Kenneth Oppel's Airborn is okay. Opel's plot, heroic main character, and setting remind me of Treasure Island and The Jungle Book with a sci-fi twist. Middle school students (or below) may find this book interesting. My two major complains are that the foreshadowing is too obvious and some of the main character's actions are unrealistic. Also, the significance of the title, "airborn," is too repetitive and dull as a metaphor. Furthermore, in attempting to create an exotic atmosphere, the author may be insulting to some people. For example, Oppel describes a certain pair of pants worn by the main female character as "harem pants." I kept thinking, these pants are also worn by women that are not part of a harem, and they are worn by men. Aside from my complaints, the book is entertaining. If you like Rudyard Kipling or Robert Louis Stevenson, you might want to try reading Airborn.
Matt
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