What do you think?
Rate this book
Special Operations #1
Dogfight
NORWAY, OCTOBER 1940
Norway, a country invaded by the Nazis. Finn Gunnersen and best friend, Loki Larson, are determined to fight back. Joining the Resistance, they risk arrest, torture and execution. They also don't know who to trust.
When vital secrets fall into their hands and the enemy is in hot pursuit, they must escape. But to succeed they face their greatest deadly challenge - how to steal an enemy plane and fly it to freedom. Can two boys take on the might of the Nazi power?
Norway, a country invaded by the Nazis. Finn Gunnersen and best friend, Loki Larson, are determined to fight back. Joining the Resistance, they risk arrest, torture and execution. They also don't know who to trust.
When vital secrets fall into their hands and the enemy is in hot pursuit, they must escape. But to succeed they face their greatest deadly challenge - how to steal an enemy plane and fly it to freedom. Can two boys take on the might of the Nazi power?
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2008
4 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Craig Simpson
42 books9 followersA writer of action thrillers and adventures, mostly WWII inspired by secret agents of the SOE. My first book, "Resistance" (2007) was short-listed for the Branford-Boase Award, and my highly-acclaimed award-winning Special Operations Series (4 titles) has been followed by various short-format illustrated EDGE titles for Franklin Watts (Hachette). I am currently working on a swashbuckling novel set during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 14, 2015
Author: Craig Simpson
Published: 07/02/2008
I received this book for free through GoodReads FirstReads competitions.
This book is the first in the Special Operation series, and what a start to the series it is! This novel is set in 1940 in Norway when the country has been invaded by the Nazis and taken over. However best friends Finn and Loki (both only 15 years old) are determined to fight back against it. The two boys must take on the might of the Nazi's and succeed in steal an enemies plane to fly to freedom.
This book was very well written and described by the author making all of the scenes seem realistic and like you are right there in the action with them trying to escape. This is the first book I have read by Craig Simpson and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. When a book says that it is about the Second World War they are mostly about either Britain or Germany so it is refreshing to find that this one is set in Norway, it makes it more unique. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy action adventures set during the Second World War. It kept hold of my attention right until the end, it wasn't weighed down with lots of technical words, it held a good pace throughout.
Published: 07/02/2008
I received this book for free through GoodReads FirstReads competitions.
This book is the first in the Special Operation series, and what a start to the series it is! This novel is set in 1940 in Norway when the country has been invaded by the Nazis and taken over. However best friends Finn and Loki (both only 15 years old) are determined to fight back against it. The two boys must take on the might of the Nazi's and succeed in steal an enemies plane to fly to freedom.
This book was very well written and described by the author making all of the scenes seem realistic and like you are right there in the action with them trying to escape. This is the first book I have read by Craig Simpson and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. When a book says that it is about the Second World War they are mostly about either Britain or Germany so it is refreshing to find that this one is set in Norway, it makes it more unique. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy action adventures set during the Second World War. It kept hold of my attention right until the end, it wasn't weighed down with lots of technical words, it held a good pace throughout.
October 26, 2014
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Quite often novels concerning the Second World War are assumed to be about Great Britain, Germany or life in concentration camps. However, first in series Special Operations: Dogfight by Craig Simpson is set in Norway in 1940 where Nazi’s have invaded.
The story is about fifteen-year-old Finn Gunnersen and his best friend Loki whose families are deeply involved with the resistance. Although they are still young boys, Finn and Loki end up playing an enormous role. Finn survives imprisonment and goes on to help a British Agent who has parachuted into Norway. As well as being a brilliant piece of historical fiction, this novel turns out to be an exciting thriller for teenagers.
Although suitable for both male and female readers, boys of ages ten and up would particularly like this book especially if they have a fascination for aircraft. There is a lot of detail about different types of planes and the author has even included a few diagrams and details at the beginning of the book.
Finn is a great hero with admirable strength and bravery. Simpson does not undermine women however and includes a couple of amazing female characters with just as much courage as the men.
Special Operations: Dogfight is a work of fiction but it was inspired by real events. It’s Norwegian setting makes it educational in that it teaches the reader about the effect of the war on innocent people in countries less spoken about in history textbooks. Despite some of the areas being made up to suit the story, Simpson has done a magnificent job at keeping it historically accurate and must have spent a great deal of time on research.
Special Operations: Dogfight is a brilliant book for young readers. For some the historical setting may be off putting but the characters feel as modern as teenagers today. The story is exciting and has a fantastic ending, including a few plot twists you do not see coming!
Quite often novels concerning the Second World War are assumed to be about Great Britain, Germany or life in concentration camps. However, first in series Special Operations: Dogfight by Craig Simpson is set in Norway in 1940 where Nazi’s have invaded.
