https://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2024/02/2024024-black-dove-white-raven.html ( )

Rose under Firs is still my favorite, but this one is excellent also. ( )

4.5 stars
Advance copy provided by Netgalley
Wow. I loved this. I adored [b:Code Name Verity|11925514|Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1)|Elizabeth Wein|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388161911s/11925514.jpg|16885788], but this was really good too. It's hard to compare the two, except the obvious similarity of having main characters who are pilots.
The Ethiopian setting was fascinating, and before reading it, I knew nothing about the piece of history depicted—the Italo-Ethiopian war of 1935-1936, and the years leading up to it.
The story poked along for a while before picking up speed, but I was interested enough in the setting and descriptions that I didn't mind. I liked how it was told, as a series of flight logs, homework assignments, stories and letters. The voices of Teo and Em became more distinct as the story unfolded. These characters cope with the harder aspects of their lives by telling stories and identifying with the stories' heroes. I liked this quote toward the end of the book as they were starting to draw on their own strengths

I'm not going to stop making up stories. But I'm thinking they are not always a maze to get lost in so you can run away from real life. They can just as well be maps to help you navigate.

The author's notes at the end shouldn't be missed—lots of good info about who the characters were based on (if anyone) and which parts of the story were based on actual events. Really interesting. ( )

I had high hopes for this book after reading Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire. This book was a struggle to get through for me. ( )

Fascinating book with high adventure -- I always learn so much about history with Elizabeth Wein. This time it's branstorming women pilots, race relations just before the 2nd world war, and the history of Ethiopia. I had no idea how pivotal Italy's aggression on Ethiopia was to the set up for WWII, or how valiantly defended. The story's solid, characters are winning, and it's a fabulously crafted tale. ( )