Shadow Tyrants

By: Clive Cussler, Boyd Morrison

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 number one New York Times best-selling series. 

Nearly 2,000 years ago, an Eastern emperor charged a small group with safeguarding 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 their descendants are fighting a mighty battle. Both sides think they are saving the world, but their tactics could very well bring about the end of humankind. Soon, Juan Cabrillo and his team of expert operatives aboard the Oregon find themselves trapped between two power-hungry adversaries, both of whom are willing to use shocking means to accomplish their goals.  

Cabrillo and the team must divide and conquer as they fight dual threats, which include a supercomputer at sea and satellites that can wipe out technology across the globe - including the high-tech weapons on the Oregon. The crew must rely on their unique skills to stop the tyrants in their tracks and save the Earth from a dynasty of terror.

©2018 Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Overall, this was a pretty average book.

Unfortunately the quality of all the Cussler series, with the sole exception of the Isaac Bell series, has been steadily dropping off. From the first book in the series I have loved The Oregon Files books. They were always more action packed, more exciting, more edge of you seat, can't put it down. Even when the Dirk Pitt books stopped being good (exactly when Dirk Cussler started writing them) and when the Kurt Austin books got really bad, this series was still very good. This one, and the previous book, were both just merely average. Same with the Fargo books. They were good for a while, but the last one was a snooze fest. Looks like at this point the only series left worth buying is Isaac Bell. Very disappointing. Scott Brick was great as always, but he just didn't have a lot to work with here.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Action packed

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.

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.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Getting too formulaic

I have always loved the Oregon Files books, however they are just getting a bit too formulaic. Scott Brick is great as the narrator, as usual. And I love the actual Oregon crew characters. But the story was boring to me because I felt I was listening to the same old story with only different evil geniuses and locations. I got bored about half way through and am going. to return it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Shadow Tyrants

I always listen to Clive Cussler stories. I don't put down my kindle until the story is done and this story is a great example of a other Clive Cussler work.

Cussler Great

enjoyable action and history. great read filled with adventure and excitement. Cussler never fails to provide enjoyment

Overworked

The plot was too complex to be believable. A new character was introduced to the Oregon's compliment, but it wasn't enough to carry the story. Scott Brick was great as usual, but the story was not Cussler's best.

Frank H.

This is a nonstop action story! Also a cautionary tale as AI technology progresses. Scott Brick is the best!

loved it

loved the capturing plot and the way it was narrated. always super entertained by Clive Cussler's writtings

never disappointed

I love listening to Clive Cussler books. bit even more so when narrated by Scott Brick. Finished this one quickly because I couldn't turn it off. I hope for a few more new Oregon Files!

Not the best of the series.

This was the first time I considered ending a Cussler book early. Not his best work.