book data
925 ratings,
4.10
average rating, 279 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
January 3rd 2008
(first published 2007)
by Puffin Books
binding
Hardcover, 432 pages
characters
setting
Ireland
isbn
0141383356
(isbn13: 9780141383354)
description
In the late nineteenth century, when Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king, he is branded a traitor, imprisoned, and forced to ...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artemis masterminds: Colfer's Other Books | 94 | 42 | 4 hours, 20 min ago | |
| Wild Things: YA G...: YA Reading Challenge #1: Tasks & Discussion | 715 | 461 | 5 hours, 18 min ago |
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1,402)
All ratings
|
5 stars (361)
|
4 stars (354)
|
3 stars (153)
|
2 stars (43)
|
1 star (9)
|
avg 4.10
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in February, 2008
How Not to Review a Book: Do not begin your review by jumping off into some big old rant about how you never liked anything the author wrote before, particularly if you are about to praise their newest novel. Do not use phrases like “how did this happen?” and “why now?” and “are they near death?” You may mention how impressed you were with the author’s speaking engagements, mentioning in passing their brilliant encapsulation of, oh say, The Legend of Spud Murphy. Do not then me...more
Like this review?
yes
(6 people liked it)
6 comments
Read in December, 2008
Fact: I was a nerd growing up (still am). Theory: Eoin Colfer was, too. Evidence: His books are a total celebration of nerd-dom. Honestly, between Artemis Fowl and now Airman, he's satisfying every daydreaming-during-trigonometry fantasy of every boy out there who's had to struggle with the fact that he has more brains than biceps.
I'll admit that the main character in this book, Conor Broekhart, is tough and good-looking. But that's entirely secondary to the fact that he's a mec...more
I'll admit that the main character in this book, Conor Broekhart, is tough and good-looking. But that's entirely secondary to the fact that he's a mec...more
Like this review?
yes
(4 people liked it)
4 comments
Read in May, 2008
Conor Broekhart lives on a small island governed by King Nicholas Trudeau. Conor's days are spent with his tudor and playing with princess Isabella. But Conor's real passion is flying. All Conor's life he's dreamed of flying. He spends massive amounts of time and energy pursuing his obsession. That changes when he discovers a plot to overthrow the king and becomes tangled in the mess and branded as a traitor, being sent off to work in the diamond mines on little Saltee.
I decided ...more
I decided ...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
17 comments
Read in January, 2009
Conor was born in the air, so it's only natural that wanting to fly is in his blood. His parents were visiting the World's Fair in Paris and decided to take a virgin flight in a hot air balloon. While in the air, a bullet pierces the canvas and the shock of the sudden descent sends Catherine into premature labor. Everyone is fine, and head back home to the Saltee Islands, just off the coast of Ireland, where Declan is the captain of the sharpshooters. The Saltees have a diamond mine, the only th...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
01/06/09
Cooper
added it
As always, Eoin Colfer has delivered a stunning book full of action, and make it one of my favorite reads. Connor Broekhart is obviously the hero, and has many, many, good attributes. As always, the hero always has someone to fight, and in this case it's Hugo Bonvillian. Villian? Broekhart? It seems like Mr. Colfer seemed to like making names obvious. On the island of the Saltees, Connor Broekhart lives with his family, not knowing much evil. The history of the Saltees is great, it being a rugge...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2008
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 ...more
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 ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
Colfer is one of my favorite authors. And he has a winner here. I even hope he decides to make this a series because he has indicated he would be taking a few years off from writing the Artemis Fowl series.
Meanwhile, the former sixth-grade teacher from Ireland has written a cross between the Three Musketeers, Escape from Alcatraz, Princess Bride and Airborn. The premise of the book is that Conor Broekhart dreams of flying. He is born in a balloon and studies flight under the careful ...more
Meanwhile, the former sixth-grade teacher from Ireland has written a cross between the Three Musketeers, Escape from Alcatraz, Princess Bride and Airborn. The premise of the book is that Conor Broekhart dreams of flying. He is born in a balloon and studies flight under the careful ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Terrific book. Really kept me on the edge. Conor Broekhart is a boy who is seems destined to fly. He is tutored by a Frenchman in all the arts of the time fencing, fighting, and the beginnings of creations for human flight. Things change when is is accused by the evil Bonvilain (notice the villain word in his name), of murdering the King and and his tutor. He is sent to an island of prisoners who mine diamonds, under the control of Bonvilain. Bonvilain convinces Conor that his family thin...more...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
Eoin Colfer has done it again. As author of The Wish List, The Supernaturalist, Half Moon Investigations, and The Artemis Fowl series, he now can add Airman to his ever growing list. Airman is about Conor Broekhart. Born in a hot air balloon, Conor has always wanted to fly. In the 1890's, Conor and his family live on the Saltee Islands. Two islands found off the Irish coast. The Saltee's are made up of two islands, The Great Saltee, and The Little Saltee. But, after Conor finds out about a ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Conor was born in a hot air balloon--as it was being shot down! No wonder that all his life he's dreamed of inventing a way to fly. In 1896 on the small island of Saltee, he has grown up playing with the princess and taking fighting lessons from the king's advisor. But when tragedy strikes, he is imprisoned for treason, and so begins his quest to free his name, win the heart of the princess, and become The Airman! Great adventure story, memorable characters.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in January, 2009
Wow. Mostly really well written, really compelling. It doesn't get five stars because I dislike how Eoin Colfer dealt with the gender issue: he started off going for gender-equality, but then ducked out and allowed the character that COULD have been a female protagonist to fall by the wayside and never really be anything at all, except to show up when needed to further the rest of the plot. Kind of pathetic, and not really up to the standard he set for himself in the opening. (Actually, duri...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Danae
Listened to this one on CD. I loved his Artemis Fowl series and also loved this one. It was an interesting genre - science fiction, historical fiction, adventure, and romance. I was so intrigued by his characters; they really had a lot of depth and it was so well written. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something for yourself or a reluctant young adult reader!
