A review by karla_w_a_k
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Difficult book to read as it recounts a dark time in history, but it is history worth learning about. I would not recommend if traumatic storylines, realistic depictions of trauma are difficult to handle in reading, generational trauma/ genocide are things too difficult. Think very similar to Anne Frank and other survivor stories of POW’s from WWII era. I found it a story that I appreciated as it’s about a genocide often overlooked/ forgotten that reverberates to today still. Incredibly accurate description of what many endured but never had the chance to share. If stories like that inspire you to reflect or empathize, change the world, or simply understand history of other cultures- this is a story that would be beneficial to read. But, it is a difficult one. Take breaks!! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Racism, War, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, and Child death

Moderate: Blood, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Chronic illness, Colonisation, and Classism