scar-faced fellow shows up again, 30-40 years later. He's there to protect the claim of Columbus to be first in the New World! Further, the author wants you to believe that the many disappearances of archaeologic teams over the last few decades resulted from the actions of an old organization, "The Brotherhood". The Brotherhood is an outgrowth of the Spanish Inquisition, thus requiring you to believe in the discredited "Black Legend" of Spain's colonial history. All this conspiring makes you wonder why The Brotherhood did not kill Harvard Professor Barry Fell before he could publish his book, "America B.C.: Ancient Visitors ...". Professor Fell claims the the Libyans, Phoenicians and Celts were all here in the centuries before Christ. Oh well, The Brotherhood would also have to dispose of all the school chridren who are taught that the Vikings preceded Columbus by about 500 years. Finally, towards the end of the book, the author introduces the head of The Brotherhood who has a modern revision of group's mission for the scar-faced sailor: they will not only defend Columbus' claim to be first but they will also defend accomplishments of the native population. For example, the Mayans developed a wonderful calendar. This was just too much for my credibility quotient. I popped out the tape and went back to listening to NPR.
Rating:
Summary: A Cussler Change
Review: It was nice to see a different set of charaters by Cussler. Though I do have to admit I missed Dirk Pitt. The overall book kepy me intrigued but it was not his best work. I would still recommend it to others that are interested in Cussler's work.
Rating:
Summary: OLD FORMULA WORKS AGAIN
Review: ANOTHER GREAT READ LIKE ALL THE PREVIOUS CUSSLER NOVELS, BUT WHY CHANGE THE NAMES? AS MUCH AS I LIKED THE BOOK I WAS HOPING "NEW SERIES" ON THE COVER MEANT A DIFFERENT FORMULA. NOT THAT I AM TIRED OF DIRK AND GIORDINO, ON THE CONTRARY, BUT DON'T FOOL THE PUBLIC THIS IS PITT AND GIORDINO ALL THE WAY.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Cussler ready to retire?
Review: I have not read the book, but intend to. My assumption is that perhaps Mr. Cussler intends to retire in the next several years. Rather than stop a popular franchise, I believe he has enlisted the assistance of a new writer who has created Kurt in the adventuresome image of Dirk and after several years and several books will have continued the adventure series (in the writing style of Mr. Cussler) with a new character. I don't believe Mr. Cussler will send Dirk to an early grave, but I think Dirk will appear in the books as an occasional character, a resource for Kurt, much like Julien Perelmutter provides support to Dirk. I have been a fan of Mr. Cussler since the 70's and relish his books for their wonderful entertainment value. He is a smart writer. I eat up his books like chocolate - addicting and always sweet. He knows exactly what his audience craves. If Mr. Cussler is on the road to retiring, I would be sad to see Dirk go, but would be supportive of a new hero. I applaud Mr. Cussler in his exploration of new territory. If I like these new books, great. If I don't, I'm positive a new generation of Cussler-style adventure readers will be born.
Rating: 
Summary: He just ain't Dirk!
Review: Although I recognized the Clive Cussler/Dirk Pitt novel pattern in Serpent, I couldn't help being turned off by Kurt Austin. Right from the beginning I got a mental picture - somewhere along the lines of Jeff Chandler - and didn't like it. The spirit and personality that so epitomizes Dirk (like Indiana Jones and 007 all roled into one)just wasn't there for this character. The story definitely had possibilities and if it was rewritten with Dirk and crew I think it would play better. I am anxiously awaiting Christmas morning when I get my copy of Atlantis Found and Dirk and I can take off on another adventure. Serpent was okay, but the characters just didn't work for me. Glad we're back to Dirk and the Gang. I will say though, should Mr. Cussler choose to do another Kurt Austin adventure, I will most certainly read it and give it a chance. Who knows, maybe he just needs to grow on me.
Rating:
Summary: Why?
Review: OK so it is a PC version of Dirk - but it could have been Dirk just having grown up a bit more - why confuse the issue to introduce characters who are so similar to much loved ones - stealing the cigars is just too corny Nevertheless a damn fine read
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: I was (and always am) thrilled to see a new Clive Cussler book on the shelves...but was immediately skeptical because it wasn't in hardback. As many know, certain authors ALWAYS produce new novels in hardback, and lately, authors like Clancy, have lent their name to paperback novels who are written by 'other' people (OP Center), OBVIOUSLY less talented then they--and of course I wondered whether or not this was the case here with 'Serpent'. It didn't take long to recognize the trademark 'Cussler Style' and as far as I could tell, it was just a novel about Dirk Pitt going by another name. With that said, I found the book VERY entertaining. I was pleasantly surprised that all the 'regular' elements of a fun and exciting Dirk Pitt novel were all there, including a sidekick (almost exactly like Al Giordino). Now this is only a SMALL complaint, since I have been an avid follower of Cussler since I read 'Raise The Titanic' shortly after it was published. I have been hooked ever since, and since his 'style' has worked so far, it was just fine with me on this one as well. If you are struggling with the decision of buying this book, here's a suggestion: read it, and substitute Dirk Pit for Kurt Austin, do that every time you read it and TRUST me, you WON'T be able to tell the difference. And for all those who have negative comments about this book, they MUST have an attachment to Dirk that cannot be broken, because this is really a fun book. Don't get me wrong, nobody is gonna increase their IQ by reading this--or ANY other Cussler novel for that matter--but just like his past books, he provided me with several hours of escapism and fun, which is really the only reason why I read him to begin with, I have FUN while reading his stuff. Give it a try, and just remember, Kurt is just Dirk in disguise. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Clive Cussler - Serpent
Review: I am a huge fan of Cussler and I really enjoyed this book. I thought that he developed an interesting premise for this book by dealing with the idea of pre-Columbian contact. However, I am ready for Cussler to get back to his old characters of Pitt and Giordino. Austin and Zavala seem to be too much of clones of Dirk and Al. This book seem to lack the suspense and intrigue of Cussler's other novels. I am looking forward to reading Atlantis Found.
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