Charlie’s Wings by Karl Stewart
Publisher: Headline Books (June 30, 2025)
Length: 245 pages
Genre: historical fiction, action/adventure
Reviewed by: Gloria Johntel
A Riveting and Realistic Look into WWI Aerial Combat
Karl Stewart’s recent novel, Charlie’s Wings, is a compelling historical adventure of a World War I aviator, Charlie Carter. It is loosely based on Stewart’s own family history, and is tied to his “Legend of See Bird” trilogy. Charlie’s Wings is a great mix of action and adventure with a little bit of tasteful romance, and can be read as a standalone story even though it is part of a larger body of work. Charlie’s Wings follows our man Charlie as he navigates aerial combat when it first became a reality. As Charlie risks his life day in and day out, the one constant in his life is his dedication to his girl back home, Gertie.
WWI was a time of great military advances and new inventions, like tanks, airplanes, two way radios, and anti-aircraft artillery. This novel captures the thrill of new technology as well as the risks and fears that went along with it—from mechanical failures, test-piloting new aircraft under enemy fire, and understanding the reality that pilots were nearly as at-risk flying practice maneuvers as they were flying against the enemy. Karl Stewart brings extensive research into his work and ties it to the emotions of his characters as they grow and learn throughout the novel.
In addition to great research, Stewart is quite adept at writing detailed, exciting action sequences. Every aerial battle is hard-fought, and very detailed without being too technical. The dogfights are some of my favorite parts of the book, and the varied emotions that the characters displayed during and after these battles seemed on-point for the dangers they were facing. While Charlie puts on a brave face in battle, he always understands that death is waiting for him if he makes the wrong move, and he drives that point home to himself and to his fellow pilots on several occasions.
Throughout the novel, Stewart’s main focus is on Charlie Carter, but he also focuses on other characters from time to time, particularly those characters who are influential for Charlie’s growth, such as Charlie’s fiancée, his plane mechanic, his superior officers, and his fellow wingmen. This emphasis gives the story more depth and offers greater context for the lesser plot arcs.
The romance aspect of this story is refreshingly wholesome and honest as Charlie remains true to his Gertie even in the face of temptation. Through their correspondence we see how they continue to grow closer despite Charlie being an ocean away.
Through this relationship, Stewart also manages to add illustrative historical touches that enrich the story and give the reader a glimpse of life in the hills of West Virginia in 1918 as well as life on an airfield base. Stewart also explores the other aspects of the ravages of war when Charlie and his comrades travel to Paris and to other French towns that have fallen victim to German assault. This connection keeps the reader heavily entrenched in the story’s time and place and does well to show that war has far-reaching effects.
Overall, Charlie’s Wings is a detailed and interesting read, and while there are some slower subplots, it is exciting and real. Karl Stewart writes a confident and well-researched story, and I look forward to reading more of his work.
Reviewer Bio:
Gloria Johntel is an aspiring author and Wisconsin native. She loves to read stories set in her home-state. Her favorite genres include everything but horror and sci-fi, unless it involves vampires. Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom to her sweet babies, Aurelia and Odin, though she still finds the time to read every day (even if it’s reading a color primer to the kids).
