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Airborn by kenneth oppel
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Airborn (original 2004; edition 2004)

by kenneth oppel

Series: Airborn Series (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
2,4631096,057 (4.16)119
Not quite classical Steampunk, not quite YA Sci-Fi, Airborn is the opening novel in a series by Kenneth Oppel. Set in an alternate past where airplanes, as we know them, were never developed and instead, floating airships ruled the skyways, Airborn is the saga of a young cabin boy, Matt Cruse, obviously destined for greater things.

In this opening novel, Matt makes the acquaintance of Kate De Vries, the young daughter of a wealthy family. As expected, Matt and Kate are opposites. Also as expected, they find an attraction between them, more than is required for this one story. This is a story played out against a society of almost Victorian morals, so at least for this adventure, there is nothing more than an “adventure buddy” vibe to their relationship . . . although there are a few earnest, but well deserved, chaste kisses, indicating that we will be seeing more of the pair as the series progresses.

All in all, I enjoyed the story. There was something about the style, though that kept me from elevating it any higher, yet I did not feel obligated to see the story through to the end, I honestly wanted to find out what happens next. Will I read the next installment? Yes, if for no other reason than to see if the story improves. Not original enough to be more than a four star read, it is still worth acquiring and reading. ( )
  PghDragonMan | Mar 31, 2013 |
Showing 1-25 of 109 (next | show all)
2.5 stars, but I'm not feeling generous enough to round up today. Pure action-adventure steampunk YA thing, very readable, very forgettable. Takes no stands, makes no enemies, but has a good time serving up slightly implausible action sequences. ( )
  caedocyon | Feb 23, 2024 |
If you can get past some whopper coincidences required for the plot to work, this is an enjoyable steampunky story. I have already placed a hold on the sequel audiobook. ( )
  Treebeard_404 | Jan 23, 2024 |
This book is brilliant! It was a fun steampunk romp through the skies and a tropical island. There are strange and wondrous creatures, high-sky adventures, steampunk goodness. And pirates. Can't forget the pirates. LOVE! ( )
  wisemetis | Jan 8, 2023 |
I'm rating this based on the memory that I loved it when I read it years ago, and I hand sold it a lot when I was a bookseller. An imaginative adventure. ( )
  Harks | Dec 17, 2022 |
Loved this book. Not sure if I should have given it a 5 or just a 4 1/2.
If you like the "Gregor" series by Suzanne Collins you will like this. It's not as scary as that series but has the same feel. Very fun read. ( )
  panamamama | Aug 2, 2022 |
Airships: the magical, interesting, mechanical realm. The book did a great job of bringing them to life, and I hesitate to go with 4 stars only because of the main female character. She's spunky and adventuresome, and singlehandedly responsible for every bad decision in the book. This became irritating after a while, especially given her consistent need to be rescued despite her spunky and adventuresome character.

The airship Aurora, though, is a complex an beautiful character in her own right, and that is extremely satisfying. ( )
  jennybeast | Apr 14, 2022 |
Good for boys looking for adventure books. Sort of steampunk with dirigibles as the main mode of transport. ( )
  readingjag | Nov 29, 2021 |
A second-generation airshipman, cabin boy Matt Cruse catches a glimpse of a sinking balloon ship, and helps engineer the daring rescue of its sole occupant. While dying, the balloonist tells Matt about magnificent winged creatures. On a later cruise, the dead man's granddaughter Kate arrives to find whatever her grandfather saw. A little bit of piracy and some stormy weather adds some spice to the story. Personally, I thought Leviathan by Scott Westerfield was a better story and more steampunk. 3.75 stars.
( )
  skipstern | Jul 11, 2021 |
Teen fiction; sci-fi/fantasy swashbuckling adventure. Great story and character development, some violence (pirates!) and one kissing scene. ( )
  reader1009 | Jul 3, 2021 |
this book has been simply amazing!!!!! for one, the whole concept of the magnificent and extraordinary airships was truly one that made my heart ache for the beautifulness that we do not have now.
the story was amzing, and I can't wait to read the next book in this epic trilogy!
:-o ( )
  Mithra_Azad | Mar 26, 2021 |
3.75 stars

This book didn't catch my attention for awhile. Near the end, I really enjoyed it. I think a younger reader will love it throughout. It has an airship that's more like our cruise ships. There are pirates and flying creatures. The leads are a boy and girl trying to find an unknown animal and save the day. It has lots of adventure. ( )
  ToniFGMAMTC | Feb 17, 2021 |
I loved every minute of this amazing book! The audio version is by Full Cast Audio, and they made the book and characters come vividly to life. Finishing it made me feel the way you do after an exquisite meal--you want to go right back and eat the whole thing again. If you like YA adventures, put this one at the top of your list. You won't be disappointed. ( )
  sdramsey | Dec 14, 2020 |
I read the three books of this series when first published and really liked them, so I was especially happy to get the audiobook from the SYNC Summer Reading program. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book, especially the fact that it was a full cast audio. Highly recommend print and audios.

