Atlantis Found by Clive Cussler

Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Submitted by Max

I apologize if it seems like Cussler novels are all that I review these days, but that will change soon.  I've read my whole collection now, so I should be reviewing different books from now on.  To the point, Atlantis Found is just another great adventure novel.  Cussler has truly mastered the art of keeping the reader entertained, even if you're not on the edge of your seat, so to speak.  This adventure takes you around the world, from Colorado to Argentina to Antarctica and back.  The plot involves a cult of Neo Nazi fanatics who plan to induce a polar shift by cutting off one of the Antarctic ice shelves, causing massive flooding worldwide.

Nazis in Antarctic is one theme that is widely overused, but in this book it seems to work. Once again the unlikely heroes from the National Underwater & Marine Agnecy (Numa) must stop a maniacal scheme of world domination.  My only criticism is that after you've read many Cussler novels, the plot begins to be a tad too predictable.  There's always one twist, but after that, you can pretty much tell where the book is going.  One thing I do like is the clever dialogue between characters, and the characters themselves.

Overall, another great adventure novel to occupy yourself with, perhaps if you're taking a break from racking your brain over more complex novels.  Regardless, the Cussler series will continue to be one of my favorites, with interesting, humorous characters and action packed adventures.  Cussler will never let you down.

Sahara by Clive Cussler

Well, here it is another Clive Cussler adventure. I've read so many of these; it's starting to get old. Don't get me wrong, they're all great stories, and not too predictable, but in future novels I'd like to see a little more depth in the plotline instead of the main characters' diving expeditions. I'm okay with a bit of diving mechanics, but devoting an entire chapter to it is not exactly "suspenseful." Thankfully, this novel takes place in the middle of the desert, so diving is out of the question.

The storyline is typical of this series, corporate tycoons, conspiracies,
shipwrecks, and high-stakes action. This time, the ocean is being polluted from the Niger River in Africa with a chemical that accelerates the growth of red tides, which can halt the oxygen production of the ocean. This would threaten the survival of the human race, as you can imagine what would happen if we were deprived of oxygen. As always, Dirk and his pals rush to the rescue, trying to discover the source of the contamination. The source is a so called "solar detoxification project" under ruthless French billionaire entrepreneur Yves Massarde, which is in fact a nuclear waste dumping ground. The project is in the middle of the Sahara Desert and virtually ignored by the rest of the world.

If Pitt does not act soon, the world will suffocate. Even if the source is found, the heroes will have to
fight both Washington bureaucrats and African warlords to stop Massarde. Again, no spoilers here, as
you know, these books are immense so it would take me at least another page to layout the story in­
full. What I will tell you, however, is that Clive Cussler is a decent author and I really recommend his
books. Thanks for your time!

Submitted by Max

Black Wind by Cliver Cussler

Ah, yes, another masterful adventure by one of my favorite authors, Clive Cussler. As with Cussler's other stories, it combines conspiracy, mystery, treasure, and just plain humor. In this story, however, a treasure is uncovered, a very dangerous treasure that, if placed in the wrong hands, could change the course of history.

The story begins in 1944. The Japanese, realizing the tide of war has turned against them, resort to the final advantage they have: biological weapons. The Japanese had weaponized the smallpox virus and intended to launch it against the U.S. Using 2 submarines capable of launching planes, they would attack the west coast and San Francisco. Fortunately, the submarines were sunk, and the threat remained buried ... until now.

Meanwhile, in modern times, the U.S. ambassador to Japan has been mysteriously assassinated, and in Korea, a U.S. Air Force pilot is accused of murdering a Korean woman and a vote begins to expel U.S. forces form Korea. The assassin's identity is a mystery, but all leads point towards the Japanese Red Army, a communist terrorist group. On the Alaska coast, two coast guardsmen mysteriously die from a gas which also kills many sea lions. Dirk Pitt Jr., the son of the hero of most of these Cussler books, investigates and discovers the source. When he dives into the sub, however, the bomb canisters are
empty ...

The true mastermind of these events is a Korean man named Kang, a ruthless corporate leader
who will do anything to get what he wants. What he wants is the reunification of Korea on Northern
terms. They have taken the bombs from the two subs and created a combination of the smallpox virus
and HIV which they will launch on a rocket from an oil platform, spreading it over the west coast of
America. Once the U.S. is occupied with this catastrophe, a war in Korea will be overlooked as a minor issue, allowing the North to take control unopposed. With time running out, there seems to be no hope, but as always, Dirk finds a way. No spoilers here, it's a good story. Again, I strongly recommend all of Cussler's works and this is just another great book. Enjoy! 

