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Oregon Files #17
Clive Cussler Fire Strike
Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon must battle an army of genetically engineered mercenaries to stop a hypersonic missile attack in this explosive new adventure in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
When Cabrillo is hired to extract an undercover operative in Kenya, he finds himself on the trail of a deadly international plot. A Saudi prince seeks to unleash a deadly assault on U.S. forces, sparking a new war in the Middle East and ultimately destroying Israel.
Cabrillo’s crew have met their most fearsome adversaries a force of bio-hacked soldiers endowed with extreme strength and stamina and an unquenchable appetite for violence. The Oregon team must journey from the Amazon rainforest to an abandoned monastery in Eritrea before a final showdown in the mountains of Yemen, using every shred of courage and cunning they can muster to disable the ship-killer missile before the Arabian Sea becomes a mass grave.
When Cabrillo is hired to extract an undercover operative in Kenya, he finds himself on the trail of a deadly international plot. A Saudi prince seeks to unleash a deadly assault on U.S. forces, sparking a new war in the Middle East and ultimately destroying Israel.
Cabrillo’s crew have met their most fearsome adversaries a force of bio-hacked soldiers endowed with extreme strength and stamina and an unquenchable appetite for violence. The Oregon team must journey from the Amazon rainforest to an abandoned monastery in Eritrea before a final showdown in the mountains of Yemen, using every shred of courage and cunning they can muster to disable the ship-killer missile before the Arabian Sea becomes a mass grave.
592 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 6, 2023
1035 people are currently reading
1099 people want to read
About the author
Mike Maden
28 books408 followersI grew up working in the canneries, feed mills and slaughterhouses of California’s San Joaquin Valley. A lifelong fascination with history and warfare ultimately lead to a Ph.D. in political science focused on conflict and technology in international relations. Like millions of others, I first became a Tom Clancy fan after reading The Hunt for Red October, and began my published fiction career in the same techno-thriller genre, starting with DRONE and the sequels, BLUE WARRIOR, DRONE COMMAND and DRONE THREAT. I’m honored to be joining “The Campus” as a writer in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Jr., series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
September 25, 2023
What drew me to The Oregon Files and made it my Clive Cussler favorite series are the ship and her crew. They feel like family. The Oregon is not only a vessel but is a main character, an extension of every great character on board. With a new author, what captivates me was brought down to a great extent and the story has become more technical closer to perhaps Tom Clancy's variety which the author also writes.
A mad scientist-style villain with genetic engineering is at the center of Fire Strike but there are other parallel subplots. I was worried about The Oregon crew against these assailants. Who knows if any of my faves will be written off? But animal testing, with dogs no less, is not cool.
Please, NO romance. I feel there are subtle hints in both books that Maden wrote. As I said before in my previous book review, a LOVE BOAT is the last thing I want when reading this series.👎🚫🙅♀️
I like how Maden explores Maurice's story. A former British Royal Navy/Chief steward on The Oregon but I always knew there was more to Maurice than meets the eye.
I read one Jack Ryan novel that Mike Maden wrote and loved it. However, I feel some elements and warmth are missing from this series.
A mad scientist-style villain with genetic engineering is at the center of Fire Strike but there are other parallel subplots. I was worried about The Oregon crew against these assailants. Who knows if any of my faves will be written off? But animal testing, with dogs no less, is not cool.
Please, NO romance. I feel there are subtle hints in both books that Maden wrote. As I said before in my previous book review, a LOVE BOAT is the last thing I want when reading this series.👎🚫🙅♀️
I like how Maden explores Maurice's story. A former British Royal Navy/Chief steward on The Oregon but I always knew there was more to Maurice than meets the eye.
I read one Jack Ryan novel that Mike Maden wrote and loved it. However, I feel some elements and warmth are missing from this series.
September 26, 2023
If my memory is right, this is Maden’s second Cussler book. Hellburner was very good, but Fire Strike is a step up.
Maden nicely wraps up two seemingly divergent stories that converge for a last big bang at the end. Hoping to help a fellow former agent find her son at his boss’s request, the plot slowly takes us through a grand conspiracy, hoping to start a war with the US by firing a hypersonic missile at an aircraft carrier in the Gulf.
The book is very well written with great pace, and Maden’s character development is first-rate.
If you liked Clive, Maden is a great follow on to the Cussler franchise. You will be happy you picked this one up. -Tom L.
