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    Airman
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    Airman
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    Airman
    Audiobook11 hours

    Airman

    Written by Eoin Colfer

    Narrated by John Keating

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Conor Broekhart was born to fly. In fact, legend has it that he was born flying, in a hot air balloon at the Paris World's Fair.

    In the 1890s Conor and his family live on the sovereign Saltee Islands, off the Irish coast. Conor spends his days studying the science of flight with his tutor and exploring the castle with the king's daughter, Princess Isabella. But the boy's idyllic life changes forever the day he discovers a deadly conspiracy against the king. When Conor tries to intervene, he is branded a traitor and thrown into jail on the prison island of Little Saltee. There, he has to fight for his life, as he and the other prisoners are forced to mine for diamonds in inhumane conditions.

    There is only one way to escape Little Saltee, and that is to fly. So Conor passes the solitary months by scratching drawings of flying machines on the prison walls. The months turn into years; but eventually the day comes when Conor must find the courage to trust his revolutionary designs and take to the skies.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateDec 26, 2007
    ISBN9780739359754
    Unavailable
    Airman
    Author

    Eoin Colfer

    Eoin Colfer is the New York Times bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series as well as two adult crime novels, Plugged, which was short-listed for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Screwed. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.

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    Reviews for Airman

    4/5

    414 ratings33 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Eoin Colfer delivers again in his most mature and dark book todate. Still packed with his trademark action and adventure but with lots of charm.
    • 5/5
      "Conor Broekhart was born to fly; or, more accurately, he was born flying."Great first line for this historical fiction novel from one of the best YA authors on the planet. Conor literally was born in the midst of a hot air balloon accident at the World's Fair in Paris in 1878. His father is captain of the Sharpshooters on the Saltee Islands, an independent realm on a small pair of islands just off the Irish coast. Conor's best friend is Princess Isabella, the only child of the king. When the king is assassinated, Conor is framed and thrown into a nightmarish prison where the inmates mine for diamonds and are literally worked to death. Conor has always dreamed of flying and creating a flying machine -- and now that's his only possibility of escaping from his island prison -- but can he trust his creation and design? A fantastic adventure with great characters and all manner of plot twists! Highly recommended for absolutely everyone.
    • 4/5
      There's a strong feeling of familiarity in Airman; the plot following a boy on the run who must learn who he is and whom he can be is a fantasy staple. Colfer's easy going narrative style creates a feel-good vibe, even though the circumstances remain fairly dire throughout. The characters are well defined, each aide to the 'Airman' memorable and serving a purpose to the plot. Airman's arc allows for further adventures in the alternative history created and although it is not particularly original in content, it remains a good read.
    • 5/5
      Conor Broekhart was born to fly, actually, he was born flying in a basket of a parachute over Paris. When he saves the princess (his best friend) from a burning building with an instant parachute, the ever-modernizing King hires a tutor, the great scholar Victor Vigny, to teach young Conor. Conor grows up happily - learning fencing, fighting, and studying flight. When Marshall Bonvilian heads a conspiracy that gets Conor's tutor and the king killed, Conor gets partially blamed for both murders. His parents, nor the princess, help him or even try to. And as punishment, he is sent to work day and night in the dark and dangerous diamond mines in Little Saltee, where he is beaten up everyday by one of Bonvilian's men. At first Conor gives up all hope of leaving the mines and clearing his name, but with the help of an American friend, and his love for flying, Conor is determined to make things right with a flying contraption - before its too late. I love Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series, so I didn't hesitate to pick up Airman (also by him). The cover was attractive as well, and after the first few pages, I was hooked. And unlike supernatural fiction, readers can relate to Conor and his love for the sky. Airman will be enjoyed science-loving teens and others alike.
    • 4/5
      Airman is different from the other Eoin Colfer books I hve read. It is better than some, but definately not the best. It is an interesting story with a great deal of squandered potential. It is well written, and the emotions of the story come through. However, about halfway through, the emotion dries up and everthing runs together into a predicable climax. It certainly did not leave me looking for more. A decent read, but no where near Colfer's best work.
    • 4/5
      The hero always had someone looking out for and guiding him throughout his life, whether it was his parents or a mentor; present or in absentia. Really enjoyed the parts were he was shown to be a survivor. Interesting how no matter the dire circumstances he found himself in, he would have liked to be part of aviation history and for his contribution to be known.
    • 2/5
