Hello everyone and welcome back to yet another review this week. This week will actually be packed with reviews here on The Bibliophagist. I have such a busy month but I promise to keep you all updated on my progress on the various things I am doing. I will be writing a #tidyathon post soon, discussing what I will be working on for that during this month.
I want to begin by thanking the Fantastic Flying Book Club for organizing this tour. I really love being a part of Fantastic Flying Book Club tours, they do a fantastic job organizing everything and are a joy to work with. Obviously, I am not the only stop on this tour so be sure to follow the other posts by clicking the image below.
This had been one of the books I knew I just had to read this year. There are so many amazing 2019 releases but this was for sure on my huge list. I was ecstatic when I learned that I was going to participate in the blog tour. I just had to read and review it…I was not disappointed.
We Rule the Night
Author: Claire Eliza Bartlett
Published: April 2nd, 2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Book Length: 400 Pages
Genre: Fantasy (YA)
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Buy the book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository (Use my referral ID: TheBibliophagist)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Seventeen-year-old Revna is a factory worker, manufacturing war machines for the Union of the North. When she’s caught using illegal magic, she fears being branded a traitor and imprisoned. Meanwhile, on the front lines, Linné defied her father, a Union general, and disguised herself as a boy to join the army. They’re both offered a reprieve from punishment if they use their magic in a special women’s military flight unit and undertake terrifying, deadly missions under cover of darkness. Revna and Linné can hardly stand to be in the same cockpit, but if they can’t fly together, and if they can’t find a way to fly well, the enemy’s superior firepower will destroy them–if they don’t destroy each other first.
We Rule the Night is a powerful story about sacrifice, complicated friendships, and survival despite impossible odds.
First things first…what a cover?!?! Isn’t this one stunning? I remember when he covers reveal went out and I stared at it picking out the small details. Having read the story, I now see their significance. The contrast of the dark background really allows for the lettering to shine and that gorgeous mechanical…well I don’t want to give it away so we will just jump ahead to learn about Claire.
About the Author
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Review
The summary is what really pulled me into this story. I mean, how can anyone not want to read about magic, especially forbidden magic. The cover caught my attention and the description is what made me stay. This was a very enjoyable story and I am so happy that I was given the chance to read it.
When I jumped into this book, I was a little put off at first. The beginning seemed a little slow but that was because the author was setting the world up, introducing us to the characters…setting the stage so to speak. The story quickly picks up though and for sure does not disappoint. And what a story it is, complete with incredibly strong female characters. Despite the blatant sexism and struggles they face, they stand tall and do what they must. I love that sexism is shown here in this book but it isn’t a small subplot, it becomes something the characters must overcome time and time again. Something that was very real in that time period and the author did a wonderful job showing that. One manifestation of this was when Linne was told women are a distraction to men and that is why they are not permitted to serve on the front lines, men need to concentrate and they can’t do that with women around. This is an excuse we still hear today regarding school dress codes. Women, or girls, are not permitted to wear short shorts, spaghetti strap tank tops, anything showing too much cleavage, etc. All of this is because they feel it is too distracting to the male students and school is a place to focus on learning. Anyway…not only is sexism a huge theme here but disabilities are as well. Revna has prosthetic legs and she shows, time and time again, that she is not defined by her disability. I really love that this book covers two huge topics but entwines them in an engaging and enjoyable tale.
I will say that I was expecting more magic in this story but it simply wasn’t there. Instead, we are given a war-time story where the machines aren’t tanks but living metal machines powered by magic. The concept of living metal is something I’ve never encountered or thought about before but it is fantastic. I’d love to say more but I don’t want to give away too much so you just have to read this story for yourself.
The writing style was fun and I enjoyed the dual POV. We get to see the story from the perspectives of Revna and Linne. I really loved both of these characters, one more than the other at times. All of the names in this book sound Russian which makes sense since the story is based on Soviet women that flew outdated planes to the front lines of combat, bombing German forces. These women were known as the Night Witches because they would fly in during the cover of darkness and bombard enemy troops, the same way Linne, Revna, and the rest of their female companions did.
Linne: Linne, she is incredibly strong, the perfect soldier. She follows her orders…well most of the time…and takes her place as a leader. She tries to help her fellow female soldiers despite their hatred of her. She only wants what is best for them, almost mom-like. We see from her internal thoughts that she wants to be known for being herself, not her father’s daughter. She wants to aid in the war as anyone else. She is closed off and her sole purpose is to be a good soldier, she doesn’t feel she connects with the other well.
Revna: Revna…sweet Revna, she is the polar opposite of Linne. I love how she is strong in a different way. She never lets her prosthetics become her identity. She would rather walk than use a wheelchair but some forced her to sit in one regularly. She doesn’t accept the help of others with basic things that she can manage. Revna hates when people assume she is not capable of something and I love that about her because it is so true. She is the only one in their regime willing to give Linne a chance, despite her foul attitude.
Tannov: I liked him initially but that relationship quickly soured. He does anything he is ordered too and is not above sexism himself. He just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I’m not fond of him.
I really loved Revna and Linne, they might be polar opposites but they are both strong in their own way, overcoming odds even men never have. They come from different backgrounds but find they face many of the same challenges and the biggest one being proving themselves time and time again to the men above their station.
The world here is beautiful but war-torn. The imagery was well written, giving enough information without going into unnecessary details. I could visualize the mountain as Revna and Linne climbed it, I could smell the smoke of the burning towns. The author brings us back in time to a period of war and sadness but gives us just a little bit of magic and a lot of perseverance.
I think another one of my favorite aspects of this book was that everyone was always drinking tea. I love tea, I’m actually drinking some now as I type this…tea break. Ok, I’m back. This story was so well written that when the characters found themselves in danger, I could feel the urgency and their sense of fear. I was essentially put right in the war beside them. It does take a while for the action to really start and for the pace to pick up, but it is worth it in my opinion. If you can read through the gossip and arguing while training, you will not be disappointed. Living metal that retains emotions…what a unique concept. If you are looking for a novel that explores deeper messages dealing with sexism and disabilities, one that pulls at your emotions or takes you on a war journey with hints of magic…this is a good book for you.
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