You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
constant action, suspense, sasquatch, steampunk, CIRCUS?!? how could i possibly NOT like this book? and of course the same solid voice actor as in every other middle grade book with a male protagonist.
A fun, easy read. Not quite as good as I remember Airborne to be, but I did enjoy the few references to Canadian history (and wish there were more).
One of the most intense page-turners I have read. Kenneth Oppel does it again!"
The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel
***.3.5***
A short review only for this one. While there was nothing particularly wrong with the book it just didn't grab me quite like his Matt Cruse series and some other books I've read recently so I can't justify a 4 star rating. Easy, enjoyable read.
***.3.5***
A short review only for this one. While there was nothing particularly wrong with the book it just didn't grab me quite like his Matt Cruse series and some other books I've read recently so I can't justify a 4 star rating. Easy, enjoyable read.
The cover for this is gorgeous, but I'm really glad that I ordered it from the library instead of buyin git. It's a cute and easy story, a fast read at about 3-4 hours. It did lose my attention a few times, however because the action was just not intriguing. I'll agree with Jessethereader in that I wasn't really connected to the characters and after reading the night circus, I just kept thinking of the twins and Bailey whom I liked more than the two characters in this novel.
Regardless, it's a nice, short, story.
Regardless, it's a nice, short, story.
I'm not really sure what to call this book. Historical Mystery Fantasy? How about "Historical Fystary."
In short, this was a re-imagining of the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway told from the point of view of a Will Everett, whose laborer father (very unrealistically) inherits a wealthy rail baron's enterprise. After completing the railroad, Will's father builds the largest steam engine ever built, "The Boundless," which is like, the cruise ship of trains. (This is all taking place in the 19th century, so I guess it's more like the "Titanic" of trains.) When Will witnesses a murder, he's in for the adventure of his life, complete with sasquatches, swamp witches, a mysterious and magical circus ringmaster, and a beautiful girl.
This wasn't my favorite, but it was fun, and I think it'll be a really easy sell to kids, especially during the summer.
In short, this was a re-imagining of the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway told from the point of view of a Will Everett, whose laborer father (very unrealistically) inherits a wealthy rail baron's enterprise. After completing the railroad, Will's father builds the largest steam engine ever built, "The Boundless," which is like, the cruise ship of trains. (This is all taking place in the 19th century, so I guess it's more like the "Titanic" of trains.) When Will witnesses a murder, he's in for the adventure of his life, complete with sasquatches, swamp witches, a mysterious and magical circus ringmaster, and a beautiful girl.
This wasn't my favorite, but it was fun, and I think it'll be a really easy sell to kids, especially during the summer.
I honestly love trains: the constant movement and being shut indefinitely somewhere so I can read for hours and hours. This book appealed to something in me because it was a marvelous description of what a long journey on a mysterious train would be like. It had a good adventure to it, I loved it a lot, it was very unique and refreshing. It had a nice plot twist (even though I predicted it). The supernatural elements were a nice touch.
I enjoyed this book immensely.
I enjoyed this book immensely.
A fun adventure book. Great characters. A fun adventure setting (mostly takes place on a GIANT [ http://kennethoppel.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-boundless-leaving-station_22.html ], and long [5 miles] moving train) going from one coast of Canada, to the other.
If you're new to Kenneth Oppel, I would suggest starting off with the Matt Cruise series, which is his flagship series for young adults. I feel that fans of the series would like this book, as it feels pretty similar in a few ways. They're both an adventure, coming of age tale, with steampunk and mild sci-fi elements. It doesn't come together quite as well as Airborn, but pretty fun read.
If you're new to Kenneth Oppel, I would suggest starting off with the Matt Cruise series, which is his flagship series for young adults. I feel that fans of the series would like this book, as it feels pretty similar in a few ways. They're both an adventure, coming of age tale, with steampunk and mild sci-fi elements. It doesn't come together quite as well as Airborn, but pretty fun read.
I read this book because it won the Lone Star award. It is a fantasy/adventure novel about a boy who is looking for adventure and his own story and finds it aboard The Boundless, a 5 mile long train on it's first dangerous journey. There are many legends woven into the story - sasquatch, some hag woman, and a circus man named Dorian, whose story you may recognize. I personally did not find the story interesting enough to keep my attention and I started skimming through it after I reached halfway. I think that kids may enjoy it though.