Thursday, September 27, 2007

Hurricane Gold audiobook

An abridged audiobook edition of Charlie Higson's fourth Young Bond novel Hurricane Gold is released today by Puffin Audio. The book is read by author Higson and can be purchased at Amazon.co.uk.

You can also download the audiobook from audible.com and the UK iTunes store.
Hurricane Gold sees young Bond battling gangsters in the jungles of Mexico. Released on September 6, it is currently the #2 bestselling children's title in the UK.

For full coverage of Hurricane Gold all things Young Bond related, visit our sister site The Young Bond Dossier, now the OFFICIAL source for Young Bond news.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Final Fling available for pre-order

The final book in Samantha Weinberg’s Moneypenny Diaries trilogy, Final Fling, is available to pre-order on Amazon.co.uk.

The Amazon listing shows the book as a hardcover and the release date as May 1, 2008 (we’ve heard it will be May, but the day might change). The listing also confirms our scoop from last May -- that Miss Moneypenny’s final adventure will indeed be called Final Fling.

Final Fling joins a crowded month of Bond releases. May 2008 will also see the release of Sebastian Faulks Devil May Care, the SilverFin graphic novel, the paperback edition of Hurricane Gold, and a paperback reprint of John Pearson’s James Bond the Authorized Biography.

CLICK HERE to read some exclusive details about this final Moneypenny novel.

Friday, September 21, 2007

DEVIL MAY CARE large print paperback

We have a U.S. hardcover, an audiobook, and now Amazon.com is listing a Large Print paperback edition of Sebastian Faulks centenary James Bond novel, Devil May Care.

Large Print editions are created for those who have trouble reading standard book typeset. The larger print will grow Devil May Care from 304 to 480 pages. The publisher will be Random House Large Print, so it’s likely the cover art will be the same as the hardcover, although many Large Print editions sometime use variant cover art.

The last Bond novel to get the large print treatment was Charlie Higson’s SilverFin.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

OO7 Magazine tribute to John Gardner

OO7 Magazine Online has posted a terrific tribute to former James Bond continuation author John Gardner, who passed away last month.

The tribute, viewable via subscription, is a full reprint of Raymond Benson's amazing interview and overview of the Gardner oeuvre up to 1994's SeaFire. This first appeared in the printed version of OO7 Magazine #28.

But what is especially nice for Gardner fans like myself is that Graham has re-illustrated this new online version with a phenomenal amount of never-before-seen photos and promotional material from the Gardner era, including panels from a never published Role of Honor and Icebreaker newspaper comic strips!

Head on over to OO7 Magazine Online and have a read.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Daniel Radcliffe YOUNG BOND rumors resurrected

Movie news site JoBlo.com is resurrecting rumors that Daniel Radcliffe may play Young Bond in a new series of movies based on the bestselling Charlie Higson novels. The website cites a source they call “Average Kadavra”, who claims, “there's interest in the wand-waving thespian once again for the part...and the Radcliffe camp is in fact considering it.”

Bond fans shouldn’t get too excited (or upset) at the idea of Harry Potter morphing into Higson’s Bond. These Radcliffe rumors first got play back in 2005, but IFP and Charlie Higson have stated again and again that even though they’ve had offers, there are currently NO plans for a Young Bond series of films. As recently as last week Charlie reiterated this on the Jonathan Ross radio show and in an interview for CBBC Newsround. The plan is to establish Young Bond as a literary franchise before the idea of films are explored.

Besides, even if plans for a Young Bond series of films were underway, Radcliffe, who is now 18, is certainly too old for the part. The five Young Bond novels cover James’ life from age 13 to 14. In this regard, these Radcliffe rumors are as unlikely as the wave of Orlando Bloom as Young Bond rumors that hit the media with the release of SilverFin.

Still, it is nice publicity for the books, especially here in the states, but well-informed Young Bondites can feel comfortable in shrugging off all reports of Daniel Radcliffe as Young Bond.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Pre-order Devil May Care on Amazon

The U.S. hardcover edition of Sebastian Faulks centenary James Bond novel, Devil May Care, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

Devil May Care will be released in the U.S. by Doubleday. An unabridged audiobook edition will be released by Random House. A paperback edition will be released by Anchor in 2009.

Devil May Care is set in 1967 when, says Faulks, “Bond is damaged, aging and in a sense it is the return of the gunfighter for one last heroic mission.” The book plays out across two continents, exotic locations, and “several of the world's most thrilling cities” including Paris.

