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A review by leahjanespeare
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Sepetys illuminates the real vampires in Romanian history; the tyrannical reign of the Ceaușescus that spanned decades and made Stalin’s actions look mild. This is a history that is so recent (ending in 1989) yet so buried that you’ve probably never heard of it. The regime built on fear will unsettle you as a reader, and carve deep horror into the marrow of your bones. Through this era though, the bravery and strength of young people led to a bloody revolution and ultimate freedom from Romania’s isolating Iron Curtain of communism. It’s a tough read but ultimately full of hope and dreaming while living in a country where your every movement is monitored and no one can be trusted.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail