Ruta Sepetys

A gut-wrenching, startling window into communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray. Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren't free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He's left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves--or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe. Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom? Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by silence, pain, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit.

I Must Betray You

Natalie Unsinn 

You think you know someone. And when you realize you’re wrong, the humiliation steals something from you. Your mind becomes a thick forest of dark thoughts and you wonder - what was am I not seeing?

Our family was gloomier than most. Or maybe I was the gloomy one

A gut-wrenching, startling window into communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray. Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a poet and philosopher. But Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the grip of the maniacal dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu and a country governed by lies, deceit, isolation, and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil regime in Eastern Europe. Cristian risks everything to expose the truth behind the regime, to give his people a voice, and to tell the world what is happening in Romania. And he is eager to join in the revolution and fight for change when the time arrives. But the cost of a better future comes at the expense of broken hearts and lives lost. Masterful storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by its secrecy and lies, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit, even—and especially—in the face of hardship, sacrifice, and war.

🏹

I love it, I love it, I love it. I’ve always loved the paradox: historical fiction that isn’t fiction—referenced to the author’s note. The story is delivered in swift turns of events, sometimes puzzling to the mind but always leaving room for wonder. I know what I’ve been led to believe: I was enchanted by a magic spell. I continue reading until the end because there’s no other way to uncover the truth, and that is what I desperately clung to.

Francesca Starecheski

I read and I cried and I turned the final page with wings of hope strapped to my back.

Syahla Aurel

How could we expect others to feel our pain or hear our cries for help when all we could do was whisper?

I appreciate that half of the story is based on a true event; it adds a new viewpoint and understanding of the communist rule in Romania in 1989. Although the romance narrative between Cristian and Liliana is somewhat forced, the plot regarding "who is the informer" was engaging and leaves you wondering.

August is a month of historical fiction books that make me recall all of my childhood interest in any history books back then.. that turn out I grow up in scientific major instead! But anyways, I found this book was talked in almost everywhere, and I didn't regret myself to have this one from my library (Yay!). I always had a slight discussion with my dad about the books I’ve read, especially if it comes to history or any social sciences related. I just knew it last week about Poland, Romania, and Hungary— and voila, the revolution came across the surface in this book too. 

My core reason to read this book is I am cluelessly curious person, I love to learn from any media and fortunately, my dad has a huge background in sociology. He was a student from political and social science, have been in international project from UNFPA (United Nation Population Fund) and went to China around late 70s to the communist project. At that time, China is still whole communist in the chairman of Deng Xiaoping, no one can enter their gate as well as go outside the country. My dad was guided by some translators and guide across the country to acknowledge the population and children in that area. One day, he asked for food in the restaurant and the food-served was all in pork dishes (my dad is a Muslim). So he told one of the waitress whether there was any other food to eat since he is a muslim and didn't allow to eat pork. And the waitress, a teenager girl, with her innocence and confusion asking, "What is that? Does the thing exist?" That concluded it that how communist works in every country. It isn't fully wrong, there goes Carl Marx first theory about materialism before the dictators of the head country. Religion is sort kind of addicted in their mind.

What I want to say in here is, this book showed me more about what my dad experienced there. I was so curious about how do they survive and finally open their gate to the world? I ever read about France revolution (1789-1799) with the start of regime Napoleon Bonaparte. The crucial and dark days there was shown perfectly on this book. Even though it is a young adult, I can clearly learn towards some events and light-sentence, through and through.. Even, honestly, I've been struggling a bit to read some Romanian since Google didn't provide it but it's OK!). They provided us some jokes in here too, I clearly remember the separation of Romania's serious and funny facts. That's hilarious! Probably because Cristian, the main character, still in his seventeen hence why the story goes on.

I Must Betray You is a book about remember the buried in our chest, the thick forest and humiliation, and the power of our fear. If you need a heavy story and exact timeline for sort kind of events, you probably wouldn't find it in this book. But if you need something you can finish in one sitting with pinchful knowledge at the same time, this book is really made for you. Also, I just proved what people are talking about; Ruta Sepetys is a good writer. I prolly will borrow Salt To The Sea after this. 

"Sorrow. Anger. An Expanse of emptiness that takes form as a separate entity living inside of you. It digs, takes root, and dwells there. And somehow, you know that even if it worms its way out, there will be nothing relief. If it leaves, there will be nothing left but charred remains, like the inside of a house torched by fire."
4,75 of 5

Melissa Palmer

Another excellent historical fiction read by Sepetys, this book talks about the fight for Freedom in Romania. This is an engaging read that will hook young adults and keep them interested throughout the book. It is powerful.

Very interesting read with a few twists towards the end. It was also interesting to have a book take place in Romania during this time period as it is a country that in general I don’t know much about. 

Hannah Williams

Personally, I found this book to be well written and interesting, but long winded and a bit boring at times. I can fully see the appeal of this wood and I admit it is good, but I am not a fan of this genre so it wasn’t for me.

Heidi Finch

Jeannette Ordas

Honestly, I didn't know much about Romania under the tyrannical rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu but this book really explores how horrible life was. And it's a good reminder at how fear can be used to play tricks on everything you hold dear. 3.5 stars.

Ana Paula

I wish I could have read this without relating on a personal level, however here we are :')

Every single one of my highlighted quotes made me cry and wish that in the (hopefully close) future, my country has someone as thoughtful, prepared and generally amazing as Ruta.

| " I am living history. I am freedom. (...) That is my statement"

Sofia Arcângelo 

I remember being a child, and later a teenager, and hearing about Romania and the horrible crimes committed against the population. To this day I remember hearing that Ceausesco and his wife were captured and later sentenced to death. TV showed the being executed. I will never forget.
Now, this book is fiction, I know, but is so well written and will give an idea of what happened to the ones who were born after Ceausesco death.
Let's not forget what monsters are capable of!

Alice Myles

i always read ruta sepetys and want to feel the same way I felt when I read salt to the sea for the first time and in this case I just didn't but that's probably partly on me. 

I did however love the exploration into this time period which I really don't know much about and you can tell how much research went into making it feel authentic which is something I always love in historical fiction and Ruta Sepetys is one of the best!

Elissa Bowe LeBeau

Hard to read - due to the difficult subject matter - but well worth it. I always admire historical fiction that can explain the context and tell a story that the reader will fall into even if they do not have prior knowledge of history at that time.

Ana Robbinson

When war is ravaging Ukraine and threatening to spill into the rest of the world, reading this book feels somber, haunting and prophetic.

Stefanie Sugia

"Does the world know what's happening in Romania? If they did... would they do something?"

"Chills formed at the back of my neck. It was a netless leap. Suicide, some might say.
But I had to try. As the saying goes, better to die standing than live kneeling."
I don't usually read historical fiction books, but if it's written by Ruta Sepetys, I need to read it immediately. I've read several books written by her in the past and so far she never disappoints me. I Must Betray You is yet another book that I love from her. The story is set during Romania's communist era in 1989 which I know absolutely nothing about, but reading this book made me become aware of the horrific days and the suffering that Romanians had to go through to obtain freedom. It didn't take me long to finish reading this book because the story is gripping right from the start and it has short, impactful chapters that kept me wanting for more. The way the story is written also managed to make me feel the horror of the situation and my nerves were on edge the whole time. I was so emotionally invested in this book that I ended up dreaming about it one time—it was a pretty intense dream that I don't want to repeat 🤣.
"And I noticed something.
Choice.
Options.
The characters in foreign movies had both.
In Romania, jobs were assigned. Apartments were assigned. We had no choice."

  "Wisdom—thank god that's something this country can't take from you. But trust no one. Do you hear me? No one. Right now there is no such things as a 'confidant.'"

The story is told from the first-person POV of the main character, Cristian Florescu, who is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. First of all, I have to say that I love Cristian and his narration. I love how reflective his character is, always pondering about life as a Romanian and he continue to ask questions that are thought-provoking. Some passages in this book made me pause and think; made me realize that I've certainly take a lot of things for granted—like being able to eat all kinds of food and the ability to choose, or even having options to begin with. And since we're seeing things from Cristian's perspective, I can't help but be suspicious of all the other characters because anyone can become an informer and there's always a possibility of betrayal. The only person that I can completely trust is Bunu, Cristian's grandfather—one of the best characters in this book who felt like a breath of fresh air in the midst of all the fear and anxiety. The story behind his illness is so heartbreaking and feels so unfair, but it shows how Bunu lived a courageous life that deserves to be respected.

There are a lot of shocking, unexpected moments throughout this book that gave me chills. The whole situation felt so intense that my heart beats faster as I'm reading. I can't say much about the rest of the plot without spoiling everything, but I can safely say that the story ended on a hopeful note—which gives me relief after all the tension that I experienced. However, the epilogue revealed a huge plot twist and it left me with some questions that the author intentionally leave unanswered until the end. The cliffhanger was intended by the author to reflect the feelings of Romanian back in those days because there was no clear or satisfying 'ending' to the communism period. Ruta Sepetys writes, 'As a reader, unanswered questions and sadness may feel frustrating, but it's difficult to grasp how frustrating it must feel for those