Kilo Class

April 3, 2000
Those pesky Chinese are at it again. In the gripping techno-thriller sequel to Robinson's Nimitz Class (1997), the genre's new most favored villains have bought a number of highly capable, stealthy "kilo class" submarines from Russia to use as a threat against Taiwan. Navy Commander Cale "Boomer" Dunning, skipper of the nuclear-powered sub Columbia, is tapped to seek out and destroy the Kilos before the Chinese can take delivery. His assignment involves much derring-do, including a vividly described SEAL mission and a hair-raising transoceanic passage under the polar ice cap. Although Robinson excels in describing action scenes and armaments, careless writing and an abandoned subplot involving a hijacked researched vessel mar his tale. So does the smug assumption that our military knows best when to attack ships of another nation. Nevertheless, this is a sure hit for fans of military and adventure fiction. (May) FYI: Nimitz Class is currently in production with Universal Studios.

The Chinese are buying submarines from the Russians for nefarious purposes. When diplomatic attempts at restraint fail, the U.S. Navy (which seems to be all larger-than-life men who have gorgeous women waiting at home) undertakes covert operations to thwart them. George Guidall gives his formidable all to this straight-ahead, damn-the-torpedoes techno-thriller by an established master. As always, Guidall's apparently effortless virtuosity is a pleasure in itself. The only reservation one might express about this production is regret that such a prodigious talent has been lavished on such undemanding material. J.N. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

March 1, 1998
Robinson's latest meticulously researched novel is a sequel to his best-selling "Nimitz Class." In his new high-tech thriller, the good guys, once again, are the gallant men of the U.S. Navy--specifically, the submarine service. The plot concerns 10 formidable Soviet-built Kilo Class patrol submarines, which can run submerged at speeds up to 17 knots without being detected, travel 6,000 miles before refueling, and fire nuclear-tipped torpedoes. An insolvent Russian military has agreed to sell them to China. With the subs, China could control the Taiwan Strait, blocking Western trade routes. The Chinese could then attack and conquer Taiwan. The U.S. Navy must stop delivery of the subs without starting World War III. Robinson again uses a large cast of characters in a global setting. They growl, snarl, and bark, and "sonofabitch" is their favorite expression. Again, too, readers can probably guess the outcome right from the start, but for fans of the genre, Robinson delivers a wild ride all the way. ((Reviewed March 1, 1998))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1998, American Library Association.)