ffilippa's review against another edition
4.0
All the stars. This is the best historical fiction book I've read. Very touching, unforgettable and so important! Everyone should read it!
abanas's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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? No
5.0
13anishedreader's review
4.0
Heartbreaking, and a testament to human strength. Absolutely beautiful.
This was the first book by Ruta Sepetys that I read, but since then I have read the rest of her work and even possess a signed pre-order copy of one of her novels. This book was wonderful, but has been given 4/5 stars simply because her books have only gotten more and more incredible as I have read on.
My favorite part of this book, aside from the poetically heart-wrenching prose, is the subtle tie-in to my favorite Sepetys novel, 'Salt to the Sea.' The protagonist of 'Between Shades of Gray' references a cousin she has in passing, one who is practicing medicine. Turns out, this cousin is one of the protagonists of 'Salt to the Sea.' I absolutely loved that added fact, and it just created an added layer of depth and heartache to the story.
Incredible. Sepetys is a master.
This was the first book by Ruta Sepetys that I read, but since then I have read the rest of her work and even possess a signed pre-order copy of one of her novels. This book was wonderful, but has been given 4/5 stars simply because her books have only gotten more and more incredible as I have read on.
My favorite part of this book, aside from the poetically heart-wrenching prose, is the subtle tie-in to my favorite Sepetys novel, 'Salt to the Sea.' The protagonist of 'Between Shades of Gray' references a cousin she has in passing, one who is practicing medicine. Turns out, this cousin is one of the protagonists of 'Salt to the Sea.' I absolutely loved that added fact, and it just created an added layer of depth and heartache to the story.
Incredible. Sepetys is a master.
elliemcc11's review
4.0
This is a 3.5 - 4 star rating for me. I thought the book was well written and using young characters to tell this harrowing tale was an interesting approach.
This was the tale of Lina and her family. They were classed as "criminals" by the Soviets and deported from Lithuania to Siberia in 1941. In fiction and nonfiction we read so much about the holocaust but this is an equally tragic event. These people weren't criminals but individuals and family who were loyal to their own country. They also tended be bourgeois educated people. They were deported to work camps and collective farms and effectively left to work and die. Having visited a remembrance museum in Riga, Latvia the living conditions were nothing new to me but the author depicted well what I saw firsthand.
It's a fast read being a YA book, and being a YA book the true extent of the horror and violence is masked. I think its an important book designed to keep the history alive.
My minor grumbles would be the flashback sections and the ending that was rather abrupt. And the follow on that was a little too predictable and Hollywood like perfect.
This was the tale of Lina and her family. They were classed as "criminals" by the Soviets and deported from Lithuania to Siberia in 1941. In fiction and nonfiction we read so much about the holocaust but this is an equally tragic event. These people weren't criminals but individuals and family who were loyal to their own country. They also tended be bourgeois educated people. They were deported to work camps and collective farms and effectively left to work and die. Having visited a remembrance museum in Riga, Latvia the living conditions were nothing new to me but the author depicted well what I saw firsthand.
It's a fast read being a YA book, and being a YA book the true extent of the horror and violence is masked. I think its an important book designed to keep the history alive.
My minor grumbles would be the flashback sections and the ending that was rather abrupt. And the follow on that was a little too predictable and Hollywood like perfect.
karaklos's review against another edition
4.0
Between Shades of Gray is a WWII historical fiction novel about Lithuanians that were taken from their homes and forced into slave labor in Siberia. I didn’t exactly enjoy this book. It’s a very heavy, sad, depressing story but I’m so glad I read it. I learned about a part of the war that I had never heard of.
Ruta Sepetys painted such a vivid picture of their lives with wonderful character development, organization, and pacing. The main character Lina is a teenager and talented artist. She draws her environment and the people around her. The descriptions of her sketches bring such a richness to the novel. Lina’s mother Elena is a true hero in the story, bringing much light to everyone’s lives, creating hope when there was none.
A very quick, easy read of a difficult topic. I will try another of the author’s books.
Ruta Sepetys painted such a vivid picture of their lives with wonderful character development, organization, and pacing. The main character Lina is a teenager and talented artist. She draws her environment and the people around her. The descriptions of her sketches bring such a richness to the novel. Lina’s mother Elena is a true hero in the story, bringing much light to everyone’s lives, creating hope when there was none.
A very quick, easy read of a difficult topic. I will try another of the author’s books.
coramackenzie's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
loosealbluth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.0
kaforyl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
unnecessarily abrupt end
nrsbekah's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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
4.5
herianna's review
4.0
I. Cried. A. Lot.
Even while reading the 'happy' parts I was crying.
The ending was kind of abrupt but I still liked it a lot. I feel like reading more historical fiction now.
Even while reading the 'happy' parts I was crying.
The ending was kind of abrupt but I still liked it a lot. I feel like reading more historical fiction now.