creeker868's review against another edition
2.0
Historical Fiction. Roxy us a female aviator and contemporary of Amelia Earhart. Setting is Europe just before WWII, Berlin Olympics and a valuable painting.
unusualsnowunicorn's review against another edition
3.0
So, I originally got this in advance, but misplaced it in the two moves I went through before I could finally read it.
I agree with others' reviews that this would have been better as a movie, and when I researched the author, I could see why it's written that way. I do have to wonder why he didn't just go down that route for this story to begin with.
I didn't find the novel bad, but I doubt I will ever crack it open again, nor would it be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list.
I feel this novel would have been better if it hadn't tried to include Amelia Earhart, as her name felt more like it was being dropped, and would pull me out of the actual setting of the book (even though, the worldbuilding is done very well). For the most part, I believe Roxy is fairly fleshed out, and even more her on-again-off-again partner, Jocco.
All in all, it's pretty decent.
I agree with others' reviews that this would have been better as a movie, and when I researched the author, I could see why it's written that way. I do have to wonder why he didn't just go down that route for this story to begin with.
I didn't find the novel bad, but I doubt I will ever crack it open again, nor would it be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list.
I feel this novel would have been better if it hadn't tried to include Amelia Earhart, as her name felt more like it was being dropped, and would pull me out of the actual setting of the book (even though, the worldbuilding is done very well). For the most part, I believe Roxy is fairly fleshed out, and even more her on-again-off-again partner, Jocco.
All in all, it's pretty decent.
astracrompton's review against another edition
4.0
Fans of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and Inglorious Basterds, take note! Roxy Loewen is a spitfire aviatrix who's willing and capable of facing down any thug—and doing so in fashionable heels.
Starting with the '20s stock market crash, and soaring into the rise of Adolf Hitler, Roxy suffers tragedy, gangsters, and tumultuous love affairs while trying to eke out her existence. She's seen the ugly underbelly of the world, and she's learned to hit back in order to protect herself and survive it. She'd hate me telling you this, but she helps the deserving unfortunates she encounters along the way.
With a noir action tone and a rip-roaring pace, this book was entertaining and charming from start to finish. In Humphreys's signature cinematic style, every scene unfolds in crystal clarity, from Roxy's bombshell seductions to the vibrato-strings tension of evading Nazi patrols. Where's my Netflix adaptation??
I'd highly recommend this to any fan of historical fiction—especially those led by female protagonists with a whole lotta gumption!
Starting with the '20s stock market crash, and soaring into the rise of Adolf Hitler, Roxy suffers tragedy, gangsters, and tumultuous love affairs while trying to eke out her existence. She's seen the ugly underbelly of the world, and she's learned to hit back in order to protect herself and survive it. She'd hate me telling you this, but she helps the deserving unfortunates she encounters along the way.
With a noir action tone and a rip-roaring pace, this book was entertaining and charming from start to finish. In Humphreys's signature cinematic style, every scene unfolds in crystal clarity, from Roxy's bombshell seductions to the vibrato-strings tension of evading Nazi patrols. Where's my Netflix adaptation??
I'd highly recommend this to any fan of historical fiction—especially those led by female protagonists with a whole lotta gumption!
sadirienzo23's review against another edition
3.0
I want to rate it lower because the plot was more or less nonsensical, but it was really readable, so like.... I guess. This is the “I guess” of books.
kitnotmarlowe's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
it's fun for what it is, but i'm not sure how to feel about the ending which kind of goes to hell in a hand basket. there's one scene with a military uniform that feels extremely out of character for both characters involved and left an extremely bad taste in my mouth. i would read a dozen more novels about roxy doing art heists, but probably will not read any more of c.c. humphries' books because they're not up my alley. also, extremely obvious that the author is english-living-in-canada-trying-to-write-an-american between the specific british slang and measuring liquor in a mickey. amused me.
krisrid's review against another edition
4.0
Let me say first, that I have a rule - no Nazi books. I got saturated on Nazis several years ago, and just couldn't take any more of them, so any books that included Nazis I took a hard pass on.
This book has Nazis. But I picked it up so many times when I was in the bookstore, that finally, I figured I needed to read it, because obviously something about it was appealing to me, in spite of the Nazis [which is saying something]. Turns out, what appealed to me was Roxy!
I really loved this character. She is complicated, and not always likable. She can be selfish and stubborn and she makes some really bad choices throughout the book. And yet, I really, really liked her. Under all her drama and her faults, she's a good person, and she tries to do what's right. Also, she's an independent, kick-ass balls-to-the-wall take-no-prisoners heroine. I loved going along on Roxy's adventures, even when they were really unpleasant [Nazis, remember? You know that never ends well].
I also found it interesting to read about a really strong female main character written by a man. I feel like the way Roxy is written has an extra something that gives her more edge and more, I don't know lack of some of the characteristics that some female authors give to female MCs. Roxy really didn't give a tinker's damn about what people thought about her or her choices, and we could use more of that from women IMO, both in fiction and in life, so I loved the heck out of Roxy.
The plot has quite a bit going on, but it all worked and came together in an interesting way. This really felt like a different kind of action/adventure book to me, but honestly, I loved it!
