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dawn_dickerson's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of Night Witches from Netgalley. It is in a genre I adore (historical fiction- WWII) and thus gave pretty high expectations. One of my favorite WWII historical fiction books is a very similar book (Code Name Verity) so I must confess it would have been hard for this book to live up to that bar.
I liked Night Witches but didn't love it. It was engaging but at the end of the day I had no problem closing the book for the night.
This review offers no specifics of the book, because frankly, I do not remember many specific details. Liked well enough. Didn't love.
I liked Night Witches but didn't love it. It was engaging but at the end of the day I had no problem closing the book for the night.
This review offers no specifics of the book, because frankly, I do not remember many specific details. Liked well enough. Didn't love.
energyrae's review against another edition
4.0
I love historical fiction, and Night Witches is truer to the genre than so many books out on Amazon. Based off the women aviators in WW2, Hogan gives us strength, bravery, determination, and true cunning. Sneaking in under the cover of night in an ill-equipped plane, these women were the bane to the Germans they were bombing. This is how the earned the name "Night Witches". Hogan gives us (mostly) historically accurate details while adding fiction for an enthralling storyline. I spent a long time researching these women after I read the book, it is an interesting topic and these women are true heroes. A must-read for fans of WW2 historical fiction.
mechee91's review
4.0
There is so much of history that has been rewritten or scrubbed of some truly amazing women. “The Night Witches” is the first time I’ve heard these ridiculously talented women. Not only did they volunteer to do a task that most would have balked at, (flying canvas and wooden planes into a war zone) they succeeded against so many odds. Author Mirren Hogan has given these women a voice. These women, all three divisions of them, had to face not only disdain and disapproval from the Axis forces but from some of their own superiors.
It would have been quite easy for Hogan to simply write a cut and dry story about these women branded the Night Witches. Instead she gives them depth and a history. We grow to care about each of their lives, feeling shattered when we have to remember that this isn’t a fairy tale but a war story and not everyone is going to get a happy ending. I enjoyed the way Hogan described the changes that the women went through from strangers to sisters-in-arms. The way that the war and each other affected their emotions and state of mind was brilliantly written. I was also impressed with the author’s ability to not give into the trope that too many writers sink to when writing about women. This idea that if you have nothing but women, then it will turn into a big catfight, is too often used. Hogan has written that idea clear off. These strong women do what they have to not only for themselves but also for their country. If you enjoy WWII fiction and stories about strong women, this is for you. I hope to read more by author Mirren Hogan in the future.
*This eBook was provided by NetGalley and Sands Press in exchange for honest feedback*
It would have been quite easy for Hogan to simply write a cut and dry story about these women branded the Night Witches. Instead she gives them depth and a history. We grow to care about each of their lives, feeling shattered when we have to remember that this isn’t a fairy tale but a war story and not everyone is going to get a happy ending. I enjoyed the way Hogan described the changes that the women went through from strangers to sisters-in-arms. The way that the war and each other affected their emotions and state of mind was brilliantly written. I was also impressed with the author’s ability to not give into the trope that too many writers sink to when writing about women. This idea that if you have nothing but women, then it will turn into a big catfight, is too often used. Hogan has written that idea clear off. These strong women do what they have to not only for themselves but also for their country. If you enjoy WWII fiction and stories about strong women, this is for you. I hope to read more by author Mirren Hogan in the future.
*This eBook was provided by NetGalley and Sands Press in exchange for honest feedback*
amiewilson's review
5.0
Until I picked up this book I had never heard of the Night Witches, or known that there were 3 full regiments of Russian female pilots fighting on the Russian/German front in WWII. These women fought against the common perceptions of the time that women were not capable of operating planes or handling war. Despite discrimination at every turn, these women became a valuable part of the Russian forces and distinguished themselves in war. The title of Night Witches was given to the Night Bomber squad by the German enemy, because they flew in quietly in their biplanes under the cover of darkness, like witches on brooms. This fictionalized account made the women come to life; their adventures, heartaches, and losses, their well-deserved pride and honors. The author did a great job of showing the changes to the women as the war ravaged on, the toll that the war took on them, the constant fear of being shot down, of losing a friend or "sister" in arms. A descriptive and inspiring story.
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