"Valhalla Rising" (2001) is a gripping thriller within Clive Cussler's esteemed Dirk Pitt series. This sixteenth installment introduces marine explorer Dirk Pitt, who finds himself in a battle against an oil magnate with political ambitions. The story unfolds aboard the luxurious cruise liner Emerald Dolphin, which becomes engulfed in flames, revealing its vulnerabilities. Pitt and his comrade Al Giordino rush to rescue passengers, uncovering a sinister plot behind the disaster. As they delve deeper, they unearth a conspiracy threatening to disrupt the oil industry with revolutionary seawater-derived technology. The narrative intertwines historical Viking settlements, fictional inspiration from Jules Verne's Captain Nemo, and a modern-day terror plot targeting New York City's World Trade Center. Through twists and turns, Pitt and Giordino navigate treachery to uphold justice, resonating with the enduring struggles between innovation and entrenched interests.