Charlie Higson brings back James Bond in the most 007 fashion you could ask for - the best of Fleming but grittier, more resonating and timely. King Zero is a breathtaking adventure.
When a British agent is murdered by unseen forces able to take over the most state of the art machinery, James Bond is assigned to the case to play both the spy and the detective in unearthing deadly secrets spanning across the globe where the trail leads to a technological city in the desert, a pirate queen and a secret organization with a nefarious agenda of world domination.
Charlie Higson brings to life perhaps my favorite characterization of Bond in modern literature. Bond feels deeply familiar with his suave demeanor and killer charisma that we have loved from the earlier books and movies but Higson infuses in Bond a beautiful vulnerability and awareness that make him stand out as a more nuanced hero than a typical one. His personality feels balanced between appealing to the long-time fans of the flamboyant attributes as well as to the newer generation of readers who want to see themselves reflected in the bravest as well as darkest parts of the hero.
This time Bond is accompanied by two accomplices who are every bit as memorable as Bond himself. An old acquaintance from Eton and a smart geek who attracts Bond with her secrets, these two are compelling additions to the narrative who add to Bond’s journey as a character as much as they add to the advancement of the plot.
King Zero sets up high stakes action and simmers the tension to explode in a barrage of cinematic chases and combat sequences that took me back to the excitement of James Bond movies with awesome set-pieces and gritty action. This book had all I wanted to read in a timely and current James Bond story.
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