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Oregon Files #14
Final Option
"Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon are back with a new adventure in this thrilling suspense novel in Clive Cussler's #1 New York Times bestselling series"--
400 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 5, 2019
About the author
Clive Cussler
509 books8,116 followersCussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt, in 1973. His first non-fiction, The Sea Hunters, was released in 1996. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York, considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May, 1997. It was the first time since the College was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
Cussler was an internationally recognized authority on shipwrecks and the founder of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, (NUMA) a 501C3 non-profit organization (named after the fictional Federal agency in his novels) that dedicates itself to preserving American maritime and naval history. He and his crew of marine experts and NUMA volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites including the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, the Confederacy's Hunley, and its victim, the Union's Housatonic; the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania; the Cumberland, which was sunk by the famous ironclad, Merrimack; the renowned Confederate raider Florida; the Navy airship, Akron, the Republic of Texas Navy warship, Zavala, found under a parking lot in Galveston, and the Carpathia, which sank almost six years to-the-day after plucking Titanic's survivors from the sea.
In addition to being the Chairman of NUMA, Cussler was also a fellow in both the Explorers Club of New York and the Royal Geographic Society in London. He was honored with the Lowell Thomas Award for outstanding underwater exploration.
Cussler's books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. His past international bestsellers include Pacific Vortex, Mediterranean Caper, Iceberg, Raise the Titanic, Vixen 03, Night Probe, Deep Six, Cyclops, Treasure, Dragon, Sahara, Inca Gold, Shock Wave, Flood Tide, Atlantis Found, Valhalla Rising, Trojan Odyssey and Black Wind (this last with his son, Dirk Cussler); the nonfiction books The Sea Hunters, The Sea Hunters II and Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed; the NUMA® Files novels Serpent, Blue Gold, Fire Ice, White Death and Lost City (written with Paul Kemprecos); and the Oregon Files novels Sacred Stone and Golden Buddha (written with Craig Dirgo) and Dark Watch (written with Jack Du Brul).
Clive Cussler died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 24, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
November 25, 2019
This is book fourteen of the Oregon Files Series. I have become a fan of the Oregon ship and her crew. In this book Juan Cabrillo faces his greatest enemy. His enemy has created a ship just like the Oregon to challenge Cabrillo. The story goes from a mysterious sinking of a nuclear attack submarine to the jungles of Brazil looking for a WWII era weapon.
The book is well written. The plot twists and turns. The action is fast and non-stop. The story kept me on the edge of my chair, and I just could not stop listening to the audiobook. I always have fun with the crew and their fancy toys. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and fourteen minutes. Scott Brick does an excellent job narrating the book. Brick has been the narrator of all the books in the series. I think it is important to keep the same narrator throughout a series.
The book is well written. The plot twists and turns. The action is fast and non-stop. The story kept me on the edge of my chair, and I just could not stop listening to the audiobook. I always have fun with the crew and their fancy toys. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and fourteen minutes. Scott Brick does an excellent job narrating the book. Brick has been the narrator of all the books in the series. I think it is important to keep the same narrator throughout a series.
January 29, 2020
4.5 actually. Another wonderful adventure story in the Oregon files series. I like to use the map app and wikipedia to get the most out of adventure stories. This time I learnt about submarines.
Unputdownable
Unputdownable
January 21, 2020
After having become bored with Cussler stories over the years, I decided to again as this appeared interesting. While better than many others, I will still continue with my moratorium. 4 of 10 stars
March 6, 2023
It is not the first time I read books by Cussler and that in the end I have this impression: that is, the impression that they are really cookie-cutter books, that is, books that have a super-defined and easily recognizable pattern: the hero is quietly making his own business - the villain performs an unholy act towards the hero - the hero seems to suffer at first - then he recovers - launches his attack - wins resoundingly and in style. Well, this book too (original title “Final Option”) is like this, therefore a book easy to read, but which in the end, by changing the names and situations, soon becomes a vague memory in the mind, which gets confused with many others almost the same. In this case, there is even a self-quotation, as Juan Cabrillo, the hero of this book, physically meets Dirk Pitt, another hero from another series by Clive Cussler… More schematic and self-referential than that there is nothing.
August 15, 2021
Highly enjoyable, possibly my favorite of the Oregon files. Going to be sad that the next book is the last in series. For now.
November 10, 2019
This book sets the stage for changes to come in the series. It's a good book, and it's an opportunity for shifts in the dynamics of the series. That could be very interesting given that we're 14 books in. I can't wait to see what happens in the next release.
