Airman
by by Eoin Colfer
We get plenty of historical fiction for young readers these days, but rarely a book that feels as if it could have been written a long time ago. Airman by Eoin Colfer reads like an old classic, except that it is brand new. While he was writing Airman, Eoin Colfer described it as a Jules Verne type historical adventure, and Puffin called it a Count of Monte Cristo style story. Both these descriptions fit perfectly, and not only will older readers and fans of Dumas and Verne love this novel, but young fans of adventure will too.
Living in a small kingdom near Ireland in the 19th century, the young Conor grows up with dreams of flying one day. His best friend is the Princess Isabella, and Conor moves confidently in royal circles until the day the villain Bonvilain strikes, and it doesn't look as if anything will ever be good again. There's a long and rocky path for Conor before he can try and set things right.
It feels as if there is a sequel waiting to be written, and hopefully Airman can be the start of a love for good old-fashioned adventure and romance for a whole new generation of readers.