Maden nicely wraps up two seemingly divergent stories that converge for a last big bang at the end. Hoping to help a fellow former agent find her son at his boss’s request, the plot slowly takes us through a grand conspiracy, hoping to start a war with the US by firing a hypersonic missile at an aircraft carrier in the Gulf.
The book is very well written with great pace, and Maden’s character development is first-rate.
If you liked Clive, Maden is a great follow on to the Cussler franchise. You will be happy you picked this one up. -Tom L.
August 11, 2023
Just finished reading Mike Maden’s “Clive Cussler Fire Strike”. It was fast paced and non-stop action in the Cussler tradition. Of all the Cussler series, the Oregon Files are my favorite. This story had the added pressure of trying to find a hypersonic missile which was stolen from India.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and eleven minutes. Scott Brick does a super job narrating the book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and eleven minutes. Scott Brick does a super job narrating the book.
July 20, 2023
Definitely enjoyed this one, looking forward to what else Mike Maden has to offer.
February 19, 2025
Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon must battle an army of genetically engineered mercenaries to stop a hypersonic missile attack in this explosive new instalment
Mike Maden does a wonderful job in keeping Clive Cussler's "Oregan Files" series alive and still burning up the pages with the spark of top-of-the-line adventures of the Super Tech ship...The Oregan and it's sometimes odd-ball crew. Mr. Cussler would be proud.
In this the 17th book in the series, Captain Juan Cabrillo and his crew have been charged to take on a violet and brutal genetically enhanced mercenary force that is trying to start a new war between the Middle East and Israel. Directed by an evil and malevolent Saudi Prince, the bad guys want to use a hypersonic, ship-killing missile to initiate the potential war. Cabrillo and his crew are hired to stop them!
I've read all the books in the series, and I have to say that every single book in the Oregon Files adventures is like the equivalent to being on a run-away roller coaster ride that's being operated by an escaped insane-asylum inmate. This one is not the exception! Just another word of warning: If you start it, you won't be able to put it down.
There was an abundance of subplots at the beginning, and it was a little convoluted, but Mike Maden manages to tie them all together at the end with a very energetic conclusion.
Mike Maden does a wonderful job in keeping Clive Cussler's "Oregan Files" series alive and still burning up the pages with the spark of top-of-the-line adventures of the Super Tech ship...The Oregan and it's sometimes odd-ball crew. Mr. Cussler would be proud.
In this the 17th book in the series, Captain Juan Cabrillo and his crew have been charged to take on a violet and brutal genetically enhanced mercenary force that is trying to start a new war between the Middle East and Israel. Directed by an evil and malevolent Saudi Prince, the bad guys want to use a hypersonic, ship-killing missile to initiate the potential war. Cabrillo and his crew are hired to stop them!
I've read all the books in the series, and I have to say that every single book in the Oregon Files adventures is like the equivalent to being on a run-away roller coaster ride that's being operated by an escaped insane-asylum inmate. This one is not the exception! Just another word of warning: If you start it, you won't be able to put it down.
There was an abundance of subplots at the beginning, and it was a little convoluted, but Mike Maden manages to tie them all together at the end with a very energetic conclusion.
July 1, 2023
Disappointing
I stopped reading the Numa files and Fargo books because they were all the same just different locations. The Oregon Files were interesting and exciting when the ship was put into action. The ship did nothing but transport the crew in this book. Just another special Ops book, nothing special.
I stopped reading the Numa files and Fargo books because they were all the same just different locations. The Oregon Files were interesting and exciting when the ship was put into action. The ship did nothing but transport the crew in this book. Just another special Ops book, nothing special.
September 13, 2023
Time for another Clive Cussler Wednesday!
Juan Cabrillo is doing a favor for the CIA by tracking down the brother of a formerly high ranking Israeli agent. Turns out he was infiltrating a cadre of super powered mercenaries.
Fun, but I felt like the stakes were a little low here.
Juan Cabrillo is doing a favor for the CIA by tracking down the brother of a formerly high ranking Israeli agent. Turns out he was infiltrating a cadre of super powered mercenaries.
Fun, but I felt like the stakes were a little low here.
June 18, 2023
Awful. Dog killers\bait dogs. Heartbroken..
I have purchased and read over 50 Clive Cussler books. I know he has died and others write his books now. And, they have done a good job writing in the Cussler way. My favorite series by Cussler has always been Oregon series. I could not finish this book. Bait dogs...excuse me!!! Terrible. The plot was poor as well. I hope the other Cussler series are better.
