A review by teghans_tomes
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad fast-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? Yes

4.0

I Must Betray You is a heartbreaking work of fiction modeled after the real struggles of the Romanian people during the rule of the community party. The novel takes you on a journey of emotions and leaves you with many thought-provoking questions, as well as, the want for a better world. It isn't wrapped up in a pretty bow, rather it ends with the door still open, the story continuing to unfold as history does. It brings a wonderful non-fiction element that allows conversations to flourish about communism and it's regimes throughout the world during and after WWII without becoming too overbearing and textbookish. I love historical fiction novels, especially when they can master that technique like I Must Betray You has. I would encourage anyone and everyone to read this book. I believe not one person will pick this book up and not learn something important from it.