Title: Crucible by Jack Kruse

Publisher: ‎Sisyphus Triumphant Publishing (August 2024)

Language: ‎English

Softcover: ‎354 pages

Genre: Historical military fiction

ISBN-13: ‎ 9798330374830

Reviewed by: Lisa Lickel

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.