Scan barcode
thechemicaldetective's review
5.0
A captivating novel with complex, three dimensional characters and an intricate plot. I particularly loved the portrayal of Poznan, a city I know well, and in this book, a character in its own right.
Falls - physical and metaphorical - ripple through the book.
The story is told in breathless present tense by two narrators: Ewa and Vee. Although the Polish spy and English pilot love the same man, Stefan Bergel, this is not just a love triangle (spoiler alert) it’s a quadrangle as there is a third woman, a missing Polish pilot, the key to the story.
As you might expect from the author of The Conviction of Cora Burns, the characters are not at all straightforward, and far from perfect. But they are utterly captivating.
Opening with a modern day mystery (96 people were killed in a freak airplane accident on their way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre – the secret wartime execution of 22,000 Poles by invading Russians) the initially unnamed narrator is searching for memories when she falls.
Cut to 1943 and the first meeting of Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot Vee Katchatourian and Stefan Bergel in England, a forced landing in fog as the ATA do not have access to radios and have to fly by maps.
At the same time Stefan’s Polish fiancée, resistance guerrilla Ewa, convinced that her fiancé is dead, becomes attracted to SS-Obersturmfuhrer Heinrich Beck and accepts his invitation to swim in the recently converted synagogue.
What could possibly go wrong?
Specially recommended to anyone who enjoyed The Hidden by Mary Chamberlain or A Treachery of Spies by Manda Scott, or anyone who wants a novel to transport them out of lockdown...
Falls - physical and metaphorical - ripple through the book.
The story is told in breathless present tense by two narrators: Ewa and Vee. Although the Polish spy and English pilot love the same man, Stefan Bergel, this is not just a love triangle (spoiler alert) it’s a quadrangle as there is a third woman, a missing Polish pilot, the key to the story.
As you might expect from the author of The Conviction of Cora Burns, the characters are not at all straightforward, and far from perfect. But they are utterly captivating.
Opening with a modern day mystery (96 people were killed in a freak airplane accident on their way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre – the secret wartime execution of 22,000 Poles by invading Russians) the initially unnamed narrator is searching for memories when she falls.
Cut to 1943 and the first meeting of Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot Vee Katchatourian and Stefan Bergel in England, a forced landing in fog as the ATA do not have access to radios and have to fly by maps.
At the same time Stefan’s Polish fiancée, resistance guerrilla Ewa, convinced that her fiancé is dead, becomes attracted to SS-Obersturmfuhrer Heinrich Beck and accepts his invitation to swim in the recently converted synagogue.
What could possibly go wrong?
Specially recommended to anyone who enjoyed The Hidden by Mary Chamberlain or A Treachery of Spies by Manda Scott, or anyone who wants a novel to transport them out of lockdown...
nicjohnston's review
4.0
This is a superb book which nimbly balances believable characters and a clever and well constructed plot. It’s a welcome addition to such fiction to find two very strong female protagonists, who each hold their own in difficult circumstances.
It is well paced and will hugely appeal to those who like historical fiction as well as crime/spy books and others who generally enjoy a page turning read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and No Exit Press for an ARC in consideration of an honest review.
It is well paced and will hugely appeal to those who like historical fiction as well as crime/spy books and others who generally enjoy a page turning read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and No Exit Press for an ARC in consideration of an honest review.
jacki_f's review
3.0
We’re in England in the middle of WW2 when we meet strong-willed Vee, a pilot whose job involves shuttling planes around English airfields. When she meets Stefan, one of the members of a RAF Polish Fighter Squadron, she is instantly smitten.
Meanwhile in Poland we meet Ewa, who is involved with the Polish resistance movement, while grieving the loss of her fiancé Stefan. He was last heard from languishing in a Russian POW camp three years ago. How Stefan ended up in England and why he hasn’t let Ewa know that he’s alive is unclear. Bad Stefan.
It’s a complicated plot and it’s been written to stretch out suspense about character’s motivations at the detriment of character development. I felt like we were told repeatedly to believe that Ewa and Stefan had this great love without ever feeling it – he seemed like a selfish jerk to me – while Vee made decisions that were hard to believe in.
I did particularly enjoy the descriptions of flying the WW2 planes and the ending is quite moving.
This has attracted rave reviews here on GR but it was fairly ordinary in my opinion.
Meanwhile in Poland we meet Ewa, who is involved with the Polish resistance movement, while grieving the loss of her fiancé Stefan. He was last heard from languishing in a Russian POW camp three years ago. How Stefan ended up in England and why he hasn’t let Ewa know that he’s alive is unclear. Bad Stefan.
It’s a complicated plot and it’s been written to stretch out suspense about character’s motivations at the detriment of character development. I felt like we were told repeatedly to believe that Ewa and Stefan had this great love without ever feeling it – he seemed like a selfish jerk to me – while Vee made decisions that were hard to believe in.
I did particularly enjoy the descriptions of flying the WW2 planes and the ending is quite moving.
This has attracted rave reviews here on GR but it was fairly ordinary in my opinion.
slater49957's review
2.0
I was disappointed with this book - it looked to have all the things that I like in a story, but unfortunately this didn’t hit the spot for me. Some of it was really good, then other bits were pretty boring, which is a shame. I did enjoy the ending, it just took to long to get there for me.
_katsullivan's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this book, especially with the historical aspects, as the Katyn Massacre is a horrible, twisted part of history I had not previously been aware of. The story uses the massacre as its backbone, with the characters reacting to, and being impacted by its after effects in a very meaningful way.
