Droughtlander suggestions: Read The Huntress by Kate Quinn

The Huntress by Kate Quinn is a must-read during Droughtlander

There are many books to read during Droughtlander. As an Outlander fan, it’s common to look for something similar, set in Scotland and in the 18th century. Try a different country and time period with The Huntress by Kate Quinn.

The novel is told from four points of view. Some of the viewpoints are from different time periods, set during the Second World War and after it. One of the women is a fighter pilot from Russia, bringing up an important part of history that is often overlooked or forgotten about.

Never heard of The Huntress? Not sure it’s right for you? Here’s what you need to know about it.

What The Huntress by Kate Quinn is about

The novel follows three people with one thing in common, a woman known as The Huntress. However, one of the people we get the bulk of the story from doesn’t realize what’s going on in her life. She doesn’t know who the woman who appears in her dad’s life really is.

Jordan is a 17-year-old girl with a passion for photography. However, her father wants her to run his business when she’s older. At first, Jordan is thrilled when her father comes home with a new fiancee. That excitement turns to pain and suspicion over the course of the chapters.

Meanwhile, we learn about Nina, one of the legendary Night Witches. They were an all-female night bomber regiment focused on destroying the Nazi campaign as much as possible. When her plane goes down behind enemy lines, it’s a fight for survival, especially when she runs into The Huntress.

Part of the story involves Nina but picks up after the war. She’s married to British war correspondent, Ian Graham, who is now a Nazi hunter. When he realizes he may be onto The Huntress, his estranged wife naturally wants to join in the search. He doesn’t think it’s a good idea, but she’s not going to take no for an answer.

And the fourth point of view? The Huntress, of course. We get a little of the opinions of this woman, and they’re not good ones! Her chapters are very short and mostly help to start and finish the story. Most of the book is told from the other three viewpoints.

Why you need to read this book as an Outlander fan

While you may be focused on books set in the 18th century, we can’t forget the Second World War, a time that Claire came from. She was a nurse during the War, and it’s something that shaped the woman she would become.

We also saw Claire in the 1960s in Boston (and partly in Scotland), which also links to The Huntress. Some of the story is set in the 1970s, a time when Nazi hunting was still important but not funded.

The story is traumatic and dark at points. However, it’s all based on fact. Nothing is embellished for the sake of the story, and more to tell people what actually happened; that the awful Nazis weren’t just the men who ran or worked in the camps.

We also get a story of hope. Nina has a beautiful story of growth and determination as a Night Witch. She’s proud of her life at this point, and so she should be. Not only did women prove they could be just as good as men at the time, but that they could also prove they were better. They had to so their unit didn’t end up shutting down.

Then there’s Ian’s and Jordan’s. Theirs are around the same time and start to intertwine, but individually, they draw you in. Set in the 1970s, there’s a focus on trying to move forward but not letting the past be forgotten.

Overall, the characters are excellent developed and the story is believable and entertaining at the same time. Most importantly, Kate Quinn has done her research and it shows. If that’s something you love about Diana Gabaldon’s writing, you’ll love Quinn’s book for it, too.

What do you think of The Huntress by Kate Quinn? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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