Thom reviewed License renewed by John E. Gardner
Review of 'License renewed' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
John Gardner picks up the pen for James Bond, and does an adequate job. The second half of the book is better than the first, and fits with Fleming's fiction well. Something about the beginning, the new era or agencies, just doesn't work for me.
I think it starts with Bond's introduction to the case as a hired assassin, which doesn't fit my perspective of the spy. I see his "license to kill" as an option, one which he often takes to save England. Considering the plots he finds himself trapped in, this is often the only choice.
This beginning (and squabbling agencies) are left behind as M directs Bond to figure out what is going on and report back. From that point, the novel feels like a Bond book to me. In total, not worse that the worst Ian Fleming Bond book, but far from the best of them. …
John Gardner picks up the pen for James Bond, and does an adequate job. The second half of the book is better than the first, and fits with Fleming's fiction well. Something about the beginning, the new era or agencies, just doesn't work for me.
I think it starts with Bond's introduction to the case as a hired assassin, which doesn't fit my perspective of the spy. I see his "license to kill" as an option, one which he often takes to save England. Considering the plots he finds himself trapped in, this is often the only choice.
This beginning (and squabbling agencies) are left behind as M directs Bond to figure out what is going on and report back. From that point, the novel feels like a Bond book to me. In total, not worse that the worst Ian Fleming Bond book, but far from the best of them. I plan to read more.