Eoin Colfer gained his fame by writing the popular series Artemis Fowl about a twelve year old criminal mastermind. He’s written several other non-series books including The Wish List, about a teenage girl named Meg Finn who is killed and must help someone she attempted to rob in order to find her place in Heaven, and Half Moon Investigations, a non-fantasy novel about a 12 year old who is an online graduate of a private detective academy. Most recently, Colfer has released an authorized addition to Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “trilogy” called And Another Thing…

Despite the general appeal of all his other books (which I’ve been thinking of perusing anyway), Airman was the first that really grabbed my attention and had me thirsting for more. Conor Broekhart was born in a hot air balloon while it was being shot down by unseen enemies. It would seem that the child was born for flight and adventure, and the novel delivers both well and equally. Under the supervision of a Frenchman who is friend to his father and king, Conor learns to fight and invent with the freedom of science at a very young age. It would seem that life is too good to be true: He has his mother, the scientist, his father, the fighter, and his Princess Isabella, who never really comes into her own character, but is nevertheless necessary as a part of Conor’s life. But, as with most stories set in these worlds, there is also the king’s Marshall, Bonvilain, who is plotting to take the throne and won’t let anyone, not even a young inventor, get in his way.

Upon discovering Bonvilain’s plot, the Marshall sends the young man to Little Saltee, the kingdom’s prison, where he perseveres under terrible conditions for two years. What keeps Conor Broekhart alive? Is it his determination to reveal the truth of Bonvilain’s schemes, or is it a greedy desire to live selfishly, now that he has been separated from his family forever? There is much to learn about Conor in these pages, and his obsession with flying machines makes it all the more interesting to get through.

Though all the elements are there, this is not a fantasy story of “save the princess, get the girl;” however, towards the beginning it almost seemed it would turn in that direction. Airman is a little darker than some other books for younger kids; the main character does spend quite a bit of time under harsh conditions in a prison, and though he’s quick to learn how to get through it, friends are few and far between. That said, despite all he goes through in this book, Conor is never tempted to actually make the kill, and so becomes a moral character to hold onto without the fear of his becoming villainous.

There are a few weaknesses in the book, but the strengths so outshine them that it’s still certainly worth the read. Secondary character development definitely wasn’t a focus in the writing process, and towards the end some things seem a little too convenient, but it is clear that Conor’s flying inventions were very well researched and Conor himself leaves little to the imagination. He’s strong, intelligent, and quite wonderful with the sword, and where he resides so does action. And the best part (well, one of them)? This book is full of quirky and witty comments. Adults will smile as they come across them, and kids will wish they had such quick responses.

For anyone (adult or child — it is written well enough to hold an older reader’s attention, and content-wise does not cross lines for the kids) who enjoys high adventure, deception/scheming, exciting inventions, and a character’s will to survive under any circumstances, Airman would make a perfect treat. At just over 400 pages, it’s a quick read, but an absolutely engaging one that will leave you wishing for Colfer to come up with another adventure for Conor Broekhart. Knowing Conor, though, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched.