'I Must Betray You' delivers a superbly portrayed and powerfully written narrative set in the unsettled time of of late 1989 Romania. Giving readers a pulse-pounding experience, this gripping plot elevates the suspense and intrigue to an extreme level. The plot stole my full attention; it was very hard to put this book down once I began reading it! The plot is captivating — and combined with masterful character development it becomes engrossing. The main characters are dynamically developed and solidly defined. Because the protagonist is so realistically described in his thoughts and actions, it is very easy for the reader to relate to him and become involved in this story. This relatable connection will allow the reader to physically and emotionally experience the pain, the hardships, and the wounds that so many went through under the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausesc. The protagonist, Cristian, is also emotionally in tune with the reader, further adding a sense of connection to his character. In short, I really liked the characters and found it easy to relate to them. Ruta Sepetys's writing style is a lot more than I expected; it's realistic, descriptive, and conveys so much meaning with very little word usage. By using short, descriptive sentences, Sepetys enhances the realistic atmosphere of this novel because this writing sounds like natural thoughts and speech. These things being said, however, I recommend this novel only to mature readers as it contains some age-appropriate elements: inappropriate language (some swear words and a few dirty names); mild violence; some potentially disturbing descriptions for younger readers (of a dead body and brutality); and a couple of scenes where a boy and a girl kiss (it doesn't go any further than kissing and doesn't last very long). Other than these elements the story is really good. Sepetys's writing accurately depicts life under communism allowing the reader to feel the hardships people face under such an oppressive government. It instills in the reader the same longing for freedom that the characters have. This amazing novel will take readers on a thrilling journey — a journey that emphasizes courage and resilience in the face of hardships and oppression.
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BOOK BREAKDOWN
Fundamentals:
-Plot: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
-Writing: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
-Characters: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content: (Please see review for details.)
-Language: 3/5
-Violence: 2/5
-S*xual: 1/5