February 16, 2020
If anyone remembers going to Saturday matinees that ended in a cliffhanger that kept you coming back week after week for more until finally the unforgettable, climatic ending started another adventure the next week...will really love this book. I have read all the previous books in this series and have never been disappointed but this one is on an entirely different level. I can't wait for the next installment to see what the Oregon crew has come up with to carry on their missions. Boyd Morrison really outdid himself here. I learned long ago that fiction was just that...fiction...it's just a story and not reality...but there was one scene in this one that brought tears to my eyes. Bet it won't take most readers long to find it.
December 18, 2019
I love this book! Again, as before, I listened to the audiobook, since I find Clive Cussler books very entertaining in that format. This latest Oregon Files story one is full of action. We go from a rogue German U-boat at the end of WWI to present day where Juan Cabrillo is being hunted by his former partner in the CIA who's out for revenge. These books can be formulaic, but I find this to have many unexpected twists and turns. The cast and crew of the Oregon are a dynamic team who are very entertaining too. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
August 21, 2020
Same futuristic ship disguised as a rusty bucket of bolts. Same skilled troop of mercenaries. Different time. Different places. Different plot.
Fun action - adventure to clean the mind for more serious reading. I'll visit the next edition in a few years, given there is no news on a next book. It's a given Cussler has one in the works. These are money makers for him and his cast of co-authors.
Fun action - adventure to clean the mind for more serious reading. I'll visit the next edition in a few years, given there is no news on a next book. It's a given Cussler has one in the works. These are money makers for him and his cast of co-authors.
November 13, 2019
Oh dear... have to wait a year to know... show me now! :)
The Oregon Files did it again! Fun, fast pace, on edge of your seat excitement and just an awesome crew. Boyd Morrison sends Clive Cussler last book of the year off with a BANG!
The Oregon Files did it again! Fun, fast pace, on edge of your seat excitement and just an awesome crew. Boyd Morrison sends Clive Cussler last book of the year off with a BANG!
November 26, 2019
A satisfying adventure save for the legion of doom bad guy convention that strains credulity in a world where maniacal is a better descriptor of the series collective antagonists much more so than memorable.
August 19, 2020
A great tale to end the saga of a great ship. I wonder what they will come up with next? And who will keep the saga of the Oregon crew going...This series has such a great cast of characters I hate to see it end.
March 4, 2020
The crew of the Oregon Files is hired to rescue some Brazilian spies. It's all a trap by some old enemies that managed to build a replica of The Oregon. That's right the old Evil Twin motif again. This is what, the third time already?
Anyway, the replica is framing the real heroes for various crimes,and the CIA is after them. They have to clear their names, find a sunken WWI sub with a secret weapon, and live to see another day.
Pretty exciting.
Anyway, the replica is framing the real heroes for various crimes,and the CIA is after them. They have to clear their names, find a sunken WWI sub with a secret weapon, and live to see another day.
Pretty exciting.
March 11, 2020
Escapist read, I'd forgo outdoors, while virtually fly, sail, dive, wherever the action calls, always the most scenic and dangerous spots in or close to the sea. High-tech or "post-modern" weaponry blows my less gullible mind, is not preposterous. Characters, too many, may be necessary for the series. Each step they take foreshadows the thrill.
November 12, 2019
Looks like Juan and his magic men and women of the Oregon are going to get a new ship. Cussler's hero's are indestructible, they always come out on top, but they sure do lose a lot of expensive equipment. A good book, now I want to read the next one.
January 26, 2020
Another terrific Juan Cabrillo adventure with a special appearance by Dirk Pitt when he's most needed.
January 6, 2020
From the days of a high school reader of adventure/thriller fiction, for nearly 50 years, Clive Cussler and his stable of writers and series have delivered great entertainment...They have hit another one outta the park with "Final Option"...This one is the 14th of the "Oregon Files" series, one of which Juan Cabrillo and his Corporation must face one of their most terrifying challenges, an evil nemesis from Juan's past as well as a sister ship to the Oregon that can match her technology, but used for evil on the high seas...Great Stuff, begging for more in the series!!!
January 6, 2020
Final Option is a fast moving, action packed & riveting addition to one of my preferred Clive Cussler series - The Oregon (a quasi-military, mercenary crew working covertly for the benefit of the US). Final Option is now among my favorites in this series - well done, gentlemen! I highly recommend Final Option.
I have devoured each of the previous Oregon novels. The characterizations are detailed, believable, and continually developed. I can see the characters in my minds eye as the scenes unfold. Although Final Option is #14 in the series, I believe this novel can easily be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy intricate, page turning, (usually sea faring - a plus for me) novels generally ending with a successful mission.