Devil May Care will be released on May 28, 2008 by Penguin in the UK and Doubleday in the U.S.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Death Wing soars into U.S. stores

Titan Books latest collection of classic James Bond comic strips, Death Wing, is released today in the U.S.

The Death Wing collection includes the title story along with "Sea Dragon" and "When The Wizard Awakes." The book also includes an introduction by Bond Girl Madeline Smith (Live And Let Die) and part one of a look of James Bond in U.S. comics by Alan Porter.

Titian’s next release will be Shark Bait scheduled for February 2008.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Hurricane Gold yields YOUNG BOND 5 secrets

The excellent James Bond blog K1Bond007.com reports that clues to the next Young Bond novel can be found in the pages of the just released Hurricane Gold. Some of these could be considered spoilers, so read at your own risk.

First up, the name of the infamous maid who, according to Ian Fleming, plays a significant role in young James’ troubles at Eton. Roan is said to be 17 and Irish. It’s also reported that all the boys have fallen in love with her, so she’s obviously a looker.

Next is the precise Alpine location of the book’s skiing and mountain climbing action; Kitzbuhel (pic above). Kitzbuhel is a medieval city in Tyrol, Austria, situated between the mountains of Hahnenkamm and Kitzbuhler Horn. It is one of the regions best known and fanciest winter resorts.

Kitzbuhel is also where a young Ian Fleming studied French and German and learned to ski.

Hurricane Gold also mentions that Perry Manderville (who escorted James in his London adventure in Double or Die) has transferred to Fettes College in Scotland. Of course, Fleming tells us Fettes is where James goes after Eton. So is this just another Book 5 set-up, or is Charlie laying the groundwork for a Young Bond Series II?

Charlie is currently working on Young Bond 5 with an eye toward a late 2008 release. For even more on this final Young Bond adventure, click below to read our CBn interview.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Prof. Dumphart reviews HURRICANE GOLD

Review by Prof. C. Sterling Dumphart, Esq.

Egad!!! I have just had the distinct displeasure of reading this book, Hurricane Gold, and I must warn all of good breeding and proper sensibility to BURN this tome and do not let it fall into the hands of what, astoundingly, is its intended audience: children! For Hurricane Gold is, without a doubt, the most thorough collection of relentless action, sadistic violence, perverse wit, and sheer heart palpitating pace that this cultured reviewer has come across since the days of… oh, what was that man’s name?

Well, never mind the name. We know the name of THIS perpetrator: Charlie Higson. Obviously a man without children. Obviously a man for whom “restraint” means something entirely different from us who show ourselves in the daylight. For if Mr. Higson had children, he would understand that children should be chaste reflections of their parents' best virtues and will certainly have NO interest in a book that features gangsters, gunfights, hurricanes, quick sand crocodiles, scorpions, Mayan ruins, killer ants, black panthers, evisceration by razor wire, and a 13-year-old powering through the flood-swept streets of a Mexican village behind the wheel of a super charged Duesenberg. On this I stake the good name of Dumphart!

Perhaps the most horrific part of reading this 355-page “novel” is the sheer relentless speed at which it travels. I mean, it is impossible to settle down with a cup of warm milk and read a chapter before bed. No. This book is not a proper sleep conduit. In fact, I found my heart so racing that I would frequently have to put the book down and get up and pace! Can you imagine a child’s reaction?

But, apparently and appallingly, these “Young Bond” books do have a following (hellions, delinquents, and arrested adolescents, no doubt) and for those sad miscreants this latest novel may be the equal of the luridly titled Blood Fever. No doubt these “fans” will applaud such flesh-crawlers as Manny the Girl -- a henchman who prowls Mexico severely brain damaged thanks to our “hero” –- and the Avenida de la Muerte –- an obstacle course made up of the most unspeakable horrors –- as new classics. I fear this book will only increase the perverse predilection for more just like it, and do little to dissuade the curious who have yet to indulge. Be warned!

And the girl. Oh yes, the girl. It all starts off well enough. It is nice to see a proper Southern Belle once again grace the pages of a novel, even if she is in… Mexico. But this Precious Stone is a monster! A spoilt brat who, incredibly, speaks in the most unpolitically correct language of the time and browbeats her servants. Yes, it is the 1930s, but, really Mr. Higson, why inject realism into all this? Why not, um, whitewash the less flattering aspects of us members of the ruling class? Are you just trying to be subversive!?

Of course, our proper Southern Belle is soon ravaged by all forms of menace and grows into something of a female version of this despicable and frequently blood-soaked (yes, blood-soaked!) hero… this Bond, Bond James. The less said of Mr. Bond the better. I shudder in recalling his name because with his relentless destruction of property and overt defiance of his elders, he is obviously a symbol of societal ANARCHY even at the age of 13 (a fact which I had to keep reminding myself –- certainly it is possible to read this entire book and picture the hero as age 35).

