Hurricane Gold

Young Bond #4

by Charlie Higson

BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND.
BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN.
MEET BOND. JAMES BOND.

As the sun blazes over the Caribbean island of Lagrimas Negras, its bloodthirsty ruler is watching and waiting. Criminals come here to hide, with blood on their hands and escape on their minds.

On the mainland, in the quiet town of Tres Hermanas, ex-flying ace Jack Stone leaves his son and daughter in the company of James Bond. But a gang of thieves lies in ambush – they want Stone's precious safe, and will kill for its contents.

James embarks on a deadly chase through the Mexican jungle. On this terrifying trail of greed and betrayal, only danger is guaranteed... Survival is not.


The first five books and companion novel in the series are written by Charlie Higson, with the rest being written by Steve Cole.

The series consists of the following titles;
1. SilverFin
2. Blood Fever
3. Double or Die
4. Hurricane Gold
5. By Royal Command
6. Shoot to Kill
7. Heads You Die
8. Strike Lightning
9. Red Nemesis

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller, Espionage, Action

354 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2007

About the author

Higson was educated at Sevenoaks School and at the University of East Anglia (where his brother has taught since 1986 and is now a professor of film studies) where he met Paul Whitehouse, David Cummings and Terry Edwards. Higson, Cummings and Edwards formed the band The Higsons of which Higson was the lead singer from 1980 to 1986. They released two singles on the Specials' 2-Tone label. Higson then became a plasterer before he turned to writing for Harry Enfield with Paul Whitehouse and performing comedy. He came to public attention as one of the main writers and performers of the BBC Two sketch show The Fast Show (1994-2000). He worked with Whitehouse on the radio comedy Down the Line and is to work with him again on a television project, designed to be a spoof of celebrity travel programmes.[1:]

He worked as producer, writer, director and occasional guest star on Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) from 2000 to 2001. Subsequent television work has included writing and starring in BBC Three's Fast Show spin-off sitcom Swiss Toni. He is currently starring in Tittybangbang series 3 on BBC Three and has appeared as a panellist on QI.

He published four novels through the early to mid 1990s which take a slightly dystopian look at everyday life and have a considerably more adult tone than his other work, with characters on the margins of society finding themselves spiraling out of control, leading him to be described by Time Out as 'The missing link between Dick Emery and Brett Easton Ellis' [2:]

In 2004, it was announced that Higson would pen a series of James Bond novels, aimed at younger readers and concentrating on the character's school-days at Eton. Higson was himself educated at Sevenoaks School where he was a contemporary of Jonathan Evans, current Director General of MI5. The first novel, SilverFin, was released on 3 March 2005 in the UK and on 27 April 2005 in the U.S. A second novel, Blood Fever, was released on 5 January 2006 in the UK and 1 June in the U.S. The third novel, Double or Die, was published on 4 January 2007 having had its title announced the day before. The next, Hurricane Gold, came out in hardcover in the UK in September 2007.[3:]In this year he also made a debut performance on the panel show QI. His final Young Bond novel, By Royal Command, was released in hardcover in the UK on the 3 September 2008.[4:]

Charlie has signed a deal to pen a new series of children's books for Puffin. According to the author, "They are going to be action adventures, but with a horror angle

Reviews

[Chris Horsefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far out of the Young James Bond series, this is by far the best. It’s long, action packed and you really get into the book. I was upset when I had finished this, I loved it.

[Stephen Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each page brings a fresh adventure, James has to overcome the elements and some seriously bad criminals if he wants to get out of this adventure alive.

[Colin Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best young James Bond book. It is a little like Skeleton Key the Alex Rider book, but its better, the book is very long.
The story takes us to Mexico where a hurricane devistates the community and forces James to look after a young girl he ends up getting feelings for.
Then we end up on a tropical island owned by the bad guys. The story is great and my favorite Young Bond book.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Young Bond series presents the story of what happened to James Bond during his teen years. After the events of the previous book, James is still recovering from his injuries, and is taking a semester off from Eton. His Aunt Charmian had a schedule expedition in the jungles of Mexico and has decided to bring him along. While she does her assignment, James is going to be staying with her friend Jack Stone, a former flying ace from the war.

