16 replies to this topic

[Qwerty]

Now on the CBn main page...

Continuing On The Path To 007

'Double Or Die' reviewed by Devin Zydel

[sharpshooter]

The review makes me want to re-read the book yet again. Excellent review. Bring on Hurricane Gold!

[zencat]

Excellent review, Qwerts.

(Also dig the special DoD/CBn icon.)

[Qwerty]

Thanks sharpshooter and zen.

[Wade]

Fellow Bondophiles:

Long time, no post. I'll start here. Just finished reading "Double or Die" and am startled and delighted with how great it is. I echo everything that Qwerty said; this is a terrific read and a nice intro to the character of Bond. I think we can all withdraw our initial reluctance about a "Young Bond" series" being a repeat of "James Bond Jr." This is a straight-on, hard-edged narrative that sustains the conventions of Fleming's work, yet tailors it for a younger audience, an audience, we've all discovered, that can enjoy more involved and emotionally demanding stuff (such as the later Potter novels).

One thing I'd comment upon further, though, is the way in which Higson ratchets up the intensity in this book. "SilverFin" was, in a way, a gripping boys adventure of a sort. "Double or Die" actually begins to move the pieces of Bond's character around toward our more familiar view of him as an adult. And does it in a way that is plausible and satisfying. His Young Bond is not some Hardy Boy. We grow to understand the pressures and pains the young man has faced, the pressures and pains that will shape him as a man, for better or for worse.

And that's the balancing act that Higson is deftly performing. He's keeping the tone acceptible to a younger audience, but he is adding some definite -- and somewhat disturbing -- shadows to young master James. There are callouses forming over his heart, and we can see them, but they are woven into the tale so well that they just play as elements of the narrative, not as foreshadowing.

Higson is doing a brilliant job, and his books are getting better and better. I do wish one thing, though: that he would have James talk about his parents' deaths directly, maybe even show them in a flashback. (For those who haven't read my fan fiction story "A Life After This One," I humbly make a shocking supposition about their deaths, one that was just kind of lying there for anyone to make.) Does anyone remember from any of the books if James actually was THERE when they died? Did he see it happen?

Anyway, a ripping good read, if I may wax British. I concur with Sharpshooter. Bring on "Hurricane Gold"!

[zencat]

Great review, Wade. I think you're going to love Hurricane Gold.

[sharpshooter]

Double or Die has recently become my favourite Young Bond novel.

I love the dark mood and more realistic atmosphere that is more apparent than the other Young Bond novels so far.

I love them all, but this one has a beautiful claustrophobia and haunting aspect to it.

[Jeff007]

I got side tracked with a John Gardner novel but I'm half way through Double or Die right now. So far not as good as Blood Fever but I still have the ending ahead of me.

[sharpshooter]

So far not as good as Blood Fever but I still have the ending ahead of me.

Yeah, I do think Blood Fever is the best of the series, though Double or Die is a strong follow up. It's second place for me.

[Matt_13]

Just finished Double or Die last night, and yet again it is another astounding Bond thriller from Higson. This one was even more of a page turner for me than Blood Fever, with the cryptic clues keeping my interest peaked at all times. While the ending of BF was definitely more Fleming than DoD's, I was pleased to see Higson pen a brief section featuring

Spoiler

an adult Bond

. I really hope he decides to continue his work after By Royale Command on this franchise, as he nails every aspect of the character and his world consistently through his novels.

[[dark]]

While the ending of BF was definitely more Fleming than DoD's, I was pleased to see Higson pen a brief section featuring

Spoiler

an adult Bond

.

I'm still on the fence about this little epilogue. It was certainly great to see how Higson would handle such writing, but it still jars a little bit for me. That said, it fits in a lot better than I once thought it did.

[K1Bond007]

Double or Die has actually stood up well over time. Of all of them, I'm actually more interested in rereading that one that any of the others at this point. If I ever get a chance to do that, that is.

[Matt_13]

I'm just annoyed I have to wait until April for Hurricane Gold.

[[dark]]

Double or Die has actually stood up well over time. Of all of them, I'm actually more interested in rereading that one that any of the others at this point. If I ever get a chance to do that, that is.

Ditto. I think it disappointed me at the time because it wasn't an "epic Bond story" like the ridiculously brilliant Blood Fever. But it's probably the darkest and bleakest of the Young Bond stories. I need to re-evaluate it.

[danielcraigisjamesbond007]

I actually finished Double or Die today (finally), and I really enjoyed it. I thought that it was better than Blood Fever, to be honest (But I haven't read Blood Fever in many years). I like the fact that the book took place over three days, and it was a great, exciting read!

[double o ego]

Double or die was fantastic. Very dark and gritty. I particularly like how Higson never underestimates the intelligence of his readers if anything he challenges the reader. Out of the first 3 books of the series, I still rank blood fever as the best but silverfin and DoD are tremendous books also.

[marktmurphy]

I picked up a proof copy of Young Bond 3 (as it is called on the cover: before the title had been voted for) today in a charity shop for £2.50. I'm quite pleased about that.