As expected from the undisputed champion of historical fiction, this is a great, accessible entry point for those interested in knowing about a period in history that they may not know much about. Fascist Spain isn't something you really learn much about in American schools, but it was an incredibly important period in global politics. The characters in this book grapple with the realities of living in this time in a realistic and accessible way. One thing I love about this author is that none of the history ever feels gratuitous. The setting is important to the story because it was written to be, rather than some clunkier works of historical fiction where it feels like a story was crammed into a random time and place to make up for its shortcomings. I also really enjoy seeing privileged characters learn and grow by seeing the realities of the world.