      Sadly, this book was a big disappointment. Especially based on the fact that I was *SO* enjoying the first 3 chapters that when the "boom" finally happened and the villain revealed... it completely fell apart for me. Suddenly, the main character was not at all acting like the smart and clever person I was introduced to. All the other characters faded into the background and the villainy increased in the dungeons.Connor surviving 2 years in the dungeon was no-less believable but by that time I stopped caring and started simply skimming. This was definitely not Artemis Fowl and as much as I wanted to care about all the "good guys" I just couldn't. It was all "fiction" to me in that I could not "suspend disbelief"I'm glad I bought this on sale. I would have felt doubly-cheated had I paid full price for it.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant book!I love Eoin Colfer books! If your searching for a book that has action, speed, fluency, a complex plot and, is funny... This, is the book for you.
    • 2/5
      could be much more interesting
    • 5/5
      As a reader of many young adult novels, I was never able to get into the author's Artemis Fowl series although I know they are popular. However, I have to give high praise, two thumbs up and five stars to this fabulous and unique adventure story for boys and men of all ages. This a wonderful coming-of-age story of a young man with a scientific mind and a dream of being the first man to fly. Trained in science, fencing, martial arts, and raised with a high education, our young hero Conn, while saving his princess damsel from death, soon is betrayed and framed for murder and sent to prison where there he plots escape and spends years inventing his future dream machine. Great characters of good and bad, high action and adventure, a little romance, and lots of cool flying. This is truly outstanding and a pleasant change of pace from the author's other styles of writing.
    • 5/5
      Airman is a wonderful book full of adventure staged by a young inventor that wishes to be the first man to fly. Conor Broekhart is a young boy living on the island of Great Saltee. He was born in an air balloon and always loved heights. His father is capain of the Saltee sharpshooters and is a personal friend of the island's king, Nicholas. One day, Conor was going to ask his teacher, Victor Vigny, about some of his glider plans but when he reached his apartment, he saw Vigny being shot by Bonvilion, the marshall. Bonvilion saw young Broekhart and decided that he should not be allowed to speak against him so young Conor was thrown in jail as a spy. The rest of the story is filled with sharp wit and loads of action. It's an excellent read for people of all ages.
    • 3/5
      Princesses, Pirates & Flying, oh my! Okay, so there aren't really any pirates, but 'greedy, sneaky, back-stabbing guards', didn't have the same ring. For me Airman was good, but slightly boring. Rightfully, this could be my own fault though. When I read a book I'm interested most in the progression of the story as well as the interaction between the characters, so when a book has sections - like this one does - where the character is by themselves for pages at a time, I get a little restless. Having said that though, the book and the story were solid.Like most others the reason I know of Eoin Colfer is because of his very highly acclaimed series Artemis Fowl which I happen to LOVE, and like in Artemis Fowl, in Airman he takes a world that we already know (Little Saltee & Great Saltee are real!), and transforms it into a world of imagination, be it gnomes, fae and the like (as in Artemis Fowl), or princesses, kingdoms and greedy guards (as in Airman). His worlds are always ones that I would find myself fortunate to live in!The characters in Airman are well thought out and developed, we learn a lot about all of them, except one, and that's the only downfall (other then the time the character spends alone) to the book. Isabella is the King's daughter, and Conor's love interest, and through out the entire book we learn very very little about her. But through the middle of the book, during the time Conor spends on Little Saltee, other then him remembering her we learn absolutely nothing about her. So it would have been nice to learn more about Isabella, since she was in her way, a main character.
    • 5/5
      This was an amazing book, easily my favorite read of the year so far. I loved the good characters, hated the bad characters, and didn't want the book to end. Filled with action, adventure, a unique setting, history, conflict, a musician, some gold, and so much more, I cannot recommend this book enough.
    • 4/5
      This was an enjoyable adventure. Set in the interesting time when science was beginning to come to the fore, there is still a healthy dose of palace intrigue and treachery. I especially enjoyed the narrator!
    • 4/5
      This is another great book by Eoin Colfer. I have read his Artemis Fowl series, and this is a refreshing work with similar prose and storytelling by a talented writer. The characters are easy and fun to relate to; and his imagery so vivid, one can easily lose themselves in this story of mystery and ingenuity. A definite must read.
    • 4/5
      Conor Broekhart is born flying - literally. Conor's mother and father went for a hot air balloon ride when someone took a shot at the balloon. The shock sent his mother into premature labor and Conor was born before they touched the ground.Despite his charmed beginning, things go very wrong for Conor later. His family lives in the castle of a small island fortress. When Conor uncovers a plot to assassinate their king, the man responsible, Count Bonvilain, frames Conor and has him thrown into the castle prison. Conor then spends years coming up with a way to escape and seek revenge.I really enjoyed this one. I am just so impressed by Eion Colfer. He is a truly versatile writer. Artemis Fowl is a crazy twist on fantasy/sci fi. Then he writes a modern buddy story in Benny and Omar. Half Moon Investigations is a detective story. And now this is an exciting adventure. 4/5 stars.
