Genre: historical fiction
Secondary genre: military
Format read: hard copy
Rep: Russian, women in combat, synethesia
CW: violence
Rating:

Another book that was on my TBR for far too long, I finally got a chance to read this one during the move. It follows Valka, a young pilot in Russia at the start of WWII. When the government decides to form a women’s air corps, she rushes to sign up, taking her cousin and navigator, Iskra, with her.

Instead of joining the elite ranks of the fighter pilots, however, the girls are sent to the lowliest posting, that of the night bombers. Assigned the least amount of support, the worst planes, and some of the most dangerous missions, the women of the 588th must prevent the Germans from crossing further into Russian territory.

Told through first person prose and letters to and from her best friends, Pasha (drafted and stationed at the front), Among the Red Stars is a detailed, highly researched look at a seldom recognized view of the war. Not only does it show the Russian side of things (which doesn’t usually make it to American markets), but it also shows the role of women in combat.

If you are a fan of WWII narratives that focus more on action and less on romance, then this is a good one to pick up.