I have purchased and read over 50 Clive Cussler books. I know he has died and others write his books now. And, they have done a good job writing in the Cussler way. My favorite series by Cussler has always been Oregon series. I could not finish this book. Bait dogs...excuse me!!! Terrible. The plot was poor as well. I hope the other Cussler series are better.
June 27, 2023
Very overwritten
I have read every Clive Cussler book out there, and this one is a hard read. Laboured and overwritten.
Why use 5 words when you can think of 47 to use instead.
Definitely won't be reading another Mike Maden book as he is not up to the task of an Oregon book !!!!!!
I have read every Clive Cussler book out there, and this one is a hard read. Laboured and overwritten.
Why use 5 words when you can think of 47 to use instead.
Definitely won't be reading another Mike Maden book as he is not up to the task of an Oregon book !!!!!!
March 22, 2023
Juan Cabrillo and his gang, the Corporation on their super-ship, the Oregon are back at adventures again. What starts as a vacation op for Dr. Huxley to deliver medical supplies to a doctor friend in the Amazon, turns into the death of a friend and an attack by superhuman men that they barely escape from. Langston Overholt, their CIA contact asked for an off the books favor to find an old colleagues brother that leads the gang into all sorts of trouble. The Saudi royalty has all kinds of betrayals and assassinations that add to the ruckus. And a rogue (insane) doctor is creating super humans by genetically altering their genes to develop super strength, feel no pain, mega adrenaline and testosterone. She then gives them to a mercenary who trains them to be super soldiers, berzerkers. and hires them out for jobs all over the world. His latest mission involve stealing and using two Hypersonic missiles. If that is not enough mischief for the Corporation to handle you are not familiar with this series! This is an excellent read!!!!!
June 18, 2023
4 stars for Maurice backstory and character development. 2 stars for believability of opening sequence and weird over protectiveness of getting crew into the sick bay. Balances to a 3 star good read. Ok if you don’t have anything else on your shelf.
April 11, 2024
My husband and I listened to this novel while on a long road trip. He was a fan of the Oregon Files series but this was my first time, despite having read several of Cussler's other series. We both struggled to finish the book. The pacing of the book was too slow for an action/adventure novel. The writing was poor, as if the author had a dictionary of outlandish similes and decided to use as many as possible in his descriptions. The characters were tropes. "A giant slab of Nordic meat" was one of many vapid descriptors used to introduce a character. It was sometimes like reading a Nieman Marcus catalogue as each article of clothing and accessory was excessively described and name brands were dropped to impress the reader. The over-sexualization of the female characters was ridiculous. Yes, all were intelligent and skilled, but they were also first noticed and described by their jaw-dropping beauty. Clive Cussler passed away in 2013 and it is time for this series to be laid to rest as well.
November 11, 2023
3.5* I think I've said this numerous times regarding these Clive Cussler originated books, but they're all good easy reading. Yes there is a formula that is followed but the audiobooks are still quite enjoyable.
July 11, 2023
This was an exciting and thrilling, hard to put down adventure novel. I have read and enjoyed 17 of Clive Cussler's adventure novels. For me the Oregon Files (series) were the best. The author, Mike Maden did a very good job in writing this novel in the true style of the deceased Cussler.
My only issue with the story is that Maden did not place the ship Oregon in the center of the action. For me the Oregon, the fantastic ship within a ship is the star of the series. As expected, the heroic lead character Juan Cabrillo and his familiar loyal and brave crew members are present to provide the exciting action. The story fits in Geo-politically with the current news and world entanglements.
I would recommend reading any one of the dozen novels in the Oregon Files series before Fire Strike.
My only issue with the story is that Maden did not place the ship Oregon in the center of the action. For me the Oregon, the fantastic ship within a ship is the star of the series. As expected, the heroic lead character Juan Cabrillo and his familiar loyal and brave crew members are present to provide the exciting action. The story fits in Geo-politically with the current news and world entanglements.
I would recommend reading any one of the dozen novels in the Oregon Files series before Fire Strike.
September 10, 2023
Another Oregon and Oregon File of teamwork. Even GM humans and animals can’t stop the Corporation from mission success and keeping US interests in the Middle East safe.
August 25, 2023
A good plausible story that I enjoyed.
June 25, 2023
The Oregon is once again back, boys. Mike Maden adroitly takes over the reins in his second Oregon Files written under Clive Cusslers name.
Lets start with the concerns I have first. Why it is still highly rated, couple of things stood out.
Why is it always biotechnology freaks? Why do we all got to hack nature's systems?
