David Erickson's Reviews > Treasure of Khan

While I understand that the Cussler novels are mass market and formulaic, I still think the quality of writing matters. Of the dozen or so Cussler novels I've read, this isn't the best written. Yes, it was an entertaining read, but certainly not up to the quality and sheer enjoyment pleasure of, say Spartan Gold or The Chase.

The short of it is, a Mongolian descendant of Ghenghis Kahn wants to return Mongolia to its former glory by cornering the oil markets of major nations. He does this using a device that causes earthquakes. The sheer massiveness of the endeavor and the destructive forces unleashed are the stuff of pure fantasy, but then this is fiction, is it not?

While certainly larger than life, the characters (who I've come to know well) are believable and quirky enough to be entertaining by themselves. The story line moves along with Cussler's usual efficiency as the protagonists meet and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

For a mass market Cussler novel, this was okay, but not great. If you like Cussler, it's worth the read.