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hoserlauren's review
3.0
Having just read The Count of Monte Cristo earlier this year, I found this book strikingly similar in its premise. The build up to the 'wrong-doing' made it easier to hate the villian in this case and given that this book is not meant to be a literary classic, the revenge and results are not nearly as convoluted.
This book was ok. It's not as fun as some of Colfer's other works or other books I've read in a similar genre but it's still a good story to read through and you pull for the main character (and reealllyy hate the villian).
This book was ok. It's not as fun as some of Colfer's other works or other books I've read in a similar genre but it's still a good story to read through and you pull for the main character (and reealllyy hate the villian).
anarcho_zymurgist's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lupuslibrorum's review
4.0
[This review originally appeared on The Warden's Walk on January 9, 2011.]
What deliriously fun high adventure! This is a rollicking swashbuckler -- and yes, it deserves the adjective "rollicking." Breathless, clever, joyful, and full of memorable characters, this book makes for an excellent time.
I found all the characters quite likable and well-placed in the story. Colfer manages to squeeze a respectable amount of character development from them, despite his quick pace and need to impart a lot of plot in the least confusing way possible. Conor, while definitely in the swashbuckling tradition, is also a bit of a scientist in the Jules-Verne tradition, and is genuinely thoughtful and perceptive. Sometimes his moods seem to follow the dictates of the plot a little too closely, but it all is reasonable enough. His mentor Victor Vigny is a swashbuckling French rogue, but has a great deal of warmth and sincerity to him that makes him quite endearing as well as fun to read. The least developed character is the antagonist, Marshall Bonvilain, whose name, no doubt, is meant to sound like “good villain,” and that he certainly is. I say he is one-dimensional, but it is a singularly entertaining and charismatic dimension, if you’ll pardon the pun. While he makes a few of the classic mistakes every swashbuckling villain seems to, in general he seems more cunning, less likely to underestimate his enemies. A formidable fellow. The final chapters about his downfall and Conor’s victory is satisfying, and had me grinning ear to ear.
Another reviewer (eh…can’t find the link) briefly compared it to The Princess Bride book, and I can see why. They both have high adventure in the best classic tradition and a fair bit of witty humor, but Airman takes itself more seriously and doesn’t have the air of sly parody that The Princess Bride does. Still, it’s commendable how Colfer is able to keep such a dramatic story from being melodramatic. He deals with his characters’ issues frankly and honestly. You think he’s overlooked something, that you’ve finally found a plot hole, only to have him address it a few chapters later. As authors go, he seems to be pretty aware of what his readers are thinking at a given point in the story.
You know, I think this book would make a fine adventure movie. Live action or traditional animation, I’d think. The visual, action-oriented style often suggests a film camera, and most scenes are full of dramatic dialogue and flourishes. I’ve heard that a motion-capture version is in the works, which sounds like a terrible idea to me (I’m not a fan of 100% mo-cap movies like Robert Zemeckis’ The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol). Anyway, I hope the filmmakers do justice to the intelligence and sharpness of the writing. There’s plenty of action and excitement here already, without the need for flashy new special-effects sequences that go on and on, and overload the viewer to the degradation of the story.
As familiar as the basic story may be, the book doesn’t actually feel old or hackneyed. It’s fresh, energetic, and full of joie de vivre, as Victor Vigny would no doubt say. The best thing I can say about Eoin Colfer’s Airman is that it drew out both my laughter and my imagination in generous portions.
What deliriously fun high adventure! This is a rollicking swashbuckler -- and yes, it deserves the adjective "rollicking." Breathless, clever, joyful, and full of memorable characters, this book makes for an excellent time.
I found all the characters quite likable and well-placed in the story. Colfer manages to squeeze a respectable amount of character development from them, despite his quick pace and need to impart a lot of plot in the least confusing way possible. Conor, while definitely in the swashbuckling tradition, is also a bit of a scientist in the Jules-Verne tradition, and is genuinely thoughtful and perceptive. Sometimes his moods seem to follow the dictates of the plot a little too closely, but it all is reasonable enough. His mentor Victor Vigny is a swashbuckling French rogue, but has a great deal of warmth and sincerity to him that makes him quite endearing as well as fun to read. The least developed character is the antagonist, Marshall Bonvilain, whose name, no doubt, is meant to sound like “good villain,” and that he certainly is. I say he is one-dimensional, but it is a singularly entertaining and charismatic dimension, if you’ll pardon the pun. While he makes a few of the classic mistakes every swashbuckling villain seems to, in general he seems more cunning, less likely to underestimate his enemies. A formidable fellow. The final chapters about his downfall and Conor’s victory is satisfying, and had me grinning ear to ear.
