Rating
2.5

The James Bond series is one of the most enduring movie franchises in recent history, with more than 22 films to date. Unknown to the majority of the public, many of these films are based off books written by the famous British author Ian Fleming, who passed away in 1964. Ever since Fleming’s death, various authors have been granted permission to continue writing James Bond novels. The latest is titled Devil May Care, and it is Sebastian Faulks’ take on Agent 007, our favorite debonair, suave and lethal secret agent.

The story begins with James Bond enjoying a three-month sabbatical and partaking in his three favorite activities: eating expensive cuisine, wearing Armani suits and womanizing the hell out of the local female population. Despite possessing the ideal playboy lifestyle, he is depressed and misses the excitement and thrills of fieldwork.

To no one’s surprise, he is quickly called into action by MI6. His orders are to shadow a power-crazed pharmaceutical CEO named Dr. Julius Gorner. As Bond eventually discovers Gorner’s diabolical plan, he realizes the devastating implications it could have on the world. Bond then finds himself infiltrating ritzy tennis clubs and seedy Tehran brothels to stop Gorner’s evil plot. Along the way he meets allies, encounters betrayal, witnesses death and seduces many women, which is essential to any Bond story.

Overall, I found Devil May Care tolerable, but there is one major problem overshadowing the entire book: The Bond trademark action sequences are excruciatingly boring. Sure there’s action, but it is mostly unimaginative shootouts with drab description, lacking flair or any entertaining value whatsoever.
Where are the hundreds of gun-totting henchmen who can’t hit Bond, or the broad side of a barn for that matter? Where is Bond’s classic request for a “vodka martini, shaken not stirred?” The entire Bond concept is built off a complete disregard to realism and total dedication to clichés, none of which is evident in this book.

Devil May Care’s lack of Bond clichés would be bearable if it weren’t for the fact the rest of the book is so bland.

Casino Royale, one of the latest James Bond movies, was void of the typical aspects found in Bond films. There were no corny gadgets, over-the-top action sequences or villains sporting shark teeth and lethal bodyguards. This was acceptable because the movie’s plot was enthralling, the characters were three-dimensional, and the few action scenes were terrific.

Devil May Care doesn’t have the typical Bond clichés but nor does it have a well-thought out story and adrenaline-pumping action scenes. It fails on both fronts, which doesn’t bode well for it as a movie, let alone a novel.

The final showdown is a little exciting, and the ending plot twist I never saw coming. But these two elements cannot save this novel from mediocrity.
Faulks’ Devil May Care isn’t a terrible novel; it simply consists of shallow characters, lackluster sequences and absence from that true Bond-esque feel. The devil may care, but I sure don’t.