Set during World War II in Nazi-occupied Denmark, "Hornet Flight" follows the story of Harald Olufsen, a young Danish student who discovers a German radar installation that is aiding in shooting down British bombers. Harald becomes involved with the Danish resistance in an effort to pass on vital information to the British, leading to a harrowing escape with his Jewish girlfriend to England. The book is praised for its well-developed characters, compelling storyline, and historical accuracy, providing an engaging mix of espionage, romance, and wartime drama. Despite some predictable elements, readers find the writing style to be enjoyable and the pacing to be gripping, making it a worthwhile read for fans of war novels and spy thrillers.

Characters:

The characters are generally well-developed and relatable, though some fall into predictability.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and fluid, though it sometimes lacks emotional involvement and depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a young Danish student uncovering a German radar secret during WWII while navigating espionage and romance.

Setting:

The setting effectively conveys the historical context of Denmark under Nazi occupation.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, beginning slowly but becoming more engaging as the story progresses.

It was a Danish-made Nimbus motorcycle with a sidecar. That in itself was an unusual sight, because there was no petrol for anyone except doctors and the police and, of course, the German troops occup...

Notes:

The story is set in early World War II in German-occupied Denmark.

A young Danish boy named Harald discovers a German radar installation.

The radar technology helps Germans shoot down British bombers.

Harald is a mechanical genius with dreams of studying physics.

He becomes involved with the Danish resistance movement.

Harald's brother, a pilot, dies tragically before revealing vital information.

The plot includes several love stories alongside espionage.

The book's pacing slows down at first but picks up later on.

Despite being suspenseful, some events are predictable.

Follett includes credible supporting characters including a sadistic policeman and a female spy.

The book is well researched and based loosely on true events.

Characters face moral dilemmas and conflicting loyalties.

The writing is engaging and easy to read, making it suitable for young audiences.

The themes explore duty versus individual freedom and personal sacrifice during wartime.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of war, violence, and the emotional toll of betrayal and loss.

Has Romance?

The book includes romantic relationships that develop throughout the narrative.

From The Publisher:

Ken Follett and the intrigue of World War II-"a winning formula" (Entertainment Weekly) if ever there was one. With his riveting prose and unerring instinct for suspense, the #1 New York Times bestselling author takes to the skies over Europe during the early days of the war in a most extraordinary novel. . . .

It is June 1941, and the war is not going well for England. Somehow, the Germans are anticipating the RAF's flight paths and shooting down British bombers with impunity. Meanwhile, across the North Sea, eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish island of Sande and discovers an astonishing sight. He doesn't know what it is, but he knows he must tell someone. And when he learns the truth, it will fall upon him to deliver word to England-except that he has no way to get there. He has only an old derelict Hornet Moth biplane rusting away in a ruined church-a plane so decrepit that it is unlikely to ever get off the ground . . . even if Harald knew how to fly it.

Ratings (2)

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Reader Stats (4):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (1)
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About the Author:

Ken Follett is one of the world's best-loved authors, selling more than 170 million copies of his thirty-two books. Follett's first bestseller was Eye of the Needle, a spy story set in the Second World War. In 1989, The Pillars of the…

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Hornet Flight

Ken Follett