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katie_l21's review
5.0
Night Witches was a stunning historical fiction book. I have read other books by Kathryn Lasky and have yet to be disappointed by her work! This book has been on my tbr for years and I am so happy that I finally picked it up.
Valya and her sister have a very realistic relationship. And the fact that Valya develops sisterly relationships with her fellow witches is great.
This book was truly gripping and I really enjoyed reading it. I have read other historical fiction books set during WWII but this was the first one I've read that showed the perspective of a Russian/Soviet person.
10/10, really great!
Valya and her sister have a very realistic relationship. And the fact that Valya develops sisterly relationships with her fellow witches is great.
This book was truly gripping and I really enjoyed reading it. I have read other historical fiction books set during WWII but this was the first one I've read that showed the perspective of a Russian/Soviet person.
10/10, really great!
hayleybeale's review
2.0
This leaden World War II middle grade novel fails to bring to life an intriguing slice of history: the women aviators of the Soviet Union's 588th Bomber Regiment – nicknamed the Night Witches by the Nazis. See my full review here.
leskit's review
3.0
This book was a quick read for me and I think my students will like it a lot. I'm an elementary school librarian. Right now I have so many students interested in books about WWII and I'm happy to add this to the collection. For me it lacked depth - the story and the characters.
Also I found two issues with continuity which should have been caught in editing. One had to do with a night flight where there was a moon and on that same night a few pages later there was no moon. Later in the book a character lost an eye. First it was the right eye and a few pages later it's apparently her left eye since she opens her right eye and has scarring on the left side of her face. Also that character continues to be a pilot which I'm not sure about that. Eyesight is so important to a pilot. Possibly Russia was desperate for pilots at that stage of the war, but I just don't think a person with one eye would be allowed to fly.
I did very much appreciate how Stalin was portrayed in this book. I didn't know that Russian POWs were considered traitors and sent to a gulag after the war. Stalin even denied his own sons who were taken prisoner. Russians may have fought for their country, but Stalin was an evil man and was a brutal dictator.
Also I found two issues with continuity which should have been caught in editing. One had to do with a night flight where there was a moon and on that same night a few pages later there was no moon. Later in the book a character lost an eye. First it was the right eye and a few pages later it's apparently her left eye since she opens her right eye and has scarring on the left side of her face. Also that character continues to be a pilot which I'm not sure about that. Eyesight is so important to a pilot. Possibly Russia was desperate for pilots at that stage of the war, but I just don't think a person with one eye would be allowed to fly.
I did very much appreciate how Stalin was portrayed in this book. I didn't know that Russian POWs were considered traitors and sent to a gulag after the war. Stalin even denied his own sons who were taken prisoner. Russians may have fought for their country, but Stalin was an evil man and was a brutal dictator.
kamckim's review
3.0
A historical fiction quick read. Subject matter is mature-war, death, talking about sex; however, the reading level is a bit light. It would be a good suggestion to a G9 or 10 girl who was reading on a slightly lower level. The line spacing and kerning are also easy on the reader. The test isn’t overwhelming, and the story is fast-paced and interesting. It could be the “just right” book for some of your older reluctant readers.
library_ann's review against another edition
3.0
The kind of book that is constantly repeating the main character's goal for the novel -- in this case, Valentina really wants to join her sister as a pilot among the Night Witches, the all-female flying squadron that drops bombs on Nazi bases and other targets.
But it never feels like Valentina is in real trouble or danger (a serious case of plot armor, which extends to her best friends too). Her missions are always successful no matter the odds.
I wish it were more like [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity|Elizabeth Wein|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388161911l/11925514._SY75_.jpg|16885788]
But it never feels like Valentina is in real trouble or danger (a serious case of plot armor, which extends to her best friends too). Her missions are always successful no matter the odds.
I wish it were more like [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity|Elizabeth Wein|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388161911l/11925514._SY75_.jpg|16885788]
bluemaiden's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
elladoesntread's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a very good telling of Russia’s Night Witches. It follows a young teenage night witch through her experiences in WWII. It is a good read, it is not overly graphic which I appreciate, while it still covers dark and sensitive topics. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the more overlooked sides of history.
piperleger's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0