📖 Overview
Steve Cole is a British children's author known for writing both original works and contributions to major franchises like Doctor Who and Young Bond. He has published over 160 books which have sold more than three million copies worldwide.
Cole established himself writing tie-in novels for properties like Doctor Who, writing Parallel 59 and The Monsters Inside among others. He later gained prominence as the author of several books in the Young Bond series, continuing Ian Fleming's character as a teenage spy in adventures like Shoot to Kill and Strike Lightning.
His original series include Astrosaurs, about dinosaur astronauts protecting the galaxy, and Z-Rex, focusing on a boy who must save the world from genetically engineered dinosaurs. These works demonstrate his ability to blend action-adventure with science fiction elements for young readers.
Cole has also written under various pen names and contributed to educational publishing. His work spans multiple age ranges, from picture books to young adult novels, though he is most recognized for middle-grade fiction aimed at readers aged 7-12.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight Cole's ability to capture young readers' attention through fast-paced action and imaginative sci-fi concepts. Parents and teachers note his books engage reluctant readers, particularly boys aged 7-12.
Liked:
- Humor and creativity in the Astrosaurs series
- Accessibility for emerging readers
- Action sequences that keep kids turning pages
- Educational value mixed with entertainment
- Strong appeal for dinosaur enthusiasts
Disliked:
- Some found Young Bond plots formulaic
- Occasional criticism of simple writing style
- Later Astrosaurs books seen as repetitive
Ratings:
Goodreads:
- Astrosaurs series: 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings)
- Young Bond books: 3.8/5 (1,500+ ratings)
- Z-Rex: 3.9/5 (400+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Average 4.5/5 across titles
- Parents frequently mention books as "gateway" to reading
One teacher noted: "Cole's books have converted several of my students from 'I hate reading' to 'what's next in the series?'"
📚 Books by Steve Cole
Heads You Die - Young James Bond goes undercover at a tropical dive center only to uncover a deadly criminal enterprise threatening both his mission and survival.
Shoot to Kill - A teenage James Bond investigates suspicious deaths at a Hollywood movie studio while navigating the glamorous but dangerous world of 1930s Los Angeles.
Parallel 59 - The Doctor and companions become entangled in a complex conflict between two segregated societies on a distant planet.
The Monsters Inside - The Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler are imprisoned in an alien facility where they discover terrifying experiments involving multiple alien species.
Strike Lightning - Young Bond faces danger at an experimental weapons facility while investigating the suspicious death of a friend.
Z-Rex - Fourteen-year-old Adam Adlar must stop a genetically engineered dinosaur created by his father's video game company from causing worldwide destruction.
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors - Captain Teggs, a Stegosaurus starship captain, leads his crew of dinosaur astronauts on their first mission to protect the galaxy.
Shoot to Kill - A teenage James Bond investigates suspicious deaths at a Hollywood movie studio while navigating the glamorous but dangerous world of 1930s Los Angeles.
Parallel 59 - The Doctor and companions become entangled in a complex conflict between two segregated societies on a distant planet.
The Monsters Inside - The Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler are imprisoned in an alien facility where they discover terrifying experiments involving multiple alien species.
Strike Lightning - Young Bond faces danger at an experimental weapons facility while investigating the suspicious death of a friend.
Z-Rex - Fourteen-year-old Adam Adlar must stop a genetically engineered dinosaur created by his father's video game company from causing worldwide destruction.
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors - Captain Teggs, a Stegosaurus starship captain, leads his crew of dinosaur astronauts on their first mission to protect the galaxy.
👥 Similar authors
Anthony Horowitz
Writes action-packed spy novels for young readers through his Alex Rider series about a teenage spy. Has experience writing tie-in fiction like Cole, having penned James Bond and Sherlock Holmes novels.
Charlie Higson Created the Young Bond series that Cole later contributed to and writes action-adventure stories for middle-grade readers. Also writes zombie fiction with The Enemy series, showing similar ability to blend genres.
Eoin Colfer Creates science fiction adventures for young readers through his Artemis Fowl series about a criminal mastermind. Combines humor with action like Cole and has written Doctor Who content.
Andy Lane Writes tie-in fiction for Doctor Who and other properties while creating original young adult series. His Young Sherlock Holmes books feature a teenage protagonist solving mysteries, similar to Cole's Young Bond work.
Jonathan Maberry Produces science fiction adventures featuring young protagonists facing creatures and conspiracies. His Rot & Ruin series demonstrates the same mix of action and monsters found in Cole's Z-Rex books.
Charlie Higson Created the Young Bond series that Cole later contributed to and writes action-adventure stories for middle-grade readers. Also writes zombie fiction with The Enemy series, showing similar ability to blend genres.
Eoin Colfer Creates science fiction adventures for young readers through his Artemis Fowl series about a criminal mastermind. Combines humor with action like Cole and has written Doctor Who content.
Andy Lane Writes tie-in fiction for Doctor Who and other properties while creating original young adult series. His Young Sherlock Holmes books feature a teenage protagonist solving mysteries, similar to Cole's Young Bond work.
Jonathan Maberry Produces science fiction adventures featuring young protagonists facing creatures and conspiracies. His Rot & Ruin series demonstrates the same mix of action and monsters found in Cole's Z-Rex books.