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bookslayer's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
laticsexile's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Nostalgia can only get you so far. I read a number of MacLean's books as a kid in the 1970's, but not this one. I didn't care much for the narration, which didn't help, and the plot has holes you could drive a nuclear submarine through. Some nice historical detail and the naval stuff is pretty solid, but it's not one of his better efforts.
nedpatrick's review against another edition
3.0
This book is best described as a Cold War espionage mystery. The writing is full of too much wit for modern audiences. There were some interesting parts but I might recommend the movie instead.
elleyureled's review against another edition
5.0
Completely different from the film. Both are enjoyable for their own reasons. Alistair MacLean is still the best when it comes to the action espionage thriller.
scent_of_a_tome's review against another edition
5.0
There aren't enough stars on good reads!
God!
You know how sometimes you've to just stop, catch your breath and stare at absolutely nothing in an attempt to fathom the pure brilliance of something that just happened in a book!? Well, I found myself doing that constantly!
It was so darn gripping, so different from anything I've ever read! The plot, the characters, the twists! Arg! No wonder my mum has a horde of Alistair MacLeans!
The first couple of chapters are a bit slow, but if you stick with it, it will blow.your.mind!!
I can't wait to pick up another one 😋♥️
God!
You know how sometimes you've to just stop, catch your breath and stare at absolutely nothing in an attempt to fathom the pure brilliance of something that just happened in a book!? Well, I found myself doing that constantly!
It was so darn gripping, so different from anything I've ever read! The plot, the characters, the twists! Arg! No wonder my mum has a horde of Alistair MacLeans!
The first couple of chapters are a bit slow, but if you stick with it, it will blow.your.mind!!
I can't wait to pick up another one 😋♥️
3hundtony's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dmcke013's review against another edition
3.0
Cold-War set thriller, by an author that (for some reason) I associate more with World War 2 settings, this concerns the journey of the Atomic submarine Dolphin to the Arctic, in order to rescue the survivors of the adrift Ice Staion of the title.
I also feel that this could be split into 3 very distinct sections - the journey to the Arctic, the search and rescue of the survivors, and the journey back, with it transpiring in the middle section that the Ice Station had been sabatoged, rather than just plain unlucky, and with it furhter being revealed in the final section that the saboteour is still alive and on the sub ...
While it may be slightly dated now (in that the USSR is no longer in existence) and in some of the state-of-the-(then)-art technology, this is still an enjoyable read once you put yourself into the right mindset!
I also feel that this could be split into 3 very distinct sections - the journey to the Arctic, the search and rescue of the survivors, and the journey back, with it transpiring in the middle section that the Ice Station had been sabatoged, rather than just plain unlucky, and with it furhter being revealed in the final section that the saboteour is still alive and on the sub ...
While it may be slightly dated now (in that the USSR is no longer in existence) and in some of the state-of-the-(then)-art technology, this is still an enjoyable read once you put yourself into the right mindset!
davidgeddess's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
katherineannpotter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
billymac1962's review against another edition
This started off strong for me but past the halfway point it started to lose me.
I just don't find the narrative engaging enough. It's very matter of fact and I'm really not feeling anything for the characters. The situation, sure, does have tension, but it's just missing that extra thing that makes me feel for the characters. There are still 130 pages to go but I want to move on to something else now.
I just don't find the narrative engaging enough. It's very matter of fact and I'm really not feeling anything for the characters. The situation, sure, does have tension, but it's just missing that extra thing that makes me feel for the characters. There are still 130 pages to go but I want to move on to something else now.