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jbrito's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gsatori's review
1.0
Hideous. The plot was ludicrous, the characters cardboard. I came hoping for a worthy entry and got something that would'nt have satisfied as weak fan fiction.
brian_finch's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second Gardner Bond Novel and the second one I have read. So far, I like these books. I don't love them as much as Fleming's, but I enjoy them.
Unlike Fleming, these books seem to operate in a world where the books and movies are in the same universe. Fleming was missing many of the tropes from the films, but the Gardner novels includes them, mainly the inclusion of Q branch playing a large role, and the relationship of Bond and Moneypenny. Both of these are more like the films than the Fleming novels.
Though the books do Fleming-esque; especially the brutality. Fleming is always much for brutal than the films, and the Gardner books seem to take that path. Also the great chapter titles -- for example this book has some great chapter titles that include: "The House of the Bayou," "Pillow Thoughts," "Invitation by Force," " Intimidations of Mortality," and "Shock Tactics" to name a few.
I am curious to see if he begins to forge his own path, or continues to ride the fence of two worlds that have come before.
Unlike Fleming, these books seem to operate in a world where the books and movies are in the same universe. Fleming was missing many of the tropes from the films, but the Gardner novels includes them, mainly the inclusion of Q branch playing a large role, and the relationship of Bond and Moneypenny. Both of these are more like the films than the Fleming novels.
Though the books do Fleming-esque; especially the brutality. Fleming is always much for brutal than the films, and the Gardner books seem to take that path. Also the great chapter titles -- for example this book has some great chapter titles that include: "The House of the Bayou," "Pillow Thoughts," "Invitation by Force," " Intimidations of Mortality," and "Shock Tactics" to name a few.
I am curious to see if he begins to forge his own path, or continues to ride the fence of two worlds that have come before.
sandman_1961's review against another edition
3.0
Long time James Bond fan. John Gardner does a good job with his continuation novels. Enjoyed this as features SPECTRE.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
Gardner's second Bond book, and much better than the first. Feels more like movie Bond than book Bond, but it is well written and fun to read.
The starting scene (the hijacking) is well handled, and the connection to SPECTRE is also good. I liked much of the build up, though there were a few info-dumps that went on too long. The ending is more of a rush than it needs to be, and I felt it could have been spread over another chapter.
This year I am reading sequels and finishing series. It may take more focus than I can give to finish Bond books, or even just the Gardner Bond series. Either way, should be a fun ride!
The starting scene (the hijacking) is well handled, and the connection to SPECTRE is also good. I liked much of the build up, though there were a few info-dumps that went on too long. The ending is more of a rush than it needs to be, and I felt it could have been spread over another chapter.
This year I am reading sequels and finishing series. It may take more focus than I can give to finish Bond books, or even just the Gardner Bond series. Either way, should be a fun ride!
sandman_1961's review
3.0
Long time James Bond fan. John Gardner does a good job with his continuation novels. Enjoyed this as features SPECTRE.