In Final Option, a bitter past nemesis has prepared an elaborate plot with the multi-pronged goal of ruining Juan’s business and reputation, to publicly humiliate him, then kill his crew and friends while forcing Juan to watch. Juan has other plans.
There are no sexual situations in Final Options. The action is not graphic or dark in nature, and profanity (if any) is extremely minimal. I highly recommend this book and although it is meant for adults, feel it is also appropriate for most young readers of action adventure novels.
I have devoured each of the previous Oregon novels. The characterizations are detailed, believable, and continually developed. I can see the characters in my minds eye as the scenes unfold. Although Final Option is #14 in the series, I believe this novel can easily be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy intricate, page turning, (usually sea faring - a plus for me) novels generally ending with a successful mission.
In Final Option, a bitter past nemesis has prepared an elaborate plot with the multi-pronged goal of ruining Juan’s business and reputation, to publicly humiliate him, then kill his crew and friends while forcing Juan to watch. Juan has other plans.
There are no sexual situations in Final Options. The action is not graphic or dark in nature, and profanity (if any) is extremely minimal. I highly recommend this book and although it is meant for adults, feel it is also appropriate for most young readers of action adventure novels.
December 9, 2019
Fourteenth (but not last) in The Oregon Files action thriller series and revolving around Captain/Chairman Juan Cabrillo and the Corporation aboard the high tech, camouflaged Oregon.
My Take
I never knew that whales in different parts of the world had a different language. It does make sense.
It's a tale of very active vengeance using global third-person subjective point-of-view, and the Oregon has acquired quite a few enemies.
The good guys are characters with their own quirks and commonalties with the typical humor I so enjoy. Each has their strengths that contribute to the whole. There are a number of characters with stereotypes built-in for the bad guys. While the characters do drive the story, it's the action and high-tech that is in prominent play...and you know how giddy I get about the gadgets, lol.
The pace blows hot and cold with those hot spots keeping you wondering how the boys and girls will get out of their terrifying situations and the cold spots are a bit tedious as we move from one action event to the next.
It's those last scenes (before the epilogue) that have me terrified, so you be sure to read that Epilogue! The Final Option is definitely better than the last few, and I can't wait to read the next, especially for the more advanced version of the Oregon!
The Story
It's all in a day for the Corporation when they rescue spies until the news gets out that the Oregon and her crew have gone rogue. Ripping off gun shipments, sinking ships...it's an ugly picture. One that yanks their protection from Overholt and destroys his reputation.
So when Juan's old partner gives him two tasks: keep the sunken Kansas City from blowing up and rescue Langston Overholt from being blown up and drowned...
It follows that Max will be on an epic quest.
The Characters
The one-legged Captain/Chairman Juan Cabrillo, a former CIA agent, runs the Corporation and the Oregon.
The Corporation is...
...a covert organization that performs deeds the US doesn't want in the open AND which are only in America's interests. The members live aboard the Oregon and include Max, a Vietnam veteran, who has charge of Engineering and is Juan's second-in-command as well as president of the Corporation. Eddie Seng is a former CIA Chinese American. A former Navy veteran, Linda Ross is now one of their best sub drivers and is a vice-president of the Corporation. An avid skateboarder, Mark "Murph" Murphy had been a civilian weapons designer for the military. Doctor Julia Huxley is the ship's surgeon; she's a former chief medical officer at the San Diego naval base. George "Gomez" Adams pilots the helicopters and drones; he had been with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, a.k.a., the Nightstalkers. A former Navy SEAL, Franklin "Linc" Lincoln is an expert at assessing threats, evac routes, and any possible hiccups in mission planning. A former Army MP investigator, the Native American Raven Malloy is new and the best shot on the ship and the fastest. The Lebanese American Hali Kasim is the communications officer. Marion MacDougall "MacD" Lawless is a former Army vet. Maurice is the ship's steward who had served in the British Royal Navy for decades with some of that time under Admiral Beale when he was captain of the HMS Invincible. Eric Stone is the helmsman and a former Navy vet. Chuck "Tiny" Gunderson is the Corporation's dedicated airplane pilot. Kevin Nixon is an award-winning Hollywood special effects and makeup artist who runs the Magic Shop aboard the Oregon.
"Jorge González" is a representative of the Bocas Cartel, a cocaine supplier. "Chen Lu" is an envoy for the biggest heroin smugglers in Asia.
