Historical fiction featuring badass ladies (who often don’t get the credit they deserve) is kind of our jam so you can imagine our excitement over Among the Red Stars, a novel inspired by true events from WWII.
Here in the US, much of our education revolves around what lead the US to get involved in WWII so something as cool as the NIGHT WITCHES (hello, how badass is this name!) got left in the dust. Luckily debut author Gwen C. Katz is here to give us a riveting tale of a group of Russian female pilots and navigators who gave the Germans hell.
Told in back and forth letters between Valka and her childhood friend (who was drafted to fight in combat) as well as on the battleground (air?) with Valka, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. First, wanting to know which of the ladies would make pilot or navigator, then when Valka’s cousin goes missing, and THE ACTION NEVER STOPS! I can’t say more than that without giving it away but I was enamoured with these characters and their story.
Among the Red Stars is out in the world today and I wanna know if you’d be a Pilot or a Navigator! I ended up with a Pilot and I need a Navigator in the seat next to me so let me know in the comments what you got!
AMONG THE RED STARS
by Gwen C. Katz
Published: October 3rd 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
World War Two has shattered Valka’s homeland of Russia, and Valka is determined to help the effort. She knows her skills as a pilot rival the best of the men, so when an all-female aviation group forms, Valka is the first to sign up.
Flying has always meant freedom and exhilaration for Valka, but dropping bombs on German soldiers from a fragile canvas biplane is no joyride. The war is taking its toll on everyone, including the boy Valka grew up with, who is fighting for his life on the front lines.
As the war intensifies and those around her fall, Valka must decide how much she is willing to risk to defend the skies she once called home.
Inspired by the true story of the airwomen the Nazis called Night Witches, Gwen C. Katz weaves a tale of strength and sacrifice, learning to fight for yourself, and the perils of a world at war.