Customer Reviews

Airborn

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Matt Cruse is a cabin boy aboard the giant airship Aurora, one of the many dirigibles that cruise the world, in this world-that-might-have-been. But, when he helps in the rescue of a runaway hot air balloon, he finds the dying pilot ranting about beautiful flying creatures. Little does Matt realize that this is the start of a grand adventure that will take him halfway around the world, up against storms and pirates, and on to the end of his rainbow!

My thirteen-year-old daughter gave me this book, and I must admit that I did not know what to expect. Now, the book does start out rather slow, and the first third might leave you wondering if this is really the book for you. But, don't give up on this book, its well worth your time!

I think it is correct to compare this book to the works of Robert Louis Stevenson; the author does an excellent job of creating an entirely new world, where airships cruise the skies and airplanes were never invented, where men wear top hats and women wear hats with feathers and flowers. I enjoyed the radical setting, the characters, and the plot which became quite gripping all the way to the end. So, if you are interested in an exciting read, one that harkens back to a different day and age, then this book is for you!

Kenneth Oppel, best known for writing about bats, seems to be channelling the spirit of Jules Verne in "Airborn," a wildly imaginative new fantasy book. Between mysterious flying beasts and pirate attacks, Oppel gives readers a glimpse of life aboard an airship... if airships, not planes, were the major way to travel.

Matt Cruse is on the crow's nest, as the "ship's eyes," when he catches a glimpse of a sinking airship. The dying balloonist dies shortly afterward -- but not before telling Matt about glorious winged creatures. Matt dismisses these as hallucinations -- but one year later, a routine cruise on the airship Aurora becomes something more when the dead man's granddaughter Kate arrives. Wealthy but treated like a nuisance, Kate is determined to find whatever her grandfather saw.

She shows Matt her grandfather's writings about these winged creatures, and Matt is slowly convinced that the old man wasn't just hallucinating. But their investigations are interrupted by a sudden pirate attack -- which leaves the Aurora sinking from a rip in its envelope. Soon the airship and her crew and passengers are stranded on a deserted island, which may hold the secret to Kate's winged beasts... but it also holds the pirates.

Oppel really hits his stride in this book, mixing science with science fiction and wrapping it in a fantasy tortilla. While his bat books were quite good, "Airborn" has the rare quality of slipping readers into his imagined universe. It's one of those stories that can be easily imagined as a reality, even if we do have planes and not airships. He even describes how creatures like the cloud cats could fly, were they real.

After the initial rescue, which gets readers hooked into the story, Oppel takes his time to unfold the plot, described in careful detail and with plenty of rich skyborne atmosphere. His setting seems to be, like Hayao Miyazaki's "Castle in the Sky," a mix of old and new -- while it's full of airships and similar technology, the attitudes seem to be that of the Victorian or Edwardian era.

The pre-pirate plot is a bit slow, but very necessary -- Oppel introduces readers to the Aurora, her chummy crew, and the rich passengers they ferry over the ocean. It also gives Kate and Matt time to get to know each other -- for real, not merely "we're two teens in the same place, we're friends! And maybe more someday!"

Speaking of Matt and Kate, they are definitely good lead characters. Matt is "airborn," a kid born in an airship and now at home nowhere except in the sky, even though his father died there. Kate is a good counterpoint, since she is everything Matt is not -- wealthy, adventurous, and all too willing to let people know when she is frustrated. The supporting characters, from the prissy chaperone to the genial captain, are also well-drawn; the only exception is rich boy Bruce, who doesn't get much time.

Reportedly he is working on a sequel, which is not surprising. Kenneth Oppel created a rich new fantasy world in "Airborn," with plenty of sky left to explore.

The creature was no more than twelve feet in front of us, and I felt a tremendous fear in me. I could see the fish's broken spine on the ground, its severed head and dead eye jerking with every pull from the creature's jaws.
She ate the fish. She could eat us.

Airborn, by Kenneth Oppel, begins with young cabin boy Matt Cruse aboard the Aurora luxury airship. One day, he meets a passenger, Kate de Vries, a passenger who is determined to see the amazing airborne creatures her grandfather once saw. However, before her dream comes true, the ship is attacked by the notorious pirate Szpirglas, and the Aurora is shipwrecked on a small tropical island. In the end, Matt and Kate find the creatures, great misty white "cloud cats," and get rid of Szpirglas once and for all. Airborn is the perfect fantasy adventure, combining suspense and excitement to create an excellent book.