Another reviewer (eh…can’t find the link) briefly compared it to The Princess Bride book, and I can see why. They both have high adventure in the best classic tradition and a fair bit of witty humor, but Airman takes itself more seriously and doesn’t have the air of sly parody that The Princess Bride does. Still, it’s commendable how Colfer is able to keep such a dramatic story from being melodramatic. He deals with his characters’ issues frankly and honestly. You think he’s overlooked something, that you’ve finally found a plot hole, only to have him address it a few chapters later. As authors go, he seems to be pretty aware of what his readers are thinking at a given point in the story.
You know, I think this book would make a fine adventure movie. Live action or traditional animation, I’d think. The visual, action-oriented style often suggests a film camera, and most scenes are full of dramatic dialogue and flourishes. I’ve heard that a motion-capture version is in the works, which sounds like a terrible idea to me (I’m not a fan of 100% mo-cap movies like Robert Zemeckis’ The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol). Anyway, I hope the filmmakers do justice to the intelligence and sharpness of the writing. There’s plenty of action and excitement here already, without the need for flashy new special-effects sequences that go on and on, and overload the viewer to the degradation of the story.
As familiar as the basic story may be, the book doesn’t actually feel old or hackneyed. It’s fresh, energetic, and full of joie de vivre, as Victor Vigny would no doubt say. The best thing I can say about Eoin Colfer’s Airman is that it drew out both my laughter and my imagination in generous portions.
matt12's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of my favorite books ever! A very cozy swashbuckling adventure with a Princess, a villain, and a boy who wants to fly
readinen's review
4.0
(This review is for the audio version narrated by John Keating.)
I was first introduced to Colfer's writing via the fantastic Artemis Fowl books, and have since taken in anything written by him that I could get my hands on. Airman is a book that not only delivers on my expectations of Colfer's skills as a writer, but also just my desire to enjoy a great story.
In Airman, Conor Broekhart is thoroughly beat up and disheartened again and again. Even Conor's birth occurs during dire circumstances at the book's beginning, as if to tell you that things don't really calm down for the kid from that point forward. Despite the pounding he takes throughout the story, you find yourself unable to do anything but root for him. His successes are mythic and wonderfully written - perfect for a wide-eyed child to listen to with rapt attention.
The antagonist, a villainous and downright evil character named Marshall Bonvilain, is just as hate-able as Conor is likeable; and the performance of the character by John Keating is so perfect that I have little doubt I despised Bonvilain even more because of it. For those listening to this book, I think this is where you'll find your investment has paid off, because Keating's narration is excellent, but his rendition of Bonvilain and the other villains is fantastic.
It's easy to be deceived by how simple this story is put together, especially when you consider the straightforward themes of heroes saving princesses and the obvious indications of character identity and story from names like "Broekhart" and "Bonvilain". At one point I found myself thinking that this story was perhaps a youth-accessible rewrite of Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo; but having finished the book I'm of the opinion that Colfer was crafting a fairy tale for the age of discovery and industry. The Airman's charm in fact comes from it's simplicity, despite that the plot is anything but simple and the adventures within are actually very clever and captivating. If the book is simple, it is simple in the themes it presents - such as "true love" and "brains over brawn"; but the unique tale within is easier to enjoy because of it.
I usually avoid spoilers in my reviews, and Airman definitely requires my discretion - you deserve to enjoy this book from beginning to end. In the end I hope you do enjoy it as much as I did!
I was first introduced to Colfer's writing via the fantastic Artemis Fowl books, and have since taken in anything written by him that I could get my hands on. Airman is a book that not only delivers on my expectations of Colfer's skills as a writer, but also just my desire to enjoy a great story.
In Airman, Conor Broekhart is thoroughly beat up and disheartened again and again. Even Conor's birth occurs during dire circumstances at the book's beginning, as if to tell you that things don't really calm down for the kid from that point forward. Despite the pounding he takes throughout the story, you find yourself unable to do anything but root for him. His successes are mythic and wonderfully written - perfect for a wide-eyed child to listen to with rapt attention.
The antagonist, a villainous and downright evil character named Marshall Bonvilain, is just as hate-able as Conor is likeable; and the performance of the character by John Keating is so perfect that I have little doubt I despised Bonvilain even more because of it. For those listening to this book, I think this is where you'll find your investment has paid off, because Keating's narration is excellent, but his rendition of Bonvilain and the other villains is fantastic.
It's easy to be deceived by how simple this story is put together, especially when you consider the straightforward themes of heroes saving princesses and the obvious indications of character identity and story from names like "Broekhart" and "Bonvilain". At one point I found myself thinking that this story was perhaps a youth-accessible rewrite of Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo; but having finished the book I'm of the opinion that Colfer was crafting a fairy tale for the age of discovery and industry. The Airman's charm in fact comes from it's simplicity, despite that the plot is anything but simple and the adventures within are actually very clever and captivating. If the book is simple, it is simple in the themes it presents - such as "true love" and "brains over brawn"; but the unique tale within is easier to enjoy because of it.
I usually avoid spoilers in my reviews, and Airman definitely requires my discretion - you deserve to enjoy this book from beginning to end. In the end I hope you do enjoy it as much as I did!
lilydefender's review
5.0
I can say with confidence that this book has been, is, and will continue to be, among my top 3 favourite books ever.
It's basically the modern Princess Bride: "Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." (Maybe not the giants and monsters, but everything else - yes. And I love it.)
My one complaint is that it's over so soon.
Eoin Colfer has a way with words, humour, characters and emotions that others can't rival.
(And if you want another stunning layer added to this already fantastic book, the audiobook is read by John Keating and he does an absolutely amazing job!)
It's basically the modern Princess Bride: "Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." (Maybe not the giants and monsters, but everything else - yes. And I love it.)
My one complaint is that it's over so soon.
Eoin Colfer has a way with words, humour, characters and emotions that others can't rival.
(And if you want another stunning layer added to this already fantastic book, the audiobook is read by John Keating and he does an absolutely amazing job!)
awestaway's review
5.0
What a great book! A huge departure for Eoin Colfer, I'm used to reading about the LEP, Haven and all kinds of mischievous magic in his 'Artemis Fowl' series, which I greatly enjoy. However the story of Conor Broekhart and his quest for flight is absolutely fantastic. Colfer ditches magic for aeronautics and loses criminal masterminds and replaces it with political espionage with great success. He also introduces us to some great characters; Conor Broekhart, a highly intelligent young man who comes through great adversity to become a great hero. Colfer also gives us a great new literary villain in the cold and calculating Marshall Hugo Bonvilain. I would recommend this book to just about anyone who likes books!
woomom's review
3.0
This book gets 4 stars for being a fast-moving, action-packed adventure. Definitely geared toward a younger audience.
However, it gets 2 stars or less for the believeability of the plot. I really couldn't figure out if this book was trying to be realistic fiction or fantasy. It's based in the late 1890s, but besides the aspect of the main character trying to learn to fly, it appeared that it took place in the 1600 or 1700s. Castles, kings, battles, swordfights, etc.
Spoiler here... the last couple chapters of the book were COMPLETELY unbelievable. The main character's family is on the verge of being murdered and he knows it, but he's going to sit and spend a day or more building an airplane so he can fly the 2-mile distance to save them? Just didn't make sense to me. I might recommend this to middle-schoolers, but not many others.
Clean, although there was quite a bit of murder and torture of prisoners.
Popsugar 2016- takes place on an island.
However, it gets 2 stars or less for the believeability of the plot. I really couldn't figure out if this book was trying to be realistic fiction or fantasy. It's based in the late 1890s, but besides the aspect of the main character trying to learn to fly, it appeared that it took place in the 1600 or 1700s. Castles, kings, battles, swordfights, etc.
Spoiler here... the last couple chapters of the book were COMPLETELY unbelievable. The main character's family is on the verge of being murdered and he knows it, but he's going to sit and spend a day or more building an airplane so he can fly the 2-mile distance to save them? Just didn't make sense to me. I might recommend this to middle-schoolers, but not many others.
Clean, although there was quite a bit of murder and torture of prisoners.
Popsugar 2016- takes place on an island.
hawkes's review
2.0
I enjoyed the premise of the book at first, but for me the story ended up dragging. After Conor was imprisoned I wanted to see him really suffer and struggle! But in the end he made it through just about everything because of how smart he was. Despite the situation he was in being desperate, I always figured he would find a way out somehow with minimal consequences. This got tiresome for me, especially toward the end.
Another problem was the lack of an impact reuniting with his family had. I felt nothing once they realised he was alive - by that point he could do no wrong and everything went his way despite the odds being stacked against him.
In the same vein Bonvilain's downfall was extremely unsatisfying - he has been a jerk for years and years, yet his schemes unravel when people become suspicious of him. People are always suspicious of him, so why go for such an obvious tactic?
In the end it was a bit of a relief to be done with it, unfortunate because it started off well and I thoroughly enjoyed the premise initially.
Another problem was the lack of an impact reuniting with his family had. I felt nothing once they realised he was alive - by that point he could do no wrong and everything went his way despite the odds being stacked against him.
In the same vein Bonvilain's downfall was extremely unsatisfying - he has been a jerk for years and years, yet his schemes unravel when people become suspicious of him. People are always suspicious of him, so why go for such an obvious tactic?
In the end it was a bit of a relief to be done with it, unfortunate because it started off well and I thoroughly enjoyed the premise initially.
amrungwaew's review
5.0
Just reread this. First read this at age 14 and loved it. Four years later, I still love it. Colder is not appreciated enough for his standalone writing like this. It's dark and funny and wonderfully human. I talk a lot about how books can profoundly shape people. This is one of them.