Open Fire
A dramatic page-turner that captures the devastating toll of war and the impact of women's struggles and solidarity, through the lens of a little-known slice of history.
In 1917, Russia is losing the war with Germany, soldiers are deserting in droves, and food shortages on the home front are pushing people to the brink of revolution. Seventeen-year-old Katya is politically conflicted, but she wants Russia to win the war. Working at a munitions factory seems like the most she can do to serve her country--until the government begins recruiting an all-female army battalion. Inspired, Katya enlists. Training with other brave women, she finds camaraderie and a deep sense of purpose. But when the women's battalion heads to the front, Katya has to confront the horrifying realities of war. Faced with heartbreak and disillusionment, she must reevaluate her commitment and decide where she stands.
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Amber Lough grew up traveling around the world as the daughter of a Naval Officer and a drama teacher. When she was ten, she dreamed of being Indiana Jones, so she poured over archaeology books and tried to learn as many languages as she could. As a teen, she took AFROTC classes in school and joined the rifle drill team, both of which continued into college despite the obvious nerd factor. In fact,
Amber never cared if people called her a nerd, because nerds are cool. For added effect, Amber double-majored in Russian and International Studies. After college, Amber became a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and continued on to Intelligence training. A few years later, she wound up an active participant in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she learned that war can be both terrifying and boring but is never truly enjoyable. Nor should it be. It was in Iraq where Amber realized life is too short to waste doing something she wasn't passionate about.
Amber now lives in Germany with her astrophysicist husband and their two kids. They have two rambunctious cats, an allotment garden, too many Legos, and not enough books.
"[A] lively, passionate novel set in a pressurized time, in which a strong-minded girl displays inspiring commitment."--starred, Foreword Reviews
-- (10/30/2019 12:00:00 AM)"A compelling feminist snapshot of a country--and a girl--at a revolutionary crossroads."--Kirkus Reviews
-- (1/1/2020 12:00:00 AM)"A lesser-explored time period is given a compelling and interesting narrative through well-developed characters. Give to readers who enjoy historical fiction and strong female characters."--School Library Journal
-- (1/1/2020 12:00:00 AM)"Katya is a heroine to ache for, and her story is a stunning, vibrant glimpse of a rare moment in women's history."--Elizabeth Wein, author of Code Name Verity, Rose Under Fire, and The Pearl Thief
-- (11/7/2019 12:00:00 AM)
