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readingvoyage's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“How could we expect others to feel our pain or her our cries for help when all we could do was whisper?”
This novel is set in Romania in 1989 during the last year of communist rule under Ceausescu. I’m old enough to remember Perestroika, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the change of governments in the former Eastern Bloc countries. Ceausescu in Romania was the last holdout, and the West was shocked by the the atrocities and living conditions found.
What is brilliant about this story is that it is told through 17-year-old Cristian’s eyes. He would very much like to be a writer one day (although it wouldn’t be possible under Communist rule). He sees his world clearly, and through his daily encounters, he paints a picture of everyday life during 1989. What really struck me is how the Securitate (the secret police agency) created an environment where no one could trust anyone.
This novel is compelling and one I will remember for a very long time. Bravo, Ruta Sepetys.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Gore
kayaks's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
[ pre-review ]
ruta sepetys you have done it yet again, constantly raising the bar for us all and doing it flawlessly. i’d say i’m surprised but i read the rest of your books. i’ve seen it up close and personal. ruta sepetys, you make me so proud
review to come — 4.5 ⭐️’s
ruta sepetys you have done it yet again, constantly raising the bar for us all and doing it flawlessly. i’d say i’m surprised but i read the rest of your books. i’ve seen it up close and personal. ruta sepetys, you make me so proud
review to come — 4.5 ⭐️’s
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, and Gore
library_kb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ruta Sepetys has done it again--created an absolutely immersive historical fiction story around a part of history I had never learned about before. This is definitely a hard story--if you aren't good with descriptions of violence and gore, it probably won't be for you, but if you can handle this hard topic, it is a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Gaslighting, Police brutality, Death, and Physical abuse
maddiet425's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Excrement, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Animal cruelty, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol and Cancer
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