Red Nemesis

Young Bond #9

by Steve Cole

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

Teenager James Bond has left school for the summer when he receives a package from beyond the grave. The mysterious contents of his father’s backpack plunge James deep into the heart of an ongoing plot that, if allowed to run its course, will paint London’s streets red with blood.

To finish the mission his father began, James must fly from London to Moscow, the nerve centre of the Soviet Union. There he must pit his wits against a nemesis determined to destroy him – and the country he loves.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Espionage, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Action

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 4, 2017

About the author

Also publishes as Stephen Cole.

Steve Cole is the slightly crazy, highly frantic, millions-selling, non-stop author of Astrosaurs, Cows In Action, Astrosaurs Academy, The Slime Squad, Z. Rex and many other books (including several original Doctor Who stories).

He used to edit magazines and books but prefers the job of a writer where you can wear pyjamas and eat chocolate all day.

Steve just can't stop writing - if he does, strange robots appear and jostle him vigorously until he starts again.

In his spare time he loves making music, reading old comics, thinking up ideas for new books and slumping in front of a warm TV.

Reviews

[Chris Horsefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Cole's vision of Young James Bond ends on a high as 'Red Nemesis' is a thrilling page-turner from start to finish. You feel like you are really there in pre-Stalin Moscow and there are answers from Bond's past (which haven't been referenced since Skyfall). We learn a lot about how the boy became the man, divided loyalties and how Bond developed his 'licence to kill' in his mind too. There are even terrific one-liners Roger Moore would be proud of! 'Red Nemesis' is Bond at his grassroots, sans wily gadgets, out on his own, battered and bruised. He is almost a victim of his past, though manages to transcend it. Bond's schooldays are over and this is a fitting end to them.
Red Nemesis concludes this chapter in the life of James Bond, but with Eton’s Mr Merriot lurking in the background maybe, just maybe, Young Bond, or at least a younger version of Bond than Fleming's, could return.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Higson's five YA novels featuring a young James Bond were all excellent. Sadly the same cannot be said of author Steve Cole's attempt to bring the future spy to life.
Thankfully Cole's fourth & final Young Bond novel is a complete turnaround from his previous lacklustre entries in the series. Red Nemesis is incredibly fast paced & full of action, but this time Cole provides a decent plot to go with it. It's great to see the story linking back nicely to the death of Bond's parents, which Ian Fleming mentions briefly in the original Bond novels.
It's a pity that Cole finallly finds himself writing a good Young Bond story after three previous attempts, as this was the last in the series. As it was published back in 2017 & there have been no further Young Bond stories I assume that is the end. However, there are some fine graphic novels featuring James Bond during World War 2 that are well worth a read.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and a nice way to end the Young James Bond series which started with Charlie Higson.
This final instalment is fast-paced and enjoyable though the plan Bond must stop is a little far-fetched. Some villains return and moles are uncovered. I worked out the mole from the beginning (extremely easy to work out).
Overall a must read for fans of Bond both young and old.

[Andrew Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to end the Young Bond series.

Back against his old enemies, the Russians, Bond faced many perilous situations and even more haunting memories. I loved the epilogue of this book with its additional information. I had not noticed that Steve Cole had been so craftily reducing James' aid as the books went along, getting him closer and closer to working on his own. Also, finally FINALLY, he used a gun to shoot at someone, and it was glorious.

My issue with Strike Lightning was that Iron Man suits in the 1930's did not seem possible. Yes, digging tunnels under London, and submarines in the Thames is a little far fetched, but bombs are REAL. James race against time is exciting, and even more so is his race to bond(no pun intended) with his father. Up to this point, readers could have known that James' parents died in a climbing accident, and that they were involved in some sort of spying activity. To build on that, and finally explain the past without screwing up so much already laid future, was a monumental task. I think Steve Cole did a really good job of conquering this task.

I have heard a James Bond Origins comic will be coming out soon starting where this book left off, and I cannot wait. Not only was this book a great conclusion, but a stellar jumping off point for the WWII years of bond.

I highly recommend this book, but you should definitely read the others(Higson and Cole) first.

[Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the Young Bong series, some more than others. Up to this point, the Charlie Higson stories were really the defining moments of the series. However, this one (will it be the last???) has been Steve Cole's best entry…. and it is upper echelon of Bond stories past and present.

While it comes with the usual dose of (Young) Bond cheese, it incorporates a good story, completes a story arc with some familiar characters, twists, a true henchman, and real Bond-like feel. Moments we have waited the Young Bond series to see - his evolution into the James Bond we know - are reaching culmination. Thoroughly enjoyed the read. 4 stars.

