A novel—inspired by the most celebrated regiment in the Red Army—about a woman’s sacrifice, courage, and love in a time of war.Russia, 1941. Katya Ivanova is a young pilot in a far-flung military academy in the Ural Mountains. From childhood, she’s dreamed of taking to the skies to escape her bleak mountain life. With the Nazis on the march across Europe, she is called on to use her wings to … her wings to serve her country in its darkest hour. Not even the entreaties of her new husband—a sensitive artist who fears for her safety—can dissuade her from doing her part as a proud daughter of Russia.
After years of arduous training, Katya is assigned to the 588th Night Bomber Regiment—one of the only Soviet air units composed entirely of women. The Germans quickly learn to fear nocturnal raids by the daring fliers they call “Night Witches.” But the brutal campaign will exact a bitter toll on Katya and her sisters-in-arms. When the smoke of war clears, nothing will ever be the same—and one of Russia’s most decorated military heroines will face the most agonizing choice of all.
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A lively and stirring tale of the brave vanguard of women pilots fighting for Russia and, as often, for respect from their male counterparts. My heart was in my throat as our heroine, Katya, took to the skies to live her dream and risk her life. As enthralled as I was by this dive into social and military history, it was the humanity of Daughters of the Night Sky that won me over: comrades, lovers, and families swept up and torn apart by war. Runyon delivers a well-paced and heartfelt story that fans of WW II novels should not miss.
I enjoyed this book club choice and gave it 4 stars.
I learned some things that I didn’t know of the Night Witches, the Russian woman pilots. It was not an easy task being a woman in the military during the war, as it is still the truth now for woman. This is a part of history that we do not learn in our history classes in high school. While it is still fiction, it gives an idea of what happened to these Russian pilots and how it affect their lives forever.
The story is one of adventure with suspense as the woman flew with their woman navigators over the German barracks, bombing wherever they could with the most impact. The Germans quickly caught on to them and would retaliate with gunfire. They would fly in low and then have to restart their planes to fly back to the barracks. Timing and expertise were the key, but some missions failed. This is also a story of love between Katia and her pilot husband, Vanya, and the strains of war on their relationship.
The story explores behind the scenes at the training camps and the tragedies of war and the loss of fellow soldiers and the effect on the troops.
I recommend this book, it is a fast pace easy read!
Daughters of the Night Sky was everything I love about historical fiction. Runyan crafts the perfect balance between plot, characters, and setting all while educating the reader in an unknown part of women’s history. At once compelling, tragic, and uplifting, this is one that I will not soon forget. I will eagerly follow the author’s past and future novels.
Aimie Runyan does an excellent job of building very believable scenarios depicting a era she could not possibly have experienced first hand. The whole thing was so believable and true to known fact and my experiences from the male side of the camaraderie of military people that I was taken somewhat aback to learn that the entire thing was absolute fiction and not thinly veiled memoir.
But it, read it. You’ll thank me for the recommendation and Ms. Runyan for the story.
A beautiful story of respect, love and determination; as we enter in to the battle between Russia and Germany during World War II.
A group of women earn spots to become pilots after much dissension from the world regarding ladies fighting.on the front line.
Training is severe, but these women want to be equal and perfect in all ways.
This novel is not without sadness and loss, but this story tells a beautiful tale. The descriptions of flying in the night, the fear and exhilaration as they learn to respect, trust and let go as time goes on.
“”Bound by duty, and honor.”
I loved these ladies! Well done!
A fascinating look at a group of women who are too often overlooked in their contribution during a horrible time in history.
Okay, I admit I am a little odd. I love to read about WWII and I am an aviation fan. I am also an admirer of women who were not afraid to fight for what they believed in. The “Night Witches” as they were called were Russian aviatrix who flew slow, bi-planes over the German army and hand dropped bombs on them. This book is well written and tells their story. Yes it is a novel, but it is still true to what these women did. It shows their courage and camaraderie. Well worth the read.
Once in a while you read a book that leaves your heart swelling in a beautiful way, Daughters of the Night Sky is one of these books. not knowing where the journey was taking me I fell in love with each character and situation these amazing women were showing us on each page.
Daughters of the night sky it’s the story of some of the most courageous women I’ve ever read on the history of war. The night’s witches were a team of wonderful women who wanted to serve their country and fought intensely to achieve this. they were magnificent pilots who were put to at test constantly just for the simple fact to be a woman. no one suffered more than them because not only they had to fight the enemy they also had to fight for a place in their dreams.
Katya was just breathtaking it is so pleasant to encounter a strong heroine like her, who fought hard for her dreams and helped all of her teammates and even people who were suffering and were from the enemy side. she was kind, empathic, and respectful, I love how her teammates respect her and look at her at all times. even the high ranked commanders respect her and listen to whatever she had to say. at first, men laugh and try to sabotage their dreams but Katya never gave up and show at all times she was more qualified than many of those men.
Katya’s dreamed of flying all over the skies, she constantly had to fight the negatives her family and teacher gave her at first, she always wanted to do this but they keep trying to stop her. her mother believed in her and helped her to achieve this.
