Shadow Tyrants

Oregon Files #13

by Clive Cussler, Boyd Morrison

Only Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon stand between two warring moguls and global havoc in this thrilling suspense novel in Clive Cussler's #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Nearly two thousand years ago, an Eastern emperor charged a small group with safeguarding a body of knowledge and secrets powerful enough to change the history of mankind.They went down in legend as the Nine Unknown Men - and now two rival factions of the descendants are fighting a mighty battle.

Both sides think they are saving the world, but one of them is willing to use horrifying means to accomplish its goals. Now it is up to Cabrillo and his team of expert operatives to stop both of them from the destructive path they're on, and save the earth from a dynasty of terror.

Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Thriller, Action, Audiobook, Mystery, Suspense

387 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2018

About the author

Cussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.

Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.

In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.

Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).

Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was 261BC when an Emperor formed a small group of men called the Nine Unknown Men - as they were all unknown to each other - to safeguard nine scrolls which contained secrets and knowledge that would change history. Through the years, descendants of those men continued with the legacy, until current day, when today's nine men were in disagreement with each other. The fighting over what would occur saw deaths and carnage, as the one with the most power was determined to win over everyone.

Enter Juan Cabrillo and his team of elite specialists on the ship, the Oregon, as they followed the clues, and intercepted messages, determined to stop the destruction that was headed their way.

Shadow Tyrants is the 13th in the Oregon Files series by Clive Cussler and once again it was filled with gripping tension, high stakes, almost impossible operations, and a special group of people, led by Juan, aboard their high-class ship, the Oregon. I'm really enjoying this series, probably more than any other of the author's series, but I'll get to them too :) Recommended.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read many of the Cussler books over the years and have sampled all the various series. I have settled on following the series: “The Oregon Files”. This is book thirteen in the series. I particularly enjoy how Cussler always opens with a storyline for ancient times then moves something about the ancient story into the present time. In this book it starts 2000 years ago as an emperor avoids a coup and entrusts nine scrolls to nine people. In modern time Juan Cabrillo and crew have to deal with the descendants of the nine individuals.

The book is well written and is non-stop action. The plot twists and turns and the suspense at times is almost unbearable. The characters are interesting even the bad guys. As always, the book is hard to put down. I think this story is one of his better storylines. It was great to visit the crew of the Oregon; can hardly wait for the next episode.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten and a half hours. Scott Brick does an excellent job narrating the book. Brick is an actor and a well-known audiobook narrator. Brick has won twenty Earphone Awards and the 2003 Audie Award in the Best Science Fiction category. I always enjoy listening to his pleasant voice.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for Shadow Tyrants: Oregon Files, Book 13 (audiobook) by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison read by Scott Brick.

The Oregon ends up saving humanity from two powerful billionaires that are battling each other to shape humanity to the will.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is almosta a 5 but not quite. A tad more history on the 9 and more intrigue with that sideline along with AI and it would have been. I still love the boat cast crew.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A two thousand year old conspiracy is trying to take over the world. Juan Cabrillo and the gang try to stop them.

Pretty good, lots of derring do, and betrayals among the villains. One of the better Cussler books this year.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Oregon Files group of Clive Cussler books. This story was excellent. The combination of ancient vow, technology, great tactics on both battle sides and a style of writing that, for me, was like watching an action movie - in my mind. Unputdownable.

[Eli - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Oregon files down, quality, original story, and fast paced.

[Ryan Steck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon are back for more action in the 13th installment of Clive Cussler’s (Typhoon Fury, 2017, etc.) bestselling Oregon Files series.

Thousands of years ago, an Eastern emperor assembled a group of men to safeguard secrets that, should they get out, could forever alter the future of mankind. Together, they became known throughout history as the Nine Unknown Men. Now, in the present day, the group’s descendants are at odds, with eight of the nine hellbent on creating a secret cabal to rule the world.

Romir Mallik is the lone defector at odds with the other eight, who together have created Colossus, a supercomputer capable of evil things. Mallik has an intricate plan to destroy the AI, but it carries some risk–which he justifies, believing it’s the only option available. With both sides convinced they’re the good guys doing what needs to be done to protect the earth, it ultimately falls to Juan Cabrillo. . .

Continue reading the review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2018/08/05...