[Julia Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

An action-packed, nail-biter of a book, the ninth in the Young Bond series, and the fourth from writer Steve Cole. I haven't read any of the other novels in this series, but I would recommend this and the others to 12-14 year olds who like fast-paced novels with lots going on. Set in 1935, young James Bond is about to go on his summer break from Fettes College (I would say he's 16-17 in this) when his aunt gives him a backpack belonging to his late father, which has been hidden in ice for a number of years, since both James's parents were killed in a skiing 'accident'. The contents of the backpack suggest his father was in the process of uncovering a dangerous plot. James is quickly on the case, trying to decode the cryptic clues, and his starting point is an international school in London. James evades the security at the school when he visits, pretending to be a prospective pupil, and discovers a massive haul of explosives in the basement. James has also made contact with the Secret Intelligence Service and is asked to take part in a mission to Russia, to help uncover a malign Soviet plot. Much of the action is set in Moscow where there are chases, fights, some killings and, of course, a love interest - it wouldn't be Bond without it! James is a teenager, but already has an appeal to the opposite sex, though I assure you their relationship is more friendship plus than romance. Anya Kalashnikov is a strong female character so I think this book could appeal equally to action-loving girls, as well as the more obvious young teen boy market. I enjoyed the book, it has all the Bond tropes, but is also quite good on the developing character of the hero and there is a consistency with the older Bond we know and love. I haven't read any of the Fleming novels (though I know the films very well), but this series is published under the aegis of Ian Fleming Publications Limited, so I trust it is true to the spirit of Fleming. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Rick Mcarthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from start to finish as always! Steve has really taken up the reins-big style, on this brilliant franchise & I, for one, would be thrilled to learn if there were a new film franchise tie-in that could run through enough of the books, whether starting at the point of Charlie Higson's stories or Steve's, to get nearer to the point where Bond gets enlisted in the Navy on his journey to becoming a Commander before MI6 recruit him.
Heaven knows we could use a new franchise like that, that would be worth the price of Cinema tickets these days which kids & teens would happily pay or get their mums & dads to pay for them to compete with the American comic book character madness like Spiderman who gets younger instead of older now!
Also what happened to Young Sherlock? A lost 80's film which never became a franchise but Andy Lane turned it into a new book series a few years back and I'm waiting to see if the film rights get bought for it too! I mean fair enough they have stretched out the Potterverse from Fantastic Beasts last year, but will it take off for another 10 years again? Who knows?

[Seawood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd peg this as early YA rather than MG because it's quite detailed historical fiction; and I would say a bit darker than Alex Rider. It's certainly an action-packed thriller with lots of depth, quite satisfying - if a little far-fetched. But then, when was Bond ever realistic!

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Nemesis sees Steve Cole go from strength to strength as the current author of the Young Bond series and it’s a shame to read that this is most likely his final Young Bond.

Steve Cole consciously departed slightly from the Charlie Higson novels with young James moving schools and even then with a lot less of the action being set at school. Having said that, characters from Higson’s run still get a mention in Red Nemesis and Cole further develops characters like the affable and rough around the edges SIS Agent Elmhirst.

Red Nemesis also explores territory which is usually left well enough alone (until the latest movie at least), namely the fate of Bond’s parents which has a huge influence on the narrative. James finds himself literally walking in his father’s footsteps in London, Moscow and back again.

Steve Cole always has a great eye for the details of the period, both geographically and politically. In this, we get a great insight into a Russia in the middle of change under the new regime of Stalin, with the old Moscow being steadily replaced with new monuments of grandeur.

The usual espionage is hyped up in this instalment, from double crossings and double agents to James coming to the realisation that all these scrapes are leading to a future career as an agent in adulthood.

The story itself flies along, especially with the introduction of Anya, a similarly single-minded foil to Bond’s determined persona, as they must stop the inevitable diabolical scheme. Steve Cole moves the pieces around the board expertly to create an excellent piece of historical fiction with that panache and thrill one would expect from a book with the name Bond on the cover.

[Tony Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd given some of the earlier "Young Bond" novels a go, but I ultimately tapped out before the halfway point. But with a Bond itch to scratch and many-if not all--of the non-Fleming Bond novels not being particularly well regarded, I decided to give Red Nemesis a go.

I don't suppose a novel focusing on a teenage James Bond is meant to appeal to an adult reader. Nevertheless I found that I actually enjoyed this one. Kinda. It's darker and more serious than the ones I'd attempted earlier, and I'd probably chalk much of that up to the character having aged a bit since those earlier adventures. The training wheels are off in this one, and it works better as a result.

I'm guessing that there are bits here and there that you might pick up on had you read the series of books before this one, but I was never confused or felt like I was missing out on something. You should be able to pick this one up and start reading with no prior knowledge. But should you pick it up?

There are literally thousands of better novels than this one out there waiting to be read. But if you're in the mood for Bond and not feeling like having your intellect taxed too much, you could do worse than this pubescent potboiler.