CIA, Langley, Virginia
Langston Overholt IV is an administrator and Juan's former boss at the CIA and the man who suggested Juan create the Corporation in the first place. Now he's Juan's contact. Jeff Connolly, a former Navy SEAL, is Overholt's driver and bodyguard. Catherine Ballard runs her own operations at Langley. Patricia Kubo is the director of the CIA.
CIA Agent Jack Perry, aboard the Mantícora is meeting the Portland. Luis Machado is a CIA agent embedded in Ferreira's company. Diego Lopez is another CIA agent faking money laundering skills and attending a soccer game at Maracanã Stadium guarded by the Juáurez Cartel in Mexico. Jessica Belasco is expecting a dead drop.
NUMA is...
...the National Underwater Marine Agency with Dirk Pitt as the director. Vice-president James Sandecker is the original founder of NUMA. The Deepwater is a NUMA research vessel leaving for the Alacalufes National Reserve in Chile. She's captained by Rashonda Jefferson. Amelia Vargas is the Chilean pilot. Dr Mary Harper is the mission's chief scientist and has a PhD in marine biology.
Kansas City , a Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine, has people aboard including the disgruntled Navy SEALs Michael Bradley and Corporal Carlos Jiménez, boat's corpsman Jeremy Noland, and the SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) on top of the sub.
Matheus Aguilar is the harbormaster at Porto de Santos in Brazil who is now regretting some of his bad habits. The Aguilar was a commissioned assault.
Captain Tomás commands the Brazilian Barosso , a corvette.
The sociopathic Zachariah Tate used to be partnered up with Juan in the CIA. The Abtao is captained by Durchenko, Tate's second-in-command.
The one-legged Captain XX
Chester Knight captains the Portland , which has its own submersible, the Deceiver . Its crew consists of men and women who have been "wronged" by the Oregon. Captain White doesn't want an inspection of the Salem . The Norego sailed from Cape Town.
Imito is...
...a clandestine organization that has pulled in a number of bad guys. Abdel Farouk, a former engineer with the Eygptian Navy, and Li Quon are partnered up in a powerboat to spy.
Ricardo Ferreira is...
...a wealthy Brazilian entrepreneur who sells anything under or over the table. Roberto Espinoza is a key player in the Slipstream Project. "Lucas Calvo" works at Ferreira Indústrias Globais.
Colonel Sánchez's cousin was "wronged" by the Corporation. The Colonel runs Las Armas, a covert black hole of a prison.
The Chinese
The Wuzong , a submarine in the People's Liberation Army Navy with an active sonar that sounds like a humpback whale, is commanded by Admiral Yu Jiang, whose brother was killed by the Oregon. The brother, Yu Tien, was the commander of the destroyer Chengdo .
In 1921
Kaptän Hans Schultz and his Bremen U-boat are attacking the Deering. Istvan Horváth, a scientist who created the Irre Waffe, an insanity weapon, the sonic disruptor.
Captain Willis Wormell is in command of the Carroll A. Deering , a schooner.
The Cover and Title
The cover is the blues of deep underwater and the grays of cave walls, floor, and a submarine on fire in shades of oranges and yellows. At the very top is an info blurb in white. Directly beneath is the primary author's name in an embossed red outlined in white. Beneath that includes the secondary author's name in white. The title is at the bottom in an embossed white outlined in red. Below that is some series information in white.
The title is the end and a choice, the Final Option for the Oregon.
My Take
I never knew that whales in different parts of the world had a different language. It does make sense.
It's a tale of very active vengeance using global third-person subjective point-of-view, and the Oregon has acquired quite a few enemies.
The good guys are characters with their own quirks and commonalties with the typical humor I so enjoy. Each has their strengths that contribute to the whole. There are a number of characters with stereotypes built-in for the bad guys. While the characters do drive the story, it's the action and high-tech that is in prominent play...and you know how giddy I get about the gadgets, lol.
The pace blows hot and cold with those hot spots keeping you wondering how the boys and girls will get out of their terrifying situations and the cold spots are a bit tedious as we move from one action event to the next.
It's those last scenes (before the epilogue) that have me terrified, so you be sure to read that Epilogue! The Final Option is definitely better than the last few, and I can't wait to read the next, especially for the more advanced version of the Oregon!
The Story
It's all in a day for the Corporation when they rescue spies until the news gets out that the Oregon and her crew have gone rogue. Ripping off gun shipments, sinking ships...it's an ugly picture. One that yanks their protection from Overholt and destroys his reputation.
So when Juan's old partner gives him two tasks: keep the sunken Kansas City from blowing up and rescue Langston Overholt from being blown up and drowned...
It follows that Max will be on an epic quest.
