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LonestarReader

A terrific sequel

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2005

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I loved Oppel's Airborn. I describe it as shades of Titanic (in the air) with a touch of Mysterious Island and Pirates of the Carribean thrown in. In this sequel, Oppel takes us back to the world of graceful hydrium ships and into a search for gold.

As a Paris Airship Academy cadet, Matt Cruse is serving on a rust bucket freighter when the crew sights a long-vanished phantom ship, the Hyperion. Like the Flying Dutchmen of shiplore; the Hyperion is more rumor than fact. The ship is at an unreachable altitude but Matt's captain is foolishly determined to capture it. As the crew falls victim to the crushing altitude, Matt is able to save their lives by disobeying a direct order from his captain.

Back in Paris after this episode Matt is wondering if he has a future at the Academy or with the lovely Kate de Vries. Kate wants to prepare an expedition to find the Hyperion though she is more interested in scientific discoveries than the legendary treasure.

Matt alone knows the the ship's last position and others want his knowledge. Should he let the dream of wealth overtake him and join in the hunt for the Hyperion or should he plug away at his studies and forget the whole thing?

Like treasure hunters searching for Spanish galleons at impossible ocean depths, the team will have to break the sky in their quest. A beautiful gypsy girl, a privateer with questionable motives, a prim governess, brilliant Kate and brave but confused Matt make up the party and are in for the flight of their lives.

As Kate suspects, there are other lethal creatures in the sky besides cloud cats. The other presence in the story is the Captain Nemo/Howard Hughes-type eccentric who built the Hyperion so many years ago. Is his spirit ready to part with the secrets of the ghost ship?

Horation Hornblower meets Jules Verne -- this is a cracking read. I hope Oppel will visit this world again. His fascination with bats continues by the way.

Desmond M Hassing

Need a good pulp?

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2012

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Many people would probably call Kenneth Oppel's" Matt Cruse" series a steampunk tale, after all it has airships! But calling this series steampunk is doing it a disservice, while Oppel does borrow from modern steampunk, what starts to become apparent to me, with this the second book in series, is that what he has actually done is simply continue the "golden" era of pulps into the thirties and forties as if the first and second world wars had never happened. In a word, it is "Brilliant".

All three of these books read like any number of Edgar Rice Burrows tales and each one seems to me to fit a specific subgenre in early pulps, in book two, which is the one I qualify as the most "Action/Adventure "of the trilogy, Matt joins an expedition to the unheard of altitude of 30,000 feet to recover a lost luxury liner where he finds a cold airless wasteland and fantastical creatures of the unexplored heights! This series is just plain old fashion fun and I highly recommend it to everyone but most especially to anyone who grew up reading pulps or wants a glimpse back to what people imagined in a time when a great deal of our own planet was still one full of mysteries galore.

H. McCubbin

A fantastic read!

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2006

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I was so eager to get to SKYBREAKER after AIRBORN I ordered it from the bookstore, started it and five hours later was done. I couldn't put it down. After AIRBORN I had no idea what else could happen to Matt and Kate, but Oppell continues to surprise and astound you with his vivid imagination and talent to bring his story to life. As I read about their adventures in obtaining a mystical, ghost-like air-ship in the sky, I felt as if I was seeing the movie in my head. His attention to detail and ability to bring the characters to life leave you wanting more. You also find yourself cheering on Matt and Kate, and a few other new characters, as they try to obtain what everyone else has failed at...the elusive HYPERION. Now, I'm am anxiously awaiting a 3rd book! This second book was just as good as the first, similar to Harry Potter in nature this book will appeal to all kinds of adults and children. I would recommend reading AIRBORN before reading this one to get the full background on our hero, Matt Cruse!

Denise

An All-Time-Favorite-Page-Turner

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2016

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Book arrived earlier than expected and in good condition.
The book itself is one of my all time favorites! Kenneth Oppel knows how to pull you into his world and you're right there with Matt and company soaring high above the earth. Crafted for all ages to enjoy in a magnificent tale that will be sure to keep you on your toes. Started reading it out to my friends on a long car ride and got them hooked. This is one book I know I will keep coming back to. So many beloved characters and adventure around every corner.
Skybreaker is my favorite of his trilogy (that might be due to the fact I picked this one up first, not knowing there was a first).
I would highly recommend this book to anyone!! Please go read it for yourself and don't take my word for it :)

Brian Tara Shaner

My favorite book of the trilogy

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2018

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Read all three books in this trilogy because my daughter wanted to (she's 11, and a strong reader for her age). Suitable for young readers, the YA romance element never goes farther than longing, and a few kisses. Solid storytelling in a steampunk-ish world, though I'd prefer Oppel reduce the use of "it was" and "said." He's also got a tendency to mix speakers in the same paragraph, which drives me batty. However, most readers probably won't notice those pedantic gripes amid colorful characters—not the least of which are pirates—airship wrecks, and strange new creatures. Loved the story, but wished the writing style were stronger.

Top reviews from other countries

Randall Richmond

A joy to read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2005

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I came across AIRBORN, the first book in this series, (at least I hope it will be a series and not just a trilogy) a year ago, and throughly enjoyed it. And I was pleased when I found out that Oppel had written a sequel.
Having now read SKYBREAKER, I must say that I have not enjoyed a book this much in several years. It should be mentioned that I am not a young reader. At 55 years I don't consider myself old, but most likely older than the target audience intended for this book - which is too bad, because this novel deserves a large readership.
Oppel manages to balance the adventure, relationships, pacing and atmosphere so perfectly that this should be used as a teaching guide for new writers. He makes us care about Matt & Kate. And Hal, Nadira, Dorje and Miss Simkins - the dreams of Theodore Grunel. It's an exciting and enjoyable work.
Oppel dedicated this novel to his and his wife's new baby. I wish that child a long and healthy life. Baby your daddy did you proud with this book!

Closet Romantic

Pirates, steampunk and adventures - perfect mix

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2021

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I am enjoying these adventure fantasy stories despite being well outside of the target audience. Keeping me entertained in retirement. Looking forward to #3 already.

Jo L

Great book, story is still as exciting as I remember.

Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2020

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Great quality, love the artwork and looks great on my shelf. Still loved reading the story 10 years after its original release. This is book 2/3 in the trilogy so make sure you read Airborn first. You might as well buy the sequel Starclimber while you are here.

Seva Wieler

Ripped cover

Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2020

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The front cover arrived ripped along the spine, but as the book is still readable I don't feel like going through the hassle to exchange it.

Other than that, the story itself is still the awesome adventure I first discovered as a tween and I'll forward to sharing Oppal's books with my little one.

Linda J E

Fantastic books by Kenneth Oppel

Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2021

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Although for young teens my 8-year old grandson devoured the “Airborne” series. I read them to my 6-year old grandson and he loves them too. Even though they don’t understand every word.

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