This novel is less fiction, more history readers are absorbed into the reality of the destitution of the Romanian people. Sepetys’ latest novel, I Must Betray You, is set in Romania during the oppressive communist dictatorship of Nicola and Elena Ceausescu. She is categorized as a ‘crossover’ novelist, valued by both adults and young adults. Her books are written with the intent of giving voice to populations who suffered through cruel totalitarian regimes but are under-represented in historical records. No internal illustrations.Ruta Sepetys is a celebrated writer of historical fiction and a world-class ambassador for human dignity. Two minor characters are American and default to white. One minor character is Romanian American. This is easily a 5-star read, even with a long falling action section. That’s really my biggest complaint, and it’s not that big a deal. I read that one on audiobook in the same week that I read I Must Betray You on e-book. This may just be my preference because while I haven’t written this review yet, I plan to say the same thing about You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen McManus. There was too much falling action after the main conflict was resolved. Both books were so engaging, but I felt like in both cases, they were too slow to end. I remember feeling the same when I read Fountains of Silence, also by Ruta Sepetys. It’s a little slow in the last 10% or so. WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT I MUST BETRAY YOU In the end, not everyone is punished for their crimes against humanity. And of course, the protests – even in the face of beatings and death – show how the Romanian people hoped for (and got) a better tomorrow.Ĭristian and his neighbor Liliana have a sweet, mature romance. He wouldn’t do all that if he had no hope.Ĭristian’s poetry journal (and what he does with it later in the story) also represents hope for change. The grandfather (“Bunu”) seems certain that change is coming soon.Ĭristian doesn’t want to be a forced spy, but he does it in the hopes of getting treatment for Bunu’s cancer. There is much sadness here – from waiting in long lines for basic supplies to constant surveillance to physical beatings to murder – but there is also hope. Plenty of twists! I didn’t realize just how many until I tried to write this review without spoilers! I love it when I learn something new when I read! I knew nothing about Romania’s Ceaușescu regime or how Romania ousted him and embraced freedom. THE SHORT VERSIONĪ must-read for upper-MS, high school, and adult readers! WHAT I LIKED ABOUT I MUST BETRAY YOU In exchange for cancer treatment for his grandfather, seventeen-year old high school student Cristian Florescu reluctantly becomes a confidential informant for the Communist Romanian regime under Nicolae Ceaușescu.

I must betray you chapter summaries