Flying Angels by Danielle Steel: Book Review
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Flying Angels by Danielle Steel takes readers into World War II through the experiences of a group of young women serving as flight nurses – a part of wartime history I knew very little about before reading this book.
If you’re a Danielle Steel fan, you probably already know how widely her novels range in subject and setting. This one takes her firmly into historical fiction, combining friendship, courage, loss, and the realities of serving during wartime.
Is Flying Angels worth reading? Here’s what I thought.
My Take: I’ve read a lot of WWII historical fiction, so I’m always especially pleased when a novel introduces me to a part of the war I knew little or nothing about. Flying Angels did exactly that with its story of the flight nurses who helped evacuate wounded servicemen by air. I also enjoyed the friendships among the women, the England and France settings, and the chance to experience this period of history from a perspective I hadn’t encountered often in fiction. My verdict? For me, this was a very solid Danielle Steel novel and an especially interesting choice for readers who enjoy WWII historical fiction.
What It’s About
Flying Angels centers on a group of young women who serve as flight nurses during World War II.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor changes the course of their lives, newly trained nurses Audrey Parker and Lizzie enlist and eventually become part of the military’s air evacuation efforts. Along with four other women, they care for wounded servicemen while flying dangerous missions and facing the uncertainty and losses of war themselves.
As the war takes them overseas, the women’s experiences create powerful friendships that carry them through danger, love, heartbreak, and enormous change.
Flying Angels – What I Liked
There were so many things I liked about this book.
First of all, was the fact that, although I’ve already read so many books in the WWII Historical Fiction genre, I still learned something new in this one. I find that time period in our history extremely interesting, and I always welcome learning about some new piece of history that I didn’t previously know about.
This time, that new piece of history was about the Flying Angels as they are referred to in this book. In reality, they were called the Winged Angels, and I don’t recall reading another book where the “flying nurses” were featured. I wasn’t aware that they had flight nurses to evacuate the wounded soldiers by air.
Every time I read something in this particular genre, it just reminds me how incredibly courageous all the men and women who served were on a daily basis.
I also especially like the characters whom I felt I got to know and understand very well.
Lastly, I liked the time period the book is set in, the WWII years of the early 1940s, as well as the location, mostly in England and France.
Flying Angels – What I Didn’t Like
Honestly, I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book.
Even though the time period is one I read about often, I find it fascinating, so I never get bored with it.
Flying Angels – Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?
And now for my 3 Rs of book reviews. Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?
What is my honest opinion about Flying Angels?
A definite Read!
For me, Flying Angels is another very solid Danielle Steel read. If you’d like to explore more of her enormous backlist, you can browse all of Danielle Steel’s books in order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Angels by Danielle Steel
Is Flying Angels by Danielle Steel based on a true story?
Flying Angels is a work of historical fiction, but the flight nurses depicted in the novel were inspired by the real women who served as U.S. Army Air Forces flight nurses during World War II. These nurses helped care for and evacuate wounded servicemen aboard military aircraft.
Is Flying Angels a historical fiction novel?
Yes. Flying Angels is set during World War II and follows women serving as military flight nurses. Although Danielle Steel is often associated with contemporary novels and romance, this book is firmly rooted in a historical wartime setting.
Is Flying Angels part of a series?
No. Flying Angels is a standalone Danielle Steel novel, so you don’t need to read any of her other books before starting it.
Is Flying Angels Worth Reading?
What stayed with me most about Flying Angels was learning about the women who served as flight nurses during World War II. I’ve read many novels set during this period, yet this book still managed to introduce me to a part of wartime history I hadn’t encountered before.
Combined with characters I cared about and settings in England and France, that made Flying Angels an easy recommendation for me – especially for readers who enjoy historical fiction about women’s experiences during WWII.
What to Read Next
- Danielle Steel Books In Order – browse her enormous backlist and see where Flying Angels falls in her publishing history.
- Beautiful by Danielle Steel – read my review of another Danielle Steel novel.
- Explore HistorExplore Historical Fictionical Fiction – find more historical novels across different eras, settings, and authors.
