Rating: 
Summary: Benson Blows It Again
Review: Benson has some good ideas for Bond novels. I'll grant him that much. Unfortunately, his Bond is the movie Bond rather than the classic James Bond of the Ian Fleming novels.For example, in High Time To Kill Benson has Bond repeatedly order a Vodka Martini, "shaken, not stirred." Well here's a news flash for you. Ian Fleming's James Bond never--EVER--drank a Vodka Martini. Only the movie Bond does that, and only the movie Bond uses the lame "shaken, not stirred" phrase. Fleming's Bond drank Gin and Tonics. Also, Major Boothroyd (Q in the movies) never, ever said "now pay attention, 007" except in the movies and now in Benson's movie script/novels. Boothroyd never even showed up in a Fleming novel until his first appearance in Dr. No, and then he was the armourer--an expert in firearms. He didn't deal in goofy gadgets, and certainly no silly cars with "liquid metal" skins. Raymond Benson writes James Bond for the movie crowd. I've gone back to re-reading the classic Fleming novels and won't touch a new Bond novel again until Gildrose dumps Benson and brings in a real author.
Rating: 
Summary: Originality a plus!
Review: I have read all of Gardner's and Benson's books and seen all the movies and this book actually has something none of the others have. While many reviewers disliked the entire mountain climbing scenario, I enjoyed it. Bond has to battle the elements as well as the obvious enemies. While reading toward the climax, I enjoyed the trip along the way. Now, if only the bond movies could come up with an original plot. I don't read Bond books for their ground breaking plot or literary skill. I read them because they are easy to read and they are about Bond. Don't take these books too seriously.
Rating: 
Summary: James Bond -High Time to Kill- (Seafire12)
Review: James Bond is back! Unfortunately not in his best adventure. This was an OK novel. There was less SEX than in the previous two novels by Benson but the book didn't quite catch my interest at times. I really think Bond's gadgets are getting out of hand though! Still it is an okay read! Wait for paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but horribly predictable.
Review: This book does one thing, entertain, but it fails to really entertain. This is not to say that there is no reader interest generated, for there is, just not as much as was possible. The Union make worthy bad guys, but we are left with the feeling of 'been there done that', as a great many novels and movies in the post cold-war era have latched onto the 'evil criminal syndicate' school of bad guy creation. The one thing that really drew my attention was the setting, the vastness of the top of the world. While the locals were really quite cool, the people leave a lot to be desired. The bad guys are very much paint by numbers, without a bone of origiality. It is really quite easy to predict from page 3 who is good, and who is bad, and why. Bond is fairly true to character, but I have to ask, why does he sleep with literally every woman he meets. I mean honestly, I know he likes the ladies, but this is rediculous, lions don't mate as often as Bond does here. Overall, the book is good for a quick read on a rainy day, even though you will be better off reading original Bond novels, or watching Sean Connery strut his stuff. 3/5
Rating: 
Summary: Formulaic and amateurish
Review: The problem with ghost writing and/or taking over the mantle of a famous and popular hero by fans of the character is that, more often than not, they do not have the same life experiences from which to draw upon for stories and characters, and more importantly, they do not have any natural ability to weave and tell a story. What they do have is the ability to inject into the passage, historical footnotes of all the past literary adventures which only denotes a "Knowledge" of the given subject matter. Unfortunately, that is not enough. There also seems a desire to close the gap between the literary and filmic character of James Bond through references to Brioni suits et al. All very boring....
Rating:
Summary: Disappointingly unbelievable
Review: If you've seen GoldenEye and your reaction to Pierce Brosnan flying faster than his plane, catching up to it and then steering it to safety was "Oh, please!" - then you'll understand how I reacted to this book. The fights on the mountaintop go slightly beyond the realm of the credible, as does the scout which was first seen in The Facts of Death. But is Bond really supposed to be believeable? Maybe not any more.
Rating:
Summary: Appalling
Review: This is some of the worst writing in any novel, period, not just Bond books. Mr. Benson writes like a high school student who has not been edited. Someone needs to help the Bond literary franchise from disintegrating any more. Bond written by an American as well. That shows you how bad it is. (And I AM American and still appalled by this.) This had to also be one of the most boring Bond books. Set on a mountain. Right, that's real exciting. Hopefully Benson will be replaced before he ruins Bond any more, but apparently he has another book coming out! God save the Bond.
Rating: 
Summary: Totally enthralling
Review: This is the third of the Benson Bond books that I've read and I must say that as I progress through every one, the stories are becoming more and more difficult to put down and carry on with everyday life. The petty jealousy and 'little boy' attitude of Bond towards an old school classmate was a fresh touch in making James Bond more human than any other author (Fleming included)to date. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and, as one other reviewer pointed out, the story was a good enough match to Trevanian's 'The Eiger Sanction'. Read this book and read Mr. Benson's next one...they're getting better and better...
Rating:
Summary: Best Bond Book Yet!
Review: I have been reading James Bond books for as long as I can remember. When Reymond Benson took over the on going story, he made it wonderful. I loved ian fleming, but john gardner could not match bond with todays setting. With Mr. Benson he pulls you in and keeps you there. When I read HTTK i was hook form the bloody murders @ the beginning to the "top of the world" finish. IF you love 007, READ This book!
Rating:
Summary: A High Altitude Cliffhanger!
Review: This my first time to read a James Bond novel authored by Raymond Benson and I am quite satisfied! The action in the Himalayas was reminiscent of Trevanian's masterpiece "The Eiger Sanction". Good work, Mr. Benson, I'll be sure to read more of your James Bond novels real soon!
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