A lot of moving parts in this book that... sort of come together. While it's still a fun romp, some details seem thrown in and others not explored fully enough. There were three stories, combined into two, that each could have been a standalone Oregon Story.
And the magic of technology and/ or super specific weapons systems continues to plague the novels. Not just saying " a rifle" its a Sig Sauer MCX Rattler in .300 blackout. And ( spoilers) the aircraft crashes but everyone is just banged up.
Through it all, we or I, enjoy the escapades of The Oregon. I don't read them for realism, I read them for escapism. And the Oregon Filed this time around delivers. Bond style villians! Science gone wrong! International shipping lanes! Technological might! Guns, girls and derring do! Saved in the nick of time! Long awaited back story for our favorite steward!
The characters feel developed out and we worry for them, even when we sense that they are in danger. Yes, its all luck and significant amounts of danger but at the end of the day we feel safe in knowing that our favorite crew will triumph again.
Just enough stretching of the science to make it worthwhile. I hope there continues to be happy endings with the ficitonal crew of the Oregon.
Lets start with the concerns I have first. Why it is still highly rated, couple of things stood out.
Why is it always biotechnology freaks? Why do we all got to hack nature's systems?
A lot of moving parts in this book that... sort of come together. While it's still a fun romp, some details seem thrown in and others not explored fully enough. There were three stories, combined into two, that each could have been a standalone Oregon Story.
And the magic of technology and/ or super specific weapons systems continues to plague the novels. Not just saying " a rifle" its a Sig Sauer MCX Rattler in .300 blackout. And ( spoilers) the aircraft crashes but everyone is just banged up.
Through it all, we or I, enjoy the escapades of The Oregon. I don't read them for realism, I read them for escapism. And the Oregon Filed this time around delivers. Bond style villians! Science gone wrong! International shipping lanes! Technological might! Guns, girls and derring do! Saved in the nick of time! Long awaited back story for our favorite steward!
The characters feel developed out and we worry for them, even when we sense that they are in danger. Yes, its all luck and significant amounts of danger but at the end of the day we feel safe in knowing that our favorite crew will triumph again.
Just enough stretching of the science to make it worthwhile. I hope there continues to be happy endings with the ficitonal crew of the Oregon.
July 27, 2023
This story was interesting, I felt though that it was completely out of character for previous books. It was explicitly violent and violent.
..
..
July 28, 2023
I really enjoyed the previous Oregon Files books written or co written by Clive Cussler. I did not enjoy Fire Strike. While the prior books focused on the ship, its crew and their clandestine operations, this one spends little time on the ship, little time developing the character of the crew, and was not engaging. Maybe it would have been acceptable as a standard military action novel, but it does not carry on the enjoyable legacy of the prior Oregon Files novels.
This is one of those novels where you are thrown into a character's situation for a chapter, and then you are thrown into another character's situation in the next chapter. There are many characters - too many. As you would expect, eventually these come together to form a semi coherent plot, but it was well past the half way point of the book where that happened.
The book starts with a horrific situation that never pays off. Apparently, it was just intended to show the reader how bad the bad guys are without the situation being necessary for the plot. Although Clive Cussler's novels were pretty generic, they were plotted out well, with almost every situation being necessary to the plot. Not so here.
Sorry to be a downer, but this book cynically takes advantage of a built in audience for Clive Cussler's Oregon Files, and provides a substandard product.
This is one of those novels where you are thrown into a character's situation for a chapter, and then you are thrown into another character's situation in the next chapter. There are many characters - too many. As you would expect, eventually these come together to form a semi coherent plot, but it was well past the half way point of the book where that happened.
The book starts with a horrific situation that never pays off. Apparently, it was just intended to show the reader how bad the bad guys are without the situation being necessary for the plot. Although Clive Cussler's novels were pretty generic, they were plotted out well, with almost every situation being necessary to the plot. Not so here.
Sorry to be a downer, but this book cynically takes advantage of a built in audience for Clive Cussler's Oregon Files, and provides a substandard product.
June 28, 2023
Pretty good story.
Unfortunately, this series is starting to run into the same issues as other thriller series. The authors believe the stakes have to be extremely high (i.e. even though this is such a sophisticated ship, there is something in each new novel that will sink it), Juan goes solo on missions (which makes no sense, considering the level of talent of the crew and the myriad of injuries he sustains and miraculously can continue to function through the rest of the novel), and, oh yes, he also gets captured somehow in the middle.
