greylandreviews's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A really informative and interesting book. I really like when Sepetys only writes from one point of view. When she does multiple, it just becomes jumbly and pacing is kind of thrown off. The narrator for this one was good also.
I never knew this about Romania and I'm really glad I learned about it. Giving a voice to a silent past is what Sepetys is a master at.
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Animal cruelty, Blood, Alcohol, Death, Excrement, Body horror, Violence, Medical trauma, Genocide, Gore, War, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Cancer, and Sexual assault
readingwithkaitlyn's review
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexism, Death, Torture, Murder, War, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Violence, Police brutality, Misogyny, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Gore
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Excrement
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, Classism, and Alcohol
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Genocide, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and War
Minor: Antisemitism, Deportation, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
charliethebooklover's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ruta Sepetys never disappoints! This is the third book of hers I have read, and it's just as full of emotion, twists, and good characters. She gives a voice to people that didn't have one, and tells stories for those who can't. While I don't think that any of her books could top Salt to The Sea, one of my all-time favorites, they're still so great to read, yet heart wrenching at the same time. I must betray is a boom where I never knew who I could trust, and every reveal was just as heart-pounding as the previous. Truly the queen of historical fiction. If you're interested, try it out! As always, check the content warnings, because mental health comes first!
Graphic: Death, War, Police brutality, Murder, Gun violence, Death of parent, Xenophobia, and Genocide
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Suicide