    • 4/5
      In a departure from his fantasy series (Artemis Fowl), Colfer writes a really great historical-ish fiction, which I think has been marketed as young adult but is perfectly satisfying for an adult. Airman tells the story of a young man, obsessed with flight in the days before flight, who lives on an obscure island kingdom and goes through a journey of self-discovery when his life is turned upside down by a fearsome enemy. As usual for Colfer, the characters are great, the plot well-formed, and the tidbits of personal values and interesting facts worthwhile. Colfer has the knack of writing an exciting story while teaching good values without sounding preachy. He never sees the necessity of lowering himself to needless violence to keep his audience interested.
    • 4/5
      So far I think Airman is very exciting and I hope it has a good ending.Airman is ar it's worth 16.0 ar points and abook level of 5.8.
    • 5/5
      Fabulous story. Descriptive and moving, Part fairytale, part adventure, part survival story. Great for all genders and ages. One of the best stories I read this summer!
    • 5/5
      In the late nineteenth century, when Conor Broekhart discovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king, he is branded a traitor, imprisoned, and forced to mine for diamonds under brutal conditions while he plans a daring escape from Little Saltee prison by way of a flying machine that he must design, build, and, hardest of all, trust to carry him to safety.
    • 4/5
      My 9 year-old listened to this raptly, and I also read it. Conor is a very different hero than Artemis (Colfer's well-known hero, anti-hero from his Artemis Fowl series) in some respects - more traditional, I guess - but I warmed to him easily and enjoyed his tale.
    • 4/5
      What a lovely, knightly tale of boy-ish adventures. Though a swift pace from the start, Colfer intensifies our pathos for young Conor's struggles later in the book by showing us the charmed and magical days of his childhood. Not a spoiler per se, but this might spoil the book for you - were it not for the somewhat repeated sentiments and overly straightforward monologues which makes some of the characters a bit 2-dimensional, this would have scored a 5. Nevertheless an unstoppable read!
    • 5/5
      This was a great read - hard to put down! I wonder if there will be a sequel / series? I think he has left it open for one.
    • 4/5
      I don't think this was my favorite Eoin Colfer novel, but it was definitely worth the read. I really appreciated the fact that he hasn't pigeon holed himself into writing only a certain type of novel.
    • 3/5
      I'm not a Colfer fan, but this had good reviews. I was a bit worried at first, but it definitely was a good read, although a bit long.
    • 4/5
      Irish author Eoin Colfer, creator of the Artemis Fowl series, spins a classic adventure story set in the fin de siècle era on the Saltee Islands off the coast of Ireland. In this story, the Saltees are home to a fictional sovereign kingdom which bases its economy on diamond mining. The protagonist of the story is Conor Broekhart who is friend of the daughter of the island's progressive, American-born king. Conor shows an early proclivity towards science and engineering and when he is 14 he is framed for the murder of the king and sent to prison/mining colony. It's up to young Conor to escape from prison and save the kingdom through his knowledge of flying machines. The outcome is never in doubt but Colfer spins an entertaining yarn with a lot of action and many memorable characters. John Keating does a magnificent job of narrating this escapist story.
    • 4/5
      I listened to this as an audio book and enjoyed the narrator. This is classified as a kids book and I guess it is... But I like kids book like this especially in audio as the excitement and adventure packed into them remind me of what helped build my love for reading as a youngster.As an adult some unfolding events are predictable, but the way they play out is quite enjoyable.Young Connor is brave and smart which ends up getting him into trouble. He lands in a slave prison and spends 2 years planning his escape and return to his family and position. His love of flying, (beginning with his birth in a hydrogen balloon) helps him on his way.I really liked the story and you can't help but root for Connor and his friends
    • 4/5
      Conor Broekhart has grown up as the best friend of the princess of the Saltee kingdom (an imaginary kingdom off of Ireland). But when he discovers a conspiracy to kill the king, the real traitor captures him and sends him to a prison camp to mine diamonds in obscurity. Conor must use his genius for flight to escape the prison and rescue the princess. Conor is much like a 19th century steampunk Artemis Fowl. Colfer delivers his usual book - fun, delightful, and humorous. Definitely a treat for fans of non-dystopia non-paranormal-romance YA. (YAY! for something different!) I'd say this book is appropriate for 5th - 8th graders.
    • 4/5
      Eoin Colfer manage to amaze me with his adventurous and interesting story “Airman”I thought this book is great and is based on a topic not covered by many books. The author managed to make the main character go through many obstacles, as soon as he is done with one of them, he is immediately put into another one. Conor Broekhart, who is the main character in this book, was born in a air balloon to a wealthy family, friends of the king.He grew up wanting to become the first man to set flight, but soon all that is changed once he discovered a plan to assassinate the King, with him caught in between. Now, thinking his family hates and have betrayed him, with everyone else thinking he has killed the king. In order to set things straight he must survive a prison/work-camp, with only a single friend who is his cell mate along with a few lessons of sword dualing experience, and befriend a gang of criminals and finally achieve his dream of flight to escape and track down the assassin who has now also put his family in danger. Eoin Colfer will have you, like the character, racing through the pages towards an exciting ending.This is a great thrilling story which will manage to entertain readers of all ages.
