A review by brittsky
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was fantastically written, extremely moving, and incredibly necessary. I know very little about the Soviet takeover of the Baltic States. It wasn't touched on in any history course I've ever taken, and after reading this book, I realize what an oversight that is.
I wouldn't recommend reading this on a full stomach, or without knowing the trigger warnings. It's dark, heavy, and relentlessly brutal. There are moments of levity, but they are few and far between and colored by the bleak reality of life in a forced labor camp. I learned so much reading this, but very little was positive.
That said, I loved each and every character. I connected with every thread of the plot, and was entirely emotionally invested. The symbolism is ever-present but never heavy-handed, the dialogue poignant and precise, and not a single line felt wasted or out of place. Ruta Sepetys can WRITE. I truly think this is considered a YA novel based on the age and viewpoint of the character alone, because it didn't feel like a single punch was pulled, and the writing was beautiful and sophisticated without ever becoming overbearing.
I can't find a single criticism with this, except that I wish it had been longer, so that we could have seen more of the end, instead of just the epilogue. I completely respect Sepetys's decision to end it where she did, though, and I want to read everything else she's ever written (after a break filled with happy books, to decompress and to remember the good in the world).
I wouldn't recommend reading this on a full stomach, or without knowing the trigger warnings. It's dark, heavy, and relentlessly brutal. There are moments of levity, but they are few and far between and colored by the bleak reality of life in a forced labor camp. I learned so much reading this, but very little was positive.
That said, I loved each and every character. I connected with every thread of the plot, and was entirely emotionally invested. The symbolism is ever-present but never heavy-handed, the dialogue poignant and precise, and not a single line felt wasted or out of place. Ruta Sepetys can WRITE. I truly think this is considered a YA novel based on the age and viewpoint of the character alone, because it didn't feel like a single punch was pulled, and the writing was beautiful and sophisticated without ever becoming overbearing.
I can't find a single criticism with this, except that I wish it had been longer, so that we could have seen more of the end, instead of just the epilogue. I completely respect Sepetys's decision to end it where she did, though, and I want to read everything else she's ever written (after a break filled with happy books, to decompress and to remember the good in the world).