I want to start my review by admitting that although I always read the blurb of a book before deciding whether to read it, I often forget what the book is about before I’m able to read it. That is exactly what happened to me with this book, and it created quite an unusual experience for me.

The Prince of the skies follows three pilots: Jean, Henri and Antoine. Their incredible friendship, amazing adventures and domestic lives are interwoven in this wonderful historical novel.

I have always wanted to read the little prince, but have never actually managed to get round to it. It wasn’t until I was about 3/4 of the way through this novel that I realised that this book is based on the author. I had spent the first chunk of the book trying to decide if it was based on the lives of men that were extremely exciting, or if it was an adventure novel that was slightly dull. It seems that these men just lived extraordinary lives, and I am so glad that I have been able to experience them through this book.

The translation was beautifully done, and although the book is a long one I enjoyed reading the entire thing. My only issue, is that I wish a note was added onto the end which indicated the true historical events. I love it when historical novels include a section on the the true history that inspired them. That being said, I don’t think I will ever look at pilots or mail carriers in quite the same way again.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical novels based on the lives of real people. Especially anyone with an interest in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I want to thank Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Antonio Iturbe for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.