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ckeithjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
Really fun Bond novel. It's a product of its time, which may not play well for all readers, but it's a compelling and fun read nonetheless.
toddbert's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hirvimaki's review against another edition
5.0
The best of Bond (so far). Fleming is still the master of using coincidence to drive a plot, but in this one it works. Strong characters, solid plot, interesting locations. A weird dismissal of SMERSH, considering they've been the main antagonist for the last 8 books. But movie fans will welcome SPECTRE. It just felt...odd.
frannyglasslover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I had a lot of fun with this. I was a bit hesitant to re read as from my memory this was sort of a Live and Let Die part two, with a similar and slightly worse plot.
The settings are obviously similar, and it doesn't help that I always get the names Solitaire and Domino confused in my head, but I thought this book was an engaging and well paced addition to the series. Some great moments with Felix, which I always enjoy, a fairly compelling Bond girl, for the time, and an interesting internal conflict for Bond. Fun!
The settings are obviously similar, and it doesn't help that I always get the names Solitaire and Domino confused in my head, but I thought this book was an engaging and well paced addition to the series. Some great moments with Felix, which I always enjoy, a fairly compelling Bond girl, for the time, and an interesting internal conflict for Bond. Fun!
pluginsteadman's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sbrewer71's review against another edition
3.0
Your SPECTRE against mine.
An enjoyable read involving the character of James Bond, and the inspiration for the movies "Thunderball" and "Never Say Never Again". When reading this, or any of the original James Bond stories, it is important to think of the time they were written or one could be offended by the sexism and stereotypes that run throughout these stories.
An enjoyable read involving the character of James Bond, and the inspiration for the movies "Thunderball" and "Never Say Never Again". When reading this, or any of the original James Bond stories, it is important to think of the time they were written or one could be offended by the sexism and stereotypes that run throughout these stories.
andrew_j_r's review against another edition
4.0
23.12.14⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It is interesting to see this series of books as it matures. This book was published in 1961, the year the first James Bond movie (at least in the official series) was released. it will be interesting to see if books after this are influenced by the movies in any way.
This book in itself is really good. It is one of the longer books, and takes its time to tell the story. As a result it has a much greater sense of depth than some of the others (no pun intended). It also acknowledges the passing of the Cold War at least to the degree where the USSR can no longer be the main protagonists. The author's response to this is to create SPECTRE, and we are even introduced to Blofeld although the characters do not meet in this book. It is a cracking spy yarn, without overreliance on technology. I can't imagine any of the books in the series being any better than this, but I look forward to finding out.
11.12.23 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Agree with the points above. I am finding, generally, that I am enjoying these books much more this time round, even the ones that I was unsure of when I first read them.
Once again, this read was one of the beautiful Folio Society editions.
It is interesting to see this series of books as it matures. This book was published in 1961, the year the first James Bond movie (at least in the official series) was released. it will be interesting to see if books after this are influenced by the movies in any way.
This book in itself is really good. It is one of the longer books, and takes its time to tell the story. As a result it has a much greater sense of depth than some of the others (no pun intended). It also acknowledges the passing of the Cold War at least to the degree where the USSR can no longer be the main protagonists. The author's response to this is to create SPECTRE, and we are even introduced to Blofeld although the characters do not meet in this book. It is a cracking spy yarn, without overreliance on technology. I can't imagine any of the books in the series being any better than this, but I look forward to finding out.
11.12.23 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Agree with the points above. I am finding, generally, that I am enjoying these books much more this time round, even the ones that I was unsure of when I first read them.
Once again, this read was one of the beautiful Folio Society editions.
guyro's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as Casino Royale, which offers real deep insight into the psyche of bond, or live and let die, which further develops him and his skills