Young Bond: Blood Fever

Sins of the Past

Young Bond: Blood Fever by Charlie Higson plunges readers into the sun-drenched glamour and hidden dangers of 1930s Venice. When James Bond arrives under the guise of attending a prestigious boarding school conference, he uncovers whispers of a sinister plot involving a secretive cabal and a lost family heirloom. Drawn into winding canals and shadowy palazzi, Bond must rely on his burgeoning wit and untested courage to navigate a world where every gondola passage could spell disaster. Higson’s vivid prose captures the city’s decadent beauty and undercurrents of menace, setting the stage for a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Shadows on the Water

As the stakes escalate, Bond finds unlikely allies in Luigi, a resourceful Venetian street urchin, and Isabella, an enigmatic art historian whose knowledge of antique manuscripts proves invaluable. Together, they decipher cryptic clues hidden within frescoed ceilings and marbled libraries, each revelation edging them closer to a fateful showdown. The novel skillfully interweaves high-octane action—midnight chases along quaysides, desperate leaps between rooftops—with intimate character moments, revealing James’s emerging moral code and his restless yearning for justice. Blood Fever’s heart pounds with every twist, reminding readers that heroism often demands sacrifice.

Collision Course

Venice becomes a labyrinth of peril as Bond confronts the cabal’s ruthless enforcer, a merciless figure known only as “The Raven.” In a crescendo of betrayal and thrilling escapes, James must harness his nascent skills in surveillance, marksmanship, and subterfuge to foil a plan that could tip the balance of European power. Higson’s masterful pacing propels the narrative toward an unforgettable climax aboard a Venetian steamer, where loyalty is tested and the boy destined to become 007 takes his first real step toward legend.

. Charlie Higson is a British author celebrated for his dynamic storytelling and deep knowledge of historical settings. With a background in comedy writing and a passion for espionage fiction, he brings both wit and authenticity to the Young Bond series. Blood Fever (Puffin Books, 2012) cements his reputation for crafting thrilling adventures that resonate with readers of all ages.