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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
Apr 2005, 352 pages
Paperback:
Apr 2006, 368 pages
Book Reviewed by:
BookBrowse Review Team
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A brilliantly crafted tale that reveals the unknown story of a boy who grew up to become one the most iconic figures of our time.
What does it take to become the greatest secret agent
the world has ever known? In this thrilling prequel to the adventure of James
Bond, 007, readers meet a young boy whose inquisitive mind and determination set
him on a path that will someday take him across the globe, in pursuit of the
most dangerous criminals of all time.
When we first meet young James, he's just started boarding school at Eton in the
1930’s, and from there, the action moves to the Highlands of Scotland, where
Alfie Kelly, a local boy, has gone missing. James teams up with the boy’s
cousin, Red, to investigate the mystery, and they soon discover that Alfie’s
disappearance is linked to a madman and his sinister plot for global power.
Acclaimed British author Charlie Higson has written a brilliantly crafted tale
that reveals the unknown story of a boy who grew up to become one the most
iconic figures of our time. SilverFin is an edge-of-your-seat thriller
that will mesmerize readers of all ages.
James was shivering. His body felt raw, as if he'd had the skin peeled off
it, like Croaker's eel. He rubbed his arms to try to get some feeling back into
them, and the raised goose bumps made them feel as rough as sandpaper.
If it was this cold out of the water, what was it going to be like in it?
Well, there was only one way to find out.
It was half an hour before afternoon lessons and he was standing on a low
diving board at Ward's Mead, peering at the water, which looked like some of
Codrose's less appetizing soup. Cold soup. Freezing-cold soup.
"Come on, then," he said out loud. "Just do it."
He pulled back his arms, took a deep breath and flung himself forward. When
he entered the water it was like being hit by a cricket bat. He was stunned by
the cold and for a moment he couldn't move, but then he came alive, clawed his
way to the surface and gasped. All his limbs were aching and his throbbing head
felt numb. The ...
Silverfin, the first in a planned 5 part series, has received relatively poor media reveiws. A number comment that there isn't enough of the adult bond in the 13 year old James. To that I say, what a relief! I don't think I could have put up with a thirteen-year-old who was that smooth and self-assured. The young Bond is an orphan who doesn't follow the crowd and is more than comfortable spending time alone, but equally he knows a good friend when he sees one and sticks by the ones he makes; he's an exceptional athlete in some areas and speaks multiple languages, but has never thought of these as talents to be proud of. The bottom line is he's an all round nice, unassuming sort of chap, and thoughtful to boot...continued
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(Reviewed by BookBrowse Review Team).
Philip Ardagh
This is a most enjoyable, well-written book which is well worth a read even if you're not a James Bond fan.Charlie Higson is a well-known British comedy writer, producer, and actor,
particularly well known for writing and performing on the hit 1990s comedy
The Fast Show. His novels include the Young Bond series and four blackly
humorous novels for adults: Getting Rid of Mister Kitchen (1996), Full
Whack (1995),
Happy Now (1993), and King of the Ants (1992).
The Young Bond series to date:
1. Silverfin (2005)
2. Blood Fever (2006, January in UK, June in USA).
Interesting link:
Ian Fleming's impression of James Bond, drawn by an unknown artist (it would seem that out of all the movie Bonds, Pierce Brosnan is the closest to what Fleming envisaged.
By the way, did you know there's a new Bond movie, Casino Royale, with a...
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