This captivated me like very few books are able to. I did not have any prior experience with this alternate history universe, though I know there are other stories set in it. The mystery of what's actually going on is intriguing, and the people feel real. I care about them, and I want to know more.

My recommendation is, if you enjoy alternate history fiction, with a very slight touch of science fiction, go into this as blind as you can and just enjoy it.

I listened to the audiobook adaptation, and the readers of that one was exceptional - so if that's your thing, give it a go, it's on libro.fm.