Starclimber

Starred review from June 1, 2009
Gr 6-10-This sequel to "Airborn" (2004) and "Skybreaker" (2005, both Eos) continues the fabulous adventures of Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries. In classic steampunk fashion, this book blends the best of Victorian society and science fiction. No longer content to be confined to planet Earth, Kate and Matt leap at the opportunity to travel into space when Kate is invited to be a part of the Canadian astralnaut program for her scientific expertise and Matt must undergo rigorous training before he is accepted as a crew member. Unexpected mechanical difficulties, friction among those onboard, sabotage, and encounters with strange alien life-forms test their courage and ingenuity and love for one another. "Starclimber" is a thrilling roller-coaster ride of a book, full of humor and derring-do and guaranteed to keep readers up long past midnight."Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 20, 2009
In Airborn (2004) and Skybreaker (2005), Oppel imagined an alternate history where zeppelins race across the skies. In Starclimber, he takes the reader into space. Matt Cruse is an aspiring pilot in his final year of flight training; Kate de Vries is the well-heeled adventuress who loves him. The two join an expedition into space aboard a new ship and face a challenge more daunting than the unknown cosmos-Kate's engagement to another man. Why It Is for Us: Old-fashioned in the very best way, Oppel's series is pure feel-good fun. It helps to have read the others in the series, but this world is so well realized that readers new to it will catch up soon.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries (Airborn, Skybreaker) join the Canadian team that plans to launch its first spacecraft. Before their departure, Kate announces she's engaged. Matt's subsequent inner turmoil is soon matched by a series of disasters that leaves the crew members battling for their lives. True to form, Matt and Kate rise to the challenges, emerging victorious in life--and love.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2009
Oppel's books are equally notable for their action-packed plots and superb characterization, a combination that is not always easy to find in the fantasy/science fiction genre. Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries are back for their third adventure following their exploits in Airborn (rev. 7/04) and Skybreaker (rev. 1/06) and, not surprisingly, their relationship is pushed to the limits right along with their adrenaline. Matt figures to spend the summer in Paris working on the Celestial Tower (a modern-day tower of Babel) and courting Kate, but his plans change when terrorists attack the megastructure and Kate is summoned back to Canada by her parents. Their class differences have always been a tacit obstacle to their nascent romance and soon threaten to destroy their friendship altogether. Having completed a rigorous, competitive training program, Matt is qualified to join the Canadian team that plans to launch the first successful spacecraft. Before their departure, Kate, hired to perform zoological duties on the expedition, announces that she is engaged to someone else. Matt's inner turmoil is soon matched by a series of disasters that leaves the crew battling for their lives. True to form, Matt and Kate rise to the challenges, emerging victorious in life-and in love.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)