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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
this is possibly my favorite of Ackerman’s books so far, the rest I read awhile ago when I rated differently. It was definitely interesting as this was different than her normal books, as it doesn’t take place during WWII and has less of a romance subplot. if you like her other books or historical fiction, I definitely recommend picking this one up. As someone who loves to be in a plane (although I don’t fly them) and loves adventure and doing something not many others do, I was hooked.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Books like "The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West" inspire me to dive into historical rabbit holes by exposing me to topics I was previously unaware of. In this case, we look into the history of trans-Pacific aviation and the role that the 1927 Dole Derby played in making this possible. Taking place less than thirty years after the first human flight ever, this tragic race from California and Hawaii was one of the stepping stones for current long-distance passenger flights.
Ackerman's heroine, Olivia West, may be fiction, but she stands out with her gumption and fiery attitude at those who question her piloting and navigation skills. I can see accusations of her being too perfect being leveled, but in all honesty, I liked the character too much to care. I liked her interactions with Mildred Doran, a 22-year-old schoolteacher who made the decision to fly (as a passenger) in the Derby and the real-life inspiration for the book, best of all. In those moments, you can see the camraderie and acknowledgement that whether acting as a fictional version of Earhart, or going the more traditional route of passenger/aviation enthusiast, both women are breaking ground for new generations.
The more modern story with Wren in 1980s Hawaii was also entertaining, if less exciting than the historical narrative. Her journey from heartbreak to personal acceptance gave me "Fried Green Tomatoes" vibes for those familiar with that Frannie Flagg novel. You could kind of see where she fit into the story pretty quickly, but it was still interesting to see how she discovers her connection to Olivia West.
Overall, the book was enjoyable because it brought a unique topic to life. If you are looking for a (mostly) fluffy and feel-good historical fiction novel, then "The Last Uncharted Life of Olivia West" is likely right up your alley.
Ackerman's heroine, Olivia West, may be fiction, but she stands out with her gumption and fiery attitude at those who question her piloting and navigation skills. I can see accusations of her being too perfect being leveled, but in all honesty, I liked the character too much to care. I liked her interactions with Mildred Doran, a 22-year-old schoolteacher who made the decision to fly (as a passenger) in the Derby and the real-life inspiration for the book, best of all. In those moments, you can see the camraderie and acknowledgement that whether acting as a fictional version of Earhart, or going the more traditional route of passenger/aviation enthusiast, both women are breaking ground for new generations.
The more modern story with Wren in 1980s Hawaii was also entertaining, if less exciting than the historical narrative. Her journey from heartbreak to personal acceptance gave me "Fried Green Tomatoes" vibes for those familiar with that Frannie Flagg novel. You could kind of see where she fit into the story pretty quickly, but it was still interesting to see how she discovers her connection to Olivia West.
Overall, the book was enjoyable because it brought a unique topic to life. If you are looking for a (mostly) fluffy and feel-good historical fiction novel, then "The Last Uncharted Life of Olivia West" is likely right up your alley.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No