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lazydazey's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sharlappalachia's review against another edition
5.0
This is the cross between historical fiction and science fiction. Refreshingly original, this book does not resort to a love triangle, inappropriate scenes, and very little language. I recommend it for ages eleven and up (I read it when I was 11), but this is an excellent novel regardless of age. It's creative, exciting, and kept me on edge the majority of times.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
This was a slow starter for me and I almost took it back a couple of times. So what made me finish it? Suddenly, I grew attached to the characters (the readers are truly wonderful) and had to find out what happened next. Once the action started with the introduction of Kate, Matt became more interesting as well. Then the pirates showed up...
emmalthompson85's review against another edition
5.0
This is a damn good, solid, enjoyable adventure story. The writing was nice, rightly paced and with good dialogue and description. The plot was tight, lots of twists and a lot of interesting stuff going on, a real page turner with solid writing and interesting characters. Definetley a good I would recomend.
Scored a 4.5 not a 5 as, while a solid example of the genre, it doesn't do anything to try to defy the genre.
Something I will note, if you've ever seen Haruhi Suzumiya, the protagonists of this are very much like Kyon and Haruhi only there isn't the horrible objectification of vulnerable women and sexism that's in those novels so if you enjoyed their dynamic in the anime where you don't have to put up with as much of Kyon's sexist by-play this book has much the same dynamic.
Scored a 4.5 not a 5 as, while a solid example of the genre, it doesn't do anything to try to defy the genre.
Something I will note, if you've ever seen Haruhi Suzumiya, the protagonists of this are very much like Kyon and Haruhi only there isn't the horrible objectification of vulnerable women and sexism that's in those novels so if you enjoyed their dynamic in the anime where you don't have to put up with as much of Kyon's sexist by-play this book has much the same dynamic.
norcaldawnrae's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nnnnnnnnnn's review against another edition
4.0
I am entirely biased in this review: a large part of my enjoyment of this book stems from the fact that i have worked on cruise ships and I think the author has captured the context extremely accurately. But I genuinely enjoyed this book! The token YA romance was there, but was not overwhelming. The pirates made for a fun, adventurous read; and the characters were interesting (thought Kate annoyed me a LOT, at times). I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a solid YA adventure that's just the right amount outside the realm of possibility!
crimsonsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
There are many delightful things about this tale and I could see a 12 year old becoming quite captivated. The hero is every bit the kind you want to root for, the heroine brave, if a little spoiled and selfish.
From a craft perspective, the overall plot relied too heavily on coincidence to be the engaging and magical adventure it wanted to be. Still, I would recommend it to the boy or girl who enjoys a formal writing style, an adventure, and clean entertainment fraught with danger.
Trigger warning for claustrophobia and situations of near suffocation. PG 13 for some death and violence.
From a craft perspective, the overall plot relied too heavily on coincidence to be the engaging and magical adventure it wanted to be. Still, I would recommend it to the boy or girl who enjoys a formal writing style, an adventure, and clean entertainment fraught with danger.
Trigger warning for claustrophobia and situations of near suffocation. PG 13 for some death and violence.
ego8's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
Such an amazing adventure book! Loved the audiobook as well :)
booksong's review against another edition
5.0
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.
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.