'The Shadow War': Mission Four

Attention: James Bond fans! Your fourth Shadow War mission is here!

From today (Wednesday 17th September), there’s a new mission. You’re headed to a bookshop in Lisbon where all is not as it seems. Do you have the intelligence and skill to work out what?

Check your inbox for more details.

It’s not too late to sign up for the Shadow War, the innovative Young Bond alternate reality game, based on Charlie Higson’s bestselling novels. Simply head over to the official Shadow War website to register.

Last week’s mission saw British and OGPU spies headed to London’s Docklands to identify an elusive ship. The mission required fans to consult their copies of the recently-released By Royal Command to find a hidden codeword (The Young Bond Dossier has the scoop for non-players and the curious).

But there are 20 – and only 20 – copies of the book somewhere out there that have a different codeword. If you’re holding a lucky copy of By Royal Command, then let us know on the CommanderBond.net Forums.

To date, none of the 20 copies have emerged online, so be sure to check yours!

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest developments regarding Young Bond and The Shadow War.

Revamped US Young Bond Covers In 2009

US fans will have several Young James Bond-related releases to keep track of when 2009 rolls around.

In addition to the already announced debut of the Hurricane Gold hardback and Double or Die in April and March, respectively, Charlie Higson’s first two titles in the series–SilverFin and Blood Fever–will be getting revamped releases as well.

Both books will be re-released in paperback on 10 March 2009 with all-new cover art from Kev Walker.

Walker is the man responsible for the original US cover for Blood Fever and Double or Die, the latter released earlier this year. He also created the illustrations for the upcoming SilverFin graphic novel, due in October.

The new US edition of Blood Fever, retailing for $7.99, is listed on Amazon.com. A pre-order link for SilverFin is forthcoming.

• Order the US paperback (new edition) of Blood Fever from Amazon.com

Keep you eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest Young Bond coverage.

'By Royal Command' Paperback Scheduled For May 2009 Release

Charlie Higson’s By Royal Command

Even though Charlie Higson will be taking a little break from James Bond, the wave of Young Bond releases will continue on into 2009.

The Young Bond Dossier confirms today that Higson’s fifth novel in the series, By Royal Command, will be released in paperback in the UK on 28 May 2009.

The release date keeps in line with the paperback debut of Hurricane Gold on 28 May of this year–also the date of Ian Fleming’s birthday.

Cover artwork and pre-ordering details are forthcoming.

By Royal Command, which was released in hardback last week, finds Bond forced to go on the run, pursued by enemy agents and the British authorities.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest By Royal Command and literary James Bond coverage.

'The Shadow War': Mission Three

The War rages on.

James Bond fans – British and Russian spies alike – should have received instructions for their third mission in the Shadow War alternate reality game by email…

Now pay attention, Agent – you have a new mission waiting for you! Armed with just the codeword from your last mission, you’ll be heading to the Royal Docks in the heart of London’s East End to track down an elusive ship. Can you find it before time runs out?

It’s not too late to join The Shadow War – simply head to the official Shadow War website to register.

In other Young Bond news, the Young Bond Dossier has details on two London-based signings by Charlie Higson and Kev Walker to promote the release of the graphic novel adaptation of SilverFin.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest developments regarding Young Bond and The Shadow War.

CBn Forum Member Suggestion Makes The Cut In 'By Royal Command'

Never underestimate the power of a James Bond fan.

Charlie Higson’s By Royal Command

In an upcoming interview on The Young Bond Dossier, bestselling novelist Charlie Higson reveals that a suggestion made by CommanderBond.net Forum member “Trident” made the cut in his newly-released Young Bond novel, By Royal Command.

In February 2007, “Trident” suggested Young Bond ought to have a timepiece: “One thing I noticed during reading Blood Fever is that James is on serveral occasions wondering what time it is. As I haven’t read Higson’s third book up to now, I don’t know if he already gave Bond his (first?) wristwatch. If not, here is my personal suggestion for a proper watch for 1930s Bond. It’s a Mido Multifort, introduced in 1934, the first automatic, anti-magnetic, water-proof (up to 30 metres; perfectly sufficient back in those days), and shock resistant watch of its time.”

Released last week, By Royal Command sees James Bond obtaining exactly this watch!

Higson explains to the Young Bond Dossier, “I think for the real Bond purists I should have given him a Rolex because that’s his iconic watch. But I sort of love the idea of the Multifort. It just looked like a really interesting watch. And I think, for the time, it is the right watch for him to have. And it’s a nice little nod to CBn.”

A very flattering remark from Charlie Higson that shows precisely the quality of the fans on the CommanderBond.net Forums!

Read An Extract From Charlie Higson's 'By Royal Command'

Charlie Higson’s By Royal Command

Young James Bond fans looking for a teaser of Charlie Higson’s latest adventure, By Royal Command, should head over to the official website, YoungBond.com.

The site has posted an all-new extract from the novel following it’s release in the UK just two days ago. The extract can be accessed by accessing the By Royal Command section on the site and following the prompts.