The Characters
The one-legged Captain/Chairman Juan Cabrillo, a former CIA agent, runs the Corporation and the Oregon.
The Corporation is...
...a covert organization that performs deeds the US doesn't want in the open AND which are only in America's interests. The members live aboard the Oregon and include Max, a Vietnam veteran, who has charge of Engineering and is Juan's second-in-command as well as president of the Corporation. Eddie Seng is a former CIA Chinese American. A former Navy veteran, Linda Ross is now one of their best sub drivers and is a vice-president of the Corporation. An avid skateboarder, Mark "Murph" Murphy had been a civilian weapons designer for the military. Doctor Julia Huxley is the ship's surgeon; she's a former chief medical officer at the San Diego naval base. George "Gomez" Adams pilots the helicopters and drones; he had been with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, a.k.a., the Nightstalkers. A former Navy SEAL, Franklin "Linc" Lincoln is an expert at assessing threats, evac routes, and any possible hiccups in mission planning. A former Army MP investigator, the Native American Raven Malloy is new and the best shot on the ship and the fastest. The Lebanese American Hali Kasim is the communications officer. Marion MacDougall "MacD" Lawless is a former Army vet. Maurice is the ship's steward who had served in the British Royal Navy for decades with some of that time under Admiral Beale when he was captain of the HMS Invincible. Eric Stone is the helmsman and a former Navy vet. Chuck "Tiny" Gunderson is the Corporation's dedicated airplane pilot. Kevin Nixon is an award-winning Hollywood special effects and makeup artist who runs the Magic Shop aboard the Oregon.
"Jorge González" is a representative of the Bocas Cartel, a cocaine supplier. "Chen Lu" is an envoy for the biggest heroin smugglers in Asia.
CIA, Langley, Virginia
Langston Overholt IV is an administrator and Juan's former boss at the CIA and the man who suggested Juan create the Corporation in the first place. Now he's Juan's contact. Jeff Connolly, a former Navy SEAL, is Overholt's driver and bodyguard. Catherine Ballard runs her own operations at Langley. Patricia Kubo is the director of the CIA.
CIA Agent Jack Perry, aboard the Mantícora is meeting the Portland. Luis Machado is a CIA agent embedded in Ferreira's company. Diego Lopez is another CIA agent faking money laundering skills and attending a soccer game at Maracanã Stadium guarded by the Juáurez Cartel in Mexico. Jessica Belasco is expecting a dead drop.
NUMA is...
...the National Underwater Marine Agency with Dirk Pitt as the director. Vice-president James Sandecker is the original founder of NUMA. The Deepwater is a NUMA research vessel leaving for the Alacalufes National Reserve in Chile. She's captained by Rashonda Jefferson. Amelia Vargas is the Chilean pilot. Dr Mary Harper is the mission's chief scientist and has a PhD in marine biology.
Kansas City , a Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine, has people aboard including the disgruntled Navy SEALs Michael Bradley and Corporal Carlos Jiménez, boat's corpsman Jeremy Noland, and the SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) on top of the sub.
Matheus Aguilar is the harbormaster at Porto de Santos in Brazil who is now regretting some of his bad habits. The Aguilar was a commissioned assault.
Captain Tomás commands the Brazilian Barosso , a corvette.
The sociopathic Zachariah Tate used to be partnered up with Juan in the CIA. The Abtao is captained by Durchenko, Tate's second-in-command.
The one-legged Captain XX
Chester Knight captains the Portland , which has its own submersible, the Deceiver . Its crew consists of men and women who have been "wronged" by the Oregon. Captain White doesn't want an inspection of the Salem . The Norego sailed from Cape Town.
Imito is...
...a clandestine organization that has pulled in a number of bad guys. Abdel Farouk, a former engineer with the Eygptian Navy, and Li Quon are partnered up in a powerboat to spy.
Ricardo Ferreira is...
...a wealthy Brazilian entrepreneur who sells anything under or over the table. Roberto Espinoza is a key player in the Slipstream Project. "Lucas Calvo" works at Ferreira Indústrias Globais.
Colonel Sánchez's cousin was "wronged" by the Corporation. The Colonel runs Las Armas, a covert black hole of a prison.
The Chinese
The Wuzong , a submarine in the People's Liberation Army Navy with an active sonar that sounds like a humpback whale, is commanded by Admiral Yu Jiang, whose brother was killed by the Oregon. The brother, Yu Tien, was the commander of the destroyer Chengdo .
In 1921
Kaptän Hans Schultz and his Bremen U-boat are attacking the Deering. Istvan Horváth, a scientist who created the Irre Waffe, an insanity weapon, the sonic disruptor.
Captain Willis Wormell is in command of the Carroll A. Deering , a schooner.
The Cover and Title
The cover is the blues of deep underwater and the grays of cave walls, floor, and a submarine on fire in shades of oranges and yellows. At the very top is an info blurb in white. Directly beneath is the primary author's name in an embossed red outlined in white. Beneath that includes the secondary author's name in white. The title is at the bottom in an embossed white outlined in red. Below that is some series information in white.
The title is the end and a choice, the Final Option for the Oregon.
November 18, 2019
If you are seeking the breathtaking thriller/adventure of the fall season, you need look no further. With FINAL OPTION, the latest Oregon Files novel, Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison have created the literary equivalent of candy --- the result of which is an extremely pleasurable sugar rush that leaves you wanting more.
First of all, I have to thank the authors for providing a “Cast of Characters” organized by ship or location. It really helped keep the dozens of characters straight, and I confess that I had to refer to this list many times throughout this lengthy thrill ride. The Prologue then takes us back to 1921 and a German submarine located just off the coast of North Carolina. The Bremen took down opposing ships and other watercraft in a way that only Jules Verne's Captain Nemo could come close to doing.
As we return to modern times, a similar plotline develops as the USS Kansas City is taken down by a deadly adversary off the Brazilian coast. In addition to them being caught with their guard down by an enemy craft, they find that their crew has been infected by some sort of lethal poison that is turning them into crazed maniacs full of nothing but rage.
Of course, news of this gets back to Juan Cabrillo --- Chairman of the Corporation and captain of the Oregon --- and his crew. Navy Seal Michael Bradley, a survivor of that attack, is able to report back about what felled them. Cabrillo and his trusty second-in-command, Max, recognize that the attack was meant to send them a message. But who was behind it? To try and counter their unknown enemy, Cabrillo sends a few members of his crew undercover to meet with Ricardo Ferreira, a Brazilian crime lord. Their goal is to obtain Slipstream, a totally reusable, undetectable submersible drone.
It's not much longer before readers are introduced to the bloodthirsty villain of the tale, Zachariah Tate, who Cabrillo and his crew thought was dead. Tate holds Cabrillo fully responsible for an old mission that took him down, apparently for good. Unfortunately for Cabrillo, Tate is alive and well and has put together a crew of like-minded fiends who also have reason to hate him and his Corporation, and possess the weapons and deadly vessels to do unspeakable damage.
From this point, and straight through to the ending, we will experience a lethal game of cat-and-mouse with seemingly no end in sight until one opponent is completely obliterated. Tate and his folks kick things up several notches when they kidnap Langston Overholt IV, the CIA liaison of the Corporation. In a move that could have been taken directly out of a James Bond novel, they tie him to a diving bell and drop him into the ocean to his death. Tate then gives Cabrillo the option of saving some members of the crew who are targeted by one of his warships or chasing Overholt. I won't reveal what happens --- but trust me when I say that you won't be able to come up for air until the plot twist is done.
The writing here feels like something out of a 1950s serial adventure at the cinema, where each clip ended in another cliffhanger that would keep you coming back for more to see what happens next. The eventual face-off between Cabrillo and Tate will be well worth the price of admission.
Cussler’s sense of adventure and ability to come up with the ideal settings every time, coupled with Morrison's imagination and plotting skills, is literary dynamite. I hope they have more tricks up their sleeve so we can enjoy the peril that our hero faces next.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
First of all, I have to thank the authors for providing a “Cast of Characters” organized by ship or location. It really helped keep the dozens of characters straight, and I confess that I had to refer to this list many times throughout this lengthy thrill ride. The Prologue then takes us back to 1921 and a German submarine located just off the coast of North Carolina. The Bremen took down opposing ships and other watercraft in a way that only Jules Verne's Captain Nemo could come close to doing.
As we return to modern times, a similar plotline develops as the USS Kansas City is taken down by a deadly adversary off the Brazilian coast. In addition to them being caught with their guard down by an enemy craft, they find that their crew has been infected by some sort of lethal poison that is turning them into crazed maniacs full of nothing but rage.
Of course, news of this gets back to Juan Cabrillo --- Chairman of the Corporation and captain of the Oregon --- and his crew. Navy Seal Michael Bradley, a survivor of that attack, is able to report back about what felled them. Cabrillo and his trusty second-in-command, Max, recognize that the attack was meant to send them a message. But who was behind it? To try and counter their unknown enemy, Cabrillo sends a few members of his crew undercover to meet with Ricardo Ferreira, a Brazilian crime lord. Their goal is to obtain Slipstream, a totally reusable, undetectable submersible drone.
It's not much longer before readers are introduced to the bloodthirsty villain of the tale, Zachariah Tate, who Cabrillo and his crew thought was dead. Tate holds Cabrillo fully responsible for an old mission that took him down, apparently for good. Unfortunately for Cabrillo, Tate is alive and well and has put together a crew of like-minded fiends who also have reason to hate him and his Corporation, and possess the weapons and deadly vessels to do unspeakable damage.
From this point, and straight through to the ending, we will experience a lethal game of cat-and-mouse with seemingly no end in sight until one opponent is completely obliterated. Tate and his folks kick things up several notches when they kidnap Langston Overholt IV, the CIA liaison of the Corporation. In a move that could have been taken directly out of a James Bond novel, they tie him to a diving bell and drop him into the ocean to his death. Tate then gives Cabrillo the option of saving some members of the crew who are targeted by one of his warships or chasing Overholt. I won't reveal what happens --- but trust me when I say that you won't be able to come up for air until the plot twist is done.
The writing here feels like something out of a 1950s serial adventure at the cinema, where each clip ended in another cliffhanger that would keep you coming back for more to see what happens next. The eventual face-off between Cabrillo and Tate will be well worth the price of admission.
Cussler’s sense of adventure and ability to come up with the ideal settings every time, coupled with Morrison's imagination and plotting skills, is literary dynamite. I hope they have more tricks up their sleeve so we can enjoy the peril that our hero faces next.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
February 2, 2020
Juan Cabrillo’s most dangerous opponent yet!
Juan Cabrillo and his intrepid crew of the Oregon (decrepit tramp steamer on the outside, super hi-tech and luxurious spy ship on the inside) face their most dangerous opponent yet, that being an unwelcome blast from the past, i.e. a former partner from Juan’s CIA days, thought to have been long dead, who has resurfaced, and who has not only (1) resurrected a devilishly powerful long-forgotten WWI-era mind control device, but (2) indeed built a carbon copy of the Oregon and is using it to frame Juan’s crew for the sinkings of several vessels (including a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine) and even the abduction of Cabrillo’s own boss!
Harrowing and engaging, and keeps the pages turning.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:
—p. 1: Um, were German submarines in either World War ever actually assigned names as opposed to mere alphanumeric designators (like U-20, U-505, etc.)?
“Irre Waffe” = Insanity Weapon
—p. 9: South African–made Vektor R5 assault rifles!
“In fact, they were destined for Nicaraguan rebels who were going to use them in fighting the corrupt socialist government that was allowing the drug cartels to run wild.” Down with Daniel Ortega!
—p. 23: “He was looking forward to a generous cut of Brazil’s best prime rib and a bottle of well-aged cabernet sauvignon at a cigar bar and jazz club later that evening.” Aahh, Juan Cabrillo, Bon Vivant!
—p. 38: “and a baggy T-shirt that had the name of one of his favorite heavy metal bands, Nuclear Lobotomy, who, according to the bloody lettering on the shirt, toured with another band called Hate Gorgon.” Haha, creative.
—p. 66: “Raven used to be an Army Military Police investigator, and nothing escaped her observation.” In other words, Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID)?
—p. 68: ““Tangerine liqueur from Madagascar,” nice one.
—p. 203: filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, 007 would approve!
—p. 262: Er, wouldn’t Chinese sailors be using “kilometres” instead of “miles?”
—p. 266: “Then he realized that the movie playing was The Princess Bride. But in this case, all of the major male characters’ faces had been replaced with the face of Shrek. Although it was strange to hear the green ogre say, ‘Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya,’ the effect was seamless.” Haha.
Juan Cabrillo and his intrepid crew of the Oregon (decrepit tramp steamer on the outside, super hi-tech and luxurious spy ship on the inside) face their most dangerous opponent yet, that being an unwelcome blast from the past, i.e. a former partner from Juan’s CIA days, thought to have been long dead, who has resurfaced, and who has not only (1) resurrected a devilishly powerful long-forgotten WWI-era mind control device, but (2) indeed built a carbon copy of the Oregon and is using it to frame Juan’s crew for the sinkings of several vessels (including a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine) and even the abduction of Cabrillo’s own boss!
Harrowing and engaging, and keeps the pages turning.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS:
—p. 1: Um, were German submarines in either World War ever actually assigned names as opposed to mere alphanumeric designators (like U-20, U-505, etc.)?
“Irre Waffe” = Insanity Weapon
—p. 9: South African–made Vektor R5 assault rifles!
