Dragon (Mass Market Paperback)

The hero, Dirk Pitt, is faced with a daunting challenge of locating several nuclear bombs that are smuggled into the United States. A highly nationalistic Japanese executive is behind the controls of what could be the biggest terrorist plot in U.S. history. Pitt, Giordino along with a few other intelligence personnel, must also locate this ruthless tycoon's operating center and destroy it before it's too late.

Very intense story though Cussler could have done without using racial epithets to describe the Japanese people. I was not really bothered by it initially until our great hero, Dirk Pitt and his sidekick, Al Giordino, began using it also.

As far as Pitt novels go, this one wasn't bad, but definately not the best. All the usuals are here, including Pitt's relationship with Loren Smith, his best friend Al Giordino, and James Sandecker. The great things about this book is that it's long and filled with action. As usual with Pitt novels, 500+ pages that are filled with action is enough to keep you entertained for a long time. Too long unfortunately. I thought that they could have done without 100-150 pages in this book. It actually took me 3 months to read. Usually when I get a good book, especially a Pitt novel, I'm done in a week. I think I was bored with this one because Pitt was facing a human enemy and searching for a human threat. The past novels have always featured some strange phenomenon or Pitt discovering some famed treasure, which make for a great read. Facing off against the Japanese made it just like any other novel.

My other problem with Dragon is Pitt's love interest. In the past novels, Pitt is always introduced to some new woman. The same goes here, but her character was really poorly developed. It pretty much amounted to nothing more than a single sexual encounter, which isn't like Cussler. The last few pages of the novel do feature enough intrigue and suspense though to make me want to pick up the next novel right away.

If you're a fan of the series, I definately suggest picking up "Dragon." But if you're looking for a good Cussler novel to wet your teeth with, I'd suggest skipping this one and going straight to "Pacific Vortex."

That said, the canny old adventurer is up to his usual tricks- rescuing damsels in distress, killing bad guys, and of course saving the world. Dragon has a somewhat different taste from most of the other novels in that, save for a few scenes astride the main action, there isn't any hidden treasure involved. There's also more skulking around than is typical for Cussler's writing. Despite this, there is no doubt that this is classic Dirk Pitt, now placed in opposition to the gaunt specter of Japanese businessmen out to conquer the free world.

Naturally, they don't stand a chance. The outcome is pretty decided in any Cussler novel, but getting there is all the fun. I couldn't put this book down- the pace just doesn't let up. And if a bit of reality-swallowing was necessary to get through, it was a small price to pay for yet another swashbuckling adventure with Dirk Pitt.