One of these days, I really want to read about Charmian being with James for the whole adventure and being totally badass. I will say that Higson writes very strong female characters. There's been few if any girls in this series that I've disliked. Or thought was stupid. Even Precious. Which seriously? Precious. What a name. I really hated it. I really came to like her though. At first she seemed a complete and utter moron and a spoilt brat, but she overcame her flaws and became a really strong female heroine. And if nothing else, she did love her brother. James is up to his usual tricks in this one, managing to find trouble by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I liked the letters from Eton, they were a nice touch, adding just that little bit of familiarity to a new plot. Great read. Solid four stars. ( )

This is by far my favorite Young Bond book. It is longer and has the best story, james goes to mexico and has to dal with the ultimate master criminal on an island. I loved it. ( )

Another great installment! ( )

Main character boy (this is bond after all)
suggest late primary early secondary

This is a good adventure romp through. We start with poor bond taking a break from school due to injuries and them getting himself involved in an adventure. In some ways he seems to advanced fro his age in thinking things out but in others he fits the mould perfectly.
I was most surprised during an escape plan that it was that he would do what the captour said and then trust that he would keep his word. The other thing that surprised me was that there was a concentration on deaths, that while in original bonds people fall oter and that is it, here they though about it, particurlary grzzley was the minion that bond pushed out a window in the early chapters, which returned messed up in the head ans part of his scalp was hanging out.
a good adventure romp

4th in the series -- great action/adventure as usual from Higson! James Bond is vacationing in Mexico with his aunt, who leaves him at the home of American ex-flying ace Jack Stone and his obnoxious children, Precious and JJ. Stone leaves on a short trip just before a monster hurricane hits, and a gang of ruthless thieves arrive at the hacienda to steal the safe and its valuable contents. Precious and JJ are kidnapped, and it's up to James to rescue them and protect the stolen secrets of the safe. The chase ultimately leads him to an island haven for deadly criminals, controlled by the ruthless El Huracán, but once on the island, there is no way off... unless you're willing to take on the deadly maze known as La Avenida de la Muerte: The Avenue of Death. Danger and action at every turn, this one is especially appropriate for 7th and 8th graders because it's set in Mexico, with many Mayan influences. ( )