Double Oh three and a half. (Silverfin: A James Bond Adventure - Charlie Higson)

Member Name: Fiver29

Product:	Silverfin: A James Bond Adventure - Charlie Higson
Date:	11/05/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Super writing

Disadvantages: none

My son, who's in his last year of junior school, first started reading Silverfin at school, he was enjoying the book so much that he wanted to jump ahead of his classmates, so I bought him the book. I don't normally taking reading suggestions from an 11 year old, but he raved so much about it, I thought I'd give it a try after he finished it, and I'm so glad I did.

Firstly for a kid's book it's really quite substantial, it's slightly larger than your average paperback, and has 327 pages, so it's longer than the last couple of adult books that I've read.

Onto the story, the book follows James Bond (yes, the James Bond but much younger) as a schoolboy. Beginning with his first days at Eton, the start of the book covers how he copes with the rigours of the school, and the public school style bullying. However, before we even reach Eton we hear about a young boy (later to be named Alfie) who decides to go fishing at Loch Silverfin, despite fencing and warnings to keep out. Alfie soon finds out that Loch Silverfin isn't a fisherman's paradise and is full of eels. The eels attack and Alfie is pulled under the water.

Back to Eton, and there are a few strange going on between James and school bully George, however, I won't say anymore as it would spoil the second part of the book. When Easter time comes around, James is free of Eton for the holidays and is heading off to stay with his aunt and uncle in Scotland. He meets a young London urchin at the train station, who persuades him to create a diversion whilst he jumps on the train. This is the start of a new friendship for James, as it turns out that Red (the young boy) is heading to the same place as James. Unfortunately they both find out that George is also heading the same way.

It turns out that Red is Alfie's cousin, and he's off to find out what happened to him. Of course James decides to help Red.

This has to be one of the best books I've read in a long time, and sometimes I had to remind myself that it is a children's book. The writing is absolutely superb; it flows well throughout the book, as does the story. There are no gaps in the book where the storyline drops off; it's interesting from the start and exciting at the finish.

The author manages to get across the horror that can ensue if completely insane people and rich people are combined, without making the story too horrific. There are parts where younger children will probably squirm, but for the most part it is written so the horror of the scene is enhanced by a person's own experiences. And hopefully most children won't have such bad experiences that they will miss the deeper meaning.

The characters are all well written, you really feel for James and his family, whilst at the same time loathe George and his. There are several minor characters that also add to the story perfectly.
My son's reaction to the book says it all for me. He has never been remotely interested in the books he reads at school before now, and normally never strays from Horrid Henry and LFC Annuals. This book has changed that, I've already bought the next in the series which he' half way through, and he's asked if he can have the next two as well. That's how good this book is, I'm so pleased the teacher decided to choose it as the lesson book, because it has sparked an interest in him that doesn't revolve around computers or games consoles.

Well recommended.

Summary: Well worth the money