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White Eagles
Summer 1939. With Europe on the brink of war, eighteen-year-old Kristina Tomiak has been called up to join the White Eagles, Poland's valiant air force. When the Nazis reach the town where she is based, Kristina makes a daring escape, but she doesn't realise that she's carrying a stowaway in her plane. Will Kristina be able to navigate the most challenging flight of her life and reach safety amid the turmoil of war? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 13+
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2019
About the author
Elizabeth Wein
41 books3,089 followersTIME magazine has put Code Name Verity on its list of "100 Best YA books of All Time."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 16, 2019
Twins Kristina and Leopold Tomiak have always been fiercely competitive with each other and also share a love of flying. Naturally, when it looks like Germany is getting ready to go to war, they both sign up for the Polish Air Force Reserve. But when only Kristina is accepted into the White Eagles, Leo is totally perplexed.
Not long after becoming an Eagle, Kristina is assigned to fly an important visitor from the Vistula Aeroclub outside Warsaw to a meeting in Lvov, in southern Poland, to relay important information. But just as the plane carrying the visitor lands, it is clear that it has been attacked by machine gun fire. It turns out the Luftwaffe has been scouting over Poland and shot at their plane. The visitor is killed but the plane's pilot is still alive and knows what the information is.
Now, it's Kristina's job to get the information to Lvov, which she does, safely arriving at Birky airstrip just outside the city limits on August 31, 1939, and where her brother is already waiting for her. The next morning, Kristina wakes up to sirens and an announcement that the German Army has begun its invasion of Poland. The next day, the battle for the airstrip at Birky begins, and Kristian is taken prisoner by a German soldier.
In the sky, she sees two fighter planes caught in a dogfight, without firing at each other, but fighting with only their planes and Kristina realizes the pilot in the Polish plane is her brother. Leo finally comes out the victor, after causing the German plane to crash. But his victory is short lived. Held by the arms by two German soldiers, a German officer pulls his gun and shots Leo between the eyes, as Kristina watches stunned and horrified.
As the other prisoners around her go berserk over the shooting, Kristina, devastated over losing her twin, manages to take advantage of the chaos and to get to her plane. Without a helmet or goggles, she takes off, flying away from her brother's murder and not landing until she finally finds a narrow, clear field in an apple orchard. But no sooner has she landed, than she realizes she isn't alone. A gun is pointed at her head and she was told to put her hands up and get out of the plane. Thinking it is a Nazi soldier, imagine her surprise when it turns out to be an 11-year-old boy named Julian Srebro with a story to tell and a desperate need to get out of Poland. What follows is an exciting, perilous journey for both Kristina and Julian, marked by grief, biting cold, hunger, kindness, cruelty and a few pieces of life-saving chocolate Hanukkah Gelt
White Eagles is a short book written in three parts and inspired by real life aviation hero Anna Leska, liaison pilot for the Polish Air Force and flying missions for them when the Nazis invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 (do read the Author's Note at the back of the book for more information). It is a well researched novel that contains a lot of information about what life for the Polish people was like right after Hitler's army invaded their country. Around that reality, Wein has woven a historical fiction novella that will hold readers captive until the end. But, let's face it, Wein is a master historical fiction storyteller and she knows just how to create characters and settings that make you question whether it is fact or fiction you are reading.
I bought White Eagles at the Book Depository in part because it is written by Elizabeth Wein and in part because it is published by Barrington Stoke, a children's book publisher in Edinburgh, Scotland. And what makes this book special, besides the great story, is that Barrington Stoke publishes books that are adapted for reluctant and dyslexic readers. And since I'm a dyslexic reader, I know first hand how really important the design of these book is. I first discovered them when I read D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer and now I'm sold on them. And no, I get nothing for talking about these books, and there are lots of them by great authors, not from Book Depository or from Barrington Stoke. It's just my experience.
Not long after becoming an Eagle, Kristina is assigned to fly an important visitor from the Vistula Aeroclub outside Warsaw to a meeting in Lvov, in southern Poland, to relay important information. But just as the plane carrying the visitor lands, it is clear that it has been attacked by machine gun fire. It turns out the Luftwaffe has been scouting over Poland and shot at their plane. The visitor is killed but the plane's pilot is still alive and knows what the information is.
