Review: Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz

Among the Red Stars is one of those books that held my heart in the palm of its hand. Talk about a book that I needed to figure out the ending. I was warring between skipping to the end to put my heart out of its agony, and wanting to savor the story.

Summary

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.

Review

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

There is no way that Among the Red Stars did not capture my heart. The characters in this story could have ripped my heart strings out. They were characters that felt tangible to the touch and they demanded my loyalty. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, so I was pretty sure I’d love Among the Red Stars, but I wasn’t prepared for how much. It is a book that will move you, whether with its portrayal of war, the romance, or these girls that deal with adversity, challenges, and prejudice.

Characters

I adored Valka and her spirit from the very line of dialogue she had. Valka is passionate, brave, spirited, and determined. She’s like a bright burning spark. I want to get into trouble with her and have her beside me laughing. Whereas when I first met Pasha I wanted to protect him from everything in this world. And don’t get me started on the little things I adored about all the other side characters.

Part of what kept me reading was that I had to know what was going to happen to Valka and Pasha. They bewitched me and I had to keep reading to know if they would survive, unscathed, forever changed, or not. And as someone who relishes sleep, that’s a big compliment. But it’s part of the strength of Among the Red Stars that it just takes over your heart so completely.

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction, historically has been one of my favorite genres. Yes I had to make that awful pun. I’m sorry. But I think that Among the Red Stars is such a unique and compelling story. Not only is it based on a true story, but Katz does not paint us a one sided black and white portrait of history. There are ‘traitors’ and betrayals, tests and prejudice.

Whether it be the seasoned female soldiers who had to fight tooth and nail to be in the army worried about these new girls, or the fact that these girls don’t want to be “good for girls”. Or how these character’s lives are touched, in various ways, by a society that arrests civilians for being in the wrong place at the wrong time or telling the truth.

Overall,

Among the Red Stars is a thoughtful portrayal of a charged moment in time. It’s a book where you can feel the fire on its wings, the tension in your bones, and the fear in your veins. But at the same time it’s a story about friendship, taking chances, and disobeying orders because they’re wrong. It’s a story about leaving our home and coming back a completely new person. Growing into new experiences, fears, and strengths. And above all, it’s a story of these heroic women who fought against the odds in the air and on the ground.

Find Among the Red Stars on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.

Discussion

Have you ever flown on a plane? What’s been some of your best experiences?

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