Submitted by Max 

Cyclops by Cliver Cussler

"Cyclops" is another spectacular adventure story by Clive Cussler, who is one of my favorite authors. As
always, the story is filled with mysteries and conspiracies, intriguing characters and buried treasure. This
story continues the adventures of Dirk Pitt, an adventurous NUMA (National Underwater and Marine
Agency) employee and treasure hunter who often bites off more than he can chew when going after a
prize. This time, he gets entangled in a plot so secret, even the US President was left in the dark.

The story begins as billionaire entrepreneur Raymond LeBaron and two others go missing over Cuban
waters while flying an antique blimp looking for the sunken ship Cyclops. The Cyclops holds the
legendary treasure of La Dorada, the golden woman. Of course, the actions take place during the Cold
War, so any attempt at rescue is impossible. Dirk happens to be in the area participating in a boat race
when the blimp is spotted floating back to shore off the Florida coast. After commandeering the blimp
and averting a disastrous crash into a nearby resort, Pitt discovers what looks like the bodies of the dead
men. However, when the coroner calls in LeBaron's wife, Jessie, to identify his body, she says that the
corpse doesn't belong to her husband.

Meanwhile, during a private golf game, the American President Is confronted by a mysterious figure
who slipped past his security. The mystery man briefs our country's leader about a top secret project
that has been going on under the noses of the executive branch for years, called the Jersey Colony.
Essentially, the colony is a first step towards permanent settlement of the moon.

Scientists have managed to create a moon base. The creators of this project are the inner core, a group
of government officials who directed the plan. The President has his personal advisor track these men
down when he learns that they may have started a war in space. The Russian Selenos probes, which
were sent to orbit the moon, were shot down by the Americans. After recovering the probe and learning
of the existence of the base, the Russians launch a team of soldiers and prepare to take the base for
themselves.

Pitt and his friends, AI Giordino, a hearty Italian who never gives up, and Rudi Gunn, a hardworking
scientist devoted to his practice, team up with Mrs. LeBaron and take the blimp to try to retrace the
path of her husband. Halfway there, the blimp is shot down by a Cuban helicopter, which in turn tastes
the wrath of Giordino's missile launcher. After jumping into the sea, the group heads for shore and end
up on a remote island owned by Cuba. After stumbling upon a military compound, they walk right into a
gathering of Soviet officers, and, at the head of the table, sits the very un-dead Raymond LeBaron.

With Pitt and his team captured and the war on the moon poised to begin, things look bleak. I won't
spoil it for you here, in part because it would take another 5 paragraphs and in part because the story
really does take a lot of unexpected turns. The conclusion is great but at the same time not at all what
you would expect. Overall, a great adventure story with an exciting twist. 

 Submitted by Max 

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

River Marked finds Mercy getting married and going on her honeymoon with Adam. Where would a coyote and a werewolf go on a honeymoon, camping of course. But they are not roughing it by any means having borrowed a camper from Uncle Mike and the showers at the campground are nicer than any campground I have been to. But if you follow the Mercy books you know that trouble always seems to find Mercy. Being on her honeymoon is no exception. Lurking in the water is a monster of epic proportions. It is going to take Mercy and some friends to stop the monster in it's tracks. This was another great read by Ms. Briggs. I'm sad that she stated that she will only be writing one book a year now instead of two. Next year a new Alpha and Omega book will come out in January and the year after another Mercy book. I can't wait.

Tales of an African Vet by Dr. Roy Aronson

Tales of an African Vet

by Dr. Roy Aronson

Did you know that fish can get the bends? Neither did I!

Tales of an African Vet is not your regular, James Herriot-style animal book. Dr. Aronson does indeed have a small animal practice in South Africa, but this book is based on his adventures in the wild.

You'll meet Jabu, a baby elephant rescued from a mud flat in the Klasseri Reserve on the western border of Kruger National Park.

Then there is Munwane, an injured baby rhino saved by a park ranger from a pack of hyenas.

And a lioness named Mehlwane, meaning “the one with the eye” who required surgery to repair a genetic defect that rolled her eyelid inward, making the lashes irritate the eye.

These stories don't take place at the office; these are surgeries performed in the middle of the bush in South Africa. First you have to track your patient, then immobilize them with a tranquilizer dart. You then set up your sterile “field” and do the work you need to do, and then you monitor your patient until they are awake and can defend themselves.

