The Night Sparrow by Shelly Sanders is a powerful story about women snipers in WWII. We follow Elena Bruskina as she loses her family to the Nazi’s but she is determined to fight for vengeance. We follow her story through joining the all female sniper platoon and her secret mission as a translator. This story was a like on the graphic side for me but it really portrayed what happens in war. This was a fast-paced story that focused on friendships, courage, and resilience that Elena Bruskina had during WWII.

**ARC Review: *The Night Sparrow***
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*The Night Sparrow* is a compelling and powerful work of historical fiction that sheds light on a lesser-known part of World War II: the Soviet women assassins who fought against the Nazis. These women, highly trained and incredibly skilled, were responsible for over 11,000 confirmed kills—a fact that in itself is staggering and brought to life with haunting precision in this book.

What I found most intriguing was the transformation each woman underwent, especially Elaine, whose personal journey from civilian to sniper was raw, emotional, and deeply human. Her inner turmoil over her first kill and the psychological toll of war felt incredibly real and relatable. It’s easy to imagine ourselves in her shoes, facing impossible decisions under unthinkable pressure.

The novel doesn’t shy away from the darker complexities of the Soviet regime either. The portrayal of Joseph Stalin and the atrocities committed under the banner of anti-fascism adds another layer of moral conflict to the story. The duality of fighting evil while being under the thumb of another oppressive system is handled with nuance and care.

I also found the author's note particularly fascinating—it provided essential historical context and made it clear just how much research and respect went into portraying these women’s stories. It gave the novel an even deeper impact, showing how fiction can illuminate real history that too often goes untold.

Overall, *The Night Sparrow* is an unforgettable tribute to the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of women in wartime. A must-read for fans of WWII fiction, feminist history, and character driven narratives.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc audiobook.

A different view of WWII than I have read before. Shelly Sanders lays out some of the less than decent side of being a female in war.

Inspired by real female snipers and interpreters who worked in the Red Army during World War II, The Night Sparrow is a portrait of friendship, resilience and courage under extraordinary circumstances.

In 1941, Elena Bruskina, an ambitious university student, sees her world collapse when the Nazis invade the Soviet Union. She and her Jewish family are forced into the Minsk ghetto, where thousands are immediately murdered, including her father and her brother. When her younger sister is hanged because of false charges and her mother is shot, Elena escapes the ghetto, determined to avenge the killing of her family members.

In 1942, the Central Women’s Sniper Training School opens in Moscow. Seeing it as the perfect opportunity to retaliate, Elena is one of the first to enroll. She becomes part of an all-female sniper platoon, a community of young women who are ready to fight for their country, despite the appalling conditions and high risks.

Eight months later, Elena is stationed at the Eastern Front, her dreams of revenge unfulfilled. Ashamed of her inferior tally of kills, she finds herself undone by grief as she watches her fellow snipers fall from enemy bullets. After being injured in a firefight, she is reluctantly redeployed as a German interpreter. Elena quickly embraces her new role when she realizes she is part of a secret mission to capture the most evil fascist of all.

Shelly Sanders’ The Night Sparrow is a powerful and inspiring story set against the brutal backdrop of World War II. Following Elena Bruskina’s harrowing journey from the Minsk ghetto to the front lines of battle, the novel vividly captures her transformation from a grieving daughter into a fierce sniper fighting for justice and vengeance. Sanders masterfully portrays Elena’s emotional turmoil, her unwavering determination, and the camaraderie among the all-female sniper platoon. The plot is fast-paced and filled with tense, adrenaline-fueled moments, especially when Elena takes on her daring secret mission. The book beautifully highlights the resilience, friendship, and sacrifices of these brave young women, inspired by real-life heroines of the war. While the story contains many intense scenes, it also offers poignant reflections on loss, hope, and the human spirit's ability to endure even the darkest times. Overall, The Night Sparrow is an engaging and heartfelt tribute to the courageous women who fought during one of history’s most tumultuous eras.