As you know, a pretty big book comes out today, about some British secret agent named James Bond — you might be familiar with him. So I figured it was about time to tackle another series of 007 books that have got nothing but praise from most longtime fans: the YOUNG BOND series geared toward teens. From what I read, it seems the adults will love them also, even if they’re not written by Ian Fleming, but Charlie Higson. But I was more familiar with his other work.
SILVERFIN by Charlie Higson — Long before he was 007, James Bond was a school kid at Eton trying to make sense of the tradition and rules. These are the seeds that would mold Bond into the man he would later become. In this 2005 effort, Higson does an amazing job of not pandering to his readers. HARRY POTTER, this is not, folks. It might be aimed at kids, but trust me: It’s great adventure that will appeal to all.
Of course, it being James’ first time at a school — since most his life he was raised by his aunt — he has to deal with teachers and bullies. You read that correctly: Bond had his run in with the older boys who made it their job to torture the younger students. One bully in particular named George was a thorn in his side, constantly making it his business to punish Bond for no other reason except that he stands up for himself, which leads into the much larger plot of the story when Bond goes back to his aunt’s home for the holiday break.
He finds out about a local missing boy who disappeared near none other than land owned by George’s father, a wealthy American businessman who has moved back to the UK and has a very evil plot brewing up in the castle where they live. Lil’ James Bond makes it his point to find out what it is. The story is high adventure, with Bond going up against his first mad-scientist villain.
Sure, the mystery of the book is not the hardest to figure out, but let’s remember the book was not written for adults. There are plenty of action set pieces to keep every one entertained. It just makes you wish that we had all five books instead of the three so far.
BLOOD FEVER by Charlie Higson — Taking place a few months after the events of SILVERFIN, this 2006 adventure places Bond back at Eton as he prepares for summer. While his aunt is about to travel down to South America on a field expedition, James decides to take a trip with one of the new teachers to the ruins of Sardinia, where he will meet up with his cousin who lives there.
But we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves, since Bond stumbles upon a clandestine meeting where he sees men with strange M tattoos on their hands speaking only in Latin. He tries to find out about it, only to be given the brush-off by most of the teachers he asks. But once on the trip, he is sent a letter explaining that the M’s represent a secret Italian society.
The bad guy in this one is a little more based in reality than in SILVERFIN: a man named Count Ugo Carnifex, who thinks himself as the king of all he surveys. The Count has ties to the secret group and is also behind some high-profile pirating that has been going on. But how does he tie into Eton and why is there a painting of him in a building there? These are some of the questions out hero has to figure out.
Bond also has to deal with another bully — this time, some aristocrat who thinks everyone needs to understand he is important. But that is just a small subplot to the larger story. What is truly amazing is how well Higson does capturing the style of Fleming throughout. To top it all off, this book has a bigger body count than some might expect for a young-adult title.
DOUBLE OR DIE by Charlie Higson — From last year, the third in the YOUNG BOND series delivers on all accounts. Unlike the two previous books, this features Bond still at school, with the bulk of the story all taking place in London. It starts out with one of Bond’s friends being given a bizarre letter from one of their teachers. It makes no sense until they figure out it’s actually all in code, which leads Bond and his friends to discover that one of their teachers has been kidnapped, and they take it upon themselves to save the day by solving the clues.
Higson’s writing moves so well that it just makes me jealous I did not have these books as a kid. They are nothing but engrossing, plus it’s pretty much based in reality, meaning no dragons or wizards that proliferate most children’s literature today. Of course, there are bad guys: two brothers whose faces resemble skulls, kind of like the STEAL YOUR FACE logo. But they are only foot soldiers for who truly has kidnapped their teacher; I’ll just say it will be the first of many times that Bond will face this enemy.
It’s all about a machine called Nemesis that seems to be a forerunner to another machine that will be used in World War II. The only sad thing about DOUBLE OR DIE is that over in the UK, two more installments are available: HURRICANE GOLD and the forthcoming BY ROYAL COMMAND. If you’re craving that Bond fix once you finish DEVIL MAY CARE, the YOUNG BOND series will totally tide you over. Just act like you’re getting them for the little ones in the family.
Next time: Who’s up for a game of checkers? —Bruce Grossman
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Hmmm, never read these books. Just checked the local library and discovered, happily, that all three are on audio. Thanks for the tip.