Now, it's Kristina's job to get the information to Lvov, which she does, safely arriving at Birky airstrip just outside the city limits on August 31, 1939, and where her brother is already waiting for her. The next morning, Kristina wakes up to sirens and an announcement that the German Army has begun its invasion of Poland. The next day, the battle for the airstrip at Birky begins, and Kristian is taken prisoner by a German soldier.
In the sky, she sees two fighter planes caught in a dogfight, without firing at each other, but fighting with only their planes and Kristina realizes the pilot in the Polish plane is her brother. Leo finally comes out the victor, after causing the German plane to crash. But his victory is short lived. Held by the arms by two German soldiers, a German officer pulls his gun and shots Leo between the eyes, as Kristina watches stunned and horrified.
As the other prisoners around her go berserk over the shooting, Kristina, devastated over losing her twin, manages to take advantage of the chaos and to get to her plane. Without a helmet or goggles, she takes off, flying away from her brother's murder and not landing until she finally finds a narrow, clear field in an apple orchard. But no sooner has she landed, than she realizes she isn't alone. A gun is pointed at her head and she was told to put her hands up and get out of the plane. Thinking it is a Nazi soldier, imagine her surprise when it turns out to be an 11-year-old boy named Julian Srebro with a story to tell and a desperate need to get out of Poland. What follows is an exciting, perilous journey for both Kristina and Julian, marked by grief, biting cold, hunger, kindness, cruelty and a few pieces of life-saving chocolate Hanukkah Gelt
White Eagles is a short book written in three parts and inspired by real life aviation hero Anna Leska, liaison pilot for the Polish Air Force and flying missions for them when the Nazis invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 (do read the Author's Note at the back of the book for more information). It is a well researched novel that contains a lot of information about what life for the Polish people was like right after Hitler's army invaded their country. Around that reality, Wein has woven a historical fiction novella that will hold readers captive until the end. But, let's face it, Wein is a master historical fiction storyteller and she knows just how to create characters and settings that make you question whether it is fact or fiction you are reading.
I bought White Eagles at the Book Depository in part because it is written by Elizabeth Wein and in part because it is published by Barrington Stoke, a children's book publisher in Edinburgh, Scotland. And what makes this book special, besides the great story, is that Barrington Stoke publishes books that are adapted for reluctant and dyslexic readers. And since I'm a dyslexic reader, I know first hand how really important the design of these book is. I first discovered them when I read D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer and now I'm sold on them. And no, I get nothing for talking about these books, and there are lots of them by great authors, not from Book Depository or from Barrington Stoke. It's just my experience.
May 15, 2020
Even though written specifically for "struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers", this is a deeply engaging story with stronger characterization than many 'heavier' novels. Some might question how many books about women pilots in the WWII era we need, but I find each of Wein's offerings compelling and engaging and entirely worth adding to the collection. In this case, the Polish situation is so less generally known that it's especially apt. I would have happily read more – in fact, starting around the two-thirds point I was wondering how the whole story was going to fit in, given the map at the beginning – but it's also satisfying as-is. This one came in to me before Firebird (which was published earlier) so I've got that next-up in my reading!
September 15, 2019
girls flying planes in the war. Awesome story and will be fab for school
March 30, 2021
The Barrington Stoke format and brevity (which I love!) means Wein can't fully let loose and destroy you emotionally, but you still get a solid plot and fantastic characterisation. Masterful!
October 3, 2019
This is another short novel in the mode of Wein’s earlier Firebird, following an East European female pilot in WWII. In this case, the protagonist is a Polish girl, Kristina, who serves as a liaison pilot in the Polish Air Force and escapes in a small plane when her airstrip is taken over and her brother killed by the German army.
Except there’s a passenger she didn’t expect. Julian, an eleven-year-old Jewish orphan, has snuck onboard her plane and is determined to get to England, sometimes coming into conflict with Kristina, who wants to join the rest of the Polish Air Force in France. Julian is probably the most vivid character in the book, resilient, a bit sneaky, confident, and ultimately very, very young.
With a combination of Julian’s language skills and Kristina’s flying abilities, they cross much of Europe, encountering a variety of people along the way, from Hungarians who help them on the supposition that Julian is an Austrian Boy Scout to an Italian who tries to rape Kristina. Ultimately they make it to France, but will Julian get to England as his murdered father wanted him to?
