This is a 2024 Lone Star novel.

Stella North competes in a race with other European fliers as a peaceful example that countries can get along in 1937. Most of the fliers are male, but 19-year-old Stella holds her own. Each flier is given a handicap based on the type of plane so that everyone is evenly matched. It comes down to how well each pilot navigates to the next destination. The press avidly follows all of the fliers but, particularly, Stella. She jumps into one plane to avoid the press where the pilot representing France plans on acrobatic movements. Not the best meeting. They find themselves drawn to each other's stories. He's a bit of a mystery, for her represents France but has an American accident. They also both have the same passport, which you'll have to read the book to learn about.

The flights become life and death, as one flier dies on the first leg of the competition. Planes are also sabotaged. Why would anyone want to harm someone on this peaceful competition? The pilots learn who to trust and the novel is cat and mouse as they struggle to win the competition but to also stay alive.

I really enjoyed listening to this novel--I love the time period and the lessons about early airplanes. ( )

I don't think Elizabeth Wein has been able to write a novel as powerful as "Code Name Verity". However, I would now say that "Stateless" is my second favourite novel by this author. It was filled with action, suspense, secrets, mystery and danger (both in the air and on land) that kept me engaged.

The young pilots racing in the Circuit of Nations Olympics of the Air were a very likeable bunch, especially Stella, Tony and Sebastian. An enjoyable read. ( )

This novel takes place just before WWII. It's (tragically) hopeful about peace in Europe. There's a lot of mystery and action (in the sky!), a tiny bit of romance, and a big cast of characters from around Europe. Young readers will learn a bit about the Spanish Civil War, Mussolini, and the Gestapo. Spoiler alert: When there are Nazis involved it's not that hard to guess who will turn out to be the bad guy.

This felt like a spy thriller to me, even though there was no spying. It's about an Olympics-inspired airplane race, but the race never felt that important to me. The thrills come from a lack of trust between the teenaged contestants and the adults in charge plus the looming threat of sabotage and murder.

The title refers to people with a special kind of passport given to refugees who do not have citizenship anywhere. ( )

A very interesting read. Has a young adult dystopian novel feel but is set in the past rather than the future. Full of action and has some twists and turns.

In August 1937, young pilots representing various European nations participate in an air race meant to foster international peace and cooperation. The novel is told from the point of view of 17-year-old Stella North, a Russian émigré flying for her adopted nation of Great Britain. On the first leg of the competition, Stella witnesses a plane force another plane to crash into the English Channel. Further acts of sabotage make it clear to Stella that another competitor or one of the experienced pilots serving as chaperones is trying to kill off the competition. But who can Stella trust? Strange alliances form as the young pilots work together for protection from the flying menace.

This is an exciting mystery/thriller/adventure that takes place against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, the rise of Nazi Germany, and the calm before the storm of World War II. ( )