And what of Jack Stone, the responsible parent in this pulp! He is a World War I flying ace. Very nice. It is commendable to see Mr. Higson, the sadist, include a nod to our boys in uniform. But, really! To inject complex themes about what happens to war heroes when they are not needed anymore (oh, yes, Mr. Higson, we noticed). One only has to study recent wars to know that is… well, forget that for now. My point is this author has the gall to inject DEPTH of characterization and complexity into this adventure fantasy as if it were a proper novel! Again, this reminds me of… oh, what was his name!?

Really, our children had a proper literary hero in Harry Potter (apart from the devil worship). But Mr. Bond is no Harry Potter. At least Mr. Potter went to school! Here, apparently for the first time in this “series,” we have no scenes set at Eton College whatsoever and I suppose those who enjoy these lurid tales will find the book better for this.

Oh, Mr. Higson does remind us of Mr. Bond’s more civilized life back in England with the occasional letter from his better bred classmates. But even those are tinged with MENACE! Who is this beastly Theo Bentinck who is delivering beatings to the boys, and what of this attractive new maid, Roan? No doubt she will be subjected to the attentions of this brute Bond upon his return. Yes, there will be a fifth and final novel, and one can only fear what new perversities Mr. Higson is dreaming up at this moment inside his garret!

Finally, the very form of the book itself… Suffice to say it is as much a vulgarity outside as in. It is GOLD. So golden one can see one's own appalled expression in its face. And this is not a quick coating of flock. It is done with care! Likewise, the pages are leafed and the endpapers emblazoned with the logo of this series. Good money was spent here by publisher Puffin suggesting PRIDE in this book! Oh, what is happening to the world of letters?

Let me close by saying that Hurricane Gold by Charlie Higson is the most objectionable novel I have had the bad fortune to encounter since the days of…ah, at last the villain’s name has come to mind…

Ian Fleming!!!

Friday, September 7, 2007

The Young Bond Dossier now OFFICIAL news source

Our sister site The Young Bond Dossier -- which for the past year has been the source for unofficial Young Bond news -- is now the source for OFFICIAL Young Bond news.

That’s right. Starting today, our website will supply the news for the official Young Bond website www.youngbond.com.

Our new section is called "Danger Society News" and it will mirror only our Young Bond coverage. You access Danger Society News from the official site by clicking the bulletin board in Young Bond’s room. It also has its own RSS feed, so you can put just the latest Young Bond headlines on your website or homepage.

This is, as far as I know, the first integration between a fansite and the official world of James Bond and it is an honor! So help us make this new partnership a success. Send in Young Bond news from around the world.

The Young Bond Dossier: Your Unofficial Best Source for News on the Literary Bond…and Beyond!

Official site updates with new game, images

The official Young Bond website www.youngbond.com has been updated with a new game based on Hurricane Gold.


The game pits you against obstacles in the “Avenue of Death” which features prominently in the new Young Bond novel. Are you alert, lucky and fast enough to avoid the deadly traps? Log on to www.youngbond.com to find out.

The site has also posted new Kev Walker character images of Bond, Precious, El Huracan, Mrs. Glass, Jack Stone, and J.J. There is also a new Hurricane Gold extract to read or download.

Exclusive photos from GOLD THURSDAY

Charlie Higson’s fourth Young Bond novel Hurricane Gold was officially released yesterday with an all-gold launch party at Waterstone’s Piccadilly, and we have the pictures to prove it! These come courtesy of our London correspondent Neal Romanek.



Thanks Neal!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

REPORT: Hurricane Gold launch party in London


Charlie Higson’s fourth Young Bond novel Hurricane Gold was officially released today with an all-gold launch party at Waterstone’s Piccadilly, and once again our intrepid UK corespondent Neal Romanek was dispatched to bring back details and pics from the big event.

Things kicked off behind closed doors with a six o’clock photocall for press. Here Charlie posed with the golden people who had been wandering the streets of London all day with copies of the book in hand, as well as members of the Young Bond team. Intriguingly, they posed beside a poster that featured what appears to be a hint of traditional “creature art” for the novel (maybe something we’ll see on the paperback next year?).

Doors were opened at 6:30 and the event began with approximately 100 Young Bond fans in attendance. Per the invitation, many came dressed in gold clothes, cowboy hats, and, oddly enough, Chinese caps. Fans were greeted by the golden people while Charlie’s beloved Mariachi music played, and hors d'oeuvres of tortilla chips and golden cupcakes were offered up (Neal spoke very highly of the cupcakes). There was also a roulette wheel and no shortage of golden balloons (but unlike the Double or Die party, they did not feature the Young Bond logo).

