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astraeal's review
1.0
DNF at 42%. I tried, I really tried to get into this story because the synopsis intrigued me so much, but arriving at Part IV I just couldn't. We got a lot of chapters of only a few pages and every new chapter starts something new, it was like "that happened, that happened, then that and that and now moving on" I didn't have time to really care about what was happening, or about the characters. There were too many of them at first and I was so confused and even when we got to the few girls who will form the squadron I couldn't really tell them apart. I couldn't even connect to Aelya, our main character, and grew bored the more I read, so I decided to stop there.
e_flah's review
3.0
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Sparrow Squadron follows Aelya who joins the Soviet Air Force during WWII spurred by a desire to do more to help the war effort than dig trenches with her Komsomol club. The story is told more in snapshots of Aelya's life during the war than an over-arching story. We see Aelya's squabbles with the other women in her regiment, her struggle to figure out what kind of pilot she is, and the endless bureaucracy of a country at war. The amount of rich details in Sparrow Squadron makes it clear that the author really did his research. There's even a helpful historical background at the back of the book for those that may be a little unfamiliar with the history of the Soviet Union and its role in WWII.
I enjoyed this book and its look at an often-neglected area of WWII. Aelya's regiment is full of interesting people, from the brash Tonya who always has illegal goods to "Auntie" Lara who does her best to keep the regiment safe and constantly goes to the mat for the women's right to fly planes. The biggest thing I felt was missing from Sparrow Squadron was an emotional connection to the characters. I found them interesting to read about but wish I had felt more concerned with their fates. Aelya was just a bit too perfect to really root for -- since it seemed like she was always going to come through okay no matter what happened around her.
Overall, this was a solid debut that tells an important story. There's lots of good characters and snapshots of life behind the Soviet front to keep things interesting. Plus, who doesn't love women flying planes?
Sparrow Squadron follows Aelya who joins the Soviet Air Force during WWII spurred by a desire to do more to help the war effort than dig trenches with her Komsomol club. The story is told more in snapshots of Aelya's life during the war than an over-arching story. We see Aelya's squabbles with the other women in her regiment, her struggle to figure out what kind of pilot she is, and the endless bureaucracy of a country at war. The amount of rich details in Sparrow Squadron makes it clear that the author really did his research. There's even a helpful historical background at the back of the book for those that may be a little unfamiliar with the history of the Soviet Union and its role in WWII.
I enjoyed this book and its look at an often-neglected area of WWII. Aelya's regiment is full of interesting people, from the brash Tonya who always has illegal goods to "Auntie" Lara who does her best to keep the regiment safe and constantly goes to the mat for the women's right to fly planes. The biggest thing I felt was missing from Sparrow Squadron was an emotional connection to the characters. I found them interesting to read about but wish I had felt more concerned with their fates. Aelya was just a bit too perfect to really root for -- since it seemed like she was always going to come through okay no matter what happened around her.
Overall, this was a solid debut that tells an important story. There's lots of good characters and snapshots of life behind the Soviet front to keep things interesting. Plus, who doesn't love women flying planes?
jill_rey's review against another edition
3.0
I LOVED the female fierceness, ingenuity and insecurities portrayed throughout Sparrow Squadron. However, as an American, I found it hard to fully grasp the events of this book. Sparrow Squadron is set in Russia, during WWII, as young Aelya Makarova joins a women’s fighter squadron in the Russian Air Force. Much of the Russian culture and political references were lost on me as I felt I didn’t possess the ability to comprehend the significant amount political party affiliations and behaviors within. Additionally, the sheer number of Air Force squadron members introduced throughout, each with their own name and call sign proved especially hard to keep up.
Regardless, author D.L. Jung, was successful in capturing the female drive to outperform in a male dominated world, just to be considered enough to train and fight alongside the men. While this may have taken place in the 1940’s the themes between male and female remain true today.
For the full review, please visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordpress.com/
*Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided as part of this blog tour promotion.
Regardless, author D.L. Jung, was successful in capturing the female drive to outperform in a male dominated world, just to be considered enough to train and fight alongside the men. While this may have taken place in the 1940’s the themes between male and female remain true today.
For the full review, please visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordpress.com/
*Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided as part of this blog tour promotion.
sunsoar25's review
4.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've always been interested in women's wartime efforts regardless of what side they're on. I'm particularly partial to female pilots in WWII whether they are WASP or Night Witches which is the case here. While this isn't directly based on real people, the author does a good job of bringing the world and characters to life. I'm definitely need to read more about the Night Witches whether it's fiction or nonfiction in the future.
I've always been interested in women's wartime efforts regardless of what side they're on. I'm particularly partial to female pilots in WWII whether they are WASP or Night Witches which is the case here. While this isn't directly based on real people, the author does a good job of bringing the world and characters to life. I'm definitely need to read more about the Night Witches whether it's fiction or nonfiction in the future.
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