really great read, thanks for the ARC, publisher. The plot tracks Aurora/Dawn, a Soviet/American girl, bouncing between the Bonus Army March, Stalin's USSR, and wild and harrowing adventures in Montana. She is a fantastic character, I am very attached to her. I did not see the meaning of the title until it was specifically called out, so I won't explain here, it's kind of a treat.

In some ways, it seems the whole point of this book was to get to the last chapter and set up the second in the series. That I was sufficiently sucked in by this time to want to read the next installment, and think I might enjoy it more than the first, says something. As a Neal Stephenson fan, I enjoy his writing and was expecting a futurist, dystopian story. I was surprised to be plunged into Stalin's Russia and Communists hiding out in Chicago and the American heartland. At some point, I gave up what kind of novel I thought this was going to be and decided to go along for the ride. That said, this could do with serious editing and better pacing. The moving back and forth between the present and past was initially confusing, and not quite the best device for allowing Dawn/Aurora's story to unfold. She is a wonderful, engaging, and incredibly self-aware character. A true heroine warrior and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Polostan is really intriguing, weaving a complex tale of revolution and espionage. It could use some work in the pacing department, but overall, it sets a solid foundation. I'm curious to see where the second installment goes.