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of moving pieces in this release in the Oregon series. Some complex potting, a lot of action, and some great character work. I'm not the least bit surprised with a team like Cussler and Morrison. The Oregon series continues to impress!

One point stands out in this book. Every Cussler book starts with a prologue. Some have very little to do with the events of modern time when all is said and done. This book struck me as having the most impactful of those in recent memory. The events of ancient time had a profound impact on the characters of today.

[Gerald Kubicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cusslers characters are always either good or evil. Alot of both in this book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up
Still love this series, the characters are great, and their exploits are entertaining.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins in typical Cussler fashion, with a prologue set in the past that lays the groundwork for the conflict that drives the story. Two thousand years ago, an Eastern warlord charged nine of his most trusted allies with the safeguarding of potentially world-changing secrets recorded in the scrolls of knowledge. These allies became the "Nine Unknown", and their secrets were preserved and passed down over the generations. Unfortunately human nature being what it is...it seems that these nine don't really have humanities well being at heart but their own and their massive fortunes. Eight of the "Nine Unknown" have created a powerful AI known as The Colossus, through the use of which they plan to form a cabal which will rule the world, even if it means wreaking havoc in the process. The lone holdout among the nine believes The Colossus must be destroyed at all costs, and has formulated his own plan, one that involves killer satellites and also carries the potential for global devastation. With both factions convinced that any costs are worth the long-term benefits, it is up to our hero...Juan Cabrillo and his crew of the Oregon to intervene in time. If your computer doesn't work tomorrow or your car won't start...you'll know he failed.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oregon is a high tech (close to science fiction) ship disguised as a tramp freighter. It carries a troop of mercenaries that range from computer geeks, engineers, scientists, special forces fighters and you name it. Think Mission Impossible. Think James Bond. Think covert CIA.

While the books are many in the series they are each written as stand alone. For me they are candy or, as coined on a Goodreads Group, popcorn. Fun action, adventure tales. No thinking required. A terrific break from more serious reads.

I think I have read them all, so forgot to look to find this most recent book and yet another numbered 14, which I'll devour next. Then back to other reads.

Clive Cussler and his band of co-authors churn out books the way dairy farms churn out butter.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is why I love Clive Cussler books. Never in a million years would I be looking up Ashoka Wheel on the internet! The Oregon Files is one of my favorite series, while I wish there were more action on the Oregon than what was in this book I will continue to read this action adventure series. I love the Oregon crew.

[Christian D. D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cabrillo vs. The Nine Ne’er-Do Wells!

Juan Cabrillo and his intrepid crew of the Oregon are back in action for another fun-filled adventure, this time against two sets of well-heeled villains who are also fighting each other (as they might call it in the WWE, a “Triple Threat Match”); one set of master villains attempts to take over the world via an ultra-powerful form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that makes SkyNet (from the Terminator film series, for the benefit of those who’ve missed that reference), whilst the other plans to wield a bastardised EMP weapon that threatens to turn back the clock on civilisation. Pick your poison, eh!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another action filled and well written Clive Cussler novel. Lots of action and well developed plot with many of your favorite NUMA characters led by the Chairman. It revolves around the nine unknowns from India who try to take over the world with "The Colossus" computer. This was another audiobook/ dog walking adventure for me and the canines. Unlike many of his novels, Cussler DOES NOT appear in the storyline.

[Sic Transit Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

With "Typhoon Fury", I had felt that Boyd Morrison was finally making progress towards Jack du Brul's (previous collaborator for the Oregon Files) level of awesomeness. In "Shadow Tyrants", however, Boyd seems to have stalled out.

The action is alright, and plentiful at least. The plot is decent. I liked how there were two bad guys, each fighting the other as well as the Corporation to achieve world dominance. Characterization isn't stellar, but we do at least learn a bit more about Raven, whom Morrison seems intent on making an integral part of the crew. But despite this, the whole book seemed rather...flat.

