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jmbz38's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
hpachay's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kevlarbears's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
A very good job updating Bond into the modern day, a little slow at times, but the climax did catch me off guard, I didn’t see it coming.
a_writer_guy's review against another edition
3.0
Bond takes on a whole new feel in this novel. He's no longer a part of MI6, but has a different position with England's equivalent to Homeland Security which gives him carte blanche (hello, title) to protect his country how he sees fit. The story that Deaver creates for Bond is classic Bond and the villain has that weird aspect to him that comes with so many Bond villains. This was a really fun ride with Bond, and I could see a new series of Bond novels emerging in Carte Blanche's wake.
anisound's review against another edition
3.0
While the book struggles to be as sophisticated as its protagonist, the read never stagnated.
johnmcpheat's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard to talk about this book without giving anything away. So I'll say it first up: SPOILERS!
This is not simply another James Bond novel, featuring a hero who has been somewhere between 35 and 45 for the last 60 years. This is a reboot of the series. Bond is in his mid-thirties. His parents died mountain climbing - in the 1990s. He has worked for a secret government agency only for the last 3 years.
I thought it was interesting, but not enough was made of his new-ness to the role. Already he is a favourite of M (male, former admiral) and it feels like he's been with the organisation for years. 60 years.
I enjoyed the story. The villain was suitably creepy and eccentric. The only thing I didn't like was the way Bond could guess what his enemies were going to do. There so often seemed to be a twist ... which was always anticipated by Bond. I would have liked to see him get into more trouble - and then get out of it.
All in all I thought it was an enjoyable read and a decent attempt at bringing the literary Bond up to date. And there's an interesting subplot concering Bond's parents that is sure to feature in the next installment in the series.
There's a short essay at the back of the book from Jeffery Deaver about writing the book, but no information about the next in the series. Though I had a look on the Ian Fleming website and see the next book is to be written by William Boyd and will feature the 'classic Bond' - ie from the 1960s. Why spend all this time reinventing the character if you're just going back to the 60s?
This is not simply another James Bond novel, featuring a hero who has been somewhere between 35 and 45 for the last 60 years. This is a reboot of the series. Bond is in his mid-thirties. His parents died mountain climbing - in the 1990s. He has worked for a secret government agency only for the last 3 years.
I thought it was interesting, but not enough was made of his new-ness to the role. Already he is a favourite of M (male, former admiral) and it feels like he's been with the organisation for years. 60 years.
I enjoyed the story. The villain was suitably creepy and eccentric. The only thing I didn't like was the way Bond could guess what his enemies were going to do. There so often seemed to be a twist ... which was always anticipated by Bond. I would have liked to see him get into more trouble - and then get out of it.
All in all I thought it was an enjoyable read and a decent attempt at bringing the literary Bond up to date. And there's an interesting subplot concering Bond's parents that is sure to feature in the next installment in the series.
There's a short essay at the back of the book from Jeffery Deaver about writing the book, but no information about the next in the series. Though I had a look on the Ian Fleming website and see the next book is to be written by William Boyd and will feature the 'classic Bond' - ie from the 1960s. Why spend all this time reinventing the character if you're just going back to the 60s?
shermanberry's review against another edition
3.5
This is really a 3.5 to be fair. Almost a 4 but that would be James Bond bias kicking in.
You know exactly what you’re in for with James Bond stories. This one is no exception with exotic locations, villainous masterminds, cameos from old friends, gadgets and tension galore.
I’m a big fan of Jeffery Deaver’s thrillers and he does his reputation no harm here. He takes on the James Bond mantel with respect and panache giving us a modern tale with plenty of his trademark twists.
You know exactly what you’re in for with James Bond stories. This one is no exception with exotic locations, villainous masterminds, cameos from old friends, gadgets and tension galore.
I’m a big fan of Jeffery Deaver’s thrillers and he does his reputation no harm here. He takes on the James Bond mantel with respect and panache giving us a modern tale with plenty of his trademark twists.
mbpartlow's review against another edition
4.0
I confess, I've never made it all the way through a James Bond movie of any vintage. They're one of the few movies that don't appeal to me in any way.
But when Jeffery Deaver was at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, I picked up a signed hardback for my brother and a signed paperback for myself. Deaver rebooted the series at the request of the Ian Fleming estate.
Wow, Bond as a human being with a backstory. Bond not acting like a slut. I could like this Bond.
Bond's history was masterfully woven into the current story, and the plot twists show up in both story lines.
I thought it was a wonderful ride, a thriller that was never boring but also didn't veer too far into "that could never really happen" territory.
But when Jeffery Deaver was at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, I picked up a signed hardback for my brother and a signed paperback for myself. Deaver rebooted the series at the request of the Ian Fleming estate.
Wow, Bond as a human being with a backstory. Bond not acting like a slut. I could like this Bond.
Bond's history was masterfully woven into the current story, and the plot twists show up in both story lines.
I thought it was a wonderful ride, a thriller that was never boring but also didn't veer too far into "that could never really happen" territory.
alnicholl77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0