Just as they are arriving, a hurricane comes ashore. Jack Stone offers to fly Charmian out to her expedition with the hopes that she can make it before things go bad. James will remain in the Stone mansion with Jack's children: Precious, a girl his own age with quite the empress complex, and JJ, a sweet kid who just wants someone to play with. As the storm is coming ashore, the Stone estate gets some company.

A group of thieves have decided to try and take advantage of the storm to take Jack Stone's safe. They are a bit disappointed that Stone is not there and decide to take Stone's children along for the ride. James, pretending to be a local hoodlum, goes along for the ride in the hopes of saving the kids and recovering the stolen goods.

Off the coast of Mexico is the island of Lagrimas Negras, which has become a hideaway for a number of scary criminals. To stay in the haven all they have to do is turn over a huge amount of funds to El Huracan, the "governor" of the island. The only problem is that no one leaves the island once they arrive. The idea is to protect the sanctity of the haven. The only way to get off is through an obstacle course, called La Avenida de la Muerte (the Avenue of Death) that follows a theme related to the ancient Mayan gods. No one has ever completed the gauntlet before.

As you can probably guess, James will find his way onto Lagrimas Negras in the course of his adventures in Mexico. The only way he is going to get to save the girl, recover the treasure, and get out alive is take the challenge of the gauntlet.

This, the fourth volume, is a nice addition to the series. Like the earlier novels, it is a typical Bond story, full of action, deception, and a quick pace. The series is a bit more challenging than the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, but they are just as good.

[Mariam Abood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, I can't understand why this is the highest rated book in the series on goodreads. I thought it was the worst. I can only put it down to people giving up on the series by Double or Die, because I bloody well did.

This book was just boring, I couldn't even finish it, I was just bored out of my skull.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I had read the first ones in the series and really wanted to read to this one so when I saw it in the library I as over the moon and got it out instantly.

This book fits under the category of ‘a book with a male main character’. I think that this is a great category as a lot of books fit under it and it gives a wide range of freedom. I like reading books about male main characters, as they are more out going in the dangerous side of things. For example James faces a crocodile and a jaguar just to get of an island, as it was the only way.

“When Manny turned his head, James could see that he was badly injured. A section of his skull above his right ear had broken away and was hanging loose, still attached by a flap of hair-covered skin.As he moved, the flap swung backwards and forwards like a door opening and closing. And as it opened it revealed a glistening patch of pinkish-grey brain behind a rubbery membrane." I like how he describes his skull as it means that you can imagine it and it is a vivid image. The phrase 'a rubbery membrane' makes you feel as if you can touch it and feel the brain through the jelly like surface. This is just one of the many sections in the book that I have really enjoyed and I couldn't stop myself from reading it and all my free time I would be reading.

I learnt from this book a bit about the landscape of Mexico and what it looks like. Vera Cruz is on the cost of Mexico and is close to the jungle around the old ruins of the lost city. The big cities in Mexico and separated by vast amounts of farmland and no mans land with little villages in-between them.

[Steve Fincher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because after every chapter it made you want to read more and more. It was a very exciting story with lots of action. It was a bit gory in places, but I didn't mind it. I have read all the Alex Rider and Jason Steed novels and they are similar.
This is the best in the series so far, it was two stories in 1, similar to the Jason Steed series, and in far away exotic locations. James Bond is also now into girls and I am the same age (14) and just like him. I really liked it. I can't wait to read the next book!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a Young Bond. I wasn't sure I'd like them - I prefer to imagine Bond having a fairly normal boyhood - and besides, what if I fancied teenage Bond, that would be Wrong.

I needn't have worried. This was a fun romp I could enjoy without disturbing my personal headcanon, with some very grown-up evil as well as more child-friendly villainy like spoiled brats and dismissive adults. There's an obstacle course that must have prepared Bond well for Dr No, though it did also make me think of a Tomb Raider level.

