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gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
4.0
As always, I'm surprised how much he changes the real world. However, I like that he keeps the changes made to the real world from one novel to the next. The plot was a bit far-fetched, perhaps more than usual, but the way he put all the threads together was very satisfying and fun.
billiehouse's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
If you are looking for an exciting adventure or a real life like escape from this reality any of Cussler’s books would be for you. I personally am the most fond of his character Dirk Pitt and this eighth Pitt book was the best recipe for exciting, out of this world adventure. Think James Bond meets Mitch Rapp. When it comes to Pitt nothing is impossible even if it may be impossible in real life (but if we wanted real life we would just go outside instead of cracking open an awesome book wouldn’t we?). All I need to say about this one is boats, blimps, bruisers, and buried treasure. Go find out the rest for yourself!
littlelady_28's review against another edition
4.0
This book started out kind of slow, but about halfway through, it quickly pulled me in. A couple of complaints though. One, the whole concept of a moon colony just seemed a little far out there, especially for a book taking place in the 1980s. Also, there were two different plot lines going on, and I think Cussler should have just stuck with the moon colony plot, instead of adding the missing treasure of La Dorada into the mix. I also got a little overwhelmed with some of the technical jargon he used when describing the ways Dirk Pitt saved the day. Despite these flaws, the book was entertaining and enjoyable. I give it a B-.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
A wealthy American financier disappears on a treasure hunt in an antique blimp. Okay, that sounds cool.
From Cuban waters, the blimp drifts toward Florida with a crew of dead men—Soviet cosmonauts. Whoa, now you've got my attention.
Dirk Pitt discovers a shocking scheme: a covert group of US industrialists has put a colony on the moon, a secret base they will defend at any cost. You've got to be shitting me!
Threatened in space, the Russians are about to strike a savage blow in Cuba—and only NUMA’s Dirk Pitt can stop them. This sounds awesome!
Cyclops was a thoroughly enjoyable read, as cheesy and as far-fetched as Cussler got during Pitt's early days, but that's hardly a complaint. This is a vintage 80s thriller that I've only discovered because of the new edition, and that cover blurb sold me immediately. I didn't care if it was a republished classic or a new throwback, but I had to read it. No question.
As I read through this, one word kept coming to mind - Moonraker - and that's a good thing. If you remember Bond's most preposterous mission as fondly as I do, then this is the book for you. All that Cold War paranoia, American/Russian/Cuban politics, Space Shuttle excitement, macho sexism, and cartoon violence is here in spades. I loved the idea of a secret USA moonbase that not even the President knows about, and the high-stakes plan to assassinate Castro, destroy Cuba, and frame the CIA was just preposterous enough to be entertaining. Throw in an antique blimp that's as a clever plot-point as it is self-indulgent, and you've got the makings of a kick-ass adventure.
Personally, I would have liked more Space Shuttle action, but given that this hit shelves not long after the Challenger disaster, I'm surprised it was published as-is. The threat of a fatal crash is key to the book's final act, and that had to have made for an awkward read at the time.
Anyway, as much as I loved the Shuttle angle, I would have trimmed the final story arc, as it strays too far into politics, at the expense of the treasure hunt that began it all but, otherwise, Cyclops delivered exactly what I was looking for.
From Cuban waters, the blimp drifts toward Florida with a crew of dead men—Soviet cosmonauts. Whoa, now you've got my attention.
Dirk Pitt discovers a shocking scheme: a covert group of US industrialists has put a colony on the moon, a secret base they will defend at any cost. You've got to be shitting me!
Threatened in space, the Russians are about to strike a savage blow in Cuba—and only NUMA’s Dirk Pitt can stop them. This sounds awesome!
Cyclops was a thoroughly enjoyable read, as cheesy and as far-fetched as Cussler got during Pitt's early days, but that's hardly a complaint. This is a vintage 80s thriller that I've only discovered because of the new edition, and that cover blurb sold me immediately. I didn't care if it was a republished classic or a new throwback, but I had to read it. No question.
As I read through this, one word kept coming to mind - Moonraker - and that's a good thing. If you remember Bond's most preposterous mission as fondly as I do, then this is the book for you. All that Cold War paranoia, American/Russian/Cuban politics, Space Shuttle excitement, macho sexism, and cartoon violence is here in spades. I loved the idea of a secret USA moonbase that not even the President knows about, and the high-stakes plan to assassinate Castro, destroy Cuba, and frame the CIA was just preposterous enough to be entertaining. Throw in an antique blimp that's as a clever plot-point as it is self-indulgent, and you've got the makings of a kick-ass adventure.
Personally, I would have liked more Space Shuttle action, but given that this hit shelves not long after the Challenger disaster, I'm surprised it was published as-is. The threat of a fatal crash is key to the book's final act, and that had to have made for an awkward read at the time.
Anyway, as much as I loved the Shuttle angle, I would have trimmed the final story arc, as it strays too far into politics, at the expense of the treasure hunt that began it all but, otherwise, Cyclops delivered exactly what I was looking for.
failbarge's review against another edition
3.0
Cussler is usually kind of ridiculous, but this plot was utterly ridiculous.
amanda071's review against another edition
2.0
Niets voor mij! Het onderwerp kon me niet interesseren en ook de schrijfstijl sprak me niet aan. Kon mijn aandacht totaal niet bij het verhaal houden...
bieneina's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
thisbookishcat's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Yet another Clive Cussler book that's just okay, yet entertaining enough for me to consider continuing the series. I think this one probably took me the longest to finish in large part because I didn't find it as interesting as some of the other ones. It may be because I wasn't alive during the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, but it just didn't suck me in.