In my opinion the weakest Clive Cussler book.The story just didn't do anything for me. I think he may have tried to hard with this book,maybe started it too soon after RTT to capitalize on it's success.
It does introduce us to Loren though. th:
It starts quite well with the plane in the lake but I really didn't feel any sympathy for Fawkes and the AAR didn't hold my interest at all.(Just my opinion)

I give it a 7 out of 10.

My main gripe on this book is the baobab mistake. They don't grow in Natal.

Unfortunately many authors fold when writing on South Africa, varying from stereotyping, incorrect spellings of names and surnames, and inclusion of phoney incorrect phrases in any of our variety of 11 official languages.

Clive cleverly avoided opinion on the then political situation.

It was an enjoyable read when i read the book. But it did typify or add to the stereotype of the african continent. So my rating for this book is a 7.5

I just caught myself in an error. Somewhere else on the forum, I indicated that I had read all of the books in order, but in fact, I read Vixen 03 before Raise the Titanic, which might explain why I have such positive feelings for it.

To begin with, I think Vixen 03 is my second favorite Cussler book--it's hard to say because Night Probe was pretty damn good too, so maybe it's a tie--and while it is certainly guilty of everything that the rest of you have claimed, I can't help but sing its praises.

Because I did read it ahead of RTT, it was my first exposure to CC's new kind of storytelling; complex, multi-tiered plot with a big cast of characters and a seemingly peripheral involvment of Pitt. I like that in a story...what can I say?
I really liked that the plague organism wasn't the direct threat; have you ever really read another story where a bad guy threatens the world with extinction through a mix up? I liked most of the characters, even the creepy activist Congressman Daggit (sp?) and his attempt at some shenanigans--and Dirk's subsequent F-U! But mostly, Fawkes, one of the most likable villains I've run into.

What's wrong with the story? Hmmm, well it could have been a little tighter. I won't address racial or tribal stereotypes, except to say that as an American, I have absolutely no clue what motivates tribalism, but I know it's the REAL driving force behind most of the problems in the world, and because I and the rest of my country don't understand it, all of our efforts to effect positive change are doomed (whew...did I just go off on a tangent, or what?)

But I love Vixen 03 and give it a 9.9!

I'm a fan of Vixen 03 so I'll give it an hmmm 8.5 th:

I would have to put Vixen 03 at the top of my list. It held my attention because of the lost plane, the battleship Iowa and the introduction of Congresswoman Loren Smith. I'd give it 9.9. But then I love all of Clives books, so it's hard to pick a fave.

Cheers beer:

I quite enjoyed it, though of course it does introduce a few continuity errors.
The cover art is perhaps one of my personal favorites...

it may not have been one of his strongest books, but I enjoyed it too. It's still held my attention and I finished it in 6 hours. It made me want to read the next book. w:

If I had to choose my least favorite book, I would pick Vixen 03. But then there are so many good parts that I would still give it a 8.5!

Foss:

What continuity errors are introduced? I am curious.

I liked the character of Patrick Fawkes. Pieter De Vaal was a convincing villian whose motivations were believable. Hiram Lusana's redemption at the end was also convincing.

I was particularly intrigued by the whole "battleship being retired" plot when at the time (mid eighties) Reagan was investing heavily in the Wisconsin and the New Jersey.

The gunfight at the Raffertys' house was classic. Who could forget Giordino's line, "...I thought that thing on the ground belonged to me!"

Some temporal problems: If Sandecker had served under Walter Bass's command in the Pacific during WWII, he could not be in his SIXTIES for the latest DP books! IMHO that's a forgiveable transgression though - done to cover the aging heroes. para:

One continuity error is Charlie Smith. If he died in Vixen 03, how he could be in Dirk's and Loren's wedding?

I also think that this book isn't Clive's best book but still it was good book. I wasn't able to stop reading. Though it happens to me in almost every book i read. It was little surprising that Emma was a woman. I would like to know why did Emma pretend to be man? What was her motivation to do her line of job? Was it just money or what?

7/10

The ending was the best part of the book, although it did have a strong beginning. The introducing of Loren was well done. I give it an 8.

I just read it again recently, because it is one of my favorites. The whole story stems from Dirk's curiosity almost getting the better of him! I loved the part of the plane search.

The book definitley had its moments!! I'll give it a 7.5 out of 10. th:

Call me crazy but I loved this book and if someone was looking to read a Dirk Pitt Novel for the first time I might suggest starting with this one. I was completely riveted at the end, in fact in a way I got paid to read it. Heres how I finished it.

I happened to be waiting to do my job on a TV show set (I do makeup FX) they kept telling me they would get to me soon. Thats usually what they say. I had brought Vixen 03 along for the ride with 180 pages left to go. I figured well If I have to sit and wait at least I'll have something to do. There was a special FX rigging guy waiting along with me. He was new to Pitt (as am I) and said his wife was a big fan. I joked with him and said well if we sit here long enough I'll finish it and give it to you. The Props guy also a fan, kept walking by me and saying things like Whats Dirk Pitt doing now? I would answer and he would smile and go on about his job...

