Airborn by Kenneth Opel

 

 Title: Airborn

Author: Kenneth Opel

Publication Date: 2004

ISBN #: 0060531827

Number of Pages: 544

Trend: Trend: Science Fiction, Alternate history, Steampunk

Publisher: HarperCollins

Opel, K. (2004). Airborn. New York, NY: HarperCollins

Summary:

In this alternate history universe airships rule the skies with the help of a fictional gas called hydrium. While serving as cabin boy on one of the largest passenger airships Matt Cruise encounters a dying man in an air balloon. He speaks about mysterious creatures, but Matt dismisses it as the raving of a mad man, yet the encounter continues to haunt him even after the man’s death. Jump ahead three years, Matt encounters the man’s granddaughter, Kate de Vries, who has a journal where he describes in detail an island where he encountered the creatures, huge half bat-half, panther-like creatures that never set foot land. When the airship is damaged by pirates, it is forced to land on the very same island that Kate’s grandfather describes. When Kate and Matt explore the island they soon discover that the creatures are real, and dangerous. But there is something even more dangerous on the island, the pirate’s secret base. Matt and Kate must save the ship from the pirates with an unlikely ally. Exploring serious issues of both grief and social classes, this is a highly exciting adventure with the nostalgia of a Jules Verne novel.

Curricular connections: In the style of Jules Verne, this is a fun steampunk book.  So looking at the differences that take place between this world and our own. In the library I would display it with the steampunk books, touting it as a compliment to Jules Verne fans.

Review Sources:  Publisher’s Weekly states that this book is, "In crisp, precise prose that gracefully conveys a wealth of detail," Oppel, imagines an alternate past where zeppelins crowd the skies over the Atlanticus and the Pacificus, and luxury liners travel the air rather than the sea. Paula Rohrlick of Kliatt also praises the book for being an adventurous swashbuckling adventure in the sky, both review comment on the personalities of the eager-to-advance cabin boy, and the feisty non-lady like girl who wants to be a scientist.

Personal response:

This was a fun book to read. I found the creature that Matt and Kate are in search of completely fascinating. I like any stories about rare never before seen creatures that are believed to be myth and legend. The steampunk aspect made for a fun read, but I had trouble wrapping my head around some of the descriptions of the airship.