In related news, the Young Bond Dossier informs us of a newly announced competition for Young Bond fans.

Puffin Books is offering fans a chance to win a tour of Young Bond’s London in an amphibious vehicle with London Duck Tours, that includes a stop at the ‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond’ centenary exhibition at Imperial War Museum.

The site has 10 sets of three tickets to give away for this Young Bond adventure. The competition closes on 31 October, so for more details or to enter, click here.

• Order the UK hardback edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK audiobook edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest By Royal Command and literary James Bond coverage.

'The Shadow War': Mission Two

Is the release of Charlie Higson’s fifth James Bond novel, By Royal Command, not enough Young Bond action for you? Then, join The Shadow War, Puffin’s exciting new alternate reality game based on the author’s bestselling series.

British SIS agents or a Soviet OGPU spies already conscripted will have received their second mission via email: players will head to Eton College and mingle with the Danger Society to uncover more about the mystery of the fire at Loch Silverfin…

You have a new mission waiting for you. It’s time to visit the world-famous Eton College and join the Danger Society to uncover the mysteries hidden in their secret dossiers. Who knows, you might even bump into James Bond himself!

There are five more missions to come over the next five weeks – for more information on The Shadow War, click here.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest developments regarding The Shadow War.

'By Royal Command' Signed Limited Edition Available Now

Charlie Higson’s By Royal Command

Following up yesterday’s release of the fifth Young James Bond novel, By Royal Command, the Young Bond Dossier informs us that the signed and numbered limited edition is also now available.

Higson signed 2,000 copies of this special edition of By Royal Command, which are now available in various independent bookstores throughout the UK.

This edition is identical to the regular hardback with the obvious exception of Higson’s signature and the number stamp on the title page.

Special editions have appeared for all four of the previous Young Bond novels in the past.

• Order the UK hardback edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK audiobook edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest By Royal Command and literary James Bond coverage.

Young Bond Returns In Charlie Higson's 'By Royal Command'

After months and months of waiting for eager literary 007 fans around the world, the newest instalment in Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series, By Royal Command, is published today by Puffin in the UK.

Plus, get your first look at the eye-catching cover artwork accompanying this release that keeps in line with the ‘royal’ theme of the novel.

The official press announcement follows:

Cover Artwork For Charlie Higson’s Fifth Young Bond Book Revealed:
BY ROYAL COMMAND

Wednesday 3rd September sees the publication of By Royal Command, the fifth instalment of the globally popular Young Bond series and the eagerly anticipated unveiling of its cover. In keeping with the royal theme of the novel, the artwork is in striking red, black and silver with an embossed union-jack and regal-red edged pages.

By Royal Command sees James Bond thrown into the midst of a dangerous, spy-ridden plot that threatens to put both King and country at risk. Set between the two World Wars and moving between Eton and the chilling slopes of the Austrian Alps, By Royal Command sees the young James Bond put to the test as never before. Not only are his bravery and loyalty on trial, but the arrival of a pretty, young maid at Eton also teaches him a lesson of the heart.

The Young Bond books have to date sold over three quarters of a million copies in Britain alone and have been translated in to 24 different languages. The series was launched with SilverFin in March 2005 and was followed by Blood Fever, Double or Die and Hurricane Gold.

Charlie Higson’s By Royal Command

Higson’s By Royal Command is currently available in hardback and audiobook format, retailing for £12.99 each. Amazon.co.uk ordering links are also available:

• Order the UK hardback edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK audiobook edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk

In addition, Young Bond fans can partake in the currently running alternate reality game, The Shadow War.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for a review of By Royal Command and continued coverage of the literary James Bond.

Charlie Higson On The Future Of Young Bond

Charlie Higson was the featured guest on today’s BBC Breakfest where the topic of discussion was–you guessed it–Young Bond.

The center of the discussion was the latest addition to the popular series, By Royal Command, which officially hits bookstores tomorrow morning in the UK.

Speaking about the book, Higson mentioned that it starts with James Bond learning how to ski and eventually moves into some ‘full-blown spying’ for the first time in the series.

The most intriguing aspect of the interview is Higson’s reply when asked if By Royal Command represented the end of the Young Bond books: ‘No. I’m taking a break for the time being.’

He continues: ‘I’d always had a series of five books worked out and I knew where the fifth one ended up because there’s a very famous obituary in one of the Fleming books which is the only time he tells us about Bond’s childhood. In that, he says that he was thrown out of Eton after a short time for misbehaving with one of the maids–which is what this book is about–it’s about Bond falling in love with this maid and the consequences of that, which are actually of a more serious nature than Fleming hinted at.’

Check out this YouTube link for the entire interview, including Higson discussing why he was chosen for the job by the Ian Fleming estate and much more.

As always, stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest Young Bond news.

• Order the UK hardback edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK audiobook edition of By Royal Command from Amazon.co.uk