Genre: Historical fiction
Release date: November 10, 2026
My rating: 5
This post contains affiliate links that earn us a commission at no cost to you.
This helps to support the work of The Bookish Bulletin.
Shelly Sanders has done it again with The Night Witches! I love how she brings forgotten women in history to life, and this novel introduces readers to the remarkable real-life female aviators who helped defend the Soviet Union during World War II.
The story follows Marina Raskova as she creates the first female aviation regiments within the Red Army Air Force, bringing together women like Lina, Nadia, and Dunka, each with her own family circumstances, motivations, and personal struggles. Told from multiple perspectives, the novel gives us a glimpse into what drives these women to fight and the inner conflicts they faced along the way.
Some chapters begin by listing the number of sorties flown during a particular assault, and I was astounded by the figures. These women sometimes flew up to 18 missions in a single night! Learning how they strategically used the very slow planes they were given to carry out bombing missions gave me an even greater appreciation for their skill and bravery.
Having read Shelly Sanders’ previous title The Night Sparrow, I enjoyed the subtle connections between the two novels. While The Night Sparrow introduces women who fought as snipers, this one shines a light on the female pilots who took to the skies. Both highlight the courage and resilience of women serving in the Red Army, including Jewish woomen who faced the added challenge of hiding their faith.
I love that Shelly Sanders brings these real women's experiences to light, and I found myself looking up the historical figures after finishing the book. Their stories deserve to be remembered, and I highly recommend this novel to historical fiction fans!
Thank you to Shelley Sanders and HarperCollins Canada for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Or search for similar books here
More historical fiction you may enjoy:
