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Code Name Verity is one of my favorite young adult historical fiction books so I was really excited when I first acquired Black Dove White Raven. Unfortunately, as often happens, I didn't read it right away and it just sat on my book shelf. Flash forward to 2021 when I was determined to catch up on older books so I finally picked it up. And I'm so glad I did!

The thing with Elizabeth Wein is that she focuses on a time when history which often has had limited exposure. In Black Dove White Raven she transports the reader to life before WWII. A life where people are making a living by doing dangerous air shows and having to fight against oppression and racism. It follows the main characters Emilia Menotti and Teo Gedeyon as they move to Ethiopia with Emilia's mother, Rhoda. They move to Ethiopia so that Teo will no longer be shunned for the color of his skin. Unfortunately, he winds up being shunned for other things through out his young life but, Emilia sticks with him and supports him through it all.

Emilia and Teo are not blood family but, they are family. They recognize that their skin does not match each other. They recognize that they are going through different experiences but, they are there for each other. They stick together, understand each other, and fight for each other. They have a language of their own and it was so beautiful to read about. I felt myself pulling for both of these characters and wanting them to find their truths and succeed.

I really enjoyed the way that Black Dove, White Raven is written. It flips between Emilia's and Teo's points of view, and uses journal entries, flight entries, school essays, and fictional adventures to tell their story. There was an easy flow to it but, I was kept on the edge of my seat as the prospect of war and danger increased around them. It really was beautifully written and pulled me right in with each word.

Elizabeth Wein did not disappoint me with Black Dove, White Raven. As a reader, I loved the way she uses her words to break down the cultural barriers of the time. She addresses the racism and sexism which the characters are experiencing without beating me over the head with it. She also opens my eyes to a period of history that I am not as familiar with but, would love to learn more about. If you are a reader who enjoys learning about more unknown periods in history with diverse beautiful characters, I recommend that you check this one out!

What I love about Elizabeth Wein's books is that they are so meticulously researched, and this one is no exception. I especially appreciate that this takes place in a setting that I knew nothing about prior to this.

I unfortunately was not able to read this book. I was excited when ever I had chosen to download or pick this book up on Netgalley. However, time moves by so quickly and I never got to read it.

Black Dove, White Raven tells the story of Emilia and Teo, two adopted siblings, raised in both America and Ethiopia during the 1930s. Emilia's mother and Teo's mother were best friends and two halves of a stunt-flying duo, but when Teo's mother dies he's adopted into Emilia's family and they move to Ethiopia. Teo's father is from there. But war with Italy starts brewing, ultimately forcing them to flee the country.


The story is told through a framing device that...just...really irritated me. In the very first chapter Emilia is writing to the king of Ethiopia asking for help getting Teo out of the country, and then includes a bunch of writing assignments they did in school because...reasons. Writing assignments that just so happen to conveniently be written in a very story/narrative format and cover every aspect of their lives from childhood up to present day. Wow, how convincing. I really hate framing devices like that, because there would be nothing lost if you just take it out, but putting it in just serves to distract me throughout the book.


Added to that it's a very slow story but I didn't get the impression anything was added by that slowness. It's mostly due to the overabundance of descriptions and the extremely long time period covered, rather than any sort of contemplative dive into the characters or situation. The writing is still lovely, of course, but a lovely description of making coffee is still just making coffee. (Granted, I'm not saying there's no character or setting or racism commentary, just that...that's not what's padding out the pages.)

(to be posted on blog Oct 24)

Historical fiction dealing with the 1930s in Ethiopia amid the Italian invasion. Loved the stories of the young protagonists, Emilia and Teo, who are learning to fly when the conflict breaks out. YA fans of the author of "Code Name Verity" will enjoy!

I loved Wein's previous books, but this one did not hold my interest.

I am so unbelievably sad that this book has found itself on my DNF list. I love Elizabeth Wein’s books. Love. They’re so full of history, adventure, and heartbreak. I just couldn’t get into this one. I gave it a lot of effort but I was just bored. Maybe because I don’t know much about Ethiopia and that made it hard to connect.

I never had a chance to review this before it expired. I'm sorry!