This is one of the most incredible works of fiction I've ever read. The premise is fascinating, the protagonist is just wonderful, and the story is gut-wrenching in more than one place. Science fiction is not really my genre--I'm fine with it in theory but just haven't come across much I really love--but this is also historical fiction, and it is excellent in every way. I was hooked from the first page, which happens so rarely for me lately that I appreciate it even more.