*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.
Title: Stateless
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Rating: ★★★★★
Stateless tells the story of
the Circuit Of Nations Olympics Of The Air, Europe’s first youth air race
taking place in August 1937. Although this air race is fictional, it pays
tribute to the air races during the ‘Golden Age Of Flying’ in the 1920s and
30s. Our protagonist Stella North is seventeen years old and the only female
competitor in the race so she is determined to prove her skill as a female
pilot. Stella is representing Great Britain although she is technically ‘stateless’
since fleeing her native Russia as a toddler as part of the exiled
aristocracy. On the first leg of the race, as she crosses the English Channel, Stella
is witness to a horrifying attack when a fellow contestant’s plane is forced
out of the air and crash lands. Although the accident is ruled accidental, Stella
and the other pilots launch an investigation of their own, trying to determine
if it truly was an accident or if it was actually a premeditated attack which
leaves them all in danger.
Elizabeth Wein is
one of my standout authors of young adult historical fiction so I had high
expectations for her latest novel Stateless and it certainly did not disappoint.
The fast-paced gripping murder mystery plot is perfectly executed through the
captivating storytelling she has become known for and it had me on my toes
throughout my entire read. The frequent twists and turns made it nearly
impossible to put the book down and even made me audibly gasp at one point.
The narrative is
split into multiple parts, each focusing on an individual leg of the race and
taking us right across Europe. We’re given a map of the race route at the
beginning of the novel and this was such a nice touch; there really is a
special place in my heart for books containing maps.
Stateless provides a really
interesting commentary on the politics and international relations of Europe
during in the inter-war period, particularly at the time where Europe found
itself on the brink of another war. The narrative explores the international
understanding of what was going on in Germany under Nazi rule, including the
rise of antisemitism, the work of the Gestapo and the opening of the first
concentration camps. Through the character of Sebastian, the German competitor
and a Luftwaffe pilot, we also get an insight into how Nazi Germany used
propaganda to deceive the German population as, prior to meeting the other pilots,
he has no idea about the German involvement in the bombing of Guernica during the
Spanish Civil War.
As with all novels
by Elizabeth Wein, Stateless was clearly meticulously researched and
history is seamlessly woven into the story. I particularly liked the little
nods to lesser-known historical elements within the story such as Nansen
passports and the 1930s Hamburg music scene.
The emotive description
of Stella’s experience flying directly over the battlefields of the Great War,
where the outline of the trenches remained visible as a reminder of what
happened there and how recently, was truly moving. The quote “This broken
landscape, these thousands upon thousands of ghosts, were our vivid reminder of
what happens when there is no peace.” was particularly brilliant.
The growing
friendships and camaraderie between the young pilots was fantastically written.
However,
one of my biggest gripes with the book is the small detail of the physical description
of the Swiss pilot competing in the race. He is described as having “acne-ravaged
skin” and that is the extent of the description we really get of his appearance.
I’m passionate that acne should not be used as a negative appearance descriptor
full stop as people, fictional or otherwise, are more than the appearance of
their skin, so this was a disappointing thing to see in the story.
Throughout Stateless
we have a beautiful slowburn will they or won’t they romance between Stella
and Tony, although it was nice to see this included as a small supporting plot
line rather than becoming the sole focus of the story, like romances can in
some historical fiction works. It did seem to hint at times towards a love
triangle between the two of them and Sebastian but this never went anywhere and
I have to admit I was a tad disappointed. I did find myself charmed by the German
pilot and I felt it would have added another layer to Stella’s inner conflict surrounding
trusting someone who is meant to be the enemy.
One aspect of the
narrative I didn’t enjoy was the repeated use of chapter changes mid-way
through a conversation between characters. There seemed to be very little point
to this and it broke the flow of the dialogue. I did also grow incredibly tired
of hearing the phrase “hell’s bells” but I do appreciate that it was a commonly
used phrase during the early twentieth century.
The ending of the
story does open up to a potential sequel and I think it would be really
interesting to return to the characters later down the line, particularly
during the Second World War. I for one don’t feel ready to part with any of the
characters from Stateless so would welcome a second novel with open
arms.
Overall, Stateless is a powerful and incredibly gripping piece of historical fiction which has truly cemented Elizabeth Wein’s reign as queen of young adult historical fiction. It really has potential to be the best historical fiction book of 2023.
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