The Boundless Hardcover – April 22, 2014

This one is hard. I really LOVED Oppel's other books in the Airborn series. I wanted to love this one as well but I had issue with much of the story. The writing is sound and well done and a few of the characters were genuinely great, the female lead Maren is great.Many of the problems stem from the male lead Will. He is supposed to be 17 in the story but often asks so childish and insecure that I felt, and in fact imagined him in my mind, as a 12 or 13 year old. The decisions he makes and the way he behaves is either a very, very immature 17 year old or much more like a very young teenager. This 17 year old boy (who they continually refer to as a boy in the story...wouldn't they be more likely to refer to him as a young man in the 1800's?) is apparently oblivious to another 17 year young lady who happens to be smart, beautiful and mysterious too boot.Honestly there were times in the story where I seriously believed the story was written with Wil as a 13 year old kid that the author later decided to make 17 years old and just did not upgrade the rest of the story to match this change. When he fights with another man the man lifts him and tosses him about like he was a small child, not a 17 year old! Things like that bugged me.Other things that bugged me was there clear evidence of magic in the story, yet a clear sense of denial of its existence. Certain things happen and there can be no other explanation but magic for it to work.Anyway, the story is interesting and worthy of a read but I would not run out and buy this unless your shelf is empty.

This book is AWESOME!Oppel takes us back into his wonderful world of steampunk and this time its not about giant airships, but the other greatest way to travel; a giant train! what a fantastic story this is. full of suspense and mystery and adventure, Oppel manages to include everything one could want in a train adventure. this book has great description and makes the reader wish he or she was also aboard the Boundless, surely the coolest train in literature.also, its written in present tense, an interesting style and a nice change from most books that write only in preterit. William Everett is a very relatable character, genuine and courageous, as well as compassionate and heroic, similar to Matt Cruse (Airborn) with a started-from-the-bottom attitude that allows him to relate to others.its a must-read, and I've told friends to read it, and even if you don't like steampunk or (God forbid) don't like trains, its a wonderful story and you wont want to stop reading.

I've been reading this to my boys. I started it when we visited Canada and rode the train. We're not finished yet, that is with the book, but honestly I'm not sure we ever will be. It's a slow starter, difficult to understand, even a little difficult to read with fluency because the language is poor. The story may end up being a reasonably good one after we get past the first third, but already the author's skill is quite apparently lacking. It may very well be a bestseller in the here-today, gone-tomorrow market, but it hardly compares to great children's literature.Update:It took us a while, but we did finish it. The story picked up a bit about half-way through, but it also continued to demand further stretches of the reader's credulity. While I didn't find anything offensive, the story just alternated between boring and uninspiring. It wasn't the worst thing I've read at all. I'd liken it to a popular action movie -- shallow and unbelievable, but entertaining enough to sell widely.I'd just switched to Boundless after reading a string of Newberry honor books and the original, uncensored Hardy Boys. I read aloud to a six and seven year old. Compared to boundless, the Hardy boys have far more lucid action even if it does get a bit predictable after a few volumes.

My son and I liked the story very much. The old school steam engine and train make for a very good location for the adventure. The only reason it didn't get five stars from us was that we had previously read his Airborn trilogy and we both felt that that storyline had more "meat" in it. Kenneth, please bring Matt Cruise back for one more book, more if you can ;)

From the time I picked up this book to the time I finished was a week. I don't get a lot of time to read but I read when I can. I became a fan of Kenneth Oppel when This Dark Endeavor. That book will probably always be one of my favorites by him, but this books is a really close second. Kenneth Oppel has a way of writing that draws you in and keeping you hooked. I am so glad that I read this book. I could easily see this turned into a movie. I highly recommend this book.

This is an imaginative and fun story. The writing style is geared toward younger persons, but could be more polished. The plot is complete and easy to follow. It leaves the reader eagerly imagining what comes next.

First, I am an Oppel fan and I did enjoy the Boundless, but even with its great characters and exciting plot, it just didn't quite measure up to his other works. But will I recommend it? Yes. I love the way Oppel "bends" historical fact -- so you often don't know if you are reading historical fiction or science fiction -- great technique.

Great story about a boy, a girl, loads of villains, sasquatches, stilt walkers, golden spikes, avalanches, magic, elephants, trains, and even a little romance. Because of the desirous looks of the protagonist and a subtle referral to a corseted lady who takes a gentleman to her room (and who thereby makes our protagonist blush), I would recommend this for mature kids of 12+, maybe even reluctant readers of older ages.

A great boys own, and girls own tale, with a good female as well as male character at its heart. The action never stops and, whilst being for a slightly older readership, it has a feel of the Famous Five, Swallows and Amazons about it in terms of the non stop adventure, enthusiasm and values of doing the right thing. As well as the assorted circus folk and railroad employees there is even Sam Steel the Mountie to complete the scene. Some of the themes could be seen as derivative, to the point that one of the chief protagonists is ringmaster Mr Dorian who is desperately searching for a painting, but it is a fun, easy read that keeps going from the first to the last page.

I really enjoyed reading this to my kids. The chapters are a little long at times, but the story is great.Classism, racism, murder, coming of age, all wrapped up in the story of a boy who wants to be an artist, but who’s father has other plans for him.

Another excellent adventure book from Kenneth Oppel, love his work.Really enjoyed reading and being drawn in to another world.

I wanted to read this book after going and seeing Kenneth Oppel at the hay festival as his talk about the book was fascinating. I would recommend this book to my friends as it was full of mystery, adventure and scaryness. Overall this book was sooooo good. I definitely don't regret buying it

Every one of Oppel's books have been enjoyed by my kids.