Airborn is a rip-roarin’ adventure with young heroes, evil villains, duels in the sky and mighty machines. Yet, while much of the story lies somewhere between Indiana Jones and Biggles, it also manages to pose some questions about environment protection and personal ambition.

It is set in a “not quite ours” world where technology is around a 1920s level. Large zeppelin-like airships connect the continents, sailing like ocean liners through the skies. Mat Cruse is a cabin boy on the luxurious Aurora, trying to live up to the memory of his father, who fell from it during a heroic rescue. He meets Kate de Vries, a rich girl seeking strange flying creatures reported in her grandfather’s diary.

The two have to learn to work together when the Aurora is attacked by pirates and crashes on a remote Pacific island. Exploration, rescue, discovery and revenge all tumble together in the choices faced by the pair.

Kenneth Oppel has created a thoroughly believable and consistent world which is only a small step away from ours. He has supported it with a website about the book at http://www.airborn.ca/ which fills in technical details without giving away the story.

Matt and Kate are realistic teenagers whose heroics are balanced by moodiness and self-absorption. Matt finds that he has much to learn about trust and goals, as he desperately tries to save his beloved airship. Kate has to face an essential environmental question when they discover strange new creatures at their crash site. Should they tell the world, or leave them secret and protected?

The story twists and turns as other characters turn out very different from their first appearances and, while this episode ends, it all sets up nicely for a sequel or a series. I will be looking forward to them.

Review by David Beagley

© 2004 David Beagley