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
There are parts from time to time that are a little slow, unnecessary or poorly timed descriptions of the landscape and setting throughout the novel, but all in all it was a fantastic read. There are elements of what seem to be realistic danger, and Conor, even though the hero, definitely seems as though he may not make it out of many of the scrapes he gets himself into, including all of the flying inventions he creates. The ending is almost a little too happy/sappy, but it’s ultimately what o...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2009
This is one HELL of a book. It had everything I loved: a narrative of adventure mingled with some suspense, a loveable protagonist, dark stuff made bearable by the occasional dry wit, and some surprisingly intriguing history of science. Oh, and the gifted narrator possessed a sexy Irish voice. (I can't recommend listening to it on CD enough.)
This is an "interdisciplinary" book and pulls from several literary genres. It's got some of that steampunk/turn-of-the-century stuff ...more
This is an "interdisciplinary" book and pulls from several literary genres. It's got some of that steampunk/turn-of-the-century stuff ...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in May, 2009
Colfer does another masterful story here. 19th century fictional island nation near Ireland/England, complete with diamond mines, loses its king to a villain (cleverly named Bonvilain) intent on taking over the kingdom.
The Airman is the son of the captain of the army. He is imprisoned and forced to work in the mines. His family thinks he killed the king. He is smart like Artemis Fowl, and destined to design one of the first airplanes.
There's a lot in this book that rem...more
The Airman is the son of the captain of the army. He is imprisoned and forced to work in the mines. His family thinks he killed the king. He is smart like Artemis Fowl, and destined to design one of the first airplanes.
There's a lot in this book that rem...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2009
This is my first Eoin Colfer book and I thought it was a good story. I think it is a book that will really appeal to young readers (6th to 12th grades) and those who alreadey love Colfer's books.
Conor Broekhart lives the fantasy life of many a young boy (and girl), I'm sure. Born in fantastical circumstances (which were a little bit over the top for me personally), he grows to be a smart, witty, talented young man. He is schooled in science and fencing and excels in both. The characters w...more
Conor Broekhart lives the fantasy life of many a young boy (and girl), I'm sure. Born in fantastical circumstances (which were a little bit over the top for me personally), he grows to be a smart, witty, talented young man. He is schooled in science and fencing and excels in both. The characters w...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2009
A young man, obsessed with flying, is tricked by a megalomaniac into a prison, from which the only escape is through the air. There is an epic, steampunk feel to this book, although it is written in accordance with actual physics (as far as I know). Although the main character never really feels in danger, it is interesting to watch him overcome the obstacles that the plot throws his way. Unfortunately, he is the only character that is truly fleshed out; everyone else develops not at all over...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2009
This book caught me by suprise - from the get-go.
There were a few perfectly placed moments of humor in the first part of the book which helped set a positive mood to balance out the bits of count-of-monte-cristo-esque injustice later on.
I think that is probably my favorite thing about the book - as boring as it sounds - the balance. For the record it was not at all a boring book!
The good guys were good. The bad guys were bad. The funny parts were funny, the sad parts were sad...more
There were a few perfectly placed moments of humor in the first part of the book which helped set a positive mood to balance out the bits of count-of-monte-cristo-esque injustice later on.
I think that is probably my favorite thing about the book - as boring as it sounds - the balance. For the record it was not at all a boring book!
The good guys were good. The bad guys were bad. The funny parts were funny, the sad parts were sad...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im sorry artemis fowl but Connor makes u look like a wimp
im sorry artemis fowl but Connor makes u look like a wimp
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
17 comments
Has a copy to sell/swap
Great fun! I guess it is a tad steampunk, but most of all it made me think of writers like Verne or Dumas.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
2 comments
quotes from this book
"Scientists are the enemies of tradition , and tradition own all the prisons. - Victor Vigny"
More quotes...
groups with this book
