Reviews

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

votesforwomen's review

4.0

This was a remarkably beautiful story. Sepetys is a wonderful author, and this book is a jewel in the crown of her achievements. I docked a star for the fact that I wish there was more about certain characters, but I do love this book so much. This is incredible work.

brendalovesbooks's review

4.0

This is not a time period I know very much about, and I can't believe that things like this happened relatively recently. The only thing that dropped my rating a little bit is that the main character is 17, but sometimes the narration made him sound like he was way younger than that. Otherwise, great book!

sam_creighton's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

minitoblerowl's review

dark informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

jamierobyn's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.5

mollyvh's review

4.0

Despite the historical fiction story, this book depicts the very real history of communism in Romania. It is told in a hauntingly beautiful way, and really made me regret not learning about this sooner.

notzx's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

trinny's review

informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

natalieyanka's review against another edition

dark hopeful informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

robbynjreeve's review

4.0

Wow. I’ve loved Ruta Sepetys other novels and this one does not disappoint.
I really appreciate her novels focusing on so many places and events in history that are not as well known. Her novel begs the question: when does it become our duty to help other nations? How can we know what’s really going on in foreign lands? And it shocks by revealing how much suffering and captivity are still happening today.
But her novel also highlights hope. A young man’s courage to keep doing all and whatever he can to both help his family and do what is right.
Worth reading by everyone.