This is another one (among many) that I see positive reviews of (this time at Fuse and ShelfElf), think Hmmm, that sounds interesting, and promptly forget about until it shows up on the new books shelf at the library, when I snatch it up (probably giggling maniacally) and check it out. It then sits on my nightstand for three weeks, and it’s only when I realize that it’s DUE that I finally get around to reading it.

And promptly kick myself for not reading it sooner.

(That seems to happen quite a bit, doesn’t it?)

Airman is by Eion Colfer, whom I think I’ve read exactly three books by. Two of them were Artemis Fowl ones (I lost interest in the series halfway through the second book), the other was a little book I remember very little about. (Not surprisingly.) But all three are blown out of the water with this one. This one (as ShelfElf said) is the real deal: an adventuresome, flying, dark, humorous, swashbuckling, alternative history filled with dark prisons, romance, science and great characters.

A basic plotline: Conor was born on a balloon in Paris, 1878, and ever since (perhaps because of?) has longed to fly. He lives on the island Great Saltee, off the coast of Ireland, and has an idyllic childhood with his French tutor Victor, learning to fight and fly, and his best friend, Princess Isabella. I liked these chapters, though I thought they were a bit jumpy. There were some interesting passages (like how Conor rescued Isabella and himself from a burning tower on the castle), but mostly it was just set-up.

Then, one day after he turned 14, Conor is framed (of sorts) for the murder of the king and thrown into prison on Little Saltee. Little Saltee is not a nice place, and this is where I found that Colfer excelled. He writes depressing, dank, and misery really well. It was very intense, Conor’s years in the prison, and Colfer threw an awful lot in Conor’s way in order to help Conor succeed. Friendless, hopeless, Conor uses his wits and his observations to get through the tough, unforgiving place that is the prison and diamond mines of Little Saltee. By this point, we’re only halfway through the book, and I began wondering what Colfer had in store to fill out the pages… and he didn’t disappoint. I’ll not tell you — it’ll ruin some of the surprises that are in store. But, know this: it lives up to its name and its very cool cover. I don’t know if it’s the best book ever, but it’s definitely my favorite by Eoin Colfer.