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Crucible
Katrina Safronova, along with a handful of other woman fighter pilots,
find themselves assigned to a squadron led by a Soviet Air Force commander who has rejected women pilots before. A veteran pilot, wounded at the battle of Stalingrad she must again prove her valor against relentless German forces. As Katrina leads her flight of women pilots on dangerous missions, she’s immersed in vicious aerial combat where no mercy is ever given. Set during the fall and winter of 1943 to 1944 above the Southwest Soviet Union, Katrina takes part in engagements from the Soviet retaking of Kharkov to the battle of the Korsun Pocket. When her senior officer professes his love for her she believes love amid combat must end tragically.
find themselves assigned to a squadron led by a Soviet Air Force commander who has rejected women pilots before. A veteran pilot, wounded at the battle of Stalingrad she must again prove her valor against relentless German forces. As Katrina leads her flight of women pilots on dangerous missions, she’s immersed in vicious aerial combat where no mercy is ever given. Set during the fall and winter of 1943 to 1944 above the Southwest Soviet Union, Katrina takes part in engagements from the Soviet retaking of Kharkov to the battle of the Korsun Pocket. When her senior officer professes his love for her she believes love amid combat must end tragically.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 8, 2025
The second of the trilogy by my very own uncle! This one is about the female Russian fighter pilots of WWII. They were awesome! I did not know their story and my uncle brings them to life in this book chronicling the wartime contributions of Katrina Safronova and a handful of her cohorts. You don't need to know a lot about WWII to enjoy this book. There is no shortage of air fights that a lay person will find exciting. There's even a bit of romance thrown in, if that's your thing. Something for everyone! You don't need to have read the first book, Cauldron, to enjoy this one, but of course I do recommend it.
June 4, 2025
Kruse bring to light and life the little-known squadron of female fighter pilots that were a matter of fact in Soviet World War II – the night witches.
In the dramatic companion piece and sequel to his blistering novel, Cauldron, set on the Russian front, Commander Katrina Safronova must face the toughest battle of them all – believing there is something to live for, after pledging her soul to save her country.
Both novels begin in the air to show their heroes know their jobs well. Combat pilots are a special breed of warriors, needing to be on alert for danger from any quarter, whether enemy or debris, outside, or aircraft malfunction, or mental state of the pilot and crew. It’s an exhausting job, and in war with continuous operations, they get little opportunity to rest. Sleep and provision deprivation, let alone lack of privacy, takes a toll. Katrina and her fellows arrive on the front after the Battle of Stalingrad, expecting to be harassed as female pilots. Katrina is surprised instead to meet Captain Pyotr Gorbumov who is instead respectful of their service and works to promote their much-needed service to the unit that’s taken heavy losses. As Pyotr and Katrina work more closely with each other, their mutual respect and relationship grows.
As with Cauldron, the author’s command of Soviet-era language and cultural detail is lovingly reproduced, as well as military and personnel historical records.
Lovers of military history, particularly of World War II and the Soviet front will love these breathtaking stories.
In the dramatic companion piece and sequel to his blistering novel, Cauldron, set on the Russian front, Commander Katrina Safronova must face the toughest battle of them all – believing there is something to live for, after pledging her soul to save her country.
Both novels begin in the air to show their heroes know their jobs well. Combat pilots are a special breed of warriors, needing to be on alert for danger from any quarter, whether enemy or debris, outside, or aircraft malfunction, or mental state of the pilot and crew. It’s an exhausting job, and in war with continuous operations, they get little opportunity to rest. Sleep and provision deprivation, let alone lack of privacy, takes a toll. Katrina and her fellows arrive on the front after the Battle of Stalingrad, expecting to be harassed as female pilots. Katrina is surprised instead to meet Captain Pyotr Gorbumov who is instead respectful of their service and works to promote their much-needed service to the unit that’s taken heavy losses. As Pyotr and Katrina work more closely with each other, their mutual respect and relationship grows.
As with Cauldron, the author’s command of Soviet-era language and cultural detail is lovingly reproduced, as well as military and personnel historical records.
Lovers of military history, particularly of World War II and the Soviet front will love these breathtaking stories.
September 23, 2024
Katya is a tough, experienced fighter pilot in WWII. She has built a fortress around her heart to avoid the pain of losing friends. Then she meets Pytor. He does all he can to be more than a friend. Katya again tells herself she can't let him in. This love story unfolds during the intense aerial combat in the Soviet Union during late 1943 and early 1944. The characters come to life through personal interaction and vivid descriptions of dog fights. Maybe a little longer than necessary, but Kruse avoided the usual ending to a Russian story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews