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ryanpfw's review against another edition
5.0
Jules Verne meets Downton Abbey on a zeppelin. Highly recommended! I truly enjoyed it!
Audible fans - this one has an ensemble cast versus a single narrator.
Audible fans - this one has an ensemble cast versus a single narrator.
nancysbookvida's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
lchamberlin97's review against another edition
4.0
Part of the reason that this book gets a 4 is nostalgia. It brings back a lot of childhood memories.
The other part is that the plot is great. It takes a really awesome plot for me to say that I liked a book for the story rather than for the characters - but the characters were kind of...described. What on earth do I mean by "described"? I felt like Oppel was telling me the different elements of his characters; he told me whether I should like them or not; and he told me WHY I should feel certain ways about characters. There was a fair amount of complexity, but...it felt like I was being hit over the head. For example, you get to SEE some complexity in the pirate - but then Matt tells you WHY he's complex. Okay. Thanks.
Maybe that's just because this is a YA book, and so I'll forgive it.
Meanwhile, those cloud cats are great. The whole airship thing? AWESOME. LOVE IT. The simple connections between our world and theirs makes it all the better. Oppel doesn't try to be too fantastic or explosive about it, yet he packs excitement and fun action in and kept me interested throughout.
The other part is that the plot is great. It takes a really awesome plot for me to say that I liked a book for the story rather than for the characters - but the characters were kind of...described. What on earth do I mean by "described"? I felt like Oppel was telling me the different elements of his characters; he told me whether I should like them or not; and he told me WHY I should feel certain ways about characters. There was a fair amount of complexity, but...it felt like I was being hit over the head. For example, you get to SEE some complexity in the pirate - but then Matt tells you WHY he's complex. Okay. Thanks.
Maybe that's just because this is a YA book, and so I'll forgive it.
Meanwhile, those cloud cats are great. The whole airship thing? AWESOME. LOVE IT. The simple connections between our world and theirs makes it all the better. Oppel doesn't try to be too fantastic or explosive about it, yet he packs excitement and fun action in and kept me interested throughout.
tashas_books's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book! It was exciting and interesting and made me want to read more about this world the author has created.
The writing in this was great: it was easy enough that middle grade to young adults could read it but not so simplistic that it felt childish and stilted (which I notice occasionally in books aimed at that age range).
I will say that I didn't particularly care for Kate sometimes, because she didn't seem to care that she was causing others problems, but on the whole I enjoyed the two main characters.
The writing in this was great: it was easy enough that middle grade to young adults could read it but not so simplistic that it felt childish and stilted (which I notice occasionally in books aimed at that age range).
I will say that I didn't particularly care for Kate sometimes, because she didn't seem to care that she was causing others problems, but on the whole I enjoyed the two main characters.
hexwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mthorley23's review against another edition
4.0
I was really taken in by this book. Lots and lots of action! I really liked the characters although the girl was obnoxious. It was fun to be taken by surprise by different plot developments and twists. My heart was pounding at several different points in the story. Definitely recommend!
mari_escapeinabook's review against another edition
4.0
What a wonderful adventure! Airships, pirates, a clever duo and perhaps a mystical creature or two. I liked how strong and brave both the female and the male MC were. I also appreciated that the author showed more than one side of the badest of the bad guys.
storywarden's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun, swashbuckling adventure! I really liked the characters - Matt because even though he was young he still took his duties seriously and had goals. Overall a likeable guy. Kate drove me crazy but it was because she was so stubborn and determined to defy convention. I liked her too, just more in that way you like that one friend who keeps getting you into trouble, haha.