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bremna101's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
This novel takes place just before WWII. It's (tragically) hopeful about peace in Europe. There's a lot of mystery and action (in the sky!), a tiny bit of romance, and a big cast of characters from around Europe. Young readers will learn a bit about the Spanish Civil War, Mussolini, and the Gestapo. Spoiler alert:
This felt like a spy thriller to me, even though there was no spying. It's about an Olympics-inspired airplane race, but the race never felt that important to me. The thrills come from a lack of trust between the teenaged contestants and the adults in charge plus the looming threat of sabotage and murder.
The title refers to people with a special kind of passport given to refugees who do not have citizenship anywhere.
Spoiler
When there are Nazis involved it's not that hard to guess who will turn out to be the bad guy.This felt like a spy thriller to me, even though there was no spying. It's about an Olympics-inspired airplane race, but the race never felt that important to me. The thrills come from a lack of trust between the teenaged contestants and the adults in charge plus the looming threat of sabotage and murder.
The title refers to people with a special kind of passport given to refugees who do not have citizenship anywhere.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This is a gripping read that is difficult to put down with many interesting twists and turns. I loved Stella so much as a character. (There were others I loved equally but naming would be spoiling.) My only quibble (and why it’s not 5 stars) is that I feel some of the character/relationship development wasn’t as good as Wein typically delivers in her books. Still far far far better than anything else I’ve read of late.
This is a gripping read that is difficult to put down with many interesting twists and turns. I loved Stella so much as a character. (There were others I loved equally but naming would be spoiling.) My only quibble (and why it’s not 5 stars) is that I feel some of the character/relationship development wasn’t as good as Wein typically delivers in her books. Still far far far better than anything else I’ve read of late.
treylaura's review
adventurous
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
4.0
Feels more like a period piece than true historical fiction.
mybooksandkidsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Stateless by Elizabeth Wein
This was a fun, cozy mystery type of story. Packed with adventure, suspicions and planes. A race of pilots to promote peace between European county, except it doesn’t go to plan when an apparent murder happens in the sky.
It was, in parts, cheesy and predictable, but it is YA and that fits. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I’d read it when I was a teen. I still found it entertaining with a unique storyline that will be memorable.
I don’t think I’ve read much about the years right before WWII so I appreciated the little details and the emotions of everyone on the brink of war.
Thank you to @penguinrandomca for my copy! This is out now!
This was a fun, cozy mystery type of story. Packed with adventure, suspicions and planes. A race of pilots to promote peace between European county, except it doesn’t go to plan when an apparent murder happens in the sky.
It was, in parts, cheesy and predictable, but it is YA and that fits. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I’d read it when I was a teen. I still found it entertaining with a unique storyline that will be memorable.
I don’t think I’ve read much about the years right before WWII so I appreciated the little details and the emotions of everyone on the brink of war.
Thank you to @penguinrandomca for my copy! This is out now!
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.0
This was an okay historical fiction. The backstory was interesting enough but for an air flying race it dragged a bit more than it soared. I keep putting it down and not wanting to pick it back up. I think it you liked her other books you’d like this, but might not love it.
sparksofkell's review against another edition
5.0
This book confirmed to me that Elizabeth Wein is my favorite author. Stateless is superb! (I implore you to look past the cover art…)
The characters!!!! This is the most romance I’ve read from Wein and I love love love how subtle and underplayed it is. This book made my heart race and soar and also causes a few tears. Wein wrote another shining star!
The characters!!!! This is the most romance I’ve read from Wein and I love love love how subtle and underplayed it is. This book made my heart race and soar and also causes a few tears. Wein wrote another shining star!
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.kmcfall's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Engaging story once you get into it
I have really enjoyed and am grateful for Elizabeth Wein's books. Code Name Verity remains a favorite book of mine, and I have read many others of hers and have enjoyed the historic aspect of them. I've learned quite a bit, too!
This one took a bit to fully enthrall me. All of the young characters had soooo much emotion early on. That needed more of a build. It was a lot. Truly seemed YA, whereas her other books did not seem so.
But I got into this book and the story line. And really enjoyed it. I regret that Lady Frith remained one dimensional throughout, but the central characters had a lot of flesh to them. In terms of possible triggers, there is murder, talk of traumatic moments, and someone unaliving themselves.
But if you've enjoyed Elizabeth Wein's other books on WWII female pilots, I recommend this.
I have really enjoyed and am grateful for Elizabeth Wein's books. Code Name Verity remains a favorite book of mine, and I have read many others of hers and have enjoyed the historic aspect of them. I've learned quite a bit, too!
This one took a bit to fully enthrall me. All of the young characters had soooo much emotion early on. That needed more of a build. It was a lot. Truly seemed YA, whereas her other books did not seem so.
But I got into this book and the story line. And really enjoyed it. I regret that Lady Frith remained one dimensional throughout, but the central characters had a lot of flesh to them. In terms of possible triggers, there is murder, talk of traumatic moments, and someone unaliving themselves.
But if you've enjoyed Elizabeth Wein's other books on WWII female pilots, I recommend this.
bibliophile1019's review
3.75
Not as good as Code Name Verity (but is anything really?) with a much slower start, but I breezed through the last third. Random pet peeve: the constant referring to characters by the full names. Once I noticed it I couldn’t un-notice it and it’s why this isn’t 4 stars.