A spy is dead. A legend is born. This is how it all began. The explosive prequel to Casino Royale, from bestselling author Anthony Horowitz. Forever and a Day is the story of the birth of a legend, in the brutal underworld of the French Riviera, taking readers into the very beginning of James Bond’s illustrious career and the formation of his identity. *** M laid down his pipe and stared at it … formation of his identity.
***
M laid down his pipe and stared at it tetchily. “We have no choice. We’re just going to bring forward this other chap you’ve been preparing. But you didn’t tell me his name.”
“‘It’s Bond, sir,’” the Chief of Staff replied. “James Bond.”
The sea keeps its secrets. But not this time.
One body. Three bullets. 007 floats in the waters of Marseille, killed by an unknown hand.
It’s time for a new agent to step up. Time for a new weapon in the war against organized crime.
It’s time for James Bond to earn his license to kill.
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“So 007 is dead.” Time to move on to another man. Enter the new agent… “It’s Bond, sir,’ the chief of staff replied. “James Bond”
(Cue the music )
An Origin story, in 1950s and aftermath of WWII of how our guy got the 007 title. After a promotion because of a death to a comrade, he is tasked to South France to bring down a gangster. He struggles in his new position with close calls, romance he is facing off against an enormous villain who doesn’t take NO for an answer. Great read!
One body. Three bullets. 007 is found dead in the waters of Marseille. It is time for a new hero to step forward. It is time for James Bond to earn his license to kill.
In his novel Forever and a Day, Anthony Horowitz returns us to the early days of the Cold War to witness the birth of a legend. After the death of 007, James Bond is promoted to Double-O status and sent on his first mission. In the French Riviera, Bond is tasked with discovering who killed his predecessor and why.
Forever and a Day is based on unpublished material from James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Horowitz, writing in the style of Fleming, truly captures the essence of the original James Bond series. This novel–set before the events of the first Fleming book, Casino Royale–contains the “origins” of such Bond staples as his Moreland cigarettes, his iconic gunmetal cigarette case, and the “shaken, not stirred” catchphrase.
Over the years, there have been a number of authors who have taken up the reins of the James Bond series after Fleming’s death. In many cases, those authors have attempted to “update” Bond and bring the character into alignment with the cinematic version. In Forever and a Day, Horowitz takes James Bond back to his roots and presents him in a manner fitting of Fleming himself.
Forever and a Day is a magnificent piece of writing and must read for any fan of the Ian Fleming books. However, if your only exposure to the Bond series is through the movies, you may find this book a bit disappointing. It contains all the elements of the classic Ian Fleming books without the nonsense of the Hollywood adaptations. Overall, Forever and a Day is fabulous prequel and origin story for the James Bond literary franchise.
I was a fan of Ian Fleming’s James Bond stories as a teenager but haven’t read them since. This is my first read of Anthony Horowitz’s 007 and I was impressed. The novel is set right at the beginning of Bond’s career and is a prequel to Fleming’s ‘Casino Royale.’ Horowitz’s writing style is more developed than Fleming’s straightforward narrative style. The dialogue is sharp and there are some great one-liners. The story includes all the usual elements we’ve come to expect – exotic locations, fast cars, daring escapes, a beautiful woman he can’t trust. Overall, a fast-paced, entertaining read.
Possibly my favorite of the more recent continuation Bond novels. This one goes back to the very beginning, showing Bond’s elevation to the 00 section and first mission. Horowitz has really settled into the world of Bond and he does a great job here.
Persuasive James Bond pastiche. Gave me pretty much what I was looking for and expected.
A poor imitation of the Ian Fleming character.
This book was very enjoyable. Keeping the series going by selecting a new author to continue the series doesn’t always get the results you wanted. This time I believe it has succeeded beyond their expectations. I recommend any bond lover to pick this up and read it. You won’t be able to get to the next one fast enough.
Everything you would expect from a James Bond story. And an excellent take on how the double-0’s were earned.
I am a big fan of James Bond. This book precludes Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale. It tells you the story of how James Bond came to be Agent 007.
It’s James Bond -with some original Ian Fleming source – no more or less.
Prequel to first James Bond by Amthomy Horowitz
Excellent writing!!
This is James Bond as Ian Fleming writes of him. It covers his promotion to 007, and the rationale behind his selecting that specific number. The characters are chilling. The plot is well paced. It surprises, informs and delights. If you’re a fan of James Bond you will enjoy Mr. Horowitz’s take on him. I look forward to more James Bond adventures from Anthony Horowitz.