35 replies to this topic

[zencat]

The reviews are in...

Young Bond Book 2: Blood Fever
Two REVIEWS from two generations of Bond fans

[Jim]

Yep; it is that good a book. Believe these two reviews, doubters!

Having now read it a second time, and it's worth a second read (rare enough), this is the most credible "continuation" novel for 20 years, and light years ahead of several inbetween.

[zencat]

And remember, I gave SilverFin a very MIXED review, so it's not like I love everything.

[Qwerty]

When I reviewed SilverFin on amazon (as well as here on CBn) I believe I gave it four out of five stars. Blood Fever definitely derserves five.

Pick this book up.

[zencat]

Looks like our review has made a few converts over on the UNIVEX boards--or a least a few now willing take a chance on the Young Bond series.

[TheCheat]

should i read silverfin before reading blood fever?

[stromberg]

should i read silverfin before reading blood fever?

Haven't read Blood Fever (copy should arrive by tomorrow),but I'd recommend reading SilverFin before.

BTW, great reviews, Devin and John. Have encouraged me in my decision not to wait for the German edition

[Qwerty]

I'd recommend reading SilverFin before.

I'll second that. Makes them both more enjoyable I would say.

[zencat]

should i read silverfin before reading blood fever?

I don't know. If you're open to the Young Bond series, go ahead and read SilverFin first. But SilverFin did not sell me on this concept -- Blood Fever did. As I said in my review, SilverFin is clearly written for young readers as is cautious, whereas Blood Fever is fearless. For me, SilverFin seems to be a book still trying to figure out exactly what it is (it finds its stride in the last 3rd). I didn't get that feeling from Blood Fever which picks up the tone that SilverFin ends on and runs with it cover to cover.

[DLibrasnow]

I submitted my review to Amazon, but it hasn't shown up on the product's page yet.

One question: Didn't James say he would be back for Vendetta?

[zencat]

I submitted my review to Amazon, but it hasn't shown up on the product's page yet.

One question: Didn't James say he would be back for Vendetta?

I sometimes have to resubmit my reviews on Amazon.co.uk when they don't show up after several days. It's annoying. My reviews on Amazon.com show up instantly (and I can edit them). Not so on the UK site.

Did James say he was coming back for Vendetta? But she thinks he was killed in the flood, right?

[DLibrasnow]

Right she does. I thought James told Vendetta to stay where she was because he would need her help escaping.

Personally I thought she was a better character (more interesting at least) than Amy though I have a feeling that Amy may be the one to return in the novels not just because she is the sister of one of Bond's friends but also Higson mentioning that she never talked about what happened to Zoltan ever again.

I posted my review on Amazon.com, and although it appears on my review pages I don't see ANY reviews on the product page. I'd vote your review as helpful zencat, if I could.

Did you notice that the US edition seems to be significantly shorter. I wonder if thats just a different typesetting being used or if indeed there will be some cuts made to protect American kiddies.

[Qwerty]

I sometimes have to resubmit my reviews on Amazon.co.uk when they don't show up after several days. It's annoying. My reviews on Amazon.com show up instantly (and I can edit them). Not so on the UK site.

Ditto. Put up some of my reviews on both amazon US and amazon UK for SilverFin and Blood Fever. Amazon UK seems to almost always be slower in getting them posted and more problematic.

I hope we see more US proofs on eBay soon, maybe it's still pretty early, but I think I've only seen about three so far.

[DLibrasnow]

I'm hoping that Higson does another US tour.

[zencat]

I'm hoping that Higson does another US tour.

On the back of the US proof it says there will be an "author tour."

[Qwerty]

Where are those damn US proofs?

[zencat]

Hey, DLibras, I see your Blood Fever review is now on Amazon.co.uk. Great review. And congrats on being a top 500 reviewer.

[Qwerty]

Looks like the three of us are on Amazon UK now - anything other CBner's review this book on there?

[DLibrasnow]

Hey, DLibras, I see your Blood Fever review is now on Amazon.co.uk. Great review. And congrats on being a top 500 reviewer.

