Customer Reviews
Entertaining 
2008-05-09
Very fast moving book and a good story. I am reading it aloud to my 9 year old and he seems as interested in this as he was in the first book, Silverfin.
I Take issue 
2008-03-17
I take great issue with reviewers wanting young Bond to have sprung from the womb with a license to kill. Young James has already become a formidable opponent from the day he became a 00 orphan. That in itself is an overwhelming blow that people in modern era have a hard time dealing with! I will not preach, However I shall tell you what I love most about these novels , they made me fall in love all over again with Bond. To get to know his origins ,his family and how he has processed the most painful losses in his young life has made him more of a real life character to me. I believe Charlie Higson has given true Bond fans even more of a reason to dream BOND! I know that I have another superior series to introduce my boys to, and I am grateful . Please keep young Bond evolving and explaining his quirks and reasonings . I look forward to more young Bond adventures I HOPE YOU DO TOO!
Blood Fever - On The Path To 007 2007-10-10
Literary 007 fans are in for a real surprise with Charlie Higson's Blood Fever. A dark and intense story awaits readers and the result is thrilling and enjoyable. At first I was apprehensive about starting it. When I had obtained Higson's first novel, SilverFin, I had immediately jumped into it, excited and curious. With Blood Fever, I was worried that I would be slightly disappointed; that the success of SilverFin might have just been a one time deal. It turns out that I could not have been further wrong. Blood Fever is a fast-paced, exciting, well-crafted, and mature James Bond novel.
SilverFin started to clear up the many, many rumours that this new Young Bond series would only appeal to young readers or the Harry Potter crowd, but Blood Fever wipes the slate clean. This is a darker and tougher James Bond novel than anticipated. Where there were some decidedly cute aspects of SilverFin, such as the horse being called "Martini," Blood Fever is devoid of such moments. The maturity, both of Bond and overall, is much more pronounced in this story.
One way this new level of maturity is obtained is in the development of the characters. Many of them are standouts in this novel, starting first with the villain, Count Ugo Carnifex. Villains, both in the Bond novels and films, have to be above par to create an interesting enough challenge for Bond, and Carnifex meets the requirements. He is ruthless and cruel; Higson's characterization of this villain is full of details; and...of course, where would a good villain be without a well-designed and dangerous lair? An improvement over Lord Randolph Hellebore of the previous novel, SilverFin. The other obligatory character is the Bond girl--in this case, the determined and efficient Amy Goodenough. Again, as in the case of the villains, the improvement from SilverFin to Blood Fever is clearly evident. Amy is introduced early on in the story and Higson allows the character plenty of time to develop and become someone that readers actually care about. She is the perfect candidate to be the girl who needs rescuing. Her interaction with James is handled wonderfully and very believable for the reader.
The darkness of Blood Fever is accented by the violence, which seems to have been increased for this second novel. James Bond is much more agent 007 than Young Bond in Blood Fever. In SilverFin, he was unsure, but determined and not willing to give up. Even with those qualities, it was evident that this character was clearly no 007...yet. Blood Fever now takes James Bond on the path to 007. Even the first line, 'James Bond hated feeling trapped,' shows that this boy is restless and one that does not take the common path in life. He must know that there is an exit where ever he may be, and his real ambition is to be free. He realizes that he does not fit in with Eton, the so-called common path. This boy is different from the others. All of this essential information about the back round to this character is presented on the first page describing him alone (pg 15 UK first edition paperback).
One standout scene of Blood Fever (and one that was certainly anticipated before the release of the novel) is the torture sequence involving James Bond. The form of torture is the deadliest animal in the world: mosquitoes. As Ugo Carnifex says, 'they are a nuisance, aren't they?' The scene is written magnificently, from the lack of mutual respect between James Bond and Ugo Carnifex to the sense of hopelessness James feels after he is left alone. Blood drips from the uncountable bites on his body and the creatures are relentless and ruthless in their mass attack. Help eventually comes, but not after James experiences a world of agony and pain. In a way, this scene (which succeeds wonderfully) represents a transition from young Bond to the adult 007. Charlie Higson proves he can make a scene like this work very well. The violence is increased, but sex still remains very PG. Bond tries to resist Vendetta's uncontrollable attempts to kiss him, thinking the action to be embarrassing. He does however kiss her 'hard on the mouth' when trying to get a point across, but the idea of Amy as a girlfriend is 'nonsense' to him.
Do not resist this second Young Bond novel if you did of SilverFin because the idea seemed too childish or silly. Charlie Higson is an accomplished writer and his work on Blood Fever is definitely deserving of praise. This is the best kind of Bond novels--young or old. It grips you from the start and truly does not let go until the conclusion. The characterization is deep and rich, the settings described in detail, and the plot interesting and exciting. Equally as important, there is a point: Blood Fever continues young James Bond on the road to 007. Both James Bond and the readers are in for quite the journey.
commanderbond.net
Even more action and suspense... 2007-06-19
Thirteen year-old James Bond is pulled into another adventure. This time, James stumbles upon a dangerous secret society at his own school. When his teacher and some of his classmates decide to visit Sardinia over a break, James tags along. He has a nearly takes a fatal fall at their archeological dig site, and James suspects one of his professors. James then leaves his group to stay with his uncle who lives nearby. But danger soon follows, and James discovers a conspiracy involving the secret society, pirates, and a power-hungry monarch.
In this second Young Bond adventure, there is even more action and suspense. Blood Fever definitely has the feel of a true James Bond story. James gets captured, (mildly) tortured, and even has a girl to save. Higson has done a wonderful job of staying true to Bond's character, while making him a much more innocent young man. And the secondary characters are remarkably vivid and exciting. Both children and adults who love action and adventure will love this series.
