Silverfin

James Bond is, without doubt, the daddy of all literary spies. His name is synonymous with intrigue and adventure, action and old-fashioned derring-do. So Silverfin, the first in a series of Charlie Higson's fully authorised prequels to the most famous of all British Secret Service agents, has mightily big boots to fill. Fortunately, Higson is a genuine Bond aficionado who has remained true to the style of Ian Fleming's creation, and his legend, to create an authentic story featuring a teenage Bond that should not disappoint other equally appreciative fans.

After a supremely scary opening sequence featuring some terrifying mutated eels and a gruesome death, Bond's early days at Eton in the 30's as a thirteen-year-old are the focus for the first third of the book. Since the death of his parents in a climbing accident, James had previously been educated at home by his aunt. The alien world of this infamous public school is a new world for him and he makes enemies immediately. But young James is not without a backbone of his own, and he soon begins to win small victories against those who choose to bully him.

It is, however, when James is in Scotland for the rest of book, at the remote home of his Aunt Charmian and Uncle Max, that his first great adventure, and mystery to solve, truly takes shape. A local Laird, in his ominous castle nearby, is conducting horrific scientific experiments that prove he is very mad indeed and a threat to society who must be defeated. Before this excitement is over, James has a date with some killer eels.

The author, well known for his comedic exploits on television in The Fast Show and for adult thrillers such as King of the Ants and Full Whack is without doubt a skilled writer. Bond purists might wince a little, that such an extension of Fleming's legacy was needed at all, but despite being shackled by the constraints of its period setting, Silverfin is an intriguing read.

(Age 10 and over) --John McLay

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View books by Charlie Higson.

A great read - Rated
A great read, a little Harry Potter'ish. But the next book get away from that. The story is fast, and simple.
The other young James bond books are more adult than young adult, but nevertheless a great book worthy of 4 stars.
This new hype of young adult / adult books are gaining a new source of reader. The Young Jasmes bond, Jason Steed, Alex Rider, Jimmy Coates, and cody banks are great adventures for all ages.

Unabridged First! - Rated
My travel to and from the office each day is only made tolerable through the enjoyment of audio books. Puffin should be thrashed for the damage they do to each story they touch. They have something of a Midas touch, however instead of gold, it all turns to poop!

Charlie Higson is an author with excellent ideas, but he lacks strong writing skills. He is Christopher Paolini's exact opposite. Christopher is a superb author, but he lacks originality (though in his specific sub-genre it's not critical).

To the point now, Puffin's adjustments to this story to "abridge it" was more comparible to "Chopping it". They cut out too many parts to make it a comfortable listen. At times, it feels like they simply recorded the book in full, but randomly chopped out sections or chapters to make it smaller. The damage done to continuity is unforgivable.

If you're interested in Young Bond, I highly recommend using the Listening Library audio books instead. They are unabridged and if I could find a way to get a refund for this Puffin version of SilverFin I would donate the proceeds to a charity focusing on young aspiring authors.

harry potter copy - Rated
Its a weak version of Harry Potter meets cody banks. Old fashion and outdated. Not curren with todays readers.

quite good - Rated
only thng is that the people below dont seem 2 get is that this book has been writin acurately( wrongly spelt, i know i think)according 2 mr fleming, as bond was originally made in the 60's meaning he would have to have been born in the 20's/30's to be the right age in the BOOKS

wow some people are...misunderstanding

Nice plot, but lacks substance. - Rated
? The bond movies they make today he is aged approx 35-40. So he would have been born approx 1969. This guy was born 80 years ago?? It takes us way, way back to the very first Bond as a kid.(It has some very Harry Potter scenes in a scottish school) However its old before its time. My son gave up half way through. How could they allow this type of book. Its a disgrace to the Bond name.