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applegnreads's review
4.0
Actually, I'd read this one before. Not sure how it didn't wind up in here. Still, not bad. The main character can be a bit of a... something... but I guess his experiences are to blame for that. Kind of magical (without any actual magic).
steelcitygator's review
1.0
I wanted to be generous and give this 2*'s. I think that feeling came from an at best mediocre middle being so much better than the atrocious first 1/4 or 1/3 or so that it made it seem better than it is even with the drag race paced ending. So, in the abridge version, no this is not worth your or anyone's time. I'm honestly shocked anyone could write a novel so focused on the beauty of flying and the wonder it invokes that I find so utterly awful.
Steampunk flying men with a late Victorian island between Britain and Ireland and a crown for contention? Seems like a good setup. Except the steampunk it does is touching it's barest toe into it and then immediately running away from it so there's actually little character to the flat setting, much like the characters. The good king and mentor are killed off in such a predictable way that me, the guy who purposely doesn't try and solve mystery media knew what was happening in 30 pages. The protagonist is the most cookie cutter YA main guy it hurts and the main antagonist is literally named villain (and is just as much a caricature of an enemy without any caricature charm). That's really what this book lacks, charm/character/any sort of interesting charisma or idea. That sort of unimaginative writing and development is littered throughout the story including what seemed like a sprung upon ending with no stakes because they'd been wrenched out multiple times when deaths were faked, mystery revealed to early, and so simple a grade schooler with a good knowledge of sitcom plots could storyboard it.
And have I mentioned how bad that opener is? It annoys you again anytime the events are called back upon later in the book when the writing and plot become passable. i think the author thought it would be clever to have generic villain realize his schemes got to convoluted before his death but it just makes you sad realizing the author knew the whole thread tying the book together was such a mess of unbelieve-ability as to disrupt any hope of the reader suspending their disbelief and getting into the story and then thinking he can wink at the camera at the end and make it not shit to use the bluntest language possible. I feel I could write three more essays on just everything this does wrong, I'd call it a bad YA cash grab but it doesn't hit enough tropes and feels like it's trying to be better but there is just a lack of skill there to do it.
YA as a genre does not mean it has to be bad or lazy. Young Adults are, after all, capable learners and growing and not stupid or in need of coddling. Rather, they deserve interesting works of fiction aimed to relate to them and their issues. IDK how so many saying this (according to my edition middle to high school demographic) book is "good at handling mature topics in a way acceptable for teens" or some variety of it. At least it's an easy read and doesn't overstay it's welcome. That's about the extent of my positive opinions on this work.
Steampunk flying men with a late Victorian island between Britain and Ireland and a crown for contention? Seems like a good setup. Except the steampunk it does is touching it's barest toe into it and then immediately running away from it so there's actually little character to the flat setting, much like the characters. The good king and mentor are killed off in such a predictable way that me, the guy who purposely doesn't try and solve mystery media knew what was happening in 30 pages. The protagonist is the most cookie cutter YA main guy it hurts and the main antagonist is literally named villain (and is just as much a caricature of an enemy without any caricature charm). That's really what this book lacks, charm/character/any sort of interesting charisma or idea. That sort of unimaginative writing and development is littered throughout the story including what seemed like a sprung upon ending with no stakes because they'd been wrenched out multiple times when deaths were faked, mystery revealed to early, and so simple a grade schooler with a good knowledge of sitcom plots could storyboard it.
And have I mentioned how bad that opener is? It annoys you again anytime the events are called back upon later in the book when the writing and plot become passable. i think the author thought it would be clever to have generic villain realize his schemes got to convoluted before his death but it just makes you sad realizing the author knew the whole thread tying the book together was such a mess of unbelieve-ability as to disrupt any hope of the reader suspending their disbelief and getting into the story and then thinking he can wink at the camera at the end and make it not shit to use the bluntest language possible. I feel I could write three more essays on just everything this does wrong, I'd call it a bad YA cash grab but it doesn't hit enough tropes and feels like it's trying to be better but there is just a lack of skill there to do it.
YA as a genre does not mean it has to be bad or lazy. Young Adults are, after all, capable learners and growing and not stupid or in need of coddling. Rather, they deserve interesting works of fiction aimed to relate to them and their issues. IDK how so many saying this (according to my edition middle to high school demographic) book is "good at handling mature topics in a way acceptable for teens" or some variety of it. At least it's an easy read and doesn't overstay it's welcome. That's about the extent of my positive opinions on this work.
chombychomp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chrispylikebacon's review
5.0
I remember this book left me speechless for so long. Really really really enjoyed it. Classic prince falls form grace and must reclaim everything he wrongfully lost.
em_rose42's review
5.0
Wow. This book was really interesting to read. It had action, humor and even a little romance. Sometimes it was hard to understand all the talk about aeroplanes and engines and such, but that didnt leave me feeling confused about anything else in the story. All the twists and turns in the plot kept me entertained throughout the whole thing. I will not forget this book easily.
kriziaannacastro's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cari1268's review
4.0
While I was reading Airman, I was reminded a lot of the book series, Artemis Fowl. Only at the end of reading this book did I realize that, duh, this is the same author who wrote Artemis Fowl! I think it's safe to say that fans of Artemis Fowl will enjoy this book as well.
I found myself thoroughly enjoying this read. There was lots of action and adventure and the author did a great job setting the scene. It felt like The Count of Monte Cristo lite. The writing was excellent although I did have a few quibbles about some of the jumps in narration and the main character's incredible luck. I loved that the main character was a boy and I could really see boys enjoying this book.
Since I am not the target audience for this book, I feel bad listing any faults--Particularly since the parts that bothered me about the book most likely stem from me as an adult reading a juvenile book. Buuut... I didn't like how the villain was outrageously evil and the general lack of subtlety. The author gave way too much away and I always knew what was going to happen.
3.5 Stars.
I found myself thoroughly enjoying this read. There was lots of action and adventure and the author did a great job setting the scene. It felt like The Count of Monte Cristo lite. The writing was excellent although I did have a few quibbles about some of the jumps in narration and the main character's incredible luck. I loved that the main character was a boy and I could really see boys enjoying this book.
Since I am not the target audience for this book, I feel bad listing any faults--Particularly since the parts that bothered me about the book most likely stem from me as an adult reading a juvenile book. Buuut... I didn't like how the villain was outrageously evil and the general lack of subtlety. The author gave way too much away and I always knew what was going to happen.
Spoiler
And this may just be a girl thing, but I NEEDED more pages devoted to Connor's reunion with his family. I waited practically the whole book for that and it was just glossed over. Grrr...3.5 Stars.
saracat's review against another edition
5.0
The first few chapters were good, but I had no problem putting it down to do other things. But about a third of the way through the book, the only things that could get me to put it down were: work, food, and sleep.
It was an interesting choice to sometimes follow one character, then another. Even though the vast majority of the book followed only the main character. It would have been interesting is the author had solely followed Conor. But, it was excellent and allowed for some suspense and the reveal of certain things at the best moments.
It was an interesting choice to sometimes follow one character, then another. Even though the vast majority of the book followed only the main character. It would have been interesting is the author had solely followed Conor. But, it was excellent and allowed for some suspense and the reveal of certain things at the best moments.