Yes, there were explosions and action and dram and adventure. Yes, there were high stakes and screw ups and chance happenings. And yet I can't help but feel that the novel was lifeless. The plot lacked pacing, for one. The Oregon is even more overflowing with one-off gadgets for another (seriously, do we need a revolutionary new tech for the ship every book?). But what really clinched it for me were the characters. The Oregon Files has always been about the diverse cast of characters, from the enigmatic Juan to the ironic Linda to the nerdy Mark. However, Boyd Morrison has really struggled to impart good characterization to each actor, not just in this book, but all his previous Oregon Files collabs as well. It's a shame, too because without interesting characters, "Shadow Tyrants" and the Oregon Files are just another generic thriller series.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic, with most of the common Cussler tropes you expect - a historical intro with oddly stilted conversations, exotic locations, and a few nice set-piece action scenes. Additional surprises in this one were *SPOILERS*







a dual set of villians with competing objectives and a lack of crossover material with other series - no mention of Perlmuter, Pitt, the Fargos or any others. All in all, a good read.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Shadow Tyrants drops us back into the “Oregon Files” universe, where Juan Cabrillo and his morally flexible, hyper-competent crew face off against, you guessed it, AI that may or may not want to rule humanity. A shadowy cabal of elites believes artificial intelligence is the logical next step for human governance. Why let flawed, emotional people run the world when a cold, calculating machine can do it worse but faster?

Cue cyber warfare, global destabilization, covert ops, betrayals, and a ticking clock that gets reset every 30 pages just to keep your blood pressure elevated.

The plot moves at a dead sprint: AI manipulation, governments compromised, secret factions fighting other secret factions, and enough double-crosses to qualify as a fencing tournament. The Oregon crew bounces from crisis to crisis, trying to stop a system that can outthink them and outpredict them. It’s slick, constant, and never boring. But original? Let’s not kid ourselves.

At this point, “AI threatens humanity” is less a plot and more a genre tax. This book joins a very crowded shelf that includes: The Terminator (Skynet did it first), The Matrix (Skynet, but philosophical), Westworld (Skynet, but sexy), Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (Skynet, but with Tom Cruise) and countless Tom Clancy imitators where an algorithm learns emotions and immediately chooses violence. So yeah, Shadow Tyrants doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it just sets the wheel on fire and rolls it downhill at your face.

The bad guys want AI dominance because… humanity bad, efficiency good, trust us bro. Their logic wobbles if you stare at it too long. Then there’s the counter bad guy, whose motivations are even murkier with less “grand philosophy” and more “because the plot needs another threat right now.”

Do their plans hold up under scrutiny? No.
Do you care while missiles are launching and systems are collapsing? Also no.

But here where the book earns its stars: pacing and tension. Morrison’s influence is obvious—short chapters, constant escalation, clean action beats. Even when the logic frays, the pacing never does. The story is always moving, always threatening catastrophe, and occasionally pulling off genuinely clever twists.

Is it as strong as Typhoon Fury? Not quite.
Does it hit the inventive highs of the Jack Du Brul collaborations? No.
But it does keep its foot on the gas and refuses to let the reader breathe.

What really works is how this series elevates the Cussler brand. Compared to the Dirk Pitt novels where luck, charm, and miraculous survivals reign supreme, Shadow Tyrants feels sharper, darker, and a touch more violent. The characters bleed more. The victories cost more. The smiles come later, if at all.

Shadow Tyrants is a fun, fast, occasionally creative techno-thriller trapped inside a very familiar AI apocalypse costume. It doesn’t break new ground, its villains are philosophically shaky, and it won’t convert skeptics—but it will entertain you for a few high-octane sittings.

Not essential Clive Cussler reading.
Not a classic.
But absolutely a solid, sarcastically enjoyable ride and fully worthy of the “cozy thriller” genre it belongs in.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:

Boyd Morrison, one of the Clive Cussler Universe shadow writers, delves into the edge of the metaphysical in 'Shadow Tyrants,' or at least mysticism or mythology. The storyline is driven by the legacy of Ashoka the Terrible, the Kalinga King of the Mauryan Empire that supposedly ruled most of the Indian Subcontinent in 26 BC. After slaughtering tens of thousands in the military campaign of conquest, Ashoka waxes sentimental, regretting the massive loss of life of the campaign. His penance is to leave the secrets of science to posterity, but not so easily accessible; he parses out the nine parts of science in scrolls to nine randomly selected commoners, with instructions to retain their scrolls in secrecy.

