The Night Witch was a fearsome Soviet military unit during World War II. They were an all-female regiment of bomber pilots who flew daring night-time missions against the German forces. These brave women were known for their exceptional skill, bravery, and perseverance, and their actions played a crucial role in the eventual victory of the Soviet Union. The Night Witches were officially known as the 588th Night Bomber Regiment of the Soviet Air Forces. They operated primarily in the airspace of the Eastern Front, where they faced the fierce German Luftwaffe. What made the Night Witches unique was not only the gender of their pilots but also their choice of aircraft.
"Worthy of every magical ounce."—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review
The soft whooshing of the wind off the struts of a Night Witch jerry-rigged biplane bomber; described as the eerie sound of a witch s broom as it quietly glided in to drop its payload of bombs. Despite being the most highly decorated unit in the Soviet Air Force during the war, the Night Witches regiment was disbanded six months after the end of World War II.
What made the Night Witches unique was not only the gender of their pilots but also their choice of aircraft. The regiment mainly operated outdated Polikarpov Po-2 biplanes. These planes were slow, made mostly of wood and canvas, and had no defensive weaponry or sophisticated technology.
Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island) (Hardcover)
This is book number 1 in the Emblem Island series.
- #2: Curse of the Forgotten City (Emblem Island) (Hardcover): $16.99
Description
A fast-paced series starter steeped in Colombian mythology and full of adventure, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson. Filled with fantasy, action, adventure, and an unforgettable trio of friends.
A Seventeen.com Most Anticipated Book of Summer!
A Zibby Owens Summer Reading Pick on Good Morning America!
On Emblem Island all are born knowing their fate. Their lifelines show the course of their life and an emblem dictates how they will spend it.
Tor Luna was born with a leadership emblem, just like his mother. But he hates his mark and is determined to choose a different path for himself. So, on the annual New Year's Eve celebration, where Emblemites throw their wishes into a bonfire in the hopes of having them granted, Tor wishes for a different power.
The next morning Tor wakes up to discover a new marking on his skin…the symbol of a curse that has shortened his lifeline, giving him only a week before an untimely death. There is only one way to break the curse, and it requires a trip to the notorious Night Witch.
With only his village's terrifying, ancient stories as a guide, and his two friends Engle and Melda by his side, Tor must travel across unpredictable Emblem Island, filled with wicked creatures he only knows through myths, in a race against his dwindling lifeline.
You'll love Curse of the Night Witch if you're looking for:
Multicultural books for children (especially Latinx books)
Stories based on fascinating mythology
Your next favorite fantasy series
"Debut author Aster takes inspiration from Colombian folklore to craft a rousing series opener that's both fast-paced and thrilling. As her protagonists face off against a host of horrors, they learn the value of friendship and explore the possibility of changing one's fate in a world where destiny is predetermined."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
"Worthy of every magical ounce."—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review
About the Author
Alex Aster is an author and graduate of The University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing. The Emblem Island series is inspired by the Latin American myths her Colombian grandmother told her as a child before bedtime. She lives in New York. Explore the world of Emblem Island at www.asterverse.com.
Praise For…
"Named a Seventeen.com Most Anticipated Book of Summer!" — Seventeen.com
"Debut author Aster takes inspiration from Colombian folklore to craft a rousing series opener that’s both fast-paced and thrilling. As her protagonists face off against a host of horrors, they learn the value of friendship and explore the possibility of changing one’s fate in a world where destiny is predetermined." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Tightly paced… worthy of every magical ounce. What sets this series opener apart is the author’s exquisite use of real Latin American folktales to broaden her fiction, bolstering the particulars of the world she creates here." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Aster balances a fast-paced plot rife with hair-raising action and snippets of Emblem Island folklore, offering a story about sacrifice and risk-taking that's great for young mythology fans." — Booklist
"A great fast-paced, high stakes adventure" — MG Book Village
"After reading about Emblem Island: Curse of the Night Witch, we can agree there is no doubt Alex Aster has a bright career in front of her." — BE Latina
"A fast-paced island adventure with enough quirks to entice most young fantasy." — School Library Journal
- Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore
- Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure
- Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / Caribbean & Latin American
- Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic
- Juvenile Fiction / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
- Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Adolescence & Coming of Age
- Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Dragons, Unicorns & Mythical
- Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
- Paperback (April 27th, 2021): $7.99
After World War II, Soviet women were once again largely kept from combat roles and eventually the Night Witches’ achievements faded from memory until few people knew about them. But in February 2019, author Kate Quinn helped revive interest in the Night Witches when she published her novel The Huntress, in which one of the main characters, Nina Markova, becomes a Night Witch and fights the Germans.
However, these disadvantages turned out to be one of their greatest strengths. The Po-2s were very maneuverable and had an incredibly low stall speed, allowing the pilots to fly at low altitudes undetected, even when the enemy radar couldn't read them. The Night Witches would fly in groups of three to twelve aircraft, mostly during the cover of darkness. They would cut their engines and glide silently towards their targets. The element of surprise, combined with the quietness of their aircraft, struck fear into the hearts of German soldiers. The sound of the Po-2 gliding overhead earned the Night Witches their nickname, as it resembled the sound of a broomstick. Despite facing constant danger and intense opposition from the German anti-aircraft defenses, the Night Witches continued their missions with incredible determination. They dropped bombs and incendiary devices on enemy positions, railroads, supply depots, and communication lines. These missions disrupted the enemy's logistics and inflicted significant damage, forcing the Germans to divert their resources to repair and defend their positions. Throughout their service, the Night Witches flew over 30,000 missions and dropped over 23,000 tons of bombs on the German forces. Their astonishing success was due to the bravery, perseverance, and skill of the female pilots. The Night Witches would not back down, even when facing heavy fire or adverse weather conditions. Despite their losses, they continued to inspire and motivate their comrades by their unwavering determination and dedication. The Night Witches made a significant impact on the outcome of World War II. They showed the world that gender was not a limiting factor in the military, and that women were just as capable of being effective combatants. Their story serves as a reminder of the immense strength, courage, and resilience that can be found among humanity, even in the darkest of times. The legacy of the Night Witches lives on as an inspiration for future generations..
Reviews for "The Light Witch and Lunar Magic: Tapping into the Power of the Moon"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Night Witch". The plot was confusing and the characters were one-dimensional. The pacing was all over the place and it was hard to keep track of what was happening. The writing style was also underwhelming and lacked depth. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.
- John - 1 star - What a waste of time. I struggled to finish "The Night Witch" because it was just so boring. The story had so much potential, but it fell flat. The characters were lifeless and the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. The author's attempt at building suspense was unsuccessful, and I found myself growing more and more frustrated as I read on. Save yourself from the agony and skip this book.
- Emma - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Night Witch" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The writing was mediocre at best and the plot lacked originality. The characters were forgettable and didn't undergo any significant development. The pacing was off, with slow parts dragging on and abrupt jumps in the story. It felt like the author tried too hard to create tension without fully succeeding. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
- Alex - 3 stars - "The Night Witch" didn't quite live up to the hype for me. While the concept was interesting, the execution fell short. The writing style was somewhat engaging, but the plot was predictable. The characters were clichéd, and their motivations were unclear. The book had some intense moments, but they were overshadowed by the lack of depth in the overall story. I wouldn't call it a terrible book, but it didn't leave a lasting impression.