Airman - Hardcover

Colfer, Eoin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0141383356 ISBN 13: 9780141383354

Publisher: Puffin, 2008

Synopsis

Conor Broekhart was born to fly. Or, more accurately, he was born flying. Little wonder he became what he became. In an age of discovery and invention, many dreamed of flying, but for Conor flight was more than just a dream, it was his destiny. In one dark night on the island of Great Saltee, a cruel and cunning betrayal destroyed his life and stole his future. Now Conor must win the race for flight, to save his family and to right a terrible wrong . . .Swashbuckling new fiction from the amazing Eoin Colfer, ideal for readers aged 10+.

About this title

About the Author

Eoin Colfer was born and raised in Wexford in the south-east of Ireland, where he still lives with his wife and children. He began writing plays at an early age and, as an adult, continued to write. Artemis Fowl, his first book featuring the now world-famous young anti-hero, was an immediate international bestseller and won several prestigious awards. It was followed by four more hugely successful Artemis Fowl adventures, as well as the highly acclaimed The Supernaturalist, The Wish List and Half Moon Investigations, plus a series of books for younger readers.

Reviews

John Keating reads this story--part adventure and part modern fairy tale--with an Irish lilt that reflects its setting on an island off the coast of Ireland. Keating excels at character portraits, each perfectly matched to convey the sense and sound of a hero or villain. Conor Broekhart, born while his mother was aloft in a hot-air balloon, is raised in kind King NickÕs court until heÕs framed for the murder of the king and removed to a terrible island prison. Coarse, brutal inmates and guards, made memorable by Keating, contrast with the kindness of earlier characters and make listeners root for ConorÕs success. Keating shifts easily between accents indicating class and transitions rapidly from narrative to character portrayals. The storyÕs villain has an especially chilling voice. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Author of the popular Artemis Fowl series, Colfer ventures into slightly different territory in this fantasy, which has the heft of historical fiction; a subset of characters whose physical attributes reflect their evil natures; dry humor; visceral horror; and swashbuckling action that keeps the story from becoming overly dark. Born in the basket of an air balloon, Conor Broekhart is sure he is destined to fly. But at 14, he accidentally witnesses the murder of his tutor and the sovereign of the tiny Saltee Islands where he lives, and everything changes.Villainous Marshall Bonvilain throws him into prison, convincing him that his family believes him guilty of the crime. Thus begins his new life as inmate Conor “Finn,” who devotes his considerable abilities to breaking out of  prison. Colfer grapples somewhat awkwardly with a few literary issues here: should he, for example, allow his hero to commit murder? There are also huge time gaps that are distracting and occasionally stall momentum. Readers may not notice, however, with so much else going for the book. Grades 10-12. --Stephanie Zvirin

Edition details

• Publisher: Puffin
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0141383356
• ISBN 13: 9780141383354
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 432