This just squeaks a 4, mostly for the ambition of the author stepping out of his comfort zone and the unusual setting. There are a couple of easter eggs that should make you smile if you spot them, too. This is a dark mirror setting to our world. Riffing on the Weimar Republic and throwing in issues with biotech and robotics, stir. However, along with other reviewers, I had issues with the pacing. Half of the first two thirds should have been thrown out and the final third expanded by at least a factor of 2. I get that Kadrey wanted to show the debauchery of the time as a nihilistic act before the next horrible war arrives but he totally overdid that and totally undercooked his main plot. As I say, just squeaked a 4 for me so I can recommend but be prepared for a long haul to get to the meat of the book.