At approximately seven o’clock Charlie made his entrance dressed in a gold jacket and tie. He started off by giving his usual amusing introductory speech. He then read an excerpt from Hurricane Gold in which Young Bond attempts to negotiate the flooding streets of a Mexican village behind the wheel of a super-charged 1933 Duesenberg SJ, truly one of the novel’s most exciting sequences!

The floor was then opened to questions and these young fans came prepared. During the Q&A Charlie hinted that Amy Goodenough might be back in Book 5. He also pretty much confirmed that Babushka from Double or Die will return in the final Young Bond adventure (something that was also alluded to in The Young Bond Rough Guide to London -- which was included in the Young Bond swag handed out at the event).

Following the Q&A, Charlie took a seat in the next room for the signing while doors were opened to all the un-ticketed attendees who had been queuing outside. This time fans were restricted to only two copies of the book. Things moved along briskly with Charlie signing the books in gold pen (of course) and included in my own personalize copy the helpful suggestion that I “should get out more.” :p

All in all, it seemed to be another terrific and memorable Young Bond event for all who were lucky enough to attend.

'HURRICANE GOLD' STRIKES THE UK TODAY!

Charlie Higson's fourth Young Bond novel Hurricane Gold is released today in the UK as a hardcover (a first for a Young Bond novel).


The book was launched via a special all-gold launch party at Waterstone's Piccadilly that included gold painted actors wandering the streets of London with book in hand. Click for a full report on the event.

Hurricane Gold finds young James tangling with American gangsters in the jungles of Mexico. Author Higson likens his latest Young Bond adventure to Ian Fleming's Dr. No.

Monday, September 3, 2007

More details of Miss Moneypenny’s Final Fling

We have for you today some exclusive news on the next (and final) volume of Samantha Weinberg’s Moneypenny Diaries trilogy.

We already shared with you that the title will be Final Fling, now, according to our Top Secret sources, we’ve learned that locations will include Jamaica, the Outer Hebrides (an island chain off the west coast of Scotland), Cambridge, and London.

The storyline will be almost evenly divided between the adventures of Miss Moneypenny and the modern adventures of author “Kate Westbrook.” There is also a romance -- but whose...that we couldn’t discover.

The cover design will be similar to the paperback Secret Servant. The book will be released in May 2008, but the exact day of release is not yet set.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Young Bond Dossier interviews Charlie Higson

In February 2005, I had the honor of being one of the very first Bond fans to interview Charlie Higson. At the time, Charlie’s debut “Young Bond” novel, SilverFin, had yet to be released, and a question hung in the air: Would fans embrace a series that featured a 13-year-old James Bond?

Now, two years later, I once again got the opportunity to sit down with Charlie -- this time face to face (via iSight) -- for an extensive follow-up interview. Here Charlie tells us how the journey has been, provides insight into his new book Hurricane Gold, and shares exclusive information about his next and final Young Bond novel.

YOUNG BOND 5 locations, release date, and more!

In my exclusive CBn Interview with author Charlie Higson, new revelations about Young Bond 5 have come to light.

Charlie has revealed that a portion of Book 5 will be set in The Alps. This was originally the location for Book 4, but after Double or Die, Charlie felt two winter adventures just didn’t feel right. So Young Bond 5 will now feature the skiing and mountain climbing action originally planned for Book 4.

The book will then move onto Eton as the story continues through the summer. “There’s a little bit of everything in Book 5,” says the author.

The plot of Young Bond 5 will involve German and Russian spies and will “burn a few bridges” according to Charlie. Of all his books, Charlie says this one will be the most “Bond-like” in themes and scoop.

Will we get any revelations about Bond’s parents death?

“Well, I have thought that about that a lot,” says Charlie, “Book Five is a lot about climbing in The Alps and obviously Bond's parents died in a climbing accident in the Alps. But I kind of decided early on that it might be a bit pat, a bit obvious, if, you know, they were spies or they got caught up in some plot and were bumped off. I think I'll just leave them quietly in their graves.”

As to the release date for the final Young Bond adventure, Charlie says the plan is to release the book in 2008 to coincide with the Centenary. Although he admits it may be “late 2008” as he is not yet finished with the book.

When asked about a working title, Charlie admitted that this final Young Bond novel doesn’t have one yet. “I thought of one the other day, but I forgot to write it down and now it’s gone.”

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