Full Cast Audio features a full cast of characters, rather than one or two readers.
Matt Cruse (read by David Kelly), works on an airship and has wonderful adventures in this fantasy series suitable for middle school and up readers.
I read the print of the entire series and loved them, they were all held at MHS Library.
SYNC's summer reading free audio program provided this audio of the first book. ( )
  Gmomaj | Aug 23, 2020 |
The 2006 Full Cast Audio production is a thrilling listen! ( )
  Lisa_Francine | Aug 5, 2020 |
This was great! Fast paced, and young adult but not all about hormones. I'm reading the second one now. ( )
  mirihawk | May 21, 2020 |
Although this book isn't usually the subject I would choose, the story and characters hooked me right away.

Matt Cruse is completely at home in the sky, a cabin boy aboard the immense airship Aurora. He dreams of one day piloting his own air vessel. But his adventurous sky life is about to take an even crazier turn. The Aurora becomes host to the headstrong, fiery heiress Kate de Vries, a girl on a mission for a strange creature that her grandfather swore existed. A creature that lives above the clouds, that no one else will believe in.

Facing flight dangers, unusual passengers, sky pirates, and more, Matt and Kate make a wonderful, humorous, and balanced team as they search for the elusive cloud-cat to prove that Kate's grandfather was right.

For anyone who loves flying, adventure, or a just plain great story in a fantastically created setting, you should definitely read this book. ( )
1 vote booksong | Mar 18, 2020 |
Adventure novels in the tradition of Treasure Island and Jules Verne, but with a modern sense of storytelling. These take place in a world where airplanes were never invented, and dirigible airships rule the skies. Grades 6th-8th. Again, my son Haley ate these up. Rick Riordan
  TKMartinez | Oct 8, 2018 |
Entertaining, YA full cast audio book, adventure, steampunk, alternate history, steampunk, pirates and strange creatures. I found the willful, rich girl to be a bit annoying but overall, mostly this is a fun to read book that I can fully recommend. There are about 3 kisses in the book, so a bit of romance but mostly a boys adventure book. ( )
  Kristelh | Oct 4, 2018 |
Pirates! Shipwrecks! Zeppelins1 Rescues! Volcanoes and jungles! A mysterious notebook! Discovery of an amazing new species! Willful young woman who needs rescuing (and perhaps a kiss or two)! This is a straight up fast paced boys adventure novel, with no apologies or attempts to be anything else, and it does it well. ( )
  JanetNoRules | Sep 17, 2018 |
Note: This review is of the Full Cast Audio production, which includes voice actors for each part.
In this slightly steampunkish 18th century world, people travel by airship. Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, an airship crossing the Pacificus. He lives for flying and never feels at home on the ground. While in the crow’s nest, he spots a damaged hot air balloon. The man aboard dies shortly after being rescued, but not before talking about the beautiful creatures he spotted on his journey. A year later, the Aurora takes on a couple of late passengers, Kate de Vries and Majorie Simpkins. Kate is 15, just like Matt and they quickly start up a friendship, in which she entrusts him with her grandfather’s story of beautiful flying creatures over the Pacificus. After an attack by pirates and a terrible storm, the Aurora lands on an uncharted island. Can the crew repair her? Are they safe there from inhabitants and pirates? What really lives on this mysterious island?
The story is fast-paced, with plenty of action. Despite the pace, I often found myself bored with the story. The Narrator grated on my nerves a bit, but I think that had more to do with the voice actor than the actual book. I feel like I would have enjoyed it far more had I read it rather than listened to it. Nonetheless, there were moments where I tensed up in anticipation of something about to happen, or laughed out loud at something funny a character said. I think this book would appeal especially to middle-grade kids looking for an exciting adventure story. ( )
  Jessiqa | May 17, 2018 |
This was my streampunk book for one of my reading challenges this year, and I probably wouldn’t have read it if not for the prompt, but I am really glad I did.

This was a fun, adventure-filled YA romp, and the audio is excellent... a full cast recording with music between chapters. It was like listening to a movie. ( )
  sprainedbrain | May 13, 2018 |
This book is great for YAs because it offers science fiction, a young protagonist, and a compelling and action-packed plot line. Matt works on an airship and goes on adventures fighting pirates and discovering a strange species of animal with friends.
  kelseymccaw | Dec 17, 2017 |
The story is fun on the surface, but it's just a re-skinned pirate story with a steampunk setting. The addition of the "angels" was interesting, but not enough to make me invested in the series in any way. ( )
  benuathanasia | Dec 7, 2017 |
In this blend of fantasy and adventure, young Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the airship Aurora. The ship is more home to him than the ground, and he dreams of being sailmaker one day. On one fateful trip, he meets a determined young woman named Kate who is looking for a strange flying creature no one but her grandfather has seen.

I would've enjoyed this book a lot as a kid - an adventurous voyage including a bout with pirates, close escapes, and a dash of humor with the fantasy elements. It's still enjoyable as an adult, but perhaps because it took me three weeks to listen to the audio I didn't feel as in the moment or invested in the characters as I might've in my younger years. A fun, fast-paced read. ( )
  bell7 | Oct 27, 2017 |
This book was truly amazing!! Especially if you love aeroplanes and flying. Hard to put down! No, seriously :) ( )
  KadeishaEdwards | Apr 7, 2017 |
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