Book Log: Airman

[penmage]

Airman by Eoin Colfer

Conor Broekhart was born in the sky—literally. He was born as his parents were shot down in a hot air balloon, and it was an omen of what was to come. Conor always knew that one day, he would fly.

His early years were idyllic—he spent them roaming the halls of the castle on his home of Great Saltee with his best friend, princess Isabella, and learning with his beloved tutor, Victor Vigny, who shared Conor’s dream of the skies. But when Conor discovers a terrible plot against king and country and tries to intervene, he is branded a traitor and thrown into the island prison Little Saltee.

In Little Saltee, Conor must struggle to survive against cruel prison guards, vicious fellow prisoners, and the treacherous conditions of the diamond mine. But all the while, Conor knows that he will one day escape—in the only way that has never yet been tried: through the air.

This is a great book, and I gulped it down in less than twenty-four hours. I have a tendency, when I’m not thoroughly engrossed in a book, to check and see how many pages there are in the book, just so I know how much I have left to go. With Airman, I was on p.288 before I realized I hadn’t even thought to check. It was just that good and engrossing.

And I was so surprised, too, because I really didn't love Artemis Fowl. I read this book under duress. I'm sorry I waited so long.

Conor is an engaging protagonist, and I enjoyed the way he thinks and sees the world: as a scientist. And the villain of this book is mad, and thoroughly, terribly evil—but also wily as a fox. I also liked that in this book, blows and beatings hurt, and can incapacitate a person. I liked that Conor wasn’t ridiculously brave or bold, that he felt pain and fear and suffered and struggled like any person would. I liked watching him grow and mature—realistically, believably, and wonderfully.

Airman is an adventure story, a survival story, and a revenge story. It’s a great book for boys, or for anybody.

Comments

[ashfae.livejournal.com]

That was a terrific book. =)

[bitterpea.livejournal.com]

Did not at all love Artemis Fowl, so this is very good to know.

[penmage.livejournal.com]

I was really surprised, because I really didn't like Artemis Fowl. I was pushing off reading this one, but it was so good! I couldn't stop reading.

[deb-nance.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy your box arrived. I let my esposo know that you liked the stone he cut for you. The butterfly cut is the one I like best. Glad you didn't already have the new Rowling book. I've heard good things about it.

See you around in Blogland!

[penmage.livejournal.com]

I love it! I can't stop looking at it, it's so pretty. Your husband is very talented.

I've heard lovely things about Beedle the Bard, but I haven't had the time or funds to check it out yet, so it's a really lovely surprise.

I hope your holiday is as wonderful as mine has been so far--and I hope your Blogswapper is as wonderful as you are!