Compared to Firebird, there was no first-person narration or clever structure, but it was a lot more plausible (no Anastasia myth here!). I liked that Kristina and Julian aren’t instant buddies, but have a hard-earned friendship across cultures and age difference after flying across Europe together. They each have to rely on the other for the skills they don’t have, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.
I also liked that this book brought attention to the women who fought for Poland in WWII and the Polish war effort generally. An afterword notes the real-life contributions of Polish exiles in the war effort.
This book was printed specially for dyslexic readers, which involved changing some of the Polish spellings. Lwów become Lvov, Krystyna becomes Kristina. This was a little distracting (especially having Polish characters using the Russian name Lvov) but it was probably necessary for the format.
Except there’s a passenger she didn’t expect. Julian, an eleven-year-old Jewish orphan, has snuck onboard her plane and is determined to get to England, sometimes coming into conflict with Kristina, who wants to join the rest of the Polish Air Force in France. Julian is probably the most vivid character in the book, resilient, a bit sneaky, confident, and ultimately very, very young.
With a combination of Julian’s language skills and Kristina’s flying abilities, they cross much of Europe, encountering a variety of people along the way, from Hungarians who help them on the supposition that Julian is an Austrian Boy Scout to an Italian who tries to rape Kristina. Ultimately they make it to France, but will Julian get to England as his murdered father wanted him to?
Compared to Firebird, there was no first-person narration or clever structure, but it was a lot more plausible (no Anastasia myth here!). I liked that Kristina and Julian aren’t instant buddies, but have a hard-earned friendship across cultures and age difference after flying across Europe together. They each have to rely on the other for the skills they don’t have, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.
I also liked that this book brought attention to the women who fought for Poland in WWII and the Polish war effort generally. An afterword notes the real-life contributions of Polish exiles in the war effort.
This book was printed specially for dyslexic readers, which involved changing some of the Polish spellings. Lwów become Lvov, Krystyna becomes Kristina. This was a little distracting (especially having Polish characters using the Russian name Lvov) but it was probably necessary for the format.
March 4, 2021
This was a brilliant book. I really connected with the characters and their journey.
January 22, 2020
Really enjoyed this short, dyslexia-and-reluctant-reader-friendly story of WW2 Polish teen female pilot forced by armed schoolboy, hidden in her cockpit, to fly him all the way to his relations in England. Recommended.
August 23, 2019
A brilliant Polish female pilot, her brother and a strange friend in her cockpit. A journey across Europe. A war. This was great. I loved the additional bit about the inspiration behind the story at the end too!
November 21, 2020
This was such a good story! To be honest, I wasn't expecting too much as I knew it was short but despite this, it still packed a punch! I loved the way that Kristina was portrayed, so strong and knowing exactly what she wanted to do! I also loved her relationship with her brother, the twin bond was amazing! Julian was super cute as well, I especially loved the way that he ended up trying to defend Kristina even though she probably didn't need it.
I just love Elizabeth Wein and the fact that she focuses on women pilots in a time where, whilst women were doing the jobs of men, it's not often written about. Just loved it!
I just love Elizabeth Wein and the fact that she focuses on women pilots in a time where, whilst women were doing the jobs of men, it's not often written about. Just loved it!
February 9, 2020
"Barrington Stoke is a children's book publisher based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 1998 and publishes fiction and non-fiction adapted to different reading ages for reluctant, under-confident and dyslexic children and teens." Glad to see E. Wein among their authors!
April 8, 2022
It’s 1939 and Kristina and her twin brother Leopold have just completed their basic pilot training only 3 months shy of their 19th birthday. The Polish Airforce send Kristina her call up letter first. Leopold is mortified and jealous, but Kristina knows underneath his bluster he is proud of her.
Still working from the same base, Leopold meets up with his sister at the end of every day at dinner, catching up on what’s been happening as the German airforce step up their reconnaissance across the Polish border.
Then suddenly it happens. On 1st September 1939, Germany invades Poland. Leopold is now on active duty and soon the twins’ world is to change forever.
Attack. Gunfire. Resistance. Flight. Kristina is in the air in her beloved plane, but it is a liason, courier plane, without any way for her to protect herself. Exhausted, she lands far from the base, facing yet another threat.
It is still at the end of a gun, but the one brandishing it is a boy stowaway, determined to get to family far from Poland. Working together, they plot their way to freedom, with one pistol, some stolen money and threadbare hopes. Kristina has stolen her plane after all and should be following air force directives…
A novel written for dyslexic or reluctant readers by a Carnegie Medal shortlisted author. White Eagles is a gripping snapshot into the Polish side of the conflict as it is assaulted by German forces. Then as the Polish try to flee, Russians invade from the east.
Female pilots were few in the 1st World War but as character Kristina portrays, women pilots were invaluable.
Targeted at teens due to gun violence.
Still working from the same base, Leopold meets up with his sister at the end of every day at dinner, catching up on what’s been happening as the German airforce step up their reconnaissance across the Polish border.
Then suddenly it happens. On 1st September 1939, Germany invades Poland. Leopold is now on active duty and soon the twins’ world is to change forever.
Attack. Gunfire. Resistance. Flight. Kristina is in the air in her beloved plane, but it is a liason, courier plane, without any way for her to protect herself. Exhausted, she lands far from the base, facing yet another threat.
It is still at the end of a gun, but the one brandishing it is a boy stowaway, determined to get to family far from Poland. Working together, they plot their way to freedom, with one pistol, some stolen money and threadbare hopes. Kristina has stolen her plane after all and should be following air force directives…
A novel written for dyslexic or reluctant readers by a Carnegie Medal shortlisted author. White Eagles is a gripping snapshot into the Polish side of the conflict as it is assaulted by German forces. Then as the Polish try to flee, Russians invade from the east.
Female pilots were few in the 1st World War but as character Kristina portrays, women pilots were invaluable.
Targeted at teens due to gun violence.
November 17, 2019
I just knew that I had to read this as soon as I spotted it because I have loved all of Elizabeth Wein's other books and it is always great to see more of a spotlight being shone on women, specifically female pilots, during the war. This story is set in Poland in 1939 and follows Kristina and Leopold, two twins who are mad about flying so immediately sign up for the White Eagles, the Polish air force, as soon as war is declared. Kristina is called up straightaway, flying reconnaissance missions, while her brother joins later, flying combat missions.
Kristina's journey takes an unexpected turn when the German army takes over her home air base, executing many and she just manages to escape...then discovers that she has a stowaway, an eleven-year-old Jewish boy who is determined to reach his family in England and is prepared to do almost anything to get there.
This story is at times heartbreaking but always gripping. I loved Kristina and Leopold's competitiveness, underpinned by a deep love for each other and how Kristina and Julian's relationship develops with her first wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible and later beginning to care ore about him.
The historical notes afterwards really added to my experience of the book and this is sure to spark an interest in finding out more from any readers.
My only complaint is that it was over too soon - more please!
Kristina's journey takes an unexpected turn when the German army takes over her home air base, executing many and she just manages to escape...then discovers that she has a stowaway, an eleven-year-old Jewish boy who is determined to reach his family in England and is prepared to do almost anything to get there.
This story is at times heartbreaking but always gripping. I loved Kristina and Leopold's competitiveness, underpinned by a deep love for each other and how Kristina and Julian's relationship develops with her first wanting to get rid of him as soon as possible and later beginning to care ore about him.
The historical notes afterwards really added to my experience of the book and this is sure to spark an interest in finding out more from any readers.
My only complaint is that it was over too soon - more please!
August 3, 2020
‘Summer 1939. With Europe on the brink of war, eighteen-year-old Kristina Tomiak has been called up to join the White Eagles, Poland’s valiant air force. When the Nazis reach the town where she is based, Kristina makes a daring escape, but she doesn’t realise that she’s carrying a stowaway in her plane. Will Kristina be able to navigate the most challenging flight of her life and reach safety amid the turmoil of war?’
I loved this book.
I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Wein so I went into this book with high hopes. Thankfully it not only lived up to me expectations it well and truly surpassed them.
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I love a good historical fiction and Elizaeth Wein is the master in my opinion. I had never read anything about Polish pilots during the Second World War and I really enjoyed reading about a subject that was new to me.
I really loved the characters in this book. Kristina was such a wonderful character to journey with as was Julian, and I absolutely loved their relationship. Watching them grow independently and watching their relationship grow made for a truly wonderful reading experience.