The story is about fifteen-year-old Finn Gunnersen and his best friend Loki whose families are deeply involved with the resistance. Although they are still young boys, Finn and Loki end up playing an enormous role. Finn survives imprisonment and goes on to help a British Agent who has parachuted into Norway. As well as being a brilliant piece of historical fiction, this novel turns out to be an exciting thriller for teenagers.
Although suitable for both male and female readers, boys of ages ten and up would particularly like this book especially if they have a fascination for aircraft. There is a lot of detail about different types of planes and the author has even included a few diagrams and details at the beginning of the book.
Finn is a great hero with admirable strength and bravery. Simpson does not undermine women however and includes a couple of amazing female characters with just as much courage as the men.
Special Operations: Dogfight is a work of fiction but it was inspired by real events. It’s Norwegian setting makes it educational in that it teaches the reader about the effect of the war on innocent people in countries less spoken about in history textbooks. Despite some of the areas being made up to suit the story, Simpson has done a magnificent job at keeping it historically accurate and must have spent a great deal of time on research.
Special Operations: Dogfight is a brilliant book for young readers. For some the historical setting may be off putting but the characters feel as modern as teenagers today. The story is exciting and has a fantastic ending, including a few plot twists you do not see coming!
March 28, 2016
Set in stark, conflicted Norway just prior to, and during, Nazi occupation, this is a sobering account of ordinary lives turned upside down. As fiction based on reality, the cruelty and horror of the Nazi oppression is evident on every page, as individuals and families strive to survive, and sometimes resist. Sixteen-year-old Finn Gunnersen’s father is a civilian pilot, as is his close friend, Mr. Larson. Their two boys, Finn and Loki, are also best friends. Finn’s father flies his plane to England 6 months before the Nazi take-over of Norway. He becomes a Spitfire pilot and dies in battle. Finn’s mother and sister, Anna, clandestinely support the Resistance, whilst Finn & Loki, only schoolboys, do everything in their power to also thwart the Nazis. As events gain momentum, and the Nazis hunt and capture many of the Gunnerson’s friends, the consequences, and reprisal killings, are chilling. Finn & Loki survive but their families are imprisoned in the town fortress. The book finishes on a cliff-hanger, as they escape to England. At first presumed to be German spies, they are then revealed for who they really are. Under Mr. Churchill’s direction, the boys and their friend Freya, embark on a new life in England, of special agent training in the Special Operations squad. Definitely young adult reading - not for younger readers. http://www.craigsimpsonbooks.com/pdfs...
July 26, 2013
Some might dismiss Dogfight as 'just a kids book', but for that, it was very, very good. I don't normally read this genre (adventure/war type), which possibly made it even more interesting to read. Full of adventure and excitement, there's not a dull moment that lets the book put itself down. There's a fair bit of grit and realism which is refreshing (boys especially I think would enjoy this book because of it), with the token deaths added as well.
The little map and key of key airplanes at the front was a good addition, especially if you don't know very much about planes! Some nice twists and turns too, showing how the 'bad guy' isn't always who you think he is.
The little map and key of key airplanes at the front was a good addition, especially if you don't know very much about planes! Some nice twists and turns too, showing how the 'bad guy' isn't always who you think he is.
January 24, 2015
Finn lives in Norway with his mam and sister his dad went to England to help fight the war and died. Finn has a friend called Loki and they want to help fight the war against the Germans who have taken over their country. Finn and Loki go and help by delivering letters which are coded and Finn ends up in a lot of bother because of ned and in the process sees people he knows been executed which scares the life out of him. Finn and Loki help the resistance and along the way scary things happen.
Definitely a good book for the young to read will keep them interested and learn along the way what it was like in the war for kids and adults alike the things they went through and that loose tongues got people killed or in prison.
Definitely a good book for the young to read will keep them interested and learn along the way what it was like in the war for kids and adults alike the things they went through and that loose tongues got people killed or in prison.
October 22, 2015
World War II is raging as Finn's father flies off to join the resistance. Six months later Finn's dad is dead and the Nazis have invaded Norway. It is a confusing time when nobody knows who is on whose side and it is never safe. Finn treats the whole thing as a bit of a lark until he is arrested and spends time in the Nazi fortress where he witnesses terrible things and realises the real dangers of the war. After that he is keen to join the resistance and make a difference for his village. He gets himself into far more than he ever bargained for. This was an action packed adventure. An easy read that I did not want to put down.
August 5, 2018
A thrilling read with young teenage heroes doing marvellous things to undermine the Nazis in Norway. Great information about Heinkels, Spitfires, life in Norway and a fantastic mix of action, humour and pathos.
April 26, 2009
I couldn't really get on with it, I sort of got immune to the action because it was on the go all of the time. and why is it always the animals that die?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2011
This book is about occupied Norway in1940.It is a good book!
January 4, 2013
I extremely liked this book, even though I am a girl, the story line was extremely good and I really got to understand and like the characters!
October 25, 2014
good WW2 adventure story! look foward to more adventures from Finn and Loki!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews