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Dirk Pitt #27
Clive Cussler's Obsidian Sky
DISCOVER THE LATEST DIRK PITT ADVENTURE
The discovery of an ancient scroll sends Dirk Pitt on a quest for a mystical treasure from a lost civilization. But the trail draws him into the crosshairs of a ruthless international drug cartel, a shadowy eco-terrorist, and a looming global climate catastrophe-one that only he can prevent.
'Cussler is hard to beat' Daily Mail
'The Adventure King' Sunday Express
'Just about the best in the business' New York Post
The discovery of an ancient scroll sends Dirk Pitt on a quest for a mystical treasure from a lost civilization. But the trail draws him into the crosshairs of a ruthless international drug cartel, a shadowy eco-terrorist, and a looming global climate catastrophe-one that only he can prevent.
'Cussler is hard to beat' Daily Mail
'The Adventure King' Sunday Express
'Just about the best in the business' New York Post
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 19, 2026
Dirk Cussler continues the Dirk Pitt series his father started decades ago, and my guess is the senior Cussler would be quite pleased with the work. Obsidian Sky takes finds the protagonist and NUMA crew off the coast of Italy, where they are drawn into a dangerous rescue of an archaeologist and her team who are trapped by falling rock in a cavern. The team found an ancient scroll believed to be quite valuable and may be elated to a ship that was lost believed to be carrying ten gold panels destined for the ark of the covenant.
The action from there is almost non-stop as bad actors kidnap Gina, the archeologist, and Pitt and his partner Al Giordino in pursuit. Across the globe, Pitt's twin children Dirk J. and Summer, stumble into a drug bust that is connected to an unknown cartel. Turns out the theft of the antiquity and the drug bust are related to a brother and sister from Spain who have their own agendas: he is a narco-dealer and she is an eco-terrorist who is planning to destroy most of the world.
These plot lines all converge and make for a suspenseful action-adventure ride. Dirk Cussler, writing on his own, successfully captures the formulaic approach used by his father in writing the Dirk Pitt series. This one by the way is number 28, making it one of the longest-running series in existence.
If you are familiar with the series you will likely enjoy this new work. If you are new, jump in as you don't need to know all the background to take in the plot and characters.
I give the book 5/5 stars. Its a fun and thrilling read.
My thanks to the publisher G. P. Putnam, author Dirk Cussler, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC.
The action from there is almost non-stop as bad actors kidnap Gina, the archeologist, and Pitt and his partner Al Giordino in pursuit. Across the globe, Pitt's twin children Dirk J. and Summer, stumble into a drug bust that is connected to an unknown cartel. Turns out the theft of the antiquity and the drug bust are related to a brother and sister from Spain who have their own agendas: he is a narco-dealer and she is an eco-terrorist who is planning to destroy most of the world.
These plot lines all converge and make for a suspenseful action-adventure ride. Dirk Cussler, writing on his own, successfully captures the formulaic approach used by his father in writing the Dirk Pitt series. This one by the way is number 28, making it one of the longest-running series in existence.
If you are familiar with the series you will likely enjoy this new work. If you are new, jump in as you don't need to know all the background to take in the plot and characters.
I give the book 5/5 stars. Its a fun and thrilling read.
My thanks to the publisher G. P. Putnam, author Dirk Cussler, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC.
June 19, 2026
I received an advanced review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Clive Cussler adventure books are some of my favorite ones to read, especially during the summer. There’s just something fun about reading a good adventure story and no one does adventure better than Clive Cussler. While Clive has sadly passed on, his son has kept his books alive and his most famous series; the Dirk Pitt novels. Acting as, essentially, modern day Indiana Jones, Cussler’s books follow NUMA director Dirk Pitt as he comes across hidden treasure across the globe. This year, Obsidian Sky is the latest entry in the Dirk Pitt series and it was another excellent entry.
Obsidian Sky follows Dirk Pitt and his best friend Al Giordino as they’re investigating a sunken ship, only to be disrupted by a volcanic disruption that traps a party of archaeologists in a nearby cave system. Pitt and Giordino get caught up in a search for a mythical treasure tied to an ancient civilization. But their search gets them in the crosshairs of a dangerous drug cartel and a zealous ecoterrorist group. It’s up to Pitt and Giordino to help stop a dangerous plan that could create a global catastrophe.
