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e_flah's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Stateless was a gripping, fast-paced read. The care that Wein puts into her research is visible as always yet never distracts from the action-packed story -- a feat that never ceases to impress me.
story_sanctuary's review
5.0
I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Wein’s books since first reading CODE NAME VERITY. I missed a few of her books since then, but when I saw that STATELESS was coming out this spring, and that it was about a lady pilot, I had to read it!
This book delivers a rich historical setting in a 1937 Europe still reeling from the first World War. Already, the tension is building toward World War II. The whole story is from Stella’s point-of-view, which I loved.
Stella has both a sharpness and a softness that I really liked. She’s a woman, a rarity in the world of aeroplanes and pilots of her day. She’s aware that everyone from her colleagues to the press to her own family members will treat her differently because of her gender. Sometimes she second-guesses herself. Sometimes she worries about being too emotional. But she also recognizes her strengths and finds ways to create space for herself.
When Stella witnesses one of her fellow race participants attacked by an unidentified plane, she realizes reporting everything she saw may place her own life at risk. Instead, she begins to quietly investigate the other racers and support staff, trying to identify the murderer before he or she has a chance to strike again. That part of the story had me turning pages as quickly as I could. The tension ratchets up so quickly in some scenes. I held my breath as all the pilots gathered, ready to take off from one of their stops. I felt like I couldn’t breathe until I knew they would all escape.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a little bit less violent than CODE NAME VERITY, but still delivered that same rich historical setting and unforgettable characters. I think Elizabeth Wein’s fans and fans of historical fiction will be absolutely delighted with this one.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.
This book delivers a rich historical setting in a 1937 Europe still reeling from the first World War. Already, the tension is building toward World War II. The whole story is from Stella’s point-of-view, which I loved.
Stella has both a sharpness and a softness that I really liked. She’s a woman, a rarity in the world of aeroplanes and pilots of her day. She’s aware that everyone from her colleagues to the press to her own family members will treat her differently because of her gender. Sometimes she second-guesses herself. Sometimes she worries about being too emotional. But she also recognizes her strengths and finds ways to create space for herself.
When Stella witnesses one of her fellow race participants attacked by an unidentified plane, she realizes reporting everything she saw may place her own life at risk. Instead, she begins to quietly investigate the other racers and support staff, trying to identify the murderer before he or she has a chance to strike again. That part of the story had me turning pages as quickly as I could. The tension ratchets up so quickly in some scenes. I held my breath as all the pilots gathered, ready to take off from one of their stops. I felt like I couldn’t breathe until I knew they would all escape.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a little bit less violent than CODE NAME VERITY, but still delivered that same rich historical setting and unforgettable characters. I think Elizabeth Wein’s fans and fans of historical fiction will be absolutely delighted with this one.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.
writeronherway's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
mamawash86's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
smellie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
readingvoyage's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.75
becca_9393's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
momma_needs_to_read's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Elizabeth Wein created this intriguing story with adventure, suspense, mystery and a bit of romance. It all worked so well together to create this beautifully written book.
Not only does this book have the excitement of an international Air race to bring the nation’s together, but it also has you constantly wondering what could have happened with a possible murder, and who could have done it. The clues began to line up perfectly but there was still the big question of why this happened, and I didn’t expect the answer.
I really enjoyed how Elizabeth Wein wrote her characters. She gave them so much personality and detail, even the minor characters you really felt like you got to know them a bit. And the main character developments were great. Even in such a short period of time, due to their circumstances, they really grew and matured by the end of the book. I was also obsessed with the bond all of the young pilots developed, they started out as a bunch of strangers and ended up making friends for life, despite their personal, political and national views.
Not only does this book have the excitement of an international Air race to bring the nation’s together, but it also has you constantly wondering what could have happened with a possible murder, and who could have done it. The clues began to line up perfectly but there was still the big question of why this happened, and I didn’t expect the answer.
I really enjoyed how Elizabeth Wein wrote her characters. She gave them so much personality and detail, even the minor characters you really felt like you got to know them a bit. And the main character developments were great. Even in such a short period of time, due to their circumstances, they really grew and matured by the end of the book. I was also obsessed with the bond all of the young pilots developed, they started out as a bunch of strangers and ended up making friends for life, despite their personal, political and national views.
enbylibrary's review against another edition
Staying up all night on the streets of Hamburg to avoid the Gestapo is something that can be so personal—