One aspect of the story that I enjoyed is how it is set in an alternate past. Airborn takes place in an imaginary time where airships rule the skies, but the author makes this seem real throughout the story. For instance, little tidbits about how the Aurora works make these huge blimp-like airships more conceivable. When you are introduced to the crew and learn about all their jobs, this effect is considerably enhanced. Finally, Matt's grief over his deceased father, his efforts to become a sailmaker, and his troubles with Kate all add an air of realism to the entire novel.

Some other parts of the novel I found appealing are the sections with Szpirglas and his pirates. For example, the scene where the pirates first invade the Aurora has you almost fearing for the crew and passengers, and those fears are confirmed when the wireless officer Mr. Featherstone is shot and killed. Matt and Kate's escape from the pirate camp is filled to the brim with suspense, and the thought that Szpirglas may wake up at any moment is always at the back of your mind. Lastly, the final fight against the pirates onboard the airborne Aurora is the most dangerously exciting part of the book.

One other feature of the book I found intriguing is its endless surprises. Like when Matt discovers that the man he saved on the hot air balloon was Kate's grandfather. Or, more unfortunately, when Bruce Lunardi ruins Matt's chances of becoming a sailmaker. However, the biggest shock of all is when dozens of magnificent cloud cats fill the sky around the repaired Aurora.

Perhaps my favorite part of Airborn is the cloud cats. Described as "amazing creatures," they are majestic white panthers, but with a pair of four-foot wings. Born in the air, they are true creatures of flight, never touching the ground their entire lives. Ending with that, Airborn is a fantastic novel with a part for everyone, regardless of interest.

Wade H.

Actually, I only bought this book because Tamora Pierce is in the cast of the audio version. (I prefer books, so I bought it in book form, but I took that fact as a recommendation.) I was so glad I'd taken a chance on this book, too.

I don't particularly care about airships, but in my childhood, I crossed the Pacific several times on cruise ships, and this book has the flavor of those trips. The author writes with zest, and the book is rich for all the senses. The scent of mangoes, the taste of the chef's specialties, the tactile sense throughout the book, in addition to the sights and sounds evoked by his writing made it extremely satisfying. The characters, the most important part of any book to me, were wonderful. There was depth to them, and there were even minor characters I really liked. The plot was clever, plausible, and full of adventure. I hope Oppel writes more like this!

A boy named Matt Cruse has spent his life as a cabin boy on an airship. When pirates attack, the airship is stranded on a seemingly deserted island. When Matt travels farther inland, however, he discovers that the island is home to the pirates! To add to the suspense, a mysterious animal has been spotted flying around the island!

This fast-paced, highly suspenseful novel is full of action and adventure. As a middle school student, I highly recommend it to middle school and high school readers. Also, it's worth noting that this book was one of the Young Reader's Choice nominees for the Senior Division (10th - 12th graders) for 2007.

If you were to ask me five days ago whether or not I would be willing to read a book about an alternate world packed with high-flying adventure, nasty pirates, and a mysterious species of bird, (or panther?) I would have given you a flat-out No. But Aiborn seems to be different. Its unfolds as a Jules Verne novel, yes, (as many reviewers have said already) but seems to run by a different, and fresh, formula. The writing is some of the best I've seen in a teen book. Well-deserving of its' Printz award.

Matt Cruse plays the meager role of cabin boy around the AURORA, a futuristic half blimp/half cruise ship. But he doesn't mind. He has found a home in the ship and feels isolated on land. In short, life is good. That is until he saves an elderly man from his sinking hot-air balloon. Mystery enters around this point, when the old man asks Matt whether or not he has seen "them". Matt, believing the man to be delirious, agrees that he has. He reasons the man has seen an illusion, similar to the legend of the mermaid. The old man is boarded on The Aurora, but dies later on, leaving Matt curious about "them".

Skip forward, one year later. Matt is still cabin boy, but expects to be promoted to sailmaker soon. A new trip is just around the corner and Matt is excited to be in the air again. But, then, the sailmaking postion is filled by the son of Otto Lunardi's (the owner of the Aurora) son. Matt, as you can imagine, is devastating, but stays on the ship, still thinking of it as his home. But these events will soon be forgotten, when Matt meets the charming, rich, and beatiful Kate de Vries (accompanied by an escort, of course). Ms, de Vries, as Matt insists on calling her, revives the mystery of the old man and the creatures he saw and takes him on a ride more exciting than any he's had on the Aurora.


Kenneth Oppel, known for is "soaringly" successful Silverwing Trilogy, has crafted yet another well-written novel about an unlikely hero. Airborn may seem to be slow during the first chapter, but I dare you to read on. You won't regret it.