On of the things I loved about this book was it was fascinating and full of information while still staying emotionally grounded. The emotions in this book radiated off the page and carried the story. I feel like I learnt a lot whilst reading this story, but what will stay with me long after the finally page is the emotions this story evoked and impact the characters had on me.
Elizabeth Wein has done a fantastic job with this book. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about it. The story was amazing, the setting was interesting, the characters were wonderful and the writing was utterly perfect.
White Eagles by Elizabeth Wein is a must read for all YA readers.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
I loved this book.
I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Wein so I went into this book with high hopes. Thankfully it not only lived up to me expectations it well and truly surpassed them.
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I love a good historical fiction and Elizaeth Wein is the master in my opinion. I had never read anything about Polish pilots during the Second World War and I really enjoyed reading about a subject that was new to me.
I really loved the characters in this book. Kristina was such a wonderful character to journey with as was Julian, and I absolutely loved their relationship. Watching them grow independently and watching their relationship grow made for a truly wonderful reading experience.
On of the things I loved about this book was it was fascinating and full of information while still staying emotionally grounded. The emotions in this book radiated off the page and carried the story. I feel like I learnt a lot whilst reading this story, but what will stay with me long after the finally page is the emotions this story evoked and impact the characters had on me.
Elizabeth Wein has done a fantastic job with this book. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about it. The story was amazing, the setting was interesting, the characters were wonderful and the writing was utterly perfect.
White Eagles by Elizabeth Wein is a must read for all YA readers.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
July 3, 2022
Once again Wein takes us into the untold stories of WWII women. In this short novel, she is inspired by real life Polish pilot Anna Leska to write this fictional story of Kristina Tomiak.
Kristina escapes Poland when the German's invade with an 11 year old stowaway in her plane. We follow as they cross Europe to reach France to meet her fellow Polish pilots.
As I read this I couldn't help but think about the current invasion of Ukraine. The author's note at the end, although not written at this time and so doesn't reference that directly, does talk about how what we learnt through WWII needs to be remembered. That there are still refugee camps in Europe and there is still humanity to be found.
Wein writes great characters with lots of action and you don't need to have read her other books to enjoy this one. It has also been designed specifically for reluctant and dyslexic readers 13+
Kristina escapes Poland when the German's invade with an 11 year old stowaway in her plane. We follow as they cross Europe to reach France to meet her fellow Polish pilots.
As I read this I couldn't help but think about the current invasion of Ukraine. The author's note at the end, although not written at this time and so doesn't reference that directly, does talk about how what we learnt through WWII needs to be remembered. That there are still refugee camps in Europe and there is still humanity to be found.
Wein writes great characters with lots of action and you don't need to have read her other books to enjoy this one. It has also been designed specifically for reluctant and dyslexic readers 13+
November 24, 2020
The only reason my rating for this book is kind of low is that I think perhaps I had different expectations for this going in. It’s possible that this is intended for much younger readers. I’ve read and enjoyed all of Elizabeth Wein’s other historical books but this one read much simpler and more surface level. It was an enormously quick read, took me just over an hour or so and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t grab me nearly at all the way her other books have. The characters and the plot were all surface level and underdeveloped. I think maybe it’s intended for middle grade readers? Either way, I love this author and many of her other books and I’ll be on the lookout for more of her in the future.
January 17, 2024
2⭐️
Poland, 1939 - A young female pilot and a Jewish stowaway set the scene for an action packed dash across war torn Poland in an attempt to reach France. This novel was pitched at younger teens and was perfect for this age range. Just enough detail to hook younger readers in, without being too overwhelming. Reading as an adult, I would have liked more detail and more time with the characters working on their development.
Poland, 1939 - A young female pilot and a Jewish stowaway set the scene for an action packed dash across war torn Poland in an attempt to reach France. This novel was pitched at younger teens and was perfect for this age range. Just enough detail to hook younger readers in, without being too overwhelming. Reading as an adult, I would have liked more detail and more time with the characters working on their development.
January 21, 2021
It moves through the story quickly, but still an enjoyable read. I like the epilogue that gives background to the real people who inspired the story and the strong female character. Suitable for young teenagers I would say.
March 17, 2021
Fast paced and kept my interest. The notes at end were especially interesting. The author done a great job at making me feel all the feelings. I was so proud of Julian and Kristina by the end of the short story.
