Lost City

This was given to me by a friend who said I would love the book. Unfortunately for me, I thought some of the situations Kurt et al found themselves in seemed to have too easy an escape route. An unlocked door, an aeroplane just being there, friends just waiting in the exact place on an island. However, the book itself was well written and descriptive, and I would read other books by this author. ( )

My blog post about this book is at this link. ( )

This was my first Cussler book and I must say I enjoyed it, mainly for the lack of brainpower required to process the adventures and plots. And Lost City certainly has adventure.

After a couple of opening vignettes that aren’t really explained until further in the book, the book launches into a mixture of plot lines that inevitably and predictably converge. We are introduced to a cast of characters including, among others: the hero, Kurt Austin; his wisecracking sidekick Joe Zavala; the damsel-in-almost-continual-distress, Skye Labelle; Angus MacLean, a Scottish scientist with a mysterious background; and the evil Fauchard clan, the dynasty supposedly responsible for most, if not all the wars in the history of planet Earth. Along the way, we come across a frozen Fauchard, murderous mutants, exceptionally expanding enzymes, and a plot for permanent, perpetual power. The pace is swift with excitement at every turn of the page.

The story follows our heroes as they try to unravel the mystery behind a frozen man found in a glacier in the French Alps, along with a peculiar helmet. The helmet is apparently important to someone since it becomes the focus of several bad guys trying to steal it and doing whatever they can to ensure it's kept secret. Meanwhile, in an area known as the Lost City (hence the title), underwater scientists have discovered an enzyme with peculair traits. These scientists are kidnapped and forced to join a research team who, along with Angus, are trying to manipulate the enzymes to produce a life-prolonging elixir or philosopher's stone. Unfortunately, previous attempts have resulted in hideous and dangerous mutations in the first human "volunteers." Behind it all is Racine Fauchard, current head of the arms industry dynasty mentioned before. Along the way, we also learn that the enzymes are starting to produce a rather nasty side affect and threaten to take over the entire world's waterways.

The characters and general storyline are very predictable. Austin is every bit the embodiment of Hollywood heroics -- daring, handsome, quick witted, and having a plan for every dangerous spot he or any other character finds themselves. I almost expected him to introduce himself as “Austin -- Kurt Austin.” The Austin-girl, Skye, is smart, beautiful and just as quick witted. The good guys are extraordinarily good and the bad guys despicably evil. You can pretty much guess the ending, including how the ever-spreading water enzymes are battled.

Even though the book is quite predictable, it is enjoyable nonetheless. At the end of a long, stressful day, it’s nice to sit down with a book and disengage your brain for awhile with some good adventure. ( )

Good read this book, it could have been cut in half for again, too much details on situation not needed to tease my brain.

A good book about adventure and archaeology, mixed with a touch of romance to bring color to it. ( )

I continue to read the Kurt Austin books because they are a form of fast-paced, light entertainment. Unfortunately, they never rise to the level of interest and excitement that Cussler seems to reserve for the Dirk Pitt novels. Lost City had its interesting moments, but it never quite rose above being anything other than marginally entertaining. If you're not already a fan of the Kurt Austin series, you can probably find better things to read. ( )