It helps that Higson is terrifically clever and funny, and obviously a big Bond fan; there are a couple of very cute little nods to the books and films, and young James is very much in character. I'll be reading more!

[J.J. Lair · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reads like a Bond movie. There is a scary cold open that is Chapter 1. From that open, you know how this has to end. How do we get there is way beyond what seems possible in Chapter 2.
This story had plenty of action. The characters were complex and they had back stories. Prescious was not a typical Bond girl like they would become as adults. She held her own and they didn’t get romantic.
The end does have the influence of Dr. No. I don’t know if the reader of this would know that, I sensed it.
Better than Silver Fin.

[Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a fascinating book because so much happened..but how many days passed I have no idea. the description of deaths in this was disturbing but I loved the way James and Precious went through the murder maze.. also there was a different audiobook narrator this time, not bad, but I was like huh

[K.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great action book. A little gory here and there, but nothing we can’t handle, right? Overall, I would very much recommend this book to others.

[17thompsonh112 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and thrilling, great ending also.

[Nat · Rating 2 out of 5]

drowning in honey, what a way to go (i’d just eat it all)

[Tysen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was good in all sorts of ways. Charlie Higson explained everything thoroughly and with precise details. Of course they have new characters in every book and the way they brought the new ones into this story was amazing, one of the best ways to start the adventure with James Bond and his new friends. El Huracan, the man who tried to kill James, has made an island for criminals, the only thing is the only way of the island is through the death valley. The governments know about this place because it is actually an easy way to keep criminals off the street and keep them from killing people. Charlie Higson made James Bond go through a battle of a lifetime with him, an awesome adventure.

[Janaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I picked this book, because I already read the other books in the Young Bond Series, and I gave all of them 5 stars. This book is about how James Bond is taking a vacation in Mexico. He has to babysit 2 snobby kids of an ex-ace pilot. But soon after the pilot and James aunt was gone, a couple of criminal tourists attack and rob the mansion James Bond was staying in. But a giant storm wrecks the mansion, before the tourists can. James takes the kids to saftey. They travel all across the Mexican Jungle, to find saftey, all the while being chased by the tourists. Their adventure takes them from the city, to the Jungles, to the sea, and to a rumored island for criminals. I finished this book, because I wanted to find out what this island really was. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to read an adventerous book!

[Ms. Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about bond as a young teen and he is on this island with a whole bunch of criminals who are hiding in paradise and nobody even knows about the island because it is kept a secret by el hurricane. It is very interesting if you are an action seeker. It is a sci-fi like book. The setting is a top secret island where criminals come to hide in paradise. The characters are James bond, el hurricane, Robert king, Dum-Dum white, And Luis Chavez. It is a really thrilling book if you are an action seeker.i liked it a-lot because it is a really good book about bond as a teen killer.other people who should read it is people who are really into James bond related stuff.
Hurricane gold
Charlie Higson

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading this series with my 10 year old son and he finds them fascinating. Higson has struck the perfect chord; combining just enough complexity, plot twists, historical information, suspense, and even some Bond style violence, to make these novels real page turners and a wonderful father/son activity. The series takes place before the second world war so there is excellently handled prescient references to Nazis, Communists, and the European stage. True to Ian Flemming's Bond to come, Silverfin has some Dr. No type characters that are into some biological master race stuff - nasty as can be.

[David Campton · Rating 3 out of 5]

the 4th Young Bond book. I'm beginning to worry about this young man. He has only been at Eton for a year and has spent most of it travelling the world experiencing all kinds of daring-do. Dear knows what he will grow up to do! Seriously, this is teenage dime-store stuff, ie. entirely in keeping with Fleming's originals.

[Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable installment of Young James Bond from Charlie Higson - this time highlighting another seldom-visited location (for the adult Bond, that is) Mexico and the Mayan ruins at Palenque, in addition to the fictitious island of Lagrimas Negras. We also see the Bond character's introduction to jiu-jitsu.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

exotic setting and all the ingredients for a proper james bond adventure. the girl was terrific in all senses of the word and the whole story worked well, if a bit "off the wall". as are most james bond films / books anyway.
can't go wrong with this series. marvellous.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most enjoyable book that I've read of this series so far. Higson is clearly maturing Bond as the series progresses and this episode would have worked as an adult Bond adventure. A thoroughly entertaining read for all ages. Recommended.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an exciting and easy read and I will never get over my childhood crush on James.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written novel

[Andrew Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the best Young Bond yet! I am sad I only have one Charlie Higson Bond book left. These have all been action packed, and Higson has nailed the Bond feel. With many truly evil villains to choose from, somehow you end up feeling something akin to sympathy for El Hurrican. I was a little wary at first of the similarities between HG and Dr. NO, but it ended up being more of a refreshing tribute than a copy.

This book continued the theme of Bond being averse to using a gun to kill people. It is positioned as not wanting to kill in cold blood, but I am looking forward to the transformation into a Bond who can shoot when necessary. Again, great book. I would highly recommend this to bond fans or those who love action packed books. But I would say read them in order, because knowing how much pain he faced going into this story adds to the drama.

[Dennis Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read three of the first four Young Bond books and Hurricane Gold is the best of the four. Every page is loaded with action. It's 1934 and gangsters are flocking to Mexico to escape the G-Man. James Bond decides to go on a Mexican excursion with his aunt, Charmian. But James is no wall flower and trouble finds him like a bee to honey.
Precious and JJ's lives are turned upside down when a small group of scallywags invade their hacienda searching for hidden treasure. But when they come up empty-handed they kidnap the kids and set out to find the booty! James Bond is not an ordinary boy and to their dismay he proves that in flying colors.
If you love James Bond stories you'll enjoy reading Hurricane Gold. I am hooked on the series and I'll be starting Book 5 tomorrow, can't wait. Happy reading!

[Theo Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

- I loved listening to this book as it was very engaging. The plot had many twists in it, and it felt as if everything fit into place. The final escape route through the mayan maze was brilliant. As with the other books, a lot of it felt a bit cliche and unrealistic, but I suppose it was to be with a schoolboy spy book. So there’s this mysterious gangster island for people who are tricked into it, and James and Precious manage to learn this criminal leader’s torture escape well enough they escape it. Two teenagers put themselves up for what they know will be torture, and survive something many other adults died from purely from a bit of preparation. Just seems too forced. That said it was a brilliant story.
- I would recommend this book to people who enjoy spy and action books.

[Sarah Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my son whilst in hospital. We both immensely enjoyed it. James is on a recuperation holiday with his aunt before she goes on an expedition. However, a hurricane ruins all plans. James was to stay with a friend of his aunt when burglars come in to take something from the safe. James gets caught up in protecting the children Precious and JJ. They escape though wounded and the adventure starts when they try to get to safety at Vera Cruz. They keep bumping into the robbers and go through pain and loses. Precious and James end up in a sort of prison where they have to go through many tasks to leave.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

James was ready to enjoy some vacation time in Mexico while his aunt traveled, but when the family he's staying with is attacked, he must team up with the arrogant Precious to stop a villain from taking her hostage - a task that takes them to an island run by criminals, for criminals...Higson delivers another exciting tale of espionage and adventure that will young readers entertained, though the use of strong language and graphic details may deter younger fans. Can James keep himself and Precious alive in time to find their families, or are they about to become the next victims to the dangers of the Mexican jungles?

[18antonam070 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It the 4th book in the series. Decent book. Very exciting and fun to read. Would recommend anyone who wants to read this book to read the others in the series first. This is because it will make more exciting and easier to understand. I gave this four stars because it’s a good book but it could be better. They are trying to rescue stolen US navy documents. The best bit is the tensest part of the book, after being trapped on the island they must find a way to escape. The rat run at the end where they have to survive snakes, heat plates, tigers and other dangerous stages. In the end James manages to escape via the water pipe. The genre is action because the book is generally fast paced.