Want to read
April 14, 2020it's elizabeth wein so duh I'm gonna read it
June 11, 2022
Good premise, interesting characters and a story that acts like a thriller, it keeps you turning the page. Certainly worth a look, this novel was a present surprise.
March 18, 2023
Excellent short story set in WWII from the Soviet perspective and featuring a young girl pilot. Good use of historical characters with a fictional twist.
May 8, 2023
So tragic but beautifully written, rip little guy.
December 14, 2023
I read this for school but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The ending felt rushed and (probably due to it being aimed at kids) the characters were underdeveloped but the plot was good.
May 20, 2024
Short, minimal details, but written with the warm heart E. Wein puts into all her books. I'm keen to read more about the women it's based on
April 24, 2022
"We should have gone to England last year," Julian said bitterly. "My father left it too late. But he knew what was coming -- I mean, we all knew, didn't we? Sort of."
"We didn't know it would be as bad as it is," Kristina said. She looked up at the sky as she leaned back to talk to him. "Even up until yesterday, we thought we'd be able to do something to stop the worst from happening. You don't believe the worst is going to happen until it's actually here."
This is a Barrington Stoke book aimed at dyslexic, struggling, or reluctant readers, so the writing is more simplistic, but Elizabeth Wein is a cracking storyteller no matter the format. I always come away from her books feeling like I've learnt something. I really enjoyed this story, but I didn't feel the same emotional connection that I did while reading Firebird, and I'm wondering if that's because this was written in third person POV? Similarly to Firebird, though, the sensationalist tagline on the cover felt slightly misleading... There was never any question of Kristina being a deserter?
OH AND I really wish there had been illustrations of the aeroplanes mentioned in this book! I googled them afterwards, of course, but when I'm caught up in a story I don't want to lose momentum by looking things up. A visual glossary at the back of the book would have been amazing -- also for things like the uniforms, badges, etc. Why don't more books do that??
May 6, 2023
In White Eagles, Wein turns her love of flying and stellar research skills to 1939 Poland, where war is on the doorstep. Kristina and her twin are both pilots, but it's Kristina who ends up flying across Europe with a stowaway in tow, trying to stay one step ahead of...well, just about everyone around them.
White Eagles is a hi-lo book—complex themes but simple language, suitable for teenagers who struggle with reading but want something up to their emotional level. I've read a handful of hi-lo books but only recently realized that Wein has written a few. I'm rating this largely in comparison to her other books, but even limited to a hundred or so pages and simpler language, she tells a killer story. I love, too, that she's doing something new here: I think she could have gotten away with pulling side characters from her other books and writing short novels about them, or even streamlining and simplifying some of her earlier books, but instead White Eagles is a whole new setting and grim set of truths. I moved on from this to Firebird, and I just have to hope that Wein will eventually let fly with a longer book set in Eastern Europe or the Soviet Union. In the meantime, these have been an unexpected pleasure to find.
White Eagles is a hi-lo book—complex themes but simple language, suitable for teenagers who struggle with reading but want something up to their emotional level. I've read a handful of hi-lo books but only recently realized that Wein has written a few. I'm rating this largely in comparison to her other books, but even limited to a hundred or so pages and simpler language, she tells a killer story. I love, too, that she's doing something new here: I think she could have gotten away with pulling side characters from her other books and writing short novels about them, or even streamlining and simplifying some of her earlier books, but instead White Eagles is a whole new setting and grim set of truths. I moved on from this to Firebird, and I just have to hope that Wein will eventually let fly with a longer book set in Eastern Europe or the Soviet Union. In the meantime, these have been an unexpected pleasure to find.
November 9, 2019
Like the majority of Elizabeth Wein`s books, this is about a female pilot in wartime- this one focuses on Kristina, a Polish pilot, as World War Two begins and she is forced to flee to safety, unwittingly smuggling a stowaway who was hiding in her plane. My favourite thing about this was definitely her relationship with Julian, because it`s so interesting and rather complex given the novella length, as well as really quite touching in places. I also enjoyed learning a bit more about Poland at this time since it`s not an area you see covered that often in books, Kristina herself as a character and the twists that come up- I feel like I can`t explain what I mean without giving them away but though this is more character-driven there`s some intrigue that kept me hooked too. I really need to give Code Name Verity another chance, because I have a feeling I`d enjoy it a lot more now 4/5
December 17, 2021
Could’ve benefitted from being longer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews