Sisters in Arms: A Novel of the Daring Black Women Who Served During World War II

The problem with being the only all-Negro WAC unit in Europe was that every general stationed in England felt it was his duty to...see "what them Colored girls were about."

I hadn't heard of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women's Army Corps, before I discovered Sisters in Arms by author Kaia Alderson. Because my historical-fiction-loving self doesn't come across much fiction about Black American soldiers in World War II (let alone the Black American women who served), it took only a look at this novel's front cover to convince me to read the book.

While I wasn't at all surprised by the racial injustices the main characters faced even as servicewomen, the injustices still hit me pretty hard, as did the women's show more determination to prove what they were made of anyway. As a quasi-conservative reader, I must also mention that while I'd find it understandable for a whole lot of words in a military novel to be "network television bleep-worthy," that level of language is rather minimal in this book. (And there aren't any F-bombs.)

Now, as for the general style, the novel's wording/phrasing could have used more originality and variety. I'm not sure if some of the modern colloquialisms in the reading befit the period. And while it's a character-driven story, I can't say the characters or their relationships fully clicked for me.

However, the historical setting overall and the war- and military-related events had me engaged. Knowing that many of the main characters' experiences are based on true events, and that several of the secondary characters were real people, made it even better. show less

When the WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) in the US allows black women to join (telling them it won’t be segregated, but it most definitely is), Grace (a budding Julliard pianist) and Eliza (who wants to be a sports journalist) join and clash right away. But they become stronger as they train and eventually make their way to Europe.

I listened to the audio and really liked this. I suspect it was hard enough for women in the army, but black women? Had to be so much harder. I think something the audio missed (looks like – from other reviews – there might have been): an author’s note… and maybe some citations? I like author’s notes in my historical fiction so I know what was real and what was fictional, so I would have show more liked to have had that. I do realize Grace and Eliza were fictional, but I would have liked to be told what parts were real without having to find that from other reviews or looking it up after. That being said, I did really like the story and the audio was well done. show less

I love reading books that educate me on real history, especially history that I never learned in school. Sisters in Arms is a fictional account of two young Black women who join the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women’s Army Corp during World War ! Not only do Grace and Eliza have to face prejudice from the white soldiers they are stationed with they have to face harsh criticism from their families. Grace is a piano prodigy but after she fails her Juilliard audition and her brother dies in battle - she needs to escape from her overbearing mother. Eliza wants her own byline and is sick of covering the society beat at her father's newspaper - she knows she can do more with her life. Joining the first unit of show more Black WAAC allows these two women to prove to themselves and the world that they are capable and that they are worthy. Sisters in Arms is the story of their friendship, their trials and tribulations, and the prejudice they faced. Wonderful storytelling. show less

Grace had dreams - or at least thought she did - of becoming a concert pianist. But then an army telegram shattered her world and a failed audition limited her choices. Should she respond to the letter inviting her to join the newly formed "women's army"?
Eliza is angry at her father for thwarting her dreams to be an ace reporter. He seems to thing that her being female means she can't do the work that men can. When Mary McLeod Bethune herself invites her to join the newly formed WAAC, she is ready to jump at the chance to show her father what she can do. But first she will have to sneak out of his house.
As Grace and Eliza go through the application process, training, and then events of World War II readers see these events through the show more perspective of African American women out to prove themselves worthy of the chance that they are given. Facing intense scrutiny and persecution, they must learn to remain strong and to overcome personal differences to stand together.
This was a refreshing take on WWII fiction, I appreciated the different perspective. At times I wished it was less about the characters inner battles and personal relationships, but I also appreciated that they were portrayed as real people with real problems and imperfections. I would definitely recommend this to fans of historical fiction. show less

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I’m so happy it didn’t disappoint. This book follows Eliza, a well to do newspaper writer and Grace, a pianist who can’t get catch a break. These two join the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp. The two begin a rocky friendship, though throughout the book their friendship begins to turn for the better. This book follow their journey as they eventually make their way to Britain followed France. This is a piece of history I knew very little about and this book leaves me wanting to know more. I couldn’t put this book down and really enjoyed how the author wrote Grace and Eliza’s stories. Highly recommend.

African American Grace Steele and Eliza Jones decide to join the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. They are quickly chosen to be among the first class of black female officers in the army. This book follows their reluctant friendship, training, and assignments during WWII.

I have to admit that I did not love this book. Grace and Eliza were constantly bickering, which made their a bit unlikable. I wanted to cheer them along as they faced racism and sexism, but their behavior and attitude was off putting. I also felt like the book continually went over the same information about the past and relationship. This bogged the story down. Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

I found the book very enjoyable and look forward to her next book.