This book has Nazis. But I picked it up so many times when I was in the bookstore, that finally, I figured I needed to read it, because obviously something about it was appealing to me, in spite of the Nazis [which is saying something]. Turns out, what appealed to me was Roxy!
I really loved this character. She is complicated, and not always likable. She can be selfish and stubborn and she makes some really bad choices throughout the book. And yet, I really, really liked her. Under all her drama and her faults, she's a good person, and she tries to do what's right. Also, she's an independent, kick-ass balls-to-the-wall take-no-prisoners heroine. I loved going along on Roxy's adventures, even when they were really unpleasant [Nazis, remember? You know that never ends well].
I also found it interesting to read about a really strong female main character written by a man. I feel like the way Roxy is written has an extra something that gives her more edge and more, I don't know lack of some of the characteristics that some female authors give to female MCs. Roxy really didn't give a tinker's damn about what people thought about her or her choices, and we could use more of that from women IMO, both in fiction and in life, so I loved the heck out of Roxy.
The plot has quite a bit going on, but it all worked and came together in an interesting way. This really felt like a different kind of action/adventure book to me, but honestly, I loved it!
kristinkravesbooks's review
4.0
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Chasing the Wind was a wild ride! I was not expecting to have so much fun while reading this book. Roxy Loewen is the perfect character for a story like this one. She is confident, sarcastic, and independent, but still has moments where she appears so human and vulnerable. It was so interesting to read a story from the perspective of a female pilot, and I am now on the hunt for similar books!
As I have mentioned a few times in the past, I absolutely love WWII fiction but I think that I read so many books in that genre that nothing felt original anymore. Chasing the Wind was the absolute perfect book to read to help me once again fall in love with my favourite genre. It was a completely unique perspective on WWII. It actually occurs right before the war begins, and we get to see how Hitler is rising to power. The reader obviously knows what is happening behind the scenes and what will happen in a few years, and it leaves you with such an uneasy and strange feeling.
It was obviously that C.C. Humphreys put a lot of research in to this time period, which I really appreciate, especially when it comes to historical fiction. There were some historical references that I knew nothing about and were definitely interesting. At one point, Roxy attends the Hitler Olympics and thousands of pigeons are released. This was obviously not well thought out as pigeons=bird poop. I turned to google, and this was something that actually happened!
The only thing I was not sold on was the romance, but that is a me thing because some times I feel like romances are just thrown in to stories when they are not needed.
I highly recommend reading Chasing the Wind if you are looking for a unique perspective on WWII and enjoy books with a heist and a lot of adventure and action!
Chasing the Wind was a wild ride! I was not expecting to have so much fun while reading this book. Roxy Loewen is the perfect character for a story like this one. She is confident, sarcastic, and independent, but still has moments where she appears so human and vulnerable. It was so interesting to read a story from the perspective of a female pilot, and I am now on the hunt for similar books!
As I have mentioned a few times in the past, I absolutely love WWII fiction but I think that I read so many books in that genre that nothing felt original anymore. Chasing the Wind was the absolute perfect book to read to help me once again fall in love with my favourite genre. It was a completely unique perspective on WWII. It actually occurs right before the war begins, and we get to see how Hitler is rising to power. The reader obviously knows what is happening behind the scenes and what will happen in a few years, and it leaves you with such an uneasy and strange feeling.
It was obviously that C.C. Humphreys put a lot of research in to this time period, which I really appreciate, especially when it comes to historical fiction. There were some historical references that I knew nothing about and were definitely interesting. At one point, Roxy attends the Hitler Olympics and thousands of pigeons are released. This was obviously not well thought out as pigeons=bird poop. I turned to google, and this was something that actually happened!
The only thing I was not sold on was the romance, but that is a me thing because some times I feel like romances are just thrown in to stories when they are not needed.
I highly recommend reading Chasing the Wind if you are looking for a unique perspective on WWII and enjoy books with a heist and a lot of adventure and action!
bryonie's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read. I liked Roxy a lot, and agree with the author's notes that if she had been a man as originally planned, the book just wouldn't work. It's apparent that a lot of research had been done for this book, and I found that it interfered with the overall flow of the book at times.
My biggest complaint, however, is that Roxy never really gets out of any of the jams she gets into by herself. There is always some sort of 'oops' moment, where someone or something interferes and she goes free. When I'm reading an action-based novel, I want the protagonist to be strong. They don't have to win EVERYTHING they get into, but they can't rely on chance or luck to get through ALL the time.
I'm still going to give this book a 4 because it was a good read and overall well written.
My biggest complaint, however, is that Roxy never really gets out of any of the jams she gets into by herself. There is always some sort of 'oops' moment, where someone or something interferes and she goes free. When I'm reading an action-based novel, I want the protagonist to be strong. They don't have to win EVERYTHING they get into, but they can't rely on chance or luck to get through ALL the time.
I'm still going to give this book a 4 because it was a good read and overall well written.
gwenj's review
3.0
Good, but crappy ending
Good, entertaining read. Hated the ending. But that's the romantic in me speaking. Good characters. Good writing. Kept me coming back. Docking a star for crappy ending.
Good, entertaining read. Hated the ending. But that's the romantic in me speaking. Good characters. Good writing. Kept me coming back. Docking a star for crappy ending.
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