I really liked Obsidian Sky. It was filled with everything that I love about these adventure novels. Plenty of action, historical intrigue, a cast of fun characters, and high stakes that kept me glued to the pages. While yes, these books are very formulaic, it didn’t stop me from enjoying it. I did find this one had a bit of a slower start and it took its time to get into it, but once I did, I had a great time. Overall, another fun adventure in the Dirk Pitt series, though I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favorites. Dirk Cussler is doing a wonderful job keeping the legacy of his father alive. I hope for more!
The Clive Cussler adventure books are some of my favorite ones to read, especially during the summer. There’s just something fun about reading a good adventure story and no one does adventure better than Clive Cussler. While Clive has sadly passed on, his son has kept his books alive and his most famous series; the Dirk Pitt novels. Acting as, essentially, modern day Indiana Jones, Cussler’s books follow NUMA director Dirk Pitt as he comes across hidden treasure across the globe. This year, Obsidian Sky is the latest entry in the Dirk Pitt series and it was another excellent entry.
Obsidian Sky follows Dirk Pitt and his best friend Al Giordino as they’re investigating a sunken ship, only to be disrupted by a volcanic disruption that traps a party of archaeologists in a nearby cave system. Pitt and Giordino get caught up in a search for a mythical treasure tied to an ancient civilization. But their search gets them in the crosshairs of a dangerous drug cartel and a zealous ecoterrorist group. It’s up to Pitt and Giordino to help stop a dangerous plan that could create a global catastrophe.
I really liked Obsidian Sky. It was filled with everything that I love about these adventure novels. Plenty of action, historical intrigue, a cast of fun characters, and high stakes that kept me glued to the pages. While yes, these books are very formulaic, it didn’t stop me from enjoying it. I did find this one had a bit of a slower start and it took its time to get into it, but once I did, I had a great time. Overall, another fun adventure in the Dirk Pitt series, though I wouldn’t say it’s one of my favorites. Dirk Cussler is doing a wonderful job keeping the legacy of his father alive. I hope for more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I have been reading Dirk and Al adventures since my sophomore year in high school, almost as many years now as there are books in this series. I will always be in line on pub date to get a copy of the latest adventure and was excited to be able to get an ARC for this as an early read. Once again, this was a fun, escapism adventure.
Dirk and Al adventures have been going on for over 50 years, with the first published book in 1973, so you have to wonder how can these characters still stay relevant for that long? Clive Cussler developed a formula for his books that has worked and proved time and time again to be entertaining to readers. It's almost like you know what to expect to happen in each of them because of the formula, but you wonder how it's going to get there.
Overall I enjoyed this as a solid read and fan of the series. It had everything you've come to expect in a Dirk Pitt novel, and even added a couple other characters from the NUMA verse for a cameo.
That said for people that have not read the series, I can see something here that might be a turn off, and even as fan of the series, thought could use some polishing. For the fans, we've come to expect that there is going to be some childish and sarcastic dialogue and humor built in, it sometimes lightens the mood or situations. In this novel, it seemed to be a bit overdone, not only with frequency but with some of the comments. It's not that they were bad, but almost seemed like they were forced, and if left out wouldn't have changed anything. The second part was the complex plot. While everything was related and did eventually come together, as it does with the formula, this one felt like the divergence before coming together kept widening and made a little more difficult to track in the middle and then just all came together at the end. Still very enjoyable but pacing was a bit off.
That said, fans of Clive will enjoy this, and if you're looking for a great escapism adventure that's fast paced and will make you smile, pick this up.
I have been reading Dirk and Al adventures since my sophomore year in high school, almost as many years now as there are books in this series. I will always be in line on pub date to get a copy of the latest adventure and was excited to be able to get an ARC for this as an early read. Once again, this was a fun, escapism adventure.
Dirk and Al adventures have been going on for over 50 years, with the first published book in 1973, so you have to wonder how can these characters still stay relevant for that long? Clive Cussler developed a formula for his books that has worked and proved time and time again to be entertaining to readers. It's almost like you know what to expect to happen in each of them because of the formula, but you wonder how it's going to get there.
Overall I enjoyed this as a solid read and fan of the series. It had everything you've come to expect in a Dirk Pitt novel, and even added a couple other characters from the NUMA verse for a cameo.