Blood Fever march,22 2007 2007-03-23
Blood Fever
By: Charlie Higson
The main character in the story is James Bond and he is a boy who is adventurous and likes to be sneaky at school. He also likes to be in secret clubs like the danger club.
When James Bond goes on a field trip he is on a exploration with a friend from school and on the trip with enemies. He encounters a group of men and gets knocked out. He also meets a big criminal who wants to kill him and watch him suffer.
The setting of the story is in a school, in a carnival, in a mansion and they were all in the middle east.
The theme was about bravery, greed, and death. The story was about bravery because James had to be brave to save the girl that was trapped. It was about greed because two big criminals were fighting for a big treasure. The story was about death because one of James's friends died and that was very big for James.
I liked the story because I like action and adventure type books and this book is very good and once I started reading I couldn't stop. Another reason I liked the book is because it had some parts that were very sad witch quickly changed into anger.
IF you like action or adventure I would suggest you read Young Bond Book #3: Double or Die
Another exciting adventure for Young Bond 2007-02-11
Following his adventures in the Scottish Highlands, James Bond is back at Eton, where he has joined the risk-taking Danger Society. Summer vacation is on the horizon and James is looking forward to the school trip to the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia, and the opportunity to spend some time with his reclusive cousin Victor.
But all is not as it appears. James soon discovers that the seemingly peaceful island harbors some strange secrets. Before long, Victor's house has been ransacked and important pieces of artwork have been stolen. James learns that the Millennaria-a ruthless Roman society long thought to be extinguished-is still active. He suspects the impetuous millionaire Count Ugo Carnifex may be behind it. But one of his teachers has been acting strangely as well..
As a young girl's life hangs in the balance, it's up to James to uncover an intricate conspiracy that will take him head-to-head with enemies more ruthless than he could have ever imagined.
Blood Fever 2007-01-18
Blood Fever
By: Charlie Higson
The main character in the story is James Bond and he is a boy who is very adventurous and likes to be sneaky at school. He also likes to be in secret clubs and also likes to get out at night.
When James Bond goes on a field trip he is on a exploration with a friend from school and on the trip with enemies. He encounters a group of men and gets knocked out. He also meets a big criminal who wants to kill him and watch him suffer. In the end James finds a way out of the criminals grasp and saves a girl that was trapped in the criminals mansion.
The setting of the story is in a school, in a carnival, in a mansion and they were all in the middle east.
The theme was about bravery, greed, and death. The story was about bravery because James had to be brave to save the girl that was trapped. It was about greed because two big criminals were fighting for a big treasure. The story was about death because one of James's friends died and that was very big for James.
I liked the story because I like action/ adventure type books and this book is very good and once I started reading I couldn't stop. Another reason I liked the book is because it had some parts that were very sad witch quickly changed into anger.
Blood Fever 2007-01-18
Blood Fever
By: Charlie Higson
The main character in the story is James Bond and he is a boy who is very adventurous and likes to be sneaky at school. He also likes to be in secret clubs and also likes to get out at night.
When James Bond goes on a field trip he is on a exploration with a friend from school and on the trip with enemies. He encounters a group of men and gets knocked out. He also meets a big criminal who wants to kill him and watch him suffer. In the end James finds a way out of the criminals grasp and saves a girl that was trapped in the criminals mansion.
The setting of the story is in a school, in a carnival, in a mansion and they were all in the middle east.
The theme was about bravery, greed, and death. The story was about bravery because James had to be brave to save the girl that was trapped. It was about greed because two big criminals were fighting for a big treasure. The story was about death because one of James's friends died and that was very big for James.
I liked the story because I like action/ adventure type books and this book is very good and once I started reading I couldn't stop. Another reason I liked the book is because it had some parts that were very sad witch quickly changed into anger.
Suspenseful Story- One of the Best 2006-10-28
I read this book over the summer and I couldn't put it down! It has so much action and suspense. I recommend this book to everyone 12+.
Ian Fleming is alive and well in Charlie Higson 2006-06-04
I consider myself a well read Bond person, even used the early Bond films in the classroom, and have had the opportunity to meet many of those connected with the films at various conventions and gatherings. Author Charlie Higson has done the impossible. He has restored the flavor that the better Ian Fleming books had, the special touch that made one read a Fleming novel more than once to recapture the joy.
Not to take anything away from John Gardner who frankly is a great writer, however his many books beyond the Bond ones were better done as he was not restricted. Raymond Benson means well and I can enjoy his stories, but it is not James Bond. It is just that Ian Fleming had a special way of handling his super spy that has up til now not been equalled.
In Blood Fever, as in the first book in the series, Silverfin, the author has gone to the young Bond. At the appropriate age as Fleming had Bond in his mid thirties in the early 1950's. The young James Bond series is placed in the proper time in history for realism and the author has done a beautiful job in describing places and settings. He has taken the few facts given by Fleming about Bond's beginnings and has weaved them into a beautful tapestry of stories true to the character. As in the first book, Blood Fever gives you an insight into things that later would mark Bond as a man and it is fascinating to watch his development.
The plotting is excellent and you feel as though the real father of Bond, Fleming, is alive and well and at his best. You have super villains, young ladies appropriate to the age, (James is not into girls yet), and very tight and careful plotting. If anything the flow is better than some of Fleming's last books.
Now comes the long wait for the next one. It would be hoped that Charlie Higson would not end the series with Bond becoming a man. Certainly there are great stories that could be told about Bond during the World War Two years, Fleming gave some hints about what Bond was doing then.
Yes, I will be reading both these books on the young Bond a second time. It is good to see the flavor of the original James Bond returned, something that has not really been accomplished by the film actors. I love Sean Connery, and consider him the best, but he was still so different from the Bond in the books.
