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blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I honestly only picked this audiobook up because it was narrated by my favorite narrator Moira Quirk and I have been in the mood for historical fiction. Apart from the narration, I went in with very low expectations and was pleasantly surprised! Due to the choice of setting, there is so much tension right from the start and all the way to the end. Not only do we have the sexism faced by a lone young woman in the group of pilots, the underlying competition among the flyers, and the clashing political views from the various countries the pilots represent, it's also right at the edge of WWII breaking out for real. There's plane sabotage and a murder mystery on top of all that! I enjoyed the characters of the young pilots and how (mild spoiler) despite the suspicion just after the first instances of sabotage, they did come together as friends and help each other. It was wholesome how much they cheered each other on in the race and celebrated each other's successes. This book is categorized as young adult, but I would often forget how young the characters were, they were quite capable and mature. Poor Moira Quirk was really put through her paces here having to cover such a wide range of accents, but she did a fantastic job and made the characters distinct and the action sequences engaging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Gun violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Antisemitism, Racism, Murder, Sexism, Medical content, and Suicide
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I did not set out to write a book about refugees. This isn't a book about refugees; it's a book about belonging, about belonging to no place and every place.
--Elizabeth Wein, Stateless, Author's Note, Bloomsbury YA paperback edition, p. 381
This book was one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
It did, however, suffer from pacing problems, which is all I can remember since I read it over a month ago now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Antisemitism, Gun violence, and Blood
Minor: Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Suicide
The novel is set in August and September of 1937 during an international flight race across the United Kingdom and Europe. Fascism and Nazism are on the rise. Various historical events are referenced throughout the novel: World War One, the Spanish Civil War (with many references to the bombing of Guernica), and the growing tide of antisemitism. Murders (and attempted murders) are committed in the air. There is minor gun violence. There is a mass stabbing event referenced. The author's note references the Holocaust, Kristallnacht, the current war in Ukraine, and the COVID-19 pandemic.xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was actually a very interesting Historical Fiction novel! I enjoyed the different perspective of an international European air race right on the brink of WWII. I loved all the characters, and I especially loved Stella. Thought the mystery was intriguing and twisty enough to keep me guessing nearly the whole time. Altogether a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Police brutality
oceanwriter's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Elizabeth Wein is one of the authors that I will automatically read without so much as glancing at the plot. Maybe I'm biased, but there's something about the style of her stories that I thoroughly enjoy.
A couple of years before World War II, countries come together in the name of peace for a race against their young pilots. Stella North is chosen to represent Britain. Being the only female in the competition means her work is cut out for her, however, she isn't fazed. That is until a series of strange and suspicious accidents begin to happen. Together with a couple of her fellow contestants, they try to get to the bottom of the misfortunes.
Code Name Verity is one of my all-time favorite books/series so my expectations were definitely high. I enjoyed the story a lot, though I must admit not as much. The build-up takes up a good two-thirds of the book before really getting into the excitement. If I'm interpreting the author's note correctly, it sounds like this will also be a series. If that is the case, I'm looking forward to the continuation.
Another thing that struck me as different in this book from the previous ones is that there seemed to be a heavier implication of romance. I can take or leave it, but I guess it sort of surprised me. The characters are wonderful though (as always) so I'm intrigued enough. This like the Code Name Verity series continues to stand out from other books in the historical fiction genre. It's exciting, unique, and good-hearted. Looking forward to what comes next!
A couple of years before World War II, countries come together in the name of peace for a race against their young pilots. Stella North is chosen to represent Britain. Being the only female in the competition means her work is cut out for her, however, she isn't fazed. That is until a series of strange and suspicious accidents begin to happen. Together with a couple of her fellow contestants, they try to get to the bottom of the misfortunes.
Code Name Verity is one of my all-time favorite books/series so my expectations were definitely high. I enjoyed the story a lot, though I must admit not as much. The build-up takes up a good two-thirds of the book before really getting into the excitement. If I'm interpreting the author's note correctly, it sounds like this will also be a series. If that is the case, I'm looking forward to the continuation.
Another thing that struck me as different in this book from the previous ones is that there seemed to be a heavier implication of romance. I can take or leave it, but I guess it sort of surprised me. The characters are wonderful though (as always) so I'm intrigued enough. This like the Code Name Verity series continues to stand out from other books in the historical fiction genre. It's exciting, unique, and good-hearted. Looking forward to what comes next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Antisemitism, Death, and Racism
Minor: War and Death of parent
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