4 solid stars for a historical fiction novel about the Russian Civil War. This is a story of espionage, romance, and a brutal civil war. It is told from the viewpoints of three people:
Anna Sokolova, an employee of the CHEKA, the Bolshevik espionage/security organization. She became a revolutionary after her brother was killed by Cossacks at a peaceful protest.
William Arden, a Captain in the US Army, he was wounded in France and has been honorably discharged. He is recruited by his Uncle Henry to go to Petrograd to be an administrator/translator for the Red Cross mission there.
Rear Admiral Alexander Kolchak, leading a portion of the White Army fighting to restore the monarchy.
The author has actual historical people interacting with his fictional characters, including Felix Dzerzhinsky, the head of CHEKA.
This is a brutal civil war and there is one instance of torture/graphic violence.
I found the 3 main characters to be likeable and believable. This is book 1 in a series and I plan to read the others.
One quote from Yurovsky, the person who carries out the execution of the Tsar and family in July, 1918:
"The idea of god did not fit with the world I knew. Sometimes I wish I could. For those who believe, killing seems to be easier to live with-they have a mechanism for confession and absolution. They can pass the sin onto their god. The rest of us don't have this option. But I think we still seek absolution in some form. Killing is a terrible task. There is no way to make it not so. Every reason and every intention may be right, but none of it will ever make it right in itself or make it any less terrible. Believe me, it will eat at the soul."
Thank You Heathen Press and D.V. Chernov for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#commissarnovel #NetGalley

D.V. Chernov has achieved that rare feat in historical fiction: taking a dense, often overlooked chapter of the past and transforming it into a high-octane spy thriller that never loses its groundedness. Set against the fractured landscape of 1917 Russia, Commissar plunges the reader into the chaotic aftermath of the Revolution, where the air is thick with the smoke of a looming civil war and the shadows of international conspiracy.

The narrative is propelled by a twisty plot as CHEKA agent Anna Sokolova hunts the British spy Sidney Reilly in the wake of an assassination attempt on Lenin, her path collides with William Arden, an American veteran whose own mission is shrouded in layers of deception. The genius of the book lies in how Chernov weaves the very real, "stranger than fiction" history of British and American intervention into a seamless, gripping chase.

What elevates the story, is the lead character Anna Sokolova. She is a fascinating anchor for the reader; her struggle to save her country without sacrificing her soul provides a balance to the fast-paced action. The surprises are frequent but never feel far-fetched, anchored firmly in the precarious reality of the era. I walked away not only entertained but genuinely enlightened about a pivotal moment in history I knew little about. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.