36 replies to this topic

[zencat]

Wow! How long has this just been sitting there on the Hyperion website waiting to be discovered?

"Read 'SilverFin' Chapter 1 Online" Publisher Hyperion puts complete first chapter on website

[Krilencu]

Wow, I'm the first one!

The first passage is definitely a wink to the opening of Fleming's Casino Royale, am I right?
Hope he gives this American kid a good fight in chapter two, but more likely he'll be beaten up by the three of them

As for the boys' maid, I can't believe he gets thrown out because of "a red-faced old woman with swollen ankles". Maybe there will be a younger one later on, if Higson is going to acknowledge the existance of Fleming's Bond and keep the continuity at all.

Edited by Krilencu, 03 February 2005 - 08:36 AM.

[zencat]

The first passage is definitely a wink to the opening of Fleming's Casino Royale, am I right?

That it is.

[DavidSomerset]

I just read this chapter. Sounds like they are trying too hard to put the Harry Potter /Hogwarts feel into this. Bored by this boarding school tale... Would have been good if they had introduced some elements of the plot too in this chapter.

[Bond_Bishop]

This is gonna be so filled with cliche

[Jim]

Are we sure this isn't someone's fan fiction? They're actually going to publish that?

Jeepers.

[spynovelfan]

I'm confused. Did Bond go to Eton late? I thought he went at 12 or 13, like everyone else. So why does everyone keep calling him 'the new boy'? Surely there must be lots of new boys in his house?

Otherwise, I thought it was okay. Bit clunky in places. I think the main problem with it is it's just a bit dull. Will kids be interested in Hogwarts without any magic?

[rafterman]

I had no idea the new Harry Potter was out already. Pretty weak starting with an impression of Casino Royale's first line. At least we get the usual comments about his eyes and his comma of hair to know who he is.

[Krilencu]

BTW it's already on sale at used books web stores such as alibris and abebooks, I found three early proof copies at $12, $45 and $116 respectively, and couldn't resist ordering the first one. If lucky, I'll get it in 10 days or so.

[Joyce Carrington]

Oh God.

I thought I would be able to handle this, but I just can't read this stuff. Bond as a teenager?

And indeed, could this book try even harder to be like Harry Potter?

I think I'll just go and throw up for a while.

[David Schofield]

Mm, doesn't exactly get one going, does it? Bond as a boy, at school, refered to as James rather than Bond, written in a children's style.

Then again, as an opening chapter its no worse than the crap Benson started his books off with.

Edited by David Schofield, 03 February 2005 - 11:35 AM.

[[dark]]

Oh dear.

[bleary_25]

I am going to read the whole first chapter, I am.

But I just have to say this - I hate the fact the first line reads like a parody of the opening of "Casino Royale". It's not funny and it's not clever. And if the rest of the series is nods and winks to Fleming's work, it's going to leave an awful taste in my mouth.

This is just a reaction to the first paragraph, though.

Reading on...

[Prav_007]

Ahh, I usually have something to say, but I really can't say anything.

One word: Speechless

[hrabb04]

Raymond Benson was told he was no longer needed because THIS guy was going to carry on? Who are they trying to fool here? This guy is a hack!

[HawkEye007]

Ummm, yeah. The first time I read through it I was thinking to myself, ok not bad. But when I read it again I realized what a lot of you are thinking, it sounds like Harry Potter, but not as good. I'm almost expecting Hagrid to show up as his new maid at some point. I mean I will probably still read the book when it comes out, but I'm betting it will be the only one I read. Like hrabb04 said, they let go of Benson for this fella?

[Bon-san]

Not impressed.

Unless this first chapter is an anomaly, this looks to be a tepid and derivative series. Shame, that.

[Tanger]

Surely this can't be it? This has to be a joke or something? It reads like very bad fan fiction. I'm seriously considering cancelling my order if this is what we have to endure.

I really can't see this moving beyond one or two books as I can't imagine kids would enjoy it and it sure as hell looks as though us adult Bond fans aren't impressed.

[zencat]

To be fair, while this is indeed chapter 1, SilverFin actually starts off with a pretty exciting and well written prologue chapter (which is partially audio excerpted on the official site). When I first saw Hyperion did this I was excited because I assumed it was the prologue (which would have been a much better choice. It's a much stronger "tease").

I have my SilverFin review all written. It's 5 pages!

[Bon-san]

I have  my SilverFin review all written. It's 5 pages!

Can you give us a glimmer, zencat?

[zencat]

[quote name='Bon-san' date='3 February 2005 - 08:47'][quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 11:41']I have

[Bon-san]

[quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 11:51'][quote name='Bon-san' date='3 February 2005 - 08:47'][quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 11:41']I have

[zencat]

[quote name='Bon-san' date='3 February 2005 - 08:53'][quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 11:51'][quote name='Bon-san' date='3 February 2005 - 08:47'][quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 11:41']I have

[Bondian]

I have to say, I told you so. However, I do like his use of words. But it doesn't constitute or justify his involvement on such a dire project.

Well, our hero James Bond is getting the 'Wallmart' treatment.

[Bon-san]

[quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 12:01'][quote name='Bon-san' date='3 February 2005 - 08:53'][quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 11:51'][quote name='Bon-san' date='3 February 2005 - 08:47'][quote name='zencat' date='3 February 2005 - 11:41']I have

[zencat]

Totally understand, zencat.  I look forward to checking it out when it's declassified.

[btw, I still haven't landed a copy of the 007 magazine with your Goldfinger article yet, either.  But it's near the top of the old to-do list]

You can always buy one from the official 'OO7' Magazine website. They also show up on eBay from time to time.

[Mick007]

I was 10 when I read my first Bond novel, Goldfinger. If I had picked this up when I was 10 I have a feeling I would have put it down rather quickly.

Attached Files

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[Qwerty]

Welcome to the CBn Forums Mick007!

[Achtung74]

The excerpt seems fine to me. It is supposed to be aimed at younger readers, so it could have been a lot worse (think James Bond Junior cartoon). It seems to take it self seriously and the writing style is OK. I would probably read it and more importantly give it to my nephew for his birthday. This book was bound to disappoint those looking for a traditional fleminesque adventure but I think it will do fine with its intended audience.

[deth]

the excerpt is gone?!