[Mella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well two average Young Bond books and two fantastic ones feature in Steve Cole's Young Bond. Red Nemesis concludes the series with an action packed treasure hunt and a Russian sleeper cell plot all tying back into something Bond's father stumbled across. Teaming up with Anya Kalashnikova, James and Anya work to avenge their families and protect Britain from treachery.

This was really enjoyable. I would've liked to see more of Charmian and Perry but at least they appeared. I loved the treasure hunt game James and his father used to play and that he keeps it going with Perry. Anya was yet another strong, fierce girl character - this series only has those types which is beyond awesome. I would've loved to see more of the ballerina angle but I enjoyed what there was.

The author notes at the end were interesting and enlightening as to Steve Cole's thoughts while writing. I found it interesting that he was trying to show the transition of Bond's isolation and kind of prepare readers for reading the original series in a way. Since I will be reading the original series next it can only be a plus.

4 stars, a great end to a great series.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this signed collector's edition of Mr Cole's final book in his run on the Young Bond series and I am glad that I did. The plot strikes the right balance of fantasy vs. plausibility combined with globetrotting, so much a signature of Fleming's original novels. The pre-war Russia setting is clearly well researched and provides a "stealth" education and both the plot and narrative make only a few concessions to the YA target audience. As Mr Cole writes in the afterword, over the four books that he has contributed to the series, he has progressively isolated the young James, steering him towards the man he will become in Fleming's original novels. The plot is original, sophisticated, appropriately but not excessively fast paced, populated with interesting characters and has a satisfactory conclusion. 4+ out of 5 stars and recommended for Bond aficionados and espionage fiction fans as well as its target audience.

[Martyn Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

And so ends Steve Cole's run of Young Bond novels, and this is another solid and enjoyable entry into the series. There's a line at the end of this book that's very self knowing, 'I found it far-fetched, but still exciting'

This perfectly sums up the experience I've just had as a reader. The story and setting is interesting, easy to read and lots of fun, it's just all a little implausible to force a schoolboy aged Bond into these increasingly extravagant situations that echo his later life. There really could have been a much more nuanced approach, but by book 9, we know what we're getting, and a school boy firing guns and flinging around dead bodies is the norm! Thanks for the ride Steve, it was fun!

Now somebody please do WWII Young Bond and navy training stories to bridge the gap in a more plausible fashion.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

When James gets his fathers backpack that had been long lost in the alpine ice he is drawn into a plot that may have involved the death of his parents. On summer break from school James gets brought in by the SIS to try and determine what his father knew and how it ties back to the Soviet Union. With a plot that brings in the official secret services this book strays from the more tangential (to his later life as a OO agent) summer trip plots that the Cole young Bond stories have had but the plot is fast paced and the scheme monumental tying in villains from the past books, although the supporting cast from the previous eight Young Bond books are largely absent. The research into pre-war Moscow and the historical details grounded this story that involved a plot to deal a massive blow to London.

[Gerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This young bond series needed to end. Really it did with Higson's excellent By Royal Command and then Steve Cole squeezed in four increasingly improbable books.

His Bond was very like Higson's. And these are great children's books. They have great female leads who Bond develops strong respectful relationships with.

Impossible to see how he could become Fleming's Bond from here, but well written thrillers for teens and entertaining nonetheless.

[Christopher Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a worthy finish to the series and I would recomend reading it if you like its predecessors.

However, it was far from the best in the series. I felt that the plot was perhaps just a bit too fanciful to work. It got so silly in parts that it was tricky to follow. At the same time some of the twists were just a bit too obvious (but perhaps I've got used to how Cole writes?).

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading with twelve year old son. Great read with plenty of twists and turns and action. Possible spoiler question... Why was Mimic crying in the tunnel? I don't think this was explained in the end. I didn't understand its relevance?
Thanks!

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://youtu.be/a3R83TMHPDk

[Martin Dagarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't espect the mole. Really nice book for reading.

[Abdullah Waleed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Includes everything
Action
Violence
Mystery
Girls/Relationships
Reality

[Tenzin Wangyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS ALL ALONG.

[Clarissa Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mostly very fast paced. I loved the historical aspects of it, and the storyline was top notch.

[Stuart Lister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a young bond book for a lot of years since the By Royal Command book came out, what a great book with plenty of action and going’s on

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more of a feel of Fleming than anything else that Steve Cole has brought to the series in what is - so far - the final instalment from the schoolboy Bond

[Night · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book, not as potent as the other books in the series but did enjoy the story line as usual from Young Bond :)

[Raz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complete review available: Red Nemesis

A sensational and high-energy way to finish the series, if a little far-fetched at times. Cole’s characterisation was, as ever, relatable, fun, and not overly arduous, which was key when we had several characters from previous instalments popping up throughout Red Nemesis. Each setting really sprung to life too, and I’d wholly recommend the audiobook (if you have the choice) for some top quality narration.