I enjoy the stories where the Oregon people are in control, we get some character development, and the enemies have no idea what they are dealing with (and are doing the best they can) because, well, they have no idea this ship and crew exists. I thought the bad guys in this novel did exceptionally well against the Oregon crew even though they really knew nothing about them. It seemed like all the advanced stuff the Oregon had either did not work or was not used.
I've enjoyed reading the series to this point, but unfortunately, I'll have to discontinue the series is just "high-stakes action" all the time. Go back to the mysteries, stealth, and problem solving. It does not have to be life or death on every page.
Unfortunately, this series is starting to run into the same issues as other thriller series. The authors believe the stakes have to be extremely high (i.e. even though this is such a sophisticated ship, there is something in each new novel that will sink it), Juan goes solo on missions (which makes no sense, considering the level of talent of the crew and the myriad of injuries he sustains and miraculously can continue to function through the rest of the novel), and, oh yes, he also gets captured somehow in the middle.
I enjoy the stories where the Oregon people are in control, we get some character development, and the enemies have no idea what they are dealing with (and are doing the best they can) because, well, they have no idea this ship and crew exists. I thought the bad guys in this novel did exceptionally well against the Oregon crew even though they really knew nothing about them. It seemed like all the advanced stuff the Oregon had either did not work or was not used.
I've enjoyed reading the series to this point, but unfortunately, I'll have to discontinue the series is just "high-stakes action" all the time. Go back to the mysteries, stealth, and problem solving. It does not have to be life or death on every page.
August 18, 2023
Excellent thriller with new up to date technology on Cabrillo's rebuilt ship and support vehicles. The action is believable, authentic and non-stop.
July 15, 2023
I stopped listening when a puppy was removed from a cage in a "research" facility and placed in an enclosure called "the colosseum." Next, a large, fully adult male was selected and released. No need to continue listening when the next actions were stomach churningly obvious.
Additionally, the book is rife with references to the size & shapes of women's bodies, the beauty of their faces, and their desirability. Even Juan Cabrillo is reduced to lechery as a motive to rescue a doctor in distress.
In addition to these glaring deficiencies, the plot is disjointed. There are at least five different stories taking place, and none seem to have any relationship to the opening scenario, or to each other. No smooth transitions either. It's like watching someone chopping away at some unidentified object on a chopping board.
Hard to believe that this book flies under Clive Cussler's banner, and that it has such a high rating on Goodreads.
Additionally, the book is rife with references to the size & shapes of women's bodies, the beauty of their faces, and their desirability. Even Juan Cabrillo is reduced to lechery as a motive to rescue a doctor in distress.
In addition to these glaring deficiencies, the plot is disjointed. There are at least five different stories taking place, and none seem to have any relationship to the opening scenario, or to each other. No smooth transitions either. It's like watching someone chopping away at some unidentified object on a chopping board.
Hard to believe that this book flies under Clive Cussler's banner, and that it has such a high rating on Goodreads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2023
This book was good, but creepy. The plot revolves around two stolen missiles and one scientist's quest to improve the gene pool of humanity. While CRISPR has been in the news for a while, this was the first book I've read that uses it as part of the story. The Oregon takes center stage as a team of bad guys tries to take over the ship. My only question after reading this book is: why couldn't the author write this well for his contributions to the Tom Clancy series??
June 12, 2023
Now we’re talking!!!
Yes Sir - this narrative is back on track, faster and better than ever! Wow! I did not want to put this down, exactly like my first few experiences with the Oregon Files. This is the best in a long, long time. Great writing and excellent story - THANK YOU!!!
Yes Sir - this narrative is back on track, faster and better than ever! Wow! I did not want to put this down, exactly like my first few experiences with the Oregon Files. This is the best in a long, long time. Great writing and excellent story - THANK YOU!!!
July 7, 2023
The best part of the Oregon Files is the crew is like a family. And a huge part of that family is the Oregon herself. In this book Oregon was relegated to the role of shuttle, just delivering the team.
I enjoyed the Maurice portion of the book, including the backstory. But otherwise the story was a decent spec ops tale, but not a good Oregon Files story
I enjoyed the Maurice portion of the book, including the backstory. But otherwise the story was a decent spec ops tale, but not a good Oregon Files story
March 31, 2024
Die Oregon ist eine Nummer zu groß für Mike Maden.
Deshalb kommt sie in diesem Buch vermutlich nur als Seetaxi vor.
