Product Description

How does an ordinary boy become the world's most famous secret agent? Discover how the legend began in Silverfin, the first in a series for younger readers about the young James Bond, a 13-year-old growing up in Britain in the 1930's.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1251 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Guardian, March 5, 2005
A well-crafted page-turner with substance… a most enjoyable, well-written book.

Sunday Express, February, 2005
A page-turning adventure that will get the hairs standing up on the back of your neck.

Customer Reviews

A great read
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.

Young 007 James Bond
This is the first Young 007 James Bond book. Charlie Higson has done a great job on them. This introduces us to Young James in the 1930's, he goes to Eton in London for the first time.
He ends up in Scotland and the adventure starts. Great villians, great setting and the start of a great series.
Charlie Higson is folllowing the line of Alex Rider author Anthony Horowitz, I think Young James Bond has more depth than Alex Rider, Although none compare to the new teen agent Jason Steed, that book is the greatest.
The characters here in Silverfin are without a doubt fantastic, This could easily be made into a great film, I would be at the front of the que.
Great book, no fowl words or drugs.

TEENAGE BOND!!!
Silverfin is a unique book about Bond in his teens. While he is at school he encounters a bully who he also bumps into while in Scotland for the holiday. James gets tied up with these people and has to squeeze himself out of many awkward situations.

I gave this book four stars because the characters are swayed and twisted by others. Also the thoughts and angers of each character are displayed in the book and their personal decisions are changed during the adventure. The down side is the secrets of the adventure they are easy to guess and released too early on in the story.

To make a long story short it is a must read and good for any type of reader young, old, experienced and also challenged readers will find it a good fun read because it is just the right length for anybody.