Fast-forward two millennia and the Nine Unknown have not only cast aside their vows to secrecy but they meet with each other periodically to assess the potential for a joint revelation. Two of the nine, Romir Mallik and Xavier Carlton, are less patient and more ambitious than the others, deciding to manifest the totality of the nine scrolls in a coordinated effort to take control of the world. Mallik's Orbital Ocean satellite network will enable Carlton's fleet of Colossus ships, each transporting one of the four biocomputers that will link up to control all computer microchips via the Internet. And the operating system of Colossus is artificial intelligence, where computers come alive, ensuring their survival via protective security measures.

Enemy suppression is another of Mallik's duties, which he employs via satellite-based EMP disablement of a staged enemy, then sending in the nerve agent Novichok to wipe out the defenders. In fact, the American sailors on Diego Garcia narrowly avoid mass death when Juan Carillo all but demands DCI Langston Overholt authorize deployment of the top secret program Theseus. Turns out the Global Positioning System's constellation of satellites is controlled by an equally secret unit at Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs. With the options being expose the top secret Theseus or allow the units at Diego Garcia to be wiped out, the DCI relents, ordering Barbara Goodman to deploy Theseus around a narrow arc including Diego Garcia. Theseus, never tested before, does its job by temporarily skewing GPS signals in the area by ten degrees, adequate for the Novichok-armed, GPS-guided cruise missile to detonate ten miles away from the Indian Ocean atoll.

I've given you the playbook, now you'll have to discover the screenplay that makes 'Shadow Tyrants' a compelling read and thriller. We've seen any number of plots to control the world in novels over the past four decades, but this one, drawing on ancient secrets of our universe, has a trace of access to the continuum Edgar Cayce spoke of--the Akashic record. Some might think this too close to fantasy to believe, but it sure as hell makes for interesting reading!! But I think fantasy can be as real as you're lucky to experience!

[Michael crage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new book about the Oregon crew. In this book, they have to literally save the world as we know it. Over 1800 years earlier Maurgar Emperor Ashoka The terrible becomes remorseful for all the bad he has done conquering the Indian Subcontinent. His top general, Kartlar, realized this and felt that this would cause his legacy to be lost. He had the Librarian killed and all 9 scrolls which within them, contained all of the knowledge of the world. After Ashoka kills Kartlar, he had his brother, Vit, find nine ordinary men and give each of them one of the scrolls. The scrolls get passed down to their descendants continuing to today. Each of these descendants have become extremely rich. They have devided into to camps each of which could destroy the world as known today. Chairman Jaun Cabrillo and his Oregon crew have to stop both groups.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of an ancient empire that starts in 260 BC and the ancient scrolls of knowledge and secrets the empire possessed. The emperor charged a group of men with safeguarding the scrolls, who became known as the Nine Unknown Men. Suddenly, 2 warring ancestors of this group of the Nine Unknown men surface, each with a different view of the future of our world. Juan Cabrillo and his crew of the Oregon must neutralize both factions, if our world is to survive as it is. The book is an action filled, thrilling race to save our world, that I enjoyed from beginning to end. This installment of the Oregon Files does not disappoint!

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turning adventure featuring Juan Cabrillo and the team from the Oregon. They are trying to stop an AI super computer from taking over the world and they are trying to stop a group of satellites that will stop all computers in world working. The book is fast paced and page turning. It was an easy quick read.

[John W Tice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Tyrants - Cussler

I have been reading Cuddler for years and never tire of his plots past, present or future. This novel presents some very real concerns when science goes unchecked. Great plot and some not so great characters. I like the Oregon Files and Dirk Pitt and the gang.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure!

[Jim Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Again a really great book in this series. Some of this stuff could happen in my lifetime. I will keep reading this series

[Fred Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was really good!

[Mark Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Cussler

Great stuff, and in the era of ChatGPT, definitely enough to make you think philosophical thoughts. A fun read with a few very serious questions included in it.

[Mike Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Tyrants

Good story, secret organizations, EMP , biological warfare and AI computing. What more could you want from a story? Nothing.

[Jim McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another terrific Juan Cabrillo story on the Oregon. Layers of intrigue and excitement as Juan and crew save the world one more time. It would have been a 5 star rating but the authors allowed Juan's vhf radios and comm links to work during the time the bad guys had knocked out all solid state electronic devices as the story climaxed. Could have been an oversight, but I suspect it was a lazy and expedient way to help end the story.