Hours go by... false alarms to work come and go... I still sit on set reading. 180 pages later I'm done and I still haven't worked yet. I jokingly pass it off to the special FX guy who jumps in hungrily. I tell him to keep the book as a lovely parting gift and pass it on to someone else someday. He agrees. More Hours go by occasionally the fx guys gives me updates as to where he is in the book. I try not to spoil anything.

The powers that be decide they are not going to get to my shot today. The head of the props department comes by to tell me my options. Go home now and comeback tomorrow or perhaps next week, or pass off the job to someone else. I look at him and say what do you want me to do? He smiled and said what would Dirk Pitt do? I laughed and said "have sex with your lovely assistant and then leap out that window after the bad guy." "good luck he says"

Seriuosly this is the next one that should be made into a movie. That ending with the lincoln memorial getting blown apart would rival the superbowl ID4 commercial with the white house exploding.OUT th:

Mike

I haven't read Vixen03 in probably 10 years or so, and I'm just now starting to re-read it. The first section is a wonderfully full of character development. Some of my most memorable descriptions of Dirk's character came from this section, and is Loren not THE perfect woman? If the perfect woman exists, it is Congresswoman Loren Smith. Why Dirk didn't tie her down by the end of this book is beyond me. I'm not sure where the second section is going yet, with the whole Africa bit, but the book is off to a great start. th: th:

...So I just finished the book and, even though I know that many of the members on this forum will disagree, I liked it a LOT better than Night Probe. Don't ask me why, I just thought there was more action, more scandal, more Pitt, more plot, and certainly more of my favorite character (Loren Smith). One of the only questions I am left with, and this may be one of the continuity errors that Foss Gly mentioned, is what ever became of Loren's acceptance of that guy's proposal? The last we hear of it she is cursing Dirk's name into her pillow as she's crying. Hmm.

All in all, a great book. I don't think I would recommend it as a first read because the nudity and romance might scare off some readers since this book is a bit more heavy on that side than some of his others.

I don't know whether this has been raised previosly?

I am always prowling my favourite book websites and I came across a new release Vixen03 Hardcover release date Sept 30 2005 by Buccaneer Books at Amazons

Vixen03 at Amazons

Anyone have any more info about this?

Gary

According to my info, Buccaneer Books released this library edition in 1994. Maybe they're reprinting or they're info is incorrect.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/krome1/library.htm#vixen

It started well, but I feel that it went slowly downhill as the book went on...

7/10

Same feelings here. It started well, it ended well. Too bad the "in between" bits were kinda boring.

also, Unlike the latter DP books, it seemed to me Dirk only entered the equation at the end and it was kinda by accident. He didnt play a role in stopping the "bad guys" until right at the end.

Yeah, I say 6.5/10

I am glad we all read the same book.

I liked the plane in the lake, I found the story intriguing when it dealt with Pitt, and the whole thing with the county couple and the shootout at the cabin - that was great.

Every chapter that took place in South Africa, and the characters there, the group of millitants - I just did not care. I wanted the NUMA and Pitt story to take precendence.

Not crazy about this book overall, but I liked half of it.

I just finished the book recently, and am fairly new to reading CC. I enjoyed the book immensely; I'd give it an 8.5. Granted, I may be a little biased- I used to go to CAP meetings at Buckley Air Field so I have a real soft spot for it.

The one thing I didn't like was Emma. Emma's this great shadowy figure that ends up being cast aside like dirty socks. A character like that should have had more screen time or some kind of background or dialogue giving some insight in to her motivations.

Neil

This is my first post ever, but what a book to start with. I've read all of CC's books and, call me crazy, I have to give a big 10 to all of them. He's a great story teller and keeps me riveted to his books from start to finish. By the way, who cares about continuity errors! The books are fictitious! All that matters is if you enjoy them!

Well said Iyamyas! th: Welcome to the forum w: Post often, this is a great place, so don't be afraid to speak your mind.

WELL IT IS MY FIRST BOOK OF CLIVE THAT I READ TOO...

ITS FOR THE STARTERS AND NEWBIES BEING TO BELIEVE THEY ARE CUSSER FAN...

THIS BOOK IS QUITE INTERESTING AND GOT A LOT OF TWIST FROM THE BEGINNING UNTIL THE END.

Welcome xian! You're right, there were a lot of twists. Enjoy the forum! w:

I wasn't around for some times. But i'm back. (And i'm really glad for it.)

Well, about Vixen... Vixen is a quite good read. Not ''Shock Wave'' or ''Night Probe'' but it is a good read. You can find politics, adventure and romance so it has got everything a book needs to be a good read. 7/10

I really enjoyed this book. There's been a few planes found in lakes of late. One was a b-25 I think. Can only imagine how many more planes are at the bottom of other lakes not to mention oceans.
8 out of 10

I for one would love to go down in a little sub to look around at the wonders that are hidden. Ships, Planes, and whatever b:.