A country on the brink of revolution; a girl caught between ideologies.Petrograd, Russia, 1917: As the war against Germany rages on, Katya does her bit for the war effort by working at a munitions factory alongside her best friend, Masha. With her father away at the front, Katya quit university to work and support her brother, Maxim, an ailing soldier with a gambling habit. Meanwhile, food shortages create room for new, revolutionary ideals to gain traction as she contemplates contrasts between the czar and the common people. During a women's march, Katya reconnects with fellow student Sergei and gets embroiled with the Bolsheviks. Caught between her father's loyalties to the czar, Sergei's Bolshevism, and the reality of war, Katya eventually enlists in the historic all-female 1st Russian Women's Battalion of Death, led by the infamous Maria Bochkareva. Taking place over a five-month period, this empowering story sees Katya go through highs and lows at home and at the front, speeding through grueling training to bond with and lead the inspiring women in her unit. Lough (The Blind Wish, 2015, etc.) offers a fascinating, if too fleeting, look into a complex political moment, following a young woman as she carves her own way and proves her worth in a hostile, divided world. All characters are white.A compelling feminist snapshot of a country—and a girl—at a revolutionary crossroads. (author's note, further reading, discussion topics) (Historical fiction. 14-adult)

Gr 8 Up-In 1917, 17-year-old Katya knows the challenges of living in Petrograd: regular protests, food shortages, and the loss of life while the war with Germany continues. She does her best to contribute by working in a munitions factory, but when her brother Maxim deserts from the army, Katya enlists with the all-female army battalion. The challenges and rewards of training, her conflicting feelings about war and revolution, and her friendship with a socialist writer combine to make Katya consider the realities and nuances of life in Russia in 1917, while also simply trying to survive. Lough moves into historical fiction with ease as the book blends actual events from 1917 Russia into the narrative. The rapid changes of the periodthe fall of the Tsar, the provisional government, the rise of the Bolsheviks, and the warare comprehensive but not overwhelming for readers. The plot is fast-paced, without losing the history and context of the period. Katya and the supporting characters are well developed and conflicting beliefs about the war and the revolution are explored from multiple perspectives. This is a great option for readers who enjoyed Sherri L. Smith's Flygirl , Elizabeth Wein's "Code Name Verity" series, or Kathryn Lasky's Night Witches . VERDICT 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. Kaetlyn Phillips, Yorkton, Sask.