That said for people that have not read the series, I can see something here that might be a turn off, and even as fan of the series, thought could use some polishing. For the fans, we've come to expect that there is going to be some childish and sarcastic dialogue and humor built in, it sometimes lightens the mood or situations. In this novel, it seemed to be a bit overdone, not only with frequency but with some of the comments. It's not that they were bad, but almost seemed like they were forced, and if left out wouldn't have changed anything. The second part was the complex plot. While everything was related and did eventually come together, as it does with the formula, this one felt like the divergence before coming together kept widening and made a little more difficult to track in the middle and then just all came together at the end. Still very enjoyable but pacing was a bit off.
That said, fans of Clive will enjoy this, and if you're looking for a great escapism adventure that's fast paced and will make you smile, pick this up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Clive Cussler's Obsidian Sky is book 28 in the Dirk Pitt series and it's one of the best I have read in a long time in this series. It's full of twists, turns, history and more with characters that just step off the pages while you read this thrilling book. Dirk Cussler continues his dad's legacy with Dirk Pitt's adventures and in this brand new story set from Greece, Italy, Florida and more we get a sense of how Dirk Pitt evolves while facing danger in a way that always makes me smile each time I read one of these books. He is fearless, determined to do the right thing and make the world a better place regardless of who he is up against. With a trusty team from NUMA helping him along the way, we see how much these characters grow and entertain the readers amid the pages of OBSIDIAN SKY. This time around we have a two plot story that converge together in the last half of the book that blew me away.
The writing is fast and action packed right from the first page. The one thing I enjoy about Clive Cussler books is that he combines history in a way that makes sense within the story and draws the reader in right from the start. It gives more depth to the storyline plus as a motivation for the characters to deal with that leaves me breathless each time. I know that each time I see a Clive Cussler book come out in one of the series he's got, I know I am in for a wild ride from start to finish. Dirk Cussler delivers another tour de Force in OBSIDIAN SKY and I can't wait to see where he goes next in this series. If you enjoy an edge of the seat read that leaves you breathless tillt he last page is read, then get ready for OBSIDIAN SKY. Just make sure to settle in with a good drink or three as this one will capture your imagination right from page one and won't let go untilt he very last page.
This is an Objective Review and Not an Endorsement.
ARC received by Publisher on Netgalley
The writing is fast and action packed right from the first page. The one thing I enjoy about Clive Cussler books is that he combines history in a way that makes sense within the story and draws the reader in right from the start. It gives more depth to the storyline plus as a motivation for the characters to deal with that leaves me breathless each time. I know that each time I see a Clive Cussler book come out in one of the series he's got, I know I am in for a wild ride from start to finish. Dirk Cussler delivers another tour de Force in OBSIDIAN SKY and I can't wait to see where he goes next in this series. If you enjoy an edge of the seat read that leaves you breathless tillt he last page is read, then get ready for OBSIDIAN SKY. Just make sure to settle in with a good drink or three as this one will capture your imagination right from page one and won't let go untilt he very last page.
This is an Objective Review and Not an Endorsement.
ARC received by Publisher on Netgalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dirk Cussler's Obsidian Sky (G.P. Putnam's Sons 2026) is the 28th in the Dirk Pitt Adventures series. This is a long-running action-adventure series by Clive Cussler (later co-authored with others) featuring Dirk Pitt, a charismatic, daring underwater expert and Special Projects Director for the U.S. National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA). Pitt and his loyal crew tackle globe-spanning thrillers involving lost treasures, ancient civilizations, sunken ships, espionage, and world-threatening conspiracies, blending high-tech marine salvage, historical mysteries, and non-stop excitement in the style of a modern Indiana Jones on the ocean.
Obsidian Sky is another action packed intelligent adventure that starts when Dirk is investigating a sunken ship only to be caught up in a volcanic tremor that traps a party of archeologists investigating an ancient scroll found in a now blocked cave. Dirk of course saves them in ways no one else could. No spoilers. Solving the mystery launches him and his sidekick, Al Giordino, on a globe-spanning quest for a mystical treasure tied to a lost civilization. The search entangles them with a ruthless international drug cartel, a shadowy eco-terrorist group, and a looming global climate catastrophe that will take everything Pitt and his NUMA team can do to avert it.
