Starred Review for Publishers Weekly

Colfer's (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Artemis Fowl) epic adventure story is winningly voiced by Keating, whose distinctive brogue transports listeners to the remote Saltee Islands, off the Irish coast. The narrative begins with hero Conor Broekhart's birth in a hot-air balloon over the 1878 Paris World Fair, showcasing Keating's talent with a French accent, too, as he smoothly slips into the role of Victor Vigny, the aeronautic enthusiast who later becomes Conor's beloved tutor in fencing, fighting and, most importantly, the science of flight. The story turns on Conor's clash with Hugo Bonvilain, the Machiavellian leader of the island kingdom's armed guard, and Keating's sneering characterization gives the villain real menace. Two Americans also feature in the story, and Keating's only bobble here is that these two voices occasionally sound a bit similar, but this is merely a quibble in an otherwise masterly reading of a gripping tale. Ages 10-up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Simultaneous release with the Hyperion hardcover<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Reviews, Nov. 12, 2007). (Jan.)

ALA Booklist (Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2008)

Author of the popular Artemis Fowl series, Colfer ventures into slightly different territory in this fantasy, which has the heft of historical fiction; a subset of characters whose physical attributes reflect their evil natures; dry humor; visceral horror; and swashbuckling action that keeps the story from becoming overly dark. Born in the basket of an air balloon, Conor Broekhart is sure he is destined to fly. But at 14, he accidentally witnesses the murder of his tutor and the sovereign of the tiny Saltee Islands where he lives, and everything changes.Villainous Marshall Bonvilain throws him into prison, convincing him that his family believes him guilty of the crime. Thus begins his new life as inmate Conor "Finn," who devotes his considerable abilities to breaking out of  prison. Colfer grapples somewhat awkwardly with a few literary issues here: should he, for example, allow his hero to commit murder? There are also huge time gaps that are distracting and occasionally stall momentum. Readers may not notice, however, with so much else going for the book.

Horn Book (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

Ingpen's fans will be the obvious audience for this edition of Dickens's classic Christmas story. The large book, printed on heavy cream-colored paper, also includes Dickens's lesser-known short story "A Christmas Tree." Ingpen's ghostly illustrations highlight the scarier parts of the tales. Reading list.

Kirkus Reviews

Set at the end of the 19th century, this savage, enthralling melodrama pits a young would-be aviator against a high official so fiendishly clever and evil that his name—Bonvilain—seems a drastic understatement. On the Saltee Islands, a tiny kingdom off the Irish coast, 14-year-old Conor's idyllic life with best buddy Princess Isabella takes a brutal turn when Bonvilain secretly throws him into the diamond mines as part of a murderous plot to overthrow the local monarchy. Against steep odds, Conor survives and, several years later, engineers an aerial escape that leads to a wild climactic melee. Laced with explosions and sudden violence, well-stocked with ugly customers and replete with cliffhangers, this high-flying page-turner will keep readers riveted to their seats from opening gunshot to final sword thrust. (Science fiction. 12-15)

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-From the popular author of the "Artemis Fowl" series (Hyperion/Miramax) comes a swashbuckling adventure and spectacular fantasy for somewhat older readers. Born in a hot-air balloon at the Paris World's Fair in 1878, Conor Broekhart is destined to fly. Until the 1890s, he lives an idyllic life on the Saltee Islands off the Irish Coast, with Princess Isabella as his best friend; Good King Nick like a father to him; and a science tutor, Victor Vigny, who shares his obsession with making a flying machine. Everything changes when Conor witnesses Marshall Bonvilain murder the king with Victor's pistol, and he is labeled a traitor and thrown into prison, which is a brutal hell of nightmarish torture where inmates must mine for diamonds under impossible conditions, and he must plan an escape if he is to survive. Grippingly written, this is a fast-paced, highly entertaining tale of flying machines, criminals, martial arts, swordplay, princesses, poisons, and evil villains. The themes are as sweeping as the Airman's wings in full flight: justice, revenge, romance, good triumphing over evil, realizing one's dreams, blackmail, regicide, conspiracy, corruption, betrayal. While the often dark and gruesome subject matter is not for the faint of heart, the moral underpinnings of the story are solid. Give this not only to fans of "Artemis Fowl" but also to those who delight in flying through Kenneth Oppel's "Matt Cruse" books (Eos).-Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Young Conor Broekhart is a born scientist-curious and consumed with creating a flying machine. His life on the Saltee Islands in the early 1900s is idyllic. His father is well-connected with the royal family, his friendship with the princess is strong, and his tutor is both kind and knowledgeable. When the king is attacked, however, Conor's idyllic existence ends. Blamed for the crime and believed by his family to be dead, Conor is thrown into the torturous prison on the island of Little Saltee. He devises his plan for a flying machine while being forced to mine diamonds. There he must decide whether family and honor are more important than riches and fame. Colfer's newest novel will be enjoyed by many of his fans. An inventive central character, a villain who is particularly cruel and indifferent to life, a boy's quest for flight, and an unusual setting make for a good foundation. But the novel that hooks the reader early with a strong start becomes bogged down after the first one hundred pages. Conor's prison stint, which makes up the lengthy middle section, seems excessively slow and brings the novel to a near halt. The snappy dialogue, especially from the enjoyable villain, is darkly humorous and sparse but surely a highlight. The story is filled with turns and double-crosses, but events and characters seem to rely too much on luck and coincidence. Ultimately a few flaws keep this solid novel from flying any higher.-Jeff Mann.