Vorab: Kennt man die Oregonreihe nicht, bekommt man mit diesem Buch solide Action, die sich zügig liest. Mehr aber auch nicht.
Wenn man die Oregonreihe in den letzten 17 Jahren lieben gelernt hat, erkennt man die Unfähigkeit / den Unwillen des neuen Autors, sich in eine bestehende Reihe einzuarbeiten. Die Story hat nichts mehr mit der Oregon zu tun. Die Handlung findet fast ausschließlich an Land statt. Es wirkt fast so, als hätte der Autor einen seiner Tom Clancy Plots genommen und irgendwie über die Crew gestülpt. Die Story hätte in jedem Militärbuch / Film / Serie mit beliebeigen Figuren verwendet werden können.
Die Oregon-Crew ist nicht mehr die gleiche, wie in den anderen Büchern. Die meisten Figuren kommen kaum vor, es dreht sich fast nur um Juan Cabrillo und die vielen Nebenstränge. Eddie und Raven werden auf Seite 461 das erste Mal erwähnt. 461!
Wenn die Crew der Oregon mal vorkommt, sind zahlreiche Fehler in deren Beschreibung / Benehmen / Dialogen etc. Teilweise sind sogar Widersprüche im gleichen Buch drin. Ein Auszug:
- Juan ist auf Seite 85 angeblich knapp über 2 Meter groß (was falsch ist), auf Seite 371 nur mehr 1,85 m.
- Linda Ross ist bei einer Mission mit Juan im U-Boot unterwegs und übergibt dsfür Max Hanley das Steuer der Oregon - erster Steuermann ist aber eigentlich Eric Stone.
- Eric sitzt zwar auf Seite 407 am Steuer, ein paar Seiten weiter, als Juan einen Kurswechsel anordnete, ist es aber plötzlich wieder Linda Ross, die den Kurs ändert, obwohl sie zuvor noch an der Radarstation saß.
- Max Hanley hat laut Mike Maden muskulöse Arme, riesige Pranken und einen "harten Bauch, der sein Hemd fast sprengt"; in Wirklichkeit ist Max übergewichtig und wurde von Julia Huxley schon öfters zu mehr Sport gedrängt.
- Eric und Murphy (der, seit Maden die Reihe übernommen hat, plötzlich Wepps genannt wird) sind immer noch Mittezwanziger - im 17. Buch! Wie lange bleiben die noch unter 30?
Der Plot selbst ist voller Logiklöcher und ein sogenannter "Idiot Plot", kommt also nur durch idiotisches Verhalten der Figuren voran. Juan verlässt z. B. mit der gesamten Mannschaft das Schiff für eine Mission, während Gegner versuchen, die Oregon zu kapern und durch eine offengelassene Luke netterweise ins Innere gelangen. Auf diesen paar Seiten hat Maden nun auch eine "stellvertretende Steuerfrau" eingeführt, die es nun braucht, weil ja alle anderen weg sind.
Generell ist der Plot eigentlich sehr ähnlich zum letzten Buch: Zu Beginn sucht Juan mit einer fremden Frau (natürlich eine Schönheit, mit der er gerne ins Bett würde) eine geliebte Person. In "Feuermeer" war es der Vater, hier ist es der Bruder. Die "Hauptmission" war im vorigen Band ein Super-Torpedo, der auf die Türkei abgefeuert werden sollte, in diesem Band ist es eine Hyperschallrakete. Beide sollten einen Krieg anzetteln, der Amerika schwächen sollte. Beide Gefahren wurden erst in den letzten 100 bzw. 80 Seiten der Bücher zufällig von der Crew entdeckt, die dann noch schnell schnell versucht, die Angriffe auf den letzten Seiten zu vereiteln.
Die "noch nie dagewesene Herausforderung" - die Supersöldner mit übermenschlichen Fähigkeiten - gab es innerhalb der Reihe auch schon. Und zwar in "Im Auge des Taifuns" - ein sehr gutes Buch!
Das alles hätte mich veranlasst, dem Buch 2 - 3 Sterne zu geben. Warum deshalb nur 1 Stern?
- SPOILER -
Juan wird in diesem Buch zum Massenmörder, der hunderte Zivilisten mit den besagten Raketen "wie trockenes Gras niedermäht" - Kollateralschden, wie der Autor anmerkt.
- SPOILER ENDE -
So etwas wäre in den vorogen Büchern nie, nie, nie vorgekommen. Das ist ein Charakterbruch von einem Buch aufs andere, der zeigt, dass der Autor sich keine Mühe mit den Figiren macht und nur eine beliebte Buchreihe für seinen eigenen Profit übernommen hat.