From elephants to rhinos, gemsbocks to hedgehogs, and cobras to cheetahs, you will enjoy this telling of Dr. Aronson's life in the glorious bush of South Africa.

Submitted by Laurie

Instant Series by Jill Shalvis

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

If I ever wanted to go on an adventure (skiing, moonlight hiking, rock climbing, trip to Alaska) I would want it to be lead by on of the Wilder brothers. T.J, Stone, and Cameron are bad boys with hearts of gold. Rugged good looks and smoldering sex appeal I wouldn't mind following them somewhere.

In Wishful, California you can find Wilder Adventures run by T.J., Stone, Cameron, their Aunt Annie and her husband Nick. In the first book Instant Attraction Katie Kramer is looking to find herself and she ends up taking a job as a temp at Wilder Adventures. Cameron, the golden boy of extreme sports, had lost his way for awhile but made it back to his home only to find a beautiful woman in his bed. Can these two help each other heal and realize before it's too late that they are meant for each other?



In Instant Gratification Stone meets Dr. Emma Sinclair and sparks fly. Emma is only in town for a short while taking care of her ailing estranged father's clinic. Once he's able to take back over she is out of here. Stone loves what he does but he's looking for more. Soon they find themselves in a mind blowing affair that shakes them both to the core. Will Emma stay or will it all be over for them?

These books are so good. T.J's story is in Instant Temptation and I'm impatiently waiting for it on my holds list. Check these books out. You won't be disappointed.

A Single Rose by Barbara Delinsky

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)








I just discovered Barbara Delinsky and I really liked this book. Of course I discovered this book and it's the last in a trilogy but I wasn't confused. Victoria is a matchmaker and the tables are turned when she is sent on an adventure with Sampson. Sampson has a treasure map and a boat and they set sail to the Caribbean on a treasure hunt. But Victoria knows what her friends are up to and ropes her niece Shay into coming with her and Sampson does the same bringing his nephew Noah. When Shay and Noah meet it's hate at first sight but soon sparks fly and love is in the air. This was a fun read that I really enjoyed and I'm going to read the first two soon.

Jermy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

What if four keys held the meaning of life? That’s what a soon to be 13 year-old is trying to find in the book Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass. Wendy Mass’s one-of-a-kind characters, realistic settings, and unique situations, keep readers hooked through all of the many twists and turns.

Through reading this book, I had the privilege of experiencing all of those qualities. Let me tell you- it did not disappoint! It starts off great. A young teenage boy, Jeremy, is sent a box from his deceased father. Supposedly, it holds the meaning of life. How can something so small hold something so big?

Seems simple, right? Wrong. What seemed to be something way too easy to do suddenly gets complicated- the four keys required to open the box are missing! Before he can think twice, Jeremy and his best friend, Lizzy, set out on a quest to find these keys that appear to be literally impossible to find. But, this duo has everything it takes- passion and determination. Well, at least they think that’s all they need…

For a thought-provoking read, engulf yourself in Jeremy and Lizzy’s adventure in Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass!


Submitted by Guest Reviewer A. Jenkins

The Soldiers of Halla by D.J. MacHale

Reading Level: Young Adult

(5 out of 5)

The Soldiers of Halla is the tenth and last book in D.J. MacHale's Pendragon series. Finally questions are answered! Bobby and the other travelers have this one last chance to save humanity. This is the last war against the antagonist, Saint Dane. Saint Dane has created worlds where there is no freedom. Bobby and the others have to keep rebels/exiles safe because they are what's keeping the universe still going and not under complete control of Saint Dane.

Like the ninth book, this book was awesome. Very fast paced and full of adventure. It keeps you reading and makes you lose sleep time. I loved the ending. I hate when series don't end well, but this book ended in a way better than I expected. I recommend this book for everyone, all ages. Especially those who have read the first nine.



Written by Amanda Cronin

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

Life of Pi is about a boy nicknamed Pi. As his family is moving from India to Canada the ship breaks somehow and Pi is thrown on a lifeboat out in the middle of the ocean. Unfortunately, he is not alone. Also on the boat is a Bengal tiger, a hyena, a zebra, and a chimpanzee. What helps him get through is his faith in three religions.

Reading that, you might be thinking this is a boring book like I did at first. But, it really is a good book. It's full of many good quotes too. It's a real adventure with faith and truth, fact or fiction, man versus nature, and innocence and experience.

Written by Amanda Cronin