*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: We Rule the Night
Author: Claire Eliza Bartlett
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2, 2019
ISBN: 9780316417273
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Revna is a factory worker, manufacturing war machines for the Union of the North. When she’s caught using illegal magic, she fears being branded a traitor and imprisoned. Meanwhile, on the front lines, Linné defied her father, a Union general, and disguised herself as a boy to join the army. They’re both offered a reprieve from punishment if they use their magic in a special women’s military flight unit and undertake terrifying, deadly missions under cover of darkness. Revna and Linné can hardly stand to be in the same cockpit, but if they can’t fly together, and if they can’t find a way to fly well, the enemy’s superior firepower will destroy them–if they don’t destroy each other first.
I FLEW through this book. Literally. Well, not literally, but for a book about kick ass fighter pilots battling not only against a violent enemy, but also against the misogynistic patriarchy that they’ve been imprisoned by their whole lives, We Rule the Night, is one of the best YA books I’ve read in a while. The characters are far from perfect, and are often even far from likeable, but that’s what makes them human and what makes the triumphs and failures that much greater. The characters in this book felt so real, you can’t help but root for them along the way, hoping that they’ll encounter some sort of break through against the system that uses them for their talents but oppresses them and refuses to acknowledge their worth.
Revna comes from a traitorous family. Her father was imprisoned for acting against the Union (even though it was to help his family) and Revna, along with her mother and sister are demoted to second-class citizens. Revna lost her legs in an accident as a child, but she has never let her disability hold her back from anything–not if she could help it! She speaks her mind and won’t let anyone coddle her, belittle her, or hold her back.
Linnea, on the other hand, lacks all social skills when it comes to relating to other women, but she’s been secretly masquerading as a man so that she can fight for her country. She’s fiercely devoted to the army, although once her gender is discovered, the army shows her none of the loyalty that she’s shown to it. Linnea is severely misunderstood and no other woman can relate to her brusque nature and foul mouth. She is talented, but she’s an outcast.
This story is really intense and the characters face conflict at every avenue. They struggle with their nation, with their enemy, and with themselves. They risk their lives every single day, but for what? No glory lies in their job. As women, they aren’t even able to enter the army base bar, attended or not. This book tells a harrowing tale. I’m not sure if it’s part of a series, but if it is, I’m in it for the long haul. I so enjoyed this book and I hope you will too!
Worn Pages and Ink 