Dirk Pitt Adventures are always fun reads though they have lost a bit of their spark over the years and why this one gets a 4/5 instead of full endorsement. There’s nothing wrong with the story--lots of intelligent action and conversation, well developed likable characters trying to do what’s right against impossible odds. I just got a twinge of template at times. If you’re a Dirk Pitt fan let me know if you do, too. I hope not. I love this series.
Obsidian Sky is another action packed intelligent adventure that starts when Dirk is investigating a sunken ship only to be caught up in a volcanic tremor that traps a party of archeologists investigating an ancient scroll found in a now blocked cave. Dirk of course saves them in ways no one else could. No spoilers. Solving the mystery launches him and his sidekick, Al Giordino, on a globe-spanning quest for a mystical treasure tied to a lost civilization. The search entangles them with a ruthless international drug cartel, a shadowy eco-terrorist group, and a looming global climate catastrophe that will take everything Pitt and his NUMA team can do to avert it.
Dirk Pitt Adventures are always fun reads though they have lost a bit of their spark over the years and why this one gets a 4/5 instead of full endorsement. There’s nothing wrong with the story--lots of intelligent action and conversation, well developed likable characters trying to do what’s right against impossible odds. I just got a twinge of template at times. If you’re a Dirk Pitt fan let me know if you do, too. I hope not. I love this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Clive Cussler's Obsidian Sky, by Dirk Cussler. Thank you to publisher Little, Brown for the free copy for review purposes.
Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dirk Pitt returns in another exciting action adventure, guaranteed to please fans like me.
Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino are on top form in a story involving a mysterious silver scroll, an ancient treasure, a drug operation and an advanced and potentially catastrophic technology. Can they save the world (again)?
All the required elements of a great adventure are here. An ancient treasure, vintage cars, sea battles, gun fights, ground breaking technology, innovative escapes from seemingly impossible situations and mega baddies intent on destroying the world. Dirk and Al are, as always, decent people doing the right thing. The book is just such good fun.
I've read Dirk Pitt adventures since I was a teenager, which was quite a lot more than a few years ago, and they consistently provide excitement, thrills and adventure. The writing style or plot structure hasn't vastly changed over the 50+ years since the series started, even though they are now written by Clive’s son Dirk, but I really enjoy the good old fashioned adventure-vibe these stories have. Yes, you always know how the story will end, but it's a lovely contrast to the stresses of the real world.
Recommended if you want a straightforward adventure story. If you've not read the Cussler adventures before, you can start here or anywhere else as all stories are completely standalone. I'm so glad the series continues.
Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dirk Pitt returns in another exciting action adventure, guaranteed to please fans like me.
Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino are on top form in a story involving a mysterious silver scroll, an ancient treasure, a drug operation and an advanced and potentially catastrophic technology. Can they save the world (again)?
All the required elements of a great adventure are here. An ancient treasure, vintage cars, sea battles, gun fights, ground breaking technology, innovative escapes from seemingly impossible situations and mega baddies intent on destroying the world. Dirk and Al are, as always, decent people doing the right thing. The book is just such good fun.
I've read Dirk Pitt adventures since I was a teenager, which was quite a lot more than a few years ago, and they consistently provide excitement, thrills and adventure. The writing style or plot structure hasn't vastly changed over the 50+ years since the series started, even though they are now written by Clive’s son Dirk, but I really enjoy the good old fashioned adventure-vibe these stories have. Yes, you always know how the story will end, but it's a lovely contrast to the stresses of the real world.
Recommended if you want a straightforward adventure story. If you've not read the Cussler adventures before, you can start here or anywhere else as all stories are completely standalone. I'm so glad the series continues.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dirk and Joe are looking for shipwrecks in the Mediterranean near Pantelleria when an earthquake causes a group of archeologist to become trapped in a cave on the island. Dirk mounts a daring rescue from a cave in the cliff to bring them to safety. While the archeologist were exploring the cave they found a distinctive vase with a golden scroll inside believed to be from an early civilization of sea people. The group takes the scroll to a fellow archeologist who they believe can read the language, but this sets off a group of thugs who want to steal the scroll from them. Thus the adventures begin ! From dangerous car chases, to sinking ships, to a strange power source that melts rock and the eco-terrorist that plans to use it who also has a the brother who runs a major drug smuggling operation, the boys risk their lives to literally save the world. Maybe they find a shipwreck and a fabulous artifact before the end too.
This is an exciting ,edge of your seat , nail-biting thriller, It involves the whole NUMA organization in a race against time. This is an excellent addition to this series!!!!
This is an exciting ,edge of your seat , nail-biting thriller, It involves the whole NUMA organization in a race against time. This is an excellent addition to this series!!!!
November 10, 2026
Dirk Cussler has certainly done a grand job of keeping the Dirk Pitt adventures going, and Obsidian Sky is another thoroughly enjoyable romp. There’s a great mix of ancient mysteries, lost treasure, dodgy characters and enough action to keep you turning the pages.
Dirk and Al are soon up to their necks in trouble, with events in the Mediterranean leading to a much bigger and rather alarming conspiracy. The story takes a few twists and turns, with plenty of narrow escapes, daring rescues and some wonderfully far-fetched moments along the way. The different strands take a little while to fall into place, but there’s never a dull moment once things get going.
Let’s be honest, you know roughly what you’re getting with a Dirk Pitt adventure, but that’s half the appeal. It’s good old-fashioned escapist entertainment, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!
A thoroughly entertaining read and another welcome addition to the series.
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy.
Dirk and Al are soon up to their necks in trouble, with events in the Mediterranean leading to a much bigger and rather alarming conspiracy. The story takes a few twists and turns, with plenty of narrow escapes, daring rescues and some wonderfully far-fetched moments along the way. The different strands take a little while to fall into place, but there’s never a dull moment once things get going.
Let’s be honest, you know roughly what you’re getting with a Dirk Pitt adventure, but that’s half the appeal. It’s good old-fashioned escapist entertainment, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!
A thoroughly entertaining read and another welcome addition to the series.
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An archaeologist is trapped in a cave and rescued by Dirk and Al, makes a discovery that begins an adventure including ancient treasure, drug smuggling, and an out of control ecowarrior. Martina, the ecowarrior, is using a special microwave drill to bring out her vision of rescuing the planet. Her brother is not content with his current fortune and is breaking into the drug business and also collects ancient artifacts, most illegally obtained. As always with a Clive Cussler adventure, Dirk and Al (and also Summer and Dirk Jr) perform crazy, fun, impossible actions to achieve save themselves, others, and the world.
Always a fun read, Obsidian Sky is a wild adventure of nonstop action.
Thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.
Always a fun read, Obsidian Sky is a wild adventure of nonstop action.
Thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
October 6, 2026I have read several of Clive Cussler’s books written by his son Dirk. Each time I’ve enjoyed them and this one doesn’t disappoint. The situation is tense from the start, which is exactly what I want when I am reading one of these books. The characters get into all sorts of hijinks and troubled situations, and out of them each time.
This book feels like a warm slightly patriotic hug, which is exactly why I read these books at all. I want to know that the good guys win, they have cool gadgets, and learn a little bit about another country or another era.
This book checked all of those points for me and was fun to read throughout. Definitely recommend for action and adventurer.
This book feels like a warm slightly patriotic hug, which is exactly why I read these books at all. I want to know that the good guys win, they have cool gadgets, and learn a little bit about another country or another era.
This book checked all of those points for me and was fun to read throughout. Definitely recommend for action and adventurer.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dirk Pitt is a main stay of modern adventure fiction for a reason! Obsidian Sky is full of great action, unique set pieces and throw away one-liners that had me grinning.
Author Dirk Cussler artfully weaves the archeological intrigue and contemporary issues into a kinetic and enjoyable story.
This is the one-two punch of action and adventure in its truest sense.
Author Dirk Cussler artfully weaves the archeological intrigue and contemporary issues into a kinetic and enjoyable story.
This is the one-two punch of action and adventure in its truest sense.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. Clive Cussler was one of my favorite authors when I was younger, I still have a shelf full of his books. Some are compelling enough to pick up and reread and enjoy the adventures of the NUMA crew. I requested this book on a whim based on the title and description. I haven't read a Clive Cussler book since he passed. I was pleasantly surprised by Dirk's take on the series. It still has the formula that worked so well with the past story first and then present day. The main characters were just as charismatic and engaging as I remembered. While the general idea of how the book would go has a set formula, the historical and current times blend makes it entertaining. I enjoy fast paced action stories, there were a few times the pacing dipped slightly and the beginning took a little bit to get moving but there were high enough stakes to keep the momentum. Overall I enjoyed the book and it would be perfect for a plane ride or vacation read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews