Point of View

The book is written in third person from an omniscient point of view. The main character is Dirk Pitt, and the reader knows his thoughts and actions throughout the book. However, it's necessary for the reader to know the thoughts and actions of other characters as well, including those who aren't with Dirk at any given time. That makes the omniscient point of view vital to adequate understanding of the story line. The point of view seems reliable and straight forward in that the author doesn't deliberately mislead the reader.

For example, Topiltzan is in his elaborate trailer following one of his early speeches, making it clear to the reader that he isn't who he claims to be. He's talking to a man who isn't immediately identified, but it seems likely that it is Yazid. That type of "clue" is handed out to the reader throughout...