    • 4/5
      Eoin Colfer is best known for his Artemis Fowl series, which I have never read but know is very popular and successful. This is yet another Carnegie Medal nominee, which is how it sneaked onto my ever-expanding reading list, and is apparently already very popular: I had to try three different counties’ library systems in order to track down a copy that wasn’t on loan or reserved! The quotation on the front cover promises ‘swashbuckling high adventure’, which actually made me wince. Did this involve pirates? It didn’t sound like my preferred reading material so I approached it with a slight unease. Could this ‘megaselling author’ have any appeal for me?The basic plot sounded potentially promising: a young boy is framed for a terrible, treasonous crime he didn’t commit and thrown into a dreadful prison – ‘a seaswept dungeon’, apparently. In order to escape, he will have to complete an impossible task, albeit one he has always yearned after: he must learn to fly. My concerns lay in the melodramatic tone, which could easily grate on me after a while, and the fairytale aspects. Part of what our young hero yearns for is to be reunited with his princess – hardly a realistic desire for most youth today. However, this is very much a personal view and I suspect that the dungeons and princesses will appeal to a broad section of the young people this story was written for.The book’s prologue sets up Conor Broekhart as a historical figure, referring to a ‘lengend…littered with fantastical stories’ and outlining the (fictional) history of the (real) Saltee Islands. His heroism is confirmed by the tale of rescue in the first chapter, prefaced by an omniscient narrator who reflects that hindsight did not really prove Conor exceptional as a child apart from in this incident. The quasi-historical tone was slightly irritating to me personally: if this character is so great, I want to see his qualities unfold rather than be told about them. This tone does not intrude overtly into the rest of the novel, but characters are frequently introduced in a way that tells you how to feel about them, rather than letting the reader feel their way. Character is also hinted at through surnames: Conor Broekhart becomes broken hearted; Sir Hugo Bonvilain is good at being a villain. This doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the story telling, and is obviously intended to create a heroic, epic feel to the story. For me, even setting a story about princesses, knights and quests in the late 1800s did not quite justify such fairytale trappings, but perhaps I am simply too old now for such indulgences!Colfer does include a lot of science in his history of a boy’s efforts to fly, but the resulting tale appears quite fantastical due to the characters. Bonvilain is a thoroughly nasty piece of work; the lead prison guards are repeatedly portrayed as ugly, evil gremlins: they are scarcely human in their coldness. Conversely, Conor is almost angelic and leads a charmed life that is blamelessly destroyed by these thugs. His attempts to restore himself to his rightful place are characterised by genius and bravery that few people are able to join together so purposefully. Although the characters are so one-sided, I still enjoyed reading about Conor’s exploits and seeing how he was able to use his skills to gradually control what happened to him.The other characters are largely true to life and are sometimes used to create nice comic touches. The young princess Isabella’s repeated, petulant threats to hang young Conor ring true to life, and a dangerously violent man’s concern about the appearance of his hair seems equally genuine. The humorous touches help to make this an easy read, even when the young hero is in perilous circumstances.The reader usually follows events from Conor’s point of view, but sometimes Colfer shows us how Bonvilain is plotting or how Conor’s family are coping without him. This often helps to create a lot of tension and suspense as we wonder how Conor will respond to developments that he doesn’t anticipate. Sometimes it makes Conor’s successes seem slightly surreal: how can a seventeen year old boy win in a fight against several armed thugs? Of course, he is our hero, so in that sense the narrative arc is fairly predictable and should allow readers to suspend some disbelief.The final chapter is really an epilogue and seemed too short to be a genuine conclusion to the story. A sequel is possible from the ending, but not necessary as Colfer quickly summarises the characters’ fates. It all seems rather quick in comparison to the well-paced story that has preceded it, but I think this is often a problem with epilogues: providing a brief glance into how life is working a few days or weeks after the events in the main story have finished is, of necessity, brief in an attempt to avoid boring the reader.Overall, this really is quite a ‘swashbuckling adventure’ (although there were no pirates or parrots involved) but it successfully kept my attention, while never demanding it. The narrative arc is predictable, but the story is easy to read, sometimes mildly humorous, and generally interesting. I would certainly recommend this to those who like fantastical tales of adventure with a slight historical bent.