Zu den Hundekämpfen, dem Sexismus, dem Rassismuss, den vielen Fachbegriffen, die den Doktortitel des Autors belegen und sein Ego befriedigen sollen und der miserablen Übersetzung will ich jetzt gar nichts mehr schreiben. Der Rant wurde eh viel zu lang.
Für mich war es erstmal das letzte Oregon-Buch, bis endlich wieder ein kompetenter Autor übernimmt.
Deshalb kommt sie in diesem Buch vermutlich nur als Seetaxi vor.
Vorab: Kennt man die Oregonreihe nicht, bekommt man mit diesem Buch solide Action, die sich zügig liest. Mehr aber auch nicht.
Wenn man die Oregonreihe in den letzten 17 Jahren lieben gelernt hat, erkennt man die Unfähigkeit / den Unwillen des neuen Autors, sich in eine bestehende Reihe einzuarbeiten. Die Story hat nichts mehr mit der Oregon zu tun. Die Handlung findet fast ausschließlich an Land statt. Es wirkt fast so, als hätte der Autor einen seiner Tom Clancy Plots genommen und irgendwie über die Crew gestülpt. Die Story hätte in jedem Militärbuch / Film / Serie mit beliebeigen Figuren verwendet werden können.
Die Oregon-Crew ist nicht mehr die gleiche, wie in den anderen Büchern. Die meisten Figuren kommen kaum vor, es dreht sich fast nur um Juan Cabrillo und die vielen Nebenstränge. Eddie und Raven werden auf Seite 461 das erste Mal erwähnt. 461!
Wenn die Crew der Oregon mal vorkommt, sind zahlreiche Fehler in deren Beschreibung / Benehmen / Dialogen etc. Teilweise sind sogar Widersprüche im gleichen Buch drin. Ein Auszug:
- Juan ist auf Seite 85 angeblich knapp über 2 Meter groß (was falsch ist), auf Seite 371 nur mehr 1,85 m.
- Linda Ross ist bei einer Mission mit Juan im U-Boot unterwegs und übergibt dsfür Max Hanley das Steuer der Oregon - erster Steuermann ist aber eigentlich Eric Stone.
- Eric sitzt zwar auf Seite 407 am Steuer, ein paar Seiten weiter, als Juan einen Kurswechsel anordnete, ist es aber plötzlich wieder Linda Ross, die den Kurs ändert, obwohl sie zuvor noch an der Radarstation saß.
- Max Hanley hat laut Mike Maden muskulöse Arme, riesige Pranken und einen "harten Bauch, der sein Hemd fast sprengt"; in Wirklichkeit ist Max übergewichtig und wurde von Julia Huxley schon öfters zu mehr Sport gedrängt.
- Eric und Murphy (der, seit Maden die Reihe übernommen hat, plötzlich Wepps genannt wird) sind immer noch Mittezwanziger - im 17. Buch! Wie lange bleiben die noch unter 30?
Der Plot selbst ist voller Logiklöcher und ein sogenannter "Idiot Plot", kommt also nur durch idiotisches Verhalten der Figuren voran. Juan verlässt z. B. mit der gesamten Mannschaft das Schiff für eine Mission, während Gegner versuchen, die Oregon zu kapern und durch eine offengelassene Luke netterweise ins Innere gelangen. Auf diesen paar Seiten hat Maden nun auch eine "stellvertretende Steuerfrau" eingeführt, die es nun braucht, weil ja alle anderen weg sind.
Generell ist der Plot eigentlich sehr ähnlich zum letzten Buch: Zu Beginn sucht Juan mit einer fremden Frau (natürlich eine Schönheit, mit der er gerne ins Bett würde) eine geliebte Person. In "Feuermeer" war es der Vater, hier ist es der Bruder. Die "Hauptmission" war im vorigen Band ein Super-Torpedo, der auf die Türkei abgefeuert werden sollte, in diesem Band ist es eine Hyperschallrakete. Beide sollten einen Krieg anzetteln, der Amerika schwächen sollte. Beide Gefahren wurden erst in den letzten 100 bzw. 80 Seiten der Bücher zufällig von der Crew entdeckt, die dann noch schnell schnell versucht, die Angriffe auf den letzten Seiten zu vereiteln.
Die "noch nie dagewesene Herausforderung" - die Supersöldner mit übermenschlichen Fähigkeiten - gab es innerhalb der Reihe auch schon. Und zwar in "Im Auge des Taifuns" - ein sehr gutes Buch!
