Books I've Read: Stateless

I've been a fan of Elizabeth Wein since reading Code Name Verity many, many years ago.  So I jumped at the chance to read this one when I saw it at the library.

Set in 1937, just ahead of World War II, the book follows a group of European pilots as they race across Europe.  With the political situation in many of the countries they visit uncertain or unsettled, these pilots face danger both in and out of the sky.

Stella North is Britain's pilot and the only woman taking part in the race.  Not only does she have to prove she is as good as the boys, as a Russian national who escaped the Revolution, she has to prove she's British too - and keep the fact she doesn't have a British passport a secret.

When a pilot goes missing on the very first leg of the journey and Stella thinks she may have witnessed what happened, the flight promoting peace takes on a sinister slant.  And as more accidents and near misses start piling up, it becomes increasingly difficult for Stella to trust anyone around her.  Even more so once she begins delving into the various pasts of her competition and it becomes clear that almost all of them have some violent event in their past.

Yet even with his history of violence painted across his skin, Stella can't help but be intrigued by the pilot flying for France.  The pilot who speaks English with an American accent, fluent Spanish and German and virtually no French.  Could he be the one behind the mishaps plaguing the competition?

I enjoyed this book because of Stella.  She's a spunky, driven and whip-smart heroine and won't let anything or anyone stand in her way.  But she's still a young woman and despite being in competition with men, she doesn't try to act like one.  I also liked the fact it was set before the War, at a time when much of Europe was in a state of political unrest with the Nazis rising in power,  the Spanish Civil War raging and the fascist regime in Italy just beginning.  It's a fascinating look at the various forces that led to WWII breaking out.

So I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, particularly fans of aviation.  The descriptions of flight and flying in these vintage aircraft is excellent.

But don't just listen to me.  Here's the blurb:

A murder mystery set in 1937 Europe with intrigue, glamour, secrets, and betrayal.

When Stella North is chosen to represent Britain in Europe’s first air race for young people, she knows all too well how high the stakes are. As the only participating female pilot, it’ll be a constant challenge to prove she’s a worthy competitor. But promoting peace in Europe feels empty to Stella when civil war is raging in Spain and the Nazis are gaining power—and when, right from the start, someone resorts to cutthroat sabotage to get ahead of the competition.

The world is looking for inspiration in what’s meant to be a friendly sporting event. But each of the racers is hiding a turbulent and violent past, and any one of them might be capable of murder…including Stella herself.