What do you think?
Rate this book
Commissar #2
Commissar: War and Peace
The award-winning historical saga of the Russian Civil War continues with book 2: Commissar - War and Peace.
Winter, 1918. The guns of the Great War finally fall silent in Europe, and world leaders gather in Paris to ink new agreements and redraw the maps of the world. But to the east, Russia is ablaze - its history being written in blood as the ruthless civil war between Reds and Whites continues for the fate of the vast empire.
Anna Sokolova, a Soviet Cheka agent, arrives in Paris to set up an intelligence network that could tip the scales of the war at home when fate once again brings her together with William Arden, an American intelligence officer with secrets of his own.
When a daring diplomatic proposal promises peace for Russia, new threats emerge. As alliances shift and the lines between loyalty and betrayal begin to disintegrate, Anna and William find themselves pulled into the maelstrom of Russia's fight for survival that carries them from the gilded salons of Paris to the starved streets of Moscow and across the frozen steppes of Siberia to the very edge of the world.
Winter, 1918. The guns of the Great War finally fall silent in Europe, and world leaders gather in Paris to ink new agreements and redraw the maps of the world. But to the east, Russia is ablaze - its history being written in blood as the ruthless civil war between Reds and Whites continues for the fate of the vast empire.
Anna Sokolova, a Soviet Cheka agent, arrives in Paris to set up an intelligence network that could tip the scales of the war at home when fate once again brings her together with William Arden, an American intelligence officer with secrets of his own.
When a daring diplomatic proposal promises peace for Russia, new threats emerge. As alliances shift and the lines between loyalty and betrayal begin to disintegrate, Anna and William find themselves pulled into the maelstrom of Russia's fight for survival that carries them from the gilded salons of Paris to the starved streets of Moscow and across the frozen steppes of Siberia to the very edge of the world.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
D.V. Chernov
4 books28 followersD.V. Chernov is an award-winning author of historical and crime fiction. His debut novel Commissar was named Finalist for the prestigious Hemingway International Book Award. D.V. Chernov was born in Omsk, Russia and grew up in the Soviet Union during the final decades of the Cold War before immigrating to the US in 1991. For his crime fiction, Chernov derives inspiration from his 20-year career in the high-tech industry, with his extensive experience lending his thrillers a level of authenticity that is rare in the genre.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 18, 2025
Commissar: War and Peace was a very interesting read. A well-balanced mix of characters set in post-WWI Europe with a lot of focus on the Civil War taking place in Russia. Even though it is a follow-up to Commissar, reading the first isn't necessary as the author does a good job referencing just enough of that story to explain the situation without ruining the first if you choose to read the story leading up to this book.
Combining a cross-cultural love story spread across much of Europe and Russia and the diplomatic efforts taking place as countries try to position themselves to take advantage of Russia's vast resources leads to a relatively quickly paced novel. The author obviously did a ton of research around the time period (which I wasn't very familiar with prior to reading this book) and basic fact checking of important events lined up with the novel. It was hard to tell if this is a story of diplomacy told through the love story of the main characters, or vice versa. Either way, I look forward to the follow-up book to hear how the love story ends within the setting of the end of Russia's civil war.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone as it has a great mix of intrigue, characters, military history, and romance. A little something for everyone.
Much thanks to The Niche Reader for providing and advanced copy. It was well enjoyed.
Combining a cross-cultural love story spread across much of Europe and Russia and the diplomatic efforts taking place as countries try to position themselves to take advantage of Russia's vast resources leads to a relatively quickly paced novel. The author obviously did a ton of research around the time period (which I wasn't very familiar with prior to reading this book) and basic fact checking of important events lined up with the novel. It was hard to tell if this is a story of diplomacy told through the love story of the main characters, or vice versa. Either way, I look forward to the follow-up book to hear how the love story ends within the setting of the end of Russia's civil war.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone as it has a great mix of intrigue, characters, military history, and romance. A little something for everyone.
Much thanks to The Niche Reader for providing and advanced copy. It was well enjoyed.
November 9, 2025
After the Great War, a pair of spies with a complex history - exacerbated by the fact he is American and she is Russian - are brought together and pushed apart in an action-packed thriller that shifts through the powers of Europe.
The historic element is well-presented, with expressing unique opinions and perspectives. From men high in the military who profited from the political uncertainty, to isolated communities who said uncertainty just keep happening to, the tumultuous era is kept relatable and understandable.
One downside to this is that several of the characters end up monologuing a whole lot. An American politician monologues for almost 600 words - I wrote the full monologue in my reading journal and counted 585 words, filling two entire pages. Long paragraphs of uninterrupted dialogue are quite normal in this book, and a few times I had to flip back to remember who was talking and to whom.
Something I love about historical fiction is dramatic irony, and that is not lost on this writer. It's a little tongue-in-cheek, which make for a nice break from the lengthy dialogues and historic information.
The historic element is well-presented, with expressing unique opinions and perspectives. From men high in the military who profited from the political uncertainty, to isolated communities who said uncertainty just keep happening to, the tumultuous era is kept relatable and understandable.
One downside to this is that several of the characters end up monologuing a whole lot. An American politician monologues for almost 600 words - I wrote the full monologue in my reading journal and counted 585 words, filling two entire pages. Long paragraphs of uninterrupted dialogue are quite normal in this book, and a few times I had to flip back to remember who was talking and to whom.
Something I love about historical fiction is dramatic irony, and that is not lost on this writer. It's a little tongue-in-cheek, which make for a nice break from the lengthy dialogues and historic information.
November 16, 2025
I enjoyed the first Commissar book so was very happy to continue the characters’ story. I find this period of history eventful and complicated so I welcomed the historical explanations. I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews