The Huntress

Any time Kate Quinn writes a book, I grab it immediately. Her characters are always amazing women doing amazing things. This one is, I think, her best.

The character of Nina is possibly the most interesting single character I have ever read about. I can’t describe Nina as words just fail me. I will never forget her. Nor will I forget the evil huntress either. 

This is World War II historical fiction at its absolute best, as Ms. Quinn does super solid research.

Great historical fiction is meticulously researched, and really great historical fiction is also fun to read.

All of Kate Quinn’s books are excellent but this one is pretty close to a time machine that scoops you up and takes you to the famous Soviet all-female bomber aviation unit known as the Night Witches. Quinn brings to life a world where women were true military heroes.

And if that’s not enticing enough, the stories of the Night Witches are wrapped up in an exciting thriller that incorporates a hunt for a Nazi war criminal. 

From a small office in Mariahilferstrasse, former reporter turned Nazi hunter Ian Graham exercises the war’s demons by narrowing his gaze on infamous war criminal Die Jägerin. While the action eventually moves to America in a cat and mouse chase.  Ian’s time in the occupied city, a side trip to Salzburg, and even a trip up the famous Riesenrad ferris-wheel are highlights of this atmospheric historical read proving that the shadows of Hitler’s Vienna and leftover Nazi sympathizers can be found under every uprooted cobblestone. 

Kate Quinn is one of the best historical fiction authors out there. The Huntress strings together three engrossing storylines that all converge at the end. It’s a cat and mouse game––a Nazi war criminal being hunted by those whose lives she irreparably damaged. My favorite character, Nina Markova, is a Russian female bomber pilot who is as fearless and feisty as they come. A fascinating, terrifying, and astounding novel, this one has it all.