catninapark's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rianamartin's review against another edition
5.0
Such an amazing book! I just love her so much! Ruta sepetys is just amazing.
I didn't know about the oppression faced by Romania and I'm very grateful to this book... It gives an insight into horror that Romanians faced under Ceauşescu. It's real and unimaginable and horrifying. This book is a masterpiece and a must read.
I didn't know about the oppression faced by Romania and I'm very grateful to this book... It gives an insight into horror that Romanians faced under Ceauşescu. It's real and unimaginable and horrifying. This book is a masterpiece and a must read.
idogrocker's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I have always really appreciated Sepetys’ ability to reveal the histories of young people living in totalitarian/oppressive regimes. The care and research put into her books is so present and vital, and it really brings the stories to life. Except, I can’t escape a nagging feeling that this particular novel felt a bit more wooden. Some of the story seemed to get lost behind the emphasis of the evil of communism, rather than be artfully framed by the context of communism. Given the ending author’s notes, I hope this was more an effect of attempting to underline Romania/Ceausescu’s specific brand of communism than it was delivering a ham-fisted (or should I say “paddle-handed”) “communism bad” message. As a student of the region, I’ve always been impressed by Sepetys’ nuance, so I’m hoping some of the loss of that nuance in this novel is only another symptom of COVID-19.
TLDR, I enjoyed it despite my qualms, and look forward to learning from Sepetys’ future work as I have in the past.
TLDR, I enjoyed it despite my qualms, and look forward to learning from Sepetys’ future work as I have in the past.
thyroyalreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
katherinew2002's review against another edition
4.0
I would say 4 or 4.5 stars. Engaging enough for me to finish in one day. I found the historical aspect extremely interesting and informative and the author did a really good job of making you feel constantly on guard just like the characters in the book had to be under constant surveillance by the Romanian government. There was a love story which just felt like slightly too much for me in some ways and also the plot just felt like it moved really quickly but if it’s based on real events then I guess that’s not the author’s fault. Big into historical fiction these days
abbycostello1999's review against another edition
5.0
Brutal and powerful. This is a story the whole world needs to hear.
tramsay's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0