Book Recommendation: The Huntress by Kate Quinn

Posted On June 26, 2022

Hi Readers! I have become super lethargic these days when it comes to writing reviews. All I feel like doing after finishing a book, is instantly picking up another. On top of this, my 26-months work from home bliss has come to an end. With five days work from office, I hardly get any reading time either before or after work, let alone any time to review. So, you might see fewer posts on here than before. But, I’m sure that once I am acclimatised with the new routine, things would go back to pre-covid normal. Anyway, I am here to share some thoughts on yet another amazing book by Kate Quinn who has become my Historical Fiction Queen!

~~GOODREADS DESCRIPTION~~

In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted…

Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying. When the Nazis attack the Soviet Union, she risks everything to join the legendary Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on the invading Germans. When she is stranded behind enemy lines, Nina becomes the prey of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, and only Nina’s bravery and cunning will keep her alive.

Transformed by the horrors he witnessed from Omaha Beach to the Nuremberg Trials, British war correspondent Ian Graham has become a Nazi hunter. Yet one target eludes him: a vicious predator known as the Huntress. To find her, the fierce, disciplined investigator joins forces with the only witness to escape the Huntress alive: the brazen, cocksure Nina. But a shared secret could derail their mission unless Ian and Nina force themselves to confront it.

Growing up in post-war Boston, seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride is determined to become a photographer. When her long-widowed father unexpectedly comes homes with a new fiancée, Jordan is thrilled. But there is something disconcerting about the soft-spoken German widow. Certain that danger is lurking, Jordan begins to delve into her new stepmother’s past—only to discover that there are mysteries buried deep in her family . . . secrets that may threaten all Jordan holds dear.

In this immersive, heart-wrenching story, Kate Quinn illuminates the consequences of war on individual lives, and the price we pay to seek justice and truth.

~~CHARACTERS~~

The chapters are divided as per character point of views. This is the best way of going about it when there are multiple characters in a wartime historical fiction novel. I found that I was equally excited whether it were Nina’s or Ian’s or Jordan’s chapters. I think this is the first time where I absolutely adored all the main characters, though I might have a soft spot for Jordan.

Nina Borisovna Markova makes the story come alive, whether it’s about her past being a pilot fighting the Nazis or the current chapters where she is hunting The Huntress. Her ruggedness, straightforward and devil-may-care attitude won me over. Her Nazi hunter pals Ian and Tony were such a great duo as well. Ian Graham turns from a ‘by-the-book’ clerk to a more adventurous hunter. I couldn’t help but love Tony and his charm. Together, the three of them give us an unforgettable chase story. You will literally find yourself yelling at the book and telling them where to look for the huntress. So close yet so far.

Lastly, Jordan is a true heroine without any side character help. She is insightful, passionate, brave. The confidence which she lacked in the start of the book grows till the end of the book. She is fiercely protective of her people. I loved her passion for photography. Because it is set in the 1950s, it is amazing to watch such a competent woman mapping her own life.

Lastly, our Huntress. The whole background story of die jägerin was intimidating in the early chapters of the book. But when you read about Anna, all the intimidation disappears to a point where you are on her side. Such is the amazing arc of all the characters. The writing is such that will make you want to doubt yet love every character.

~~WRITING STYLE~~

I have always loved Kate Quinn’s writing style. Female war heroines, parallel stories with a few years in between, World War II. It is all so amazing. I loved The Alice Network, I loved The Rose Code & now I loved The Huntress. The difference in this novel was that the villain was a woman, which was again amazing to read.

Because I am now used to Kate Quinn’s writing style, I feel at home in her books. I don’t really care if the story is predictable or if it is missing something or if it is too much. The sheer research which she does makes up for any little flaw, if it even exists. I will always read her books and I have a feeling that I will love them every time. If you are yet to read her novels, I strongly recommend you to read them.

~~TO READ OR NOT TO READ~~

If you have read and loved Kate Quinn’s two other historical fiction, then I recommend you to read this one. If you love the genre as a whole and especially wartime historical fiction, then you should definitely read this. If you want to read about WWII books from a Russian point of view, then go ahead and read it. If you are obsessed with well-written character-driven plots, then read it. You should not read this book if you are triggered by death, murder, war, child death, bombings, sexual assault & racism. If you haven’t read any WWII historical fiction, then you should not start with this one.

I have rated The Huntress by Kate Quinn at 4.5/5 stars! Have you read it yet?

Until next time,