We’ve watched the boy James Bond grow throughout the first four books, and now he gets to use everything he’s learned over their course. I don’t mean plot points (though there are a few that come back to haunt James) I mean themes. This is the culmination of all of the books so far, and pays off many things set up in the earlier novels. By Royal Command blends together all of the elements the series is known for, then adds that final James Bond ingredient that’s been (rightly) absent from the previous books: spying. While I reviewed the exterior of the latest Young Bond book when it came out in England over a year ago, I never got around then to reviewing the actual contents–which some people claim are the best part of a book! (That didn't stop me, however, from listing it on my year-end Best Of list in 2008.) Since By Royal Command was finally released in America last week (along with hardcover and paperback editions of the SilverFin graphic novel), now seems like an appropriate time to finally review it.Ĭharlie Higson concludes his initial cycle of Young Bond novels with a fantastic, exciting Boy’s Own-style adventure. Book Review: By Royal Command By Charlie Higson