Speaking of the characters, we see the story from the viewpoints of two women, British pilot Vee, and a Polish resistance member Ewa, who are both impacted by their alliances with an airman called Stefan Berg. Both Vee and Ewa offered different and interesting viewpoints, though I found Ewa's much more interesting, as she was more heavily involved with the story, and her actions have massive ramifications. However, I didn't love the character of Stefan. I thought he was a bit flaky, and his motivations at time often made little to no sense, especially considering his interactions with Vee throughout the story.
I also found the ending confusing, as it wasn't clear why somethings happened the way they did, although the final Aerogram actually made me gasp out loud when I realised who it was from.
Overall, the book does a great job at shining a light on a major war atrocity, and shows how the lives of the those living at the time would be impacted. Despite a few confusing character moments, and an unfulfilling ending, I would still give this book 3 (ish) stars - probably nearer to 3.5, but not enough for 4 stars.
Speaking of the characters, we see the story from the viewpoints of two women, British pilot Vee, and a Polish resistance member Ewa, who are both impacted by their alliances with an airman called Stefan Berg. Both Vee and Ewa offered different and interesting viewpoints, though I found Ewa's much more interesting, as she was more heavily involved with the story, and her actions have massive ramifications. However, I didn't love the character of Stefan. I thought he was a bit flaky, and his motivations at time often made little to no sense, especially considering his interactions with Vee throughout the story.
I also found the ending confusing, as it wasn't clear why somethings happened the way they did, although the final Aerogram actually made me gasp out loud when I realised who it was from.
Overall, the book does a great job at shining a light on a major war atrocity, and shows how the lives of the those living at the time would be impacted. Despite a few confusing character moments, and an unfulfilling ending, I would still give this book 3 (ish) stars - probably nearer to 3.5, but not enough for 4 stars.
s_flats22's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
What a read! What a book!
I could not put the book down! I don't think I have the words to say how much I love this book.
I wish I could read it with fresh eyes all over again!
I could not put the book down! I don't think I have the words to say how much I love this book.
I wish I could read it with fresh eyes all over again!
squeaky_luna's review
4.0
I usually steer clear of books set in this era but having been given a copy I thought it only polite to read it. It was very well written and fascinating. There were a few uncomfortable scenes but that comes with the territory. I was totally engrossed in the storyline and the ending didn't disappoint. I would highly recommend it.
thebooktrail88's review
5.0
Visit the locations in the novel
MEET THE AUTHOR HERE IN AUTHORSONLOCATION
On the strength of The Conviction of Cora Burns., I was always going to read this book. This author captured me with her story and prose from the outset and taught me about a period of history I had little knowledge of. I had heard of the Katyn Massacre but had little understanding of what it meant and what it entailed. I was shocked and horrified at what I learnt. What an amazing thing to bring this to the fore.
We are transported to Poland during the German occupation and meet Vee and Eva/Ewa, discovering what happens to them during the war. The characters and the history is real although this is fiction, it’s representative of so many others like them. Vee is a female pilot for example and Eva is a Polih/ German woman who is involved in the resistance. It’s humbling to see how they both cope and react to the ever-changing situation. More so when they both come across the problem that is Stefan.
I absolutely loved learning about Ewa in particular. This part of the story seemed rawer and more real and I felt closest to her. I didn’t care for Stefan but he did reveal strengths and emotions in the women you might not have seen otherwise.
The setting is of course everything and the author has immersed herself fully in the time and place, the emotions and rawness of the time. Whether she’s talking about the streets, the fear of the Nazis or the mudane tasks of everyday life, under occupation, at a time when women did not have the freedoms they have now, make this all the more compelling.
sarahs_bookish_life's review
4.0
Having read and really enjoyed the authors debut novel, I was eager to read her newest offering, When We Fall.
Set during the war, I really liked that we get to meet a female pilot. It’s certainly not something you see often in historical fiction so I was slightly in awe of Vee. I have to say the cover is just perfect for the story within in it.
Through the characters, we get to see what life was back then. The people in the front line as well as people trying to help out within the secret intelligence. It makes it at times a fraught read, knowing the risks that some of them are taking.
Vee and Ewa’s lives are entwined by one man. Stefan. Admittedly I wasn’t over keen on Stefan. It’s hard to know how any of us would act when we are faced with life threatening decisions and a war going on. I would like to think that I wouldn’t have messed with two different but strong women in their own rights, feelings.
When We Fall took me on an engrossing journey that had me go through an array of emotions. It is a stark look at the lengths people went to back then. The author’s writing is mesmerizing. She has a wonderful gift of story telling that captivates her readers. Very different to her last book but equally as good. I for one can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
My thanks to Anne Cater and No Exit Press for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Set during the war, I really liked that we get to meet a female pilot. It’s certainly not something you see often in historical fiction so I was slightly in awe of Vee. I have to say the cover is just perfect for the story within in it.
Through the characters, we get to see what life was back then. The people in the front line as well as people trying to help out within the secret intelligence. It makes it at times a fraught read, knowing the risks that some of them are taking.
Vee and Ewa’s lives are entwined by one man. Stefan. Admittedly I wasn’t over keen on Stefan. It’s hard to know how any of us would act when we are faced with life threatening decisions and a war going on. I would like to think that I wouldn’t have messed with two different but strong women in their own rights, feelings.
When We Fall took me on an engrossing journey that had me go through an array of emotions. It is a stark look at the lengths people went to back then. The author’s writing is mesmerizing. She has a wonderful gift of story telling that captivates her readers. Very different to her last book but equally as good. I for one can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
My thanks to Anne Cater and No Exit Press for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
rachelpears's review
5.0
Had the pleasure of getting an ARC from the publisher and thought it was such a great, interesting read. It isn't my usual genre but would 10/10 recommend