School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8-A spring cruise around the Greek isles turns into a massacre aboard the Goodenough family's boat, the Siren. The only surviving member, Amy, is held hostage by a powerful outlaw named Zoltan the Magyar. Meanwhile, still in his first year at Eton, James Bond is invited to join a secret club, the Danger Society, composed of boys who thrive on excitement. While thrill seeking one evening, he narrowly escapes detection and stumbles upon a society far bigger and more dangerous than his own. Afraid of being expelled, he tells only his roommates and closest friends of the incident. When he goes to Sardinia on a school trip, he's reminded of that night, experiences vertigo, and comes surprisingly close to the Goodenough's killers. When he visits his cousin Victor, the house is ransacked and art work is stolen. James must expose a complex conspiracy. Charlie Higson's second installment (Hyperion, 2006) in the series mimics formulaic Fleming and does a fine job foreshadowing his future which is fraught with danger. Nathaniel Parker's depiction of young Bond is convincing, and he captures the multifaceted complexities of Zoltan and the detestable lisp of Oogo Carnifax. A high seas adventure, a land chase, gladiator fights, and Mediterranean festivals make Blood Fever a satisfying listen for middle school students.-Ann Crewdson, Issaquah Library, Kings County Library System, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.