Airborn

Author: Kenneth Oppel
Genre: Mid-grade to Young-Adult – Historical Fiction & Adventure
Publication Date: May 1st 2004
Publisher: Eos/Harper Collins
Age Range: 12+
Pages: 355
Date Scoot Read: September 2011
Source: Hardcover Library Book

Scoot's Rating: 10 – Amazing! Loved it. Read it now!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sailing toward dawn, and I was perched atop the crow's nest, being the ship's eyes. We were two nights out of Sydney, and there'd been no weather to speak of so far. I was keeping watch on a dark stack of nimbus clouds off to the northwest, but we were leaving it far behind, and it looked to be smooth going all the way back to Lionsgate City. Like riding a cloud. . . .

Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, a huge airship that sails hundreds of feet above the ocean, ferrying wealthy passengers from city to city. It is the life Matt's always wanted; convinced he's lighter than air, he imagines himself as buoyant as the hydrium gas that powers his ship. One night he meets a dying balloonist who speaks of beautiful creatures drifting through the skies. It is only after Matt meets the balloonist's granddaughter that he realizes that the man's ravings may, in fact, have been true, and that the creatures are completely real and utterly mysterious.

In a swashbuckling adventure reminiscent of Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson, Kenneth Oppel, author of the best-selling Silverwing trilogy, creates an imagined world in which the air is populated by transcontinental voyagers, pirates, and beings never before dreamed of by the humans who sail the skies.

Scoot’s Review:

In Airborn we join Matt Cruse - a boy who was literally born in the air.  Becoming an airship captain someday is Matt’s ultimate dream, and sailing on the Aurora is his path to get there.  In a twist of fate Matt crosses paths with Kate de Vries and is quickly pulled into a sky-high adventure; where the risks could cost the lives of all of those aboard the Aurora. I love, love, loved this book.  Airborn had all of the right elements for me; strong characters, action, adventure, wit, humor, emotional depth, and a touch of romance.  The writing style comfortably portrayed the mannerisms of the time period and you felt pulled into history.   The alternate world filled with airships was fascinating, as were the new species portrayed.  I wouldn’t necessarily put this novel in the steampunk category but it had that feel to it, and I am a sucker for steampunk novels! The plot flowed well and the story line was absorbing; you were quick to become emotionally involved with the characters and events.  The main characters were well developed and likeable. Matt was an easy favorite and a great lead character.  He was loyal, brave and witty and I enjoyed the book being written from his point of view.  I loved his sarcastic internal dialogue!  Matt had hidden layers and as the reader you learned more about him throughout the novel.  The story was adventurous and well paced.  Yet, the novel wasn’t all fun and games, there were a few harrowing moments and some tragedy.  Airborn could easily be a stand alone novel with its well rounded conclusion. However, I was so glad to know there were more books because I was not ready to let go of the story.  Lucky for me this series isn’t brand new, so I have already had the chance to read the next two novels.  Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed Airborn and was satisfied with the novel overall.  If you enjoy a good midgrade to early young-adult action and adventure story be sure to put this one at the top of your list!