A review by oomilyreads
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

PUB DATE: Feb 1, 2022 

In 1989, Romania is under the oppressive tyranny of Nicolae Ceaușescu. 17-yo Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a philosopher and writer like his beloved Bunu (grandpa) but Romanians aren’t allowed to think or dream. In this YA Historical Thriller, the story follows Cristian who is blackmailed into becoming an informer.   

I was immensely invested in Cristian’s life and the suffering and torture that he and those around him had to endure under Ceaușescu. As tensions built towards the end of Dec 1989, Cristian becomes desperate to undermine the dictatorship that has consumed his country, his people and his family. There is a young romance, sweet & touching, best-friends & loyalty, and family relationships that is broken by a dictator that purposely creates misunderstanding, mistrust & fear to demoralize its people.

"They steal our power by making us believe we don't have any, but words and creative phrases they have power". 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its short chapters, & well-paced story line. I felt sorrow at the end of the story, the unfairness of it but ultimately understand that is what happens when a dictator commands isolation & fear into it’s people.

Ruta Sepetys is renowned for her stories of lesser-known history and giving voice to those who have experienced it. Her research is well done, her writing incredible & have led me to look up these events myself.