Thanks John. Though really being in the top 500 on Amazon UK isn't as impressive as a similar position on Amazon.com since I have over twice as many reviews on the U.S. site and about 2,000 more votes but have still to break the Top 1,000 spot.

Still, great reviews from you and Devin both, I am going to vote for both...By the way, I hope you know the Bond fan-site I mention in my review was CBn

I'm hoping that Higson does another US tour.

On the back of the US proof it says there will be an "author tour."

Absolutely fabulous I will be there!

[THUNDERBALLS]

I finished this book last week...and thought it was awful! Now before you hit back and say its targeted for young people, i have to say i'm only fourteen. I just felt that like Silverfin, there is too much emphasis on building Bond up as an action hero rather than a character. It doesn't feel like the world that Fleming's Bond fits in to and i would have preferred it if the threat was low-key like some of the Bond short stories and focused more on Bond's life and troubles. A real disappointment. Its a shame that Higson didn't decide to focus on Bond's late teens, early twenties when he was fighting during WW2. I understand that the book has been popular with the majority but i know that these diehard young fans will one day realise the stupidity within this book. Silverfin was OK, Bloodfever is very bad. Higson better get his act together for Part Three.

[dunmall]

well i'm about half way through i like it so far, nice little nods to flemings novels, in particular the idea of finding pajamas constricting and resting his right ankle on his left thigh. all very good. although so far the MM Cult had me thinking of the movie: "the adventures of young sherlock holmes" that also has an ancient mysterious cult operating in London near an exclusive boys school...

[dunmall]

well i finished that was awesome, Vendetta reminded me of a girl I knew when I was around 12 so I kind of have a soft spot for the character now. The only thing i didnt like, personally, was the multiple endings, how each major character had a final scene, it just seemed to drag a little but other than that I am really enjoying young bond! (I also like the Alex Rider books too)

[zencat]

I also really liked Vendetta. For having such a small role, Vendetta seems to steal the book, as good Bond Girl should do.

[DLibrasnow]

I also really liked Vendetta. For having such a small role, Vendetta seems to steal the book, as good Bond Girl should do.

I agree wholeheartedly with this point of view....I think she was a lot more interesting than Amy and really wish that she had been the main Bond girl.

[DLibrasnow]

I notice that the Amazon reviews of BLOOD FEVER are finally showing up online.

[zencat]

Good review, Dlibs. I gave you a helpful vote.

I guess the reviews snap on when the books ships. (Did you see in Higson turn thread that I got the book at the SF signing?)

So much for June 1. Blood Fever has arrived!

[DLibrasnow]

Good review, Dlibs. I gave you a helpful vote.

Thank you I have also voted for your review which I thought was well thought-out and written.

I guess the reviews snap on when the books ships.

It would appear so.

So much for June 1. Blood Fever has arrived!

It was shipped early by Amazon UK too. Despite being listed with a Jan. 6 publication date I had my book in hand by Christmas.

[terminus]

Eventually got round to picking up Bloodfever even though I've had it since the day it came out.

I'm quite enjoying it - now, I'd love to see what Higson would do with an adult Bond novel, shame we're unlikely to see it as he seems to have melded the best the movie Bond and the Flemming Bond had to offer to us here - nice Flemming plot with a movie-esque villain, lair and (at least one) brilliantly named Bond girl(s) - Vendetta.

I hope I caught all of the references - from the mention of Lippe to some others. Can anyone help me out with any that they noticed ? I'm sure there was more than just the Lippe reference!

[zencat]

I only noticed the Lippe reference, but there may be more. Don't know my Fleming well enough to catch them all, I'm afraid.

[K1Bond007]

I only noticed the Lippe reference, but there may be more. Don't know my Fleming well enough to catch them all, I'm afraid.

It's possible Enrico Colombo's (Risico) father is mentioned in Blood Fever (around the start of Chapter 16: Gladiators pg 188 or so). I don't know though. Colombo is a popular last name and really, the whole "so and so's father" is becoming rather tired. I hope Higson finds other ways to do similar homages in the future.

I only got the Lippe one because I had heard it prior. I have the American edition so it is missing.