“In fact, they were destined for Nicaraguan rebels who were going to use them in fighting the corrupt socialist government that was allowing the drug cartels to run wild.” Down with Daniel Ortega!
—p. 23: “He was looking forward to a generous cut of Brazil’s best prime rib and a bottle of well-aged cabernet sauvignon at a cigar bar and jazz club later that evening.” Aahh, Juan Cabrillo, Bon Vivant!
—p. 38: “and a baggy T-shirt that had the name of one of his favorite heavy metal bands, Nuclear Lobotomy, who, according to the bloody lettering on the shirt, toured with another band called Hate Gorgon.” Haha, creative.
—p. 66: “Raven used to be an Army Military Police investigator, and nothing escaped her observation.” In other words, Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID)?
—p. 68: ““Tangerine liqueur from Madagascar,” nice one.
—p. 203: filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, 007 would approve!
—p. 262: Er, wouldn’t Chinese sailors be using “kilometres” instead of “miles?”
—p. 266: “Then he realized that the movie playing was The Princess Bride. But in this case, all of the major male characters’ faces had been replaced with the face of Shrek. Although it was strange to hear the green ogre say, ‘Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya,’ the effect was seamless.” Haha.
May 14, 2022
I started reading Clive Cussler over twenty years ago and then, as prices skyrocketed for his books; I started looking elsewhere. At that point, I was up-to-date and enjoyed his stories. Lately, I've returned as pricing is now more reasonable...and the books are older, too, so I'm not seeing repetitive storylines that other reviewers are complaining about. There are also dozens of books in both series that I haven't read yet.
FINAL OPTION captivated me and kept my interest throughout. Juan Cabrillo and his Oregon crew had their hands full in this story, and several times, I thought it would be the end of them. Their adversary had planned everything and ensured he had the odds stacked in his favor. They set many traps for the Oregon crew. Will they all survive THE FINAL OPTION?
Highly recommend this book to all interested in historical fiction and adventures on the high seas.
FINAL OPTION captivated me and kept my interest throughout. Juan Cabrillo and his Oregon crew had their hands full in this story, and several times, I thought it would be the end of them. Their adversary had planned everything and ensured he had the odds stacked in his favor. They set many traps for the Oregon crew. Will they all survive THE FINAL OPTION?
Highly recommend this book to all interested in historical fiction and adventures on the high seas.
February 16, 2021
This is another exciting installment in the Oregon Files as Juan Cabrillo and his team face their greatest challenge. A former CIA agent and partner of Juan from his CIA days, Zach Tate, is out for revenge as he felt he was abandoned during a mission that resulted in his imprisonment. Tate builds a ship of his own, comparable to the Oregon and powers it with a unique, but never used, WWI weapon. The action in this book is non-stop and exciting! Can Juan and the crew of the Oregon stop Tate in his quest for revenge and wealth? Which of the two ships will win the battle and survive? I thoroughly enjoyed this epic battle of the Oregon, Juan and his crew. The stage is now set for new adventures. Looking forward to the next book!
November 11, 2019
The Final Option is a fast-moving, exciting read that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The crew of the Oregon sustain a lot of injuries and I don’t see they can even get in a nap as the pace is so fast. I think Clive and Boyd compete with themselves as to how many amazing rescues they fit into each book. I had originally taken off 1 star because the main premise of the book (that an exact duplicate of the Oregon was built and manned and put into operation in a such a short time frame) is way over the top and hard to believe. But I decided to add it back because the rest of the book is so good.
October 14, 2021
Another novel full of action and suspense. Typical Clive Cussler fare that pits Juan Carrillo against arch enemy Zachariah Tate. The infamous ship of Juan, the “Oregon” has been duplicated by Tate and brings a one on one confrontation between the two. Which Oregon will survive, if either of them will, and what of the two arch rivals?
I
I
July 3, 2022
This is just a really good book.
The pacing is excellent, the characters are good and likeable, and you get everything you can want from an adventure book.
The fact I’ve hammered through 400+ pages in a week shows how much I enjoyed it.
The pacing is excellent, the characters are good and likeable, and you get everything you can want from an adventure book.
The fact I’ve hammered through 400+ pages in a week shows how much I enjoyed it.
March 1, 2020
Excellent
August 9, 2020
A great read, which is what we have come to love from this series. Well written characters, a plot that moves along nicely, and a few tense moments are to be found in this book.
August 17, 2020
This one had you holding your breath a number of times it was sad at the end, but I liked what he did!
August 19, 2021
Action packed start to finish.
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