R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer

Wow, what a fantastic adventure. I was a little skeptical to read it as the cover didn't seem very interesting, but after I started reading Airborn, I was enthusiatically entralled. Airborn brings together the ideas of Treasure Island and Treasure Planet for a gripping adventure. The descriptive, vivid writing of Kenneth Oppel makes the reader feel they are there expereincing all the ups and downs of the characters. I enjoyed accompanying Matt and Kate aboard the airship, Aurora, as they search for an uncharted species that Kate's grandfather had briefly documented before he died aboard a hotair balloon. Pirates, a shipwreck, a typhoon, jumping snakes, and a beautiful yet deadly uncharted species makes the book hard to put down. Bravo Mr. Oppel! Well done!

"Sailing toward dawn, and I was perched atop the crow's nest, being the ship's eyes." This is a normal occurrence for Matt Cruse, cabin boy aboard the Aurora, a luxury class passenger and cargo ship, and a fitting beginning to this book. What should be a normal voyage becomes an exciting adventure as the Aurora is boarded by pirates, caught in a typhoon, and shipwrecked on an uncharted tropical island where Matt and his friends make an amazing discovery.

This book isn't your typical Treasure Island, however. The Aurora is an airship (think the Good Year Blimp with a full crew and rich passengers) that sails the skies 800 feet above the ocean surface. The airplane has never been invented, and the airships are powered by a light-weight gas called hydrium (a mango-scented gas than all other molecules and pushes any other air out of the space it is in) and propellers to guide the ships through the air.

In this tale, the Aurora, and more specifically Matt Cruse, rescues a stranded balloonist over the Pacificus. One year later, the balloonist's granddaughter, Kate, appears as a passenger on the ship, intent on finding a mysterious creature her grandfather saw on his final voyage. Kate shares her grandfather's story with Matt, who aids her in her quest. Together they face many dangers, including the wrath of Kate's overbearing chaperone, Miss Simpkins, who does not feel that proper ladies should associate with the crew of an airship.

This book is very well written. Kenneth Oppel describes the events, people and places fully, without letting potentially gruesome incidents get to graphic. All of the plot lines intertwine gracefully throughout the narrative until they connect in the book's climax. The characters are interesting and multi-dimensional. For example, Matt's overwhelming sense of duty and single-minded protectiveness of the Aurora contrasts with his sense of adventure and his new friendship with Kate in which he often must choose between her and the ship. Kate is willful and adventurous. She can take care of herself, but is not beyond asking for help when she needs to do so. Even the "villains" in this book have multiple sides. Captain Szpirglas of the pirate ship loots every ship he can, but is only violent when he needs to be in order keep the crew and passengers under control. He also has a soft and caring side that no one would suspect.

The places in this book make it realistic despite the fantasy element of airships instead of airplanes. For example, the Aurora is traveling from the west coast of North America to Sydney, Australia, and the Air Academy where some people study to be airship crew is located in Paris. The book has a historical feel to it, with the oceans called the Atlanticus and Pacificus, the women in long dresses and jewelry aboard the ship, and the notion that women should not have adventures or go to university. The characters, however, have a more modern feel to them, especially Kate, who does not buy into the ideals of her society and intends to make great discoveries of her own and make sure that no one else takes the credit.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fantasies, pirate stories, adventures or teenage heros.

As my friend said when she recommended this to me, "it's the best book I've read since book 6 of Harry Potter" and I have to agree. This story grabs you, and keeps ahold of you throughout the entire book. I've never been on such a fantastic rollercoaster ride of emotions, adventure and fantasy. Oppell has a wonderful, ingenious imagination. He manages to bring to life things that are found under the sea (with a dash of fantasy) to life up in the air. I knew from the first chapter that this book should be made into a movie; and if that ever happens I will be first in line to see it.

His second book, SKYBREAKER, is just as good with even more character development. You can't help but fall in love with Matt and Kate and I hope there is a book 3, soon, on the horizon. I HIGHLY recommend this book for adults, teens and even the elementary schooler. If you like Harry Potter, you'll love Matt Cruse in AIRBORN.

My only complaint: I could not find this book in the average bookstore. My local library had it, but only two copies. I have since ordered it as it's a book I want to keep in my own personal library to enjoy time and time again.

This book was one of my favorites of all time! The characters are excellent, and the plot is great! Although sometimes it got boring, there was always something to pick it back up. I loved the ending, and I can't wait untill Skybreaker comes out! *squeal* !! I also can't wait untill the movie comes out with Liam Aiken, and Emma Watson. < 2 of the most talented child actors and actresses out there. The relationship between Kate and Matt is pure, and I hope they have more scenes in the upcoming book, Skybreaker. If you like fantasy, fiction, mystery, and romance, you'll definitely like this book.