Katya left to serve her country never knowing she was about to meet many people who will change her life even the love of her life Vanya, the love of Katya and Vanya was so beautiful since the very first moment they met, he was always a gentleman, I love how he took care of her no matter where he was, it was so refreshing to read the story of this two.. for me it was my favorite part of the story.
The secondary characters were amazing, so many great women who were so important for Katya’s journey, her mother was one of them, her friends and sisters at the war Taisiya, Oksana, Sofia, Polina, and Renata were amazing, I really love her unity and how much they support each other.
Favorite “funny” moment, when they received their uniforms, at first I was kind of laughing at the description but then I realized how sad it was that they didn’t even get their own uniforms, they were not taken seriously and they wanted to made them fail at all costs.
The only thing I didn’t like was the ending, I cried sooooo much, my heart broke so many times for Katya, she really deserved so much more after all she was a very kind person and I really felt she deserved a better ending. I wish the epilogue had a happy moment for her.
Like the authors note said, We dismiss women when it comes to jobs that were “designed” for men, we constantly hear stories of heroes but they never mention all those women who were pilots, nurses, or even war heroines who fought as hard as fearless as many.. it is as if in the war we didn’t exist and we didn’t contribute to the cause.. but here we have The Story of The Night Witches a group of women who deserve more recognition than many of their comrades but never received any of it. so I’m happy that I read this book and about them, I’m glad now I know about these strong goddesses.
To all the people who wrote a one-star review because your history accuracy wasn’t met, let me tell you one thing>>>>> YOU DIDN”T UNDERSTAND the message of the story……….
Overall a standing ovation for this book, for the story, and for the amazing heroines of the war.
This was an incredible story of the female pilots of Russia!
There was minor cussing and a few romantic scenes I chose to skip, so I don’t know how intimate they became, but I prefer sweet romance. I didn’t feel the story lost anything by not listening to them.
The ending was a bit abrupt and I wished it could have gone on much longer with the story after the war! The narration was excellent (as far as my lack of knowledge of Russian accents)! The story was wonderfully engaging and thought provoking! I know so little of of this segment of history! I love the role of women in the military regardless of the country! I feel a camaraderie with military women especially because of my own service in the US Navy. Thank you for telling their story!
This was a great read. The characters were good and the storyline was fantastic. You will be in awe of what these ladies endured for their country
It was a book related to WWII, which I greatly enjoyed!
Exceptional Story!
I’ve read stories of Jews vs Nazis, English vs Nazis, French vs Nazis, Americans vs Nazis, but never one from the Russians’ point of view.
Historically correct from one of the few Soviet women pilot’s point of view, we experience the hardships of not only the war, but of proving that women can serve as well as men; and this has to be done by the women being stronger, more diligent, sometimes more stoic, more ingenious, and always-always on guard.
Sexual situations – in loving context
Some strong language
Emotional but never ever sappy.
Highly highly highly recommended.
Found this book very interesting. I learned about Russian female during WW2. It brought to light the hardships & bravery of these women.
This was historical fiction at its best! Daughters of the Night Sky was a phenomenal story about Russian female pilots during World War II. It was entertaining, engaging, and informative.
Once you start reading this book, you will not want to put it down because you become so completely enthralled in their lives and well being. As each bombing mission was undertaken, I found myself reading at a faster pace hoping lives and loved ones would not be lost. But that, unfortunately, was not the case. The author realistically depicted the horrors of war and the loss of lives. As these brave aviators lost some of their sisters in arms, they became more determined to fight with bravery and resiliency knowing weakness was not an option.
This was a well written, thoroughly researched book and gave voice to a group of brave, dedicated women who rightfully deserve the same recognition in history textbooks as their male counterparts have been given.
This book told the story of a group of women pilots that I had never heard about. Very interesting and informative.
This was a period of Russian history that I was not aware of. The “Night Witches” were the women who flew planes into battle against Germany and their trials and tribulations breaking into a man’s domain. This book has been compared to The Nightingale which I gave 5 stars. This I give 4 stars because I think it lacked the emotional impact. It was a love story in part but mostly the friendships of the lady pilots and what they had to endure.
This novel was inspired by the Red Army female pilots during WWII. The Soviet Union was the first nation to allow female pilots to fly combat missions. This novel follows the beginnings of this regiment through the end of the war. The regiment flew 30,000 missions during four years of fighting. The characters are well developed and the plot shows how female pilots had to be tough and driven.
I had no idea Russia had female pilots during WW1, yet held them back at every turn. They were given the worst equipment, targets, living quarters, clothing, and yet they out shined their male counterparts at every turn.
This was a wonderfully written book and I would recommend it to anyone with a love of flying, especially contraptions like ultra lights, bi wings, and WWI era planes.
The story of the Russian women pilots in WWII who were allowed to fly sorties harassing the Nazi troops. Very few supplies of any kind, poor equipment, but these women persevered through horrible conditions. A great story of the human spirit facing and going through terrible times—but being persistent through all.
One of the best WW11 novels I have read Beautifully written about the Russian women pilots who flew at night in Germany shooting the Nazi planes down. Also a love story between one of the pilots and her Russian husband who is also in the war.