Ad Hoc Read January 2023Taking a month off from any "must" reads, I picked up a few favorite authors, and Clive Cussler is always a go-to for adventure thrillers. I didn't even remember I'd read Pacific Vortex! three years ago, but that wouldn't have changed my choice. A real rip-roaring adventure that's only the beginning of a fantastic series.Yeah, they're a bit unbelievable, but when you want a no-nonsense hero (or heroine), these books totally hit the spot. The series gets even better as it ...

This book really showcases the pulp fiction origins of the Dirk Pitt adventures. It's essentially a modern take on a classic Doc Savage story, something like *The Sargasso Ogre*.A nuclear submarine vanishes in a notorious stretch of ocean where ships and even aircraft have a habit of disappearing. Dirk Pitt gets involved, uncovering a hidden underwater base and a captivating femme fatale.It's a solid read. You can easily see why the series became so popular. If you're looking for thrilling adven...

An interesting debut for Dirk Pitt, and surprisingly good considering Clive Cussler hadn't initially intended to publish it. Just a few chapters in, Dirk's already aboard a navy salvage ship – cleverly disguised, of course – heading straight for the Pacific Vortex, the very spot where the nuclear sub Starbuck vanished. And it's amazing to think that this book laid the groundwork for The Oregon Files series that came years later. A solid 3.5 stars. If you're looking for exciting adventure book re...

When I was a teenager, I loved the Dirk Pitt adventure stories. But once I went to college, got married, had kids, etc., I lost track of many series that I enjoyed. Now that I'm older and have more time for reading, I'm going back and revisiting many authors and series that I missed. I've read two James Bond books this year so far....and those stories reminded me of Dirk Pitt. Dirk Pitt is like James Bond...or what 007 would be if he was into underwater exploration and salvage missions. *Pacifi...

I'm a sucker for any book bold enough to slap an exclamation mark on its title, and Clive Cussler's penned quite a few that fit the bill. Apparently, *Pacific Vortex!* was Cussler's debut novel featuring his legendary hero Dirk Pitt, though it was the sixth one published. Cussler himself considers it one of his weaker efforts, describing it in his foreword as "a few hours of entertainment and, perhaps, even a historic artifact of sorts."Having devoured several other Dirk Pitt adventures, I can c...

This book, *Pacific Vortex!* by Clive Cussler, feels like a blend of the author living out a fantasy and a James Bond adventure. While that combination *can* make for an entertaining read, it also pushes the boundaries of what's believable. It's a decently fun read, though. If you're looking for adventure book reviews, this might be up your alley.

This book sucks. I'm sorry, it just does. Even Clive Cussler admits in the opening notes that he never really intended for *Pacific Vortex!* to be published. But if he did, he'd get a shiny new car, so...yeah, I read it, and it wasn't that good. Do I regret it? No, I've moved on. I'm fine with it. It doesn't bother me. Now where's a pillow I can scream into? Seriously, though, *Pacific Vortex!* is best skipped, unless you're a hardcore Clive Cussler fan looking for a complete collection. I'd sta...

If I could, I'd give "Pacific Vortex!" zero stars. Seriously, don't waste your time on this one. The writing is just…awful. It's bad enough that Clive Cussler seems both racist and wildly sexist, relying on ridiculous and offensive stereotypes and horribly objectifying women. It's truly unbelievable, even considering he was writing in the 80s. On top of that, the writing is laughably terrible: tortured metaphors, a flood of over-the-top adjectives, inconsistent characters, and a constant need to...

In the foreword, Clive Cussler mentioned that he created Dirk Pitt to be a character in the vein of James Bond, and he certainly brings that to mind. Not in the most flattering way for me, though. He reminds me of the aspects of the Bond films from the 60s-80s I didn't like: the casual disregard for women (their relevance mainly relegated to their use as pawns or sex objects), with a little bit of violence thrown in. Before anyone gets angry, you know what they say about opinions. This is mine. ...

I've rarely come across a book quite as dreadful as *Pacific Vortex!*. Seriously. Clive Cussler seems to think adjectives possess some kind of magical power. His motto must be: why use a trowel when you've got a damn bulldozer? I enjoy mixing things up, balancing the classics and more serious reads with a healthy dose of thrillers and detective stories, but they *have* to be well-written – which, luckily, most are. This one? Not so much. Cussler makes Dan Brown look like Dostoevsky. Enough said....