Skybreaker

Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK -- School Library Journal, 8/26/2008

Skybreaker (unabr.). 10 CDs. 11:30 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-934180-15-0. $65. 

Gr 6-10–Matt Cruse, the hero of Kenneth Oppel’s Airborn (Eos, 2004), returns in this marvelous action-packed sequel (Eos, 2005) that would make Indiana Jones proud. Matt now lives in Paris and is attending the Airship Academy. In this alternate world, luxury airships fill the skies. Matt is on duty in the crow’s nest of an academy vessel and happens to spy the Hyperion, a renowned ghost ship, rumored to be filled with treasure. His captain attempts to capture her with disastrous consequences. Back on the ground, wealthy Kate de Vries, Matt’s love interest, talks Matt into another attempt at the Hyperion. They are joined by Nadira, a mysterious Indian girl, and brash Hal Slater who provides the Skybreaker, a vessel that can safely climb into the atmosphere. The hunt, capture, and boarding of the ghost ship is pure fun with enough intrigue to keep listeners on their toes. The full cast narration is splendid. The major characters are wonderfully portrayed and even minor characters are memorable. This is one of those rare instances where the sequel is even better than the original. An essential purchase.