Das alles hätte mich veranlasst, dem Buch 2 - 3 Sterne zu geben. Warum deshalb nur 1 Stern?
- SPOILER -
Juan wird in diesem Buch zum Massenmörder, der hunderte Zivilisten mit den besagten Raketen "wie trockenes Gras niedermäht" - Kollateralschden, wie der Autor anmerkt.
- SPOILER ENDE -
So etwas wäre in den vorogen Büchern nie, nie, nie vorgekommen. Das ist ein Charakterbruch von einem Buch aufs andere, der zeigt, dass der Autor sich keine Mühe mit den Figiren macht und nur eine beliebte Buchreihe für seinen eigenen Profit übernommen hat.
Zu den Hundekämpfen, dem Sexismus, dem Rassismuss, den vielen Fachbegriffen, die den Doktortitel des Autors belegen und sein Ego befriedigen sollen und der miserablen Übersetzung will ich jetzt gar nichts mehr schreiben. Der Rant wurde eh viel zu lang.
Für mich war es erstmal das letzte Oregon-Buch, bis endlich wieder ein kompetenter Autor übernimmt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
Picked this one up in the grocery store during a lakeside vacation… it was this or a bodice ripping bustier romance novel & that’s not my thing! Plus I’d already read the Sarah Maas & Katee Robert selections (wink wink!)
Fun, exciting & surprisingly technical this novel throws a bunch of details at you & lets you hang on while they come together around a band of pseudo military types. Having read a few of Cussler’s NUMA file Dirk Pitt novels, this one was more … modern & militaristic but with the same type of character driven banter.
Fun, exciting & surprisingly technical this novel throws a bunch of details at you & lets you hang on while they come together around a band of pseudo military types. Having read a few of Cussler’s NUMA file Dirk Pitt novels, this one was more … modern & militaristic but with the same type of character driven banter.
June 30, 2023
This book was a lot of fun to read, overall. Granted, the "super soldiers" plot kinda reminded me of Typhoon Fury . It moved at a fast pace; it held my interest; it was a lot of fun to read.
The character development was decent, I guess. It is always hard to "develop" an existing character or team of characters in a series of books because they still have to remain true to their core identities so that the readers do not lose interest in them; in addition, there are so many different authors in the books that it can become difficult to keep track of true character development in prior novels. Actually, I did forget some amazing character development.
The book did have a lot of humor scattered throughout; I remember laughing at times while reading, but I do not remember what I found funny.
I feel like I wanted to say more about the book, but I cannot remember what it would have been. if it comes back to me and I feel is worth telling, I will add it to my review with a note. It was a good book; it was a fun read and a fast read. I enjoyed the blending of current technological levels with advanced theories and advanced levels of technology to extrapolate how things might turn out if such technology was more prevalent today. I am glad I started reading this series as it has been a lot of fun to read and I do feel fairly invested in this series of books (maybe not quite like the Dirk Pitt books, but still invested enough). It was a fun read.
The character development was decent, I guess. It is always hard to "develop" an existing character or team of characters in a series of books because they still have to remain true to their core identities so that the readers do not lose interest in them; in addition, there are so many different authors in the books that it can become difficult to keep track of true character development in prior novels. Actually, I did forget some amazing character development.
The book did have a lot of humor scattered throughout; I remember laughing at times while reading, but I do not remember what I found funny.
I feel like I wanted to say more about the book, but I cannot remember what it would have been. if it comes back to me and I feel is worth telling, I will add it to my review with a note. It was a good book; it was a fun read and a fast read. I enjoyed the blending of current technological levels with advanced theories and advanced levels of technology to extrapolate how things might turn out if such technology was more prevalent today. I am glad I started reading this series as it has been a lot of fun to read and I do feel fairly invested in this series of books (maybe not quite like the Dirk Pitt books, but still invested enough). It was a fun read.
March 17, 2024
Well written story that was hard to put down. Mike Mason is my favorite Clive Cussler series writer.
October 3, 2023
This series is always a fun read. I really wanted to give it more stars, but honestly it bogged down in some places.
This one may be a little more sci-five than the others, genetically modified super soldiers versus the men and women of the Oregon.
Overall it was very entertaining despite bogging down in spots.
This one may be a little more sci-five than the others, genetically modified super soldiers versus the men and women of the Oregon.
Overall it was very entertaining despite bogging down in spots.
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