James Bond series

[Enigma]

Definitely. I thought that the two were connected in some way, but apparently not. How does Forever and a Day work as a prequel?

[Jack Parker]

It details Bond's second kill to become a 00 agent and the reason he is assigned 007. It also shows his first assignment as a 00 agent and is a bit more of an inexperienced Bond. I probably enjoyed the first half of the novel more than the second half. I feel like the first half better detailed Bond's early days as a 00 agent where the second half felt like it turned into a typical Bond story.

[Enigma]

It details Bond's second kill to become a 00 agent and the reason he is assigned 007. It also shows his first assignment as a 00 agent and is a bit more of an inexperienced Bond. I probably enjoyed the first half of the novel more than the second half. I feel like the first half better detailed Bond's early days as a 00 agent where the second half felt like it turned into a typical Bond story.

Hmmmm... If I can get through the last 3 volumes of TMNT, I may start it tomorrow night :P

[Enigma]

I went ahead and started it tonight. I love the martini scene - as far as I know it's the first reference to when Bond formed that habit?

[Jack Parker]

I believe it is, unless one of the Fleming books explores it at some point. I know in Casino Royale he already has it developed but doesn't have a name for it yet until he names ot Vesper, but I don't think it ever goes into when he started ordering that drink.

[Enigma]

That's what I was thinking. That is quite nice then as it's actually something I've always wondered about :P

[Enigma]

I finished Forever and a Day. Honestly, it's the best non-Fleming novel that I've read, and ranks quite high among the Fleming works too. I particularly loved Bond's final actions. The 'reveal' (if you can call it that) was pitifully obvious, possibly intentionally, but Bond's solution perfectly finishes Bond's creation as we head into Casino Royale. I was worried about a prequel to be honest, but he has done it justice I think

[Jack Parker]

Yeah, there was nothing surprising about that reveal, though I would say it's a "classic" type of Bond reveal. The only big issue I had with the novel was I felt Horowitz was trying way too hard to show Sixtine was this significant part of Bonds development. I wouldn't have minded if she tied into the man he becomes but to me it came off as she was responsible for a lot of the "classic" elements of Bond which just came off as the author trying way too hard to push this character, if that makes sense.

[Enigma]

I get what you mean. To be honest, I don't think that she could ever have become one of the most important Bond girls. Any additional 'key' Bond girl has to be in a future book, not one from his past.

[Jack Parker]

Yeah, I agree. I like what Horowitz did in regards to stuff like Bonds second kill to earn his 007 position. Basically took something minor from Casino Royale and really expanded on it. It just felt weird to me to position Sixteen as someone super important to Bond who will likely never get mentioned again. Plus, with the chronological order of these novels Bond basically loses one major woman in his life and in the next one loses another, that being Vesper. That said, I did generally enjoy the novel and am looking forward to reading Trigger Mortis at some point.

[Enigma]

Yeah, I agree. I like what Horowitz did in regards to stuff like Bonds second kill to earn his 007 position. Basically took something minor from Casino Royale and really expanded on it. It just felt weird to me to position Sixteen as someone super important to Bond who will likely never get mentioned again. Plus, with the chronological order of these novels Bond basically loses one major woman in his life and in the next one loses another, that being Vesper. That said, I did generally enjoy the novel and am looking forward to reading Trigger Mortis at some point.

Trigger Mortis is on my shelf, just waiting :P

[Enigma]

Any thoughts on Richard Madden as Bond? I haven't seen The Bodyguard so I can't comment on his acting ability. However, when I read the Fleming novels, how I imagine Bond is quite like Richard Madden, actually. Indeed, I think that he also matches the grittier depictions of Bond in the Dynamite comics. I think he would be a fantastic choice if they decided to start back at the beginning again given his youth, Forever and a Day style.

Also, I finally started reading Trigger Mortis but I am pulling huge lab hours just now to meet a data deadline, so no idea when I will finish it :P My general opinion of Horrowitz though, he could have a really fantastic run of Bond books if they keep him going. I think he really gets Bond.

[Jack Parker]

The only thing I know Madden from is Game of Thrones, but he plays one of my favorite characters in that, so I think he would be a solid choice. I havent seen the Bodyguard either....I'm use to him having a beard in GoT, but I agree that he looks like a young Bond without it. The only reason I wouldn't want him to get the role is that I dont want them to reboot the Bond series again since it's been a little over ten years since Casino Royale was released.

And yeah, I would be all for Horrowitz having a long run on Bond. I'm fairly impressed with how Forever and a Day generally flowed with the continuity set by Flemings books. I'm curious where in the timeline he would set his next Bond book if given the opportunity.

[Enigma]

Holy crap, I never recognised him as Robb :O

[Jack Parker]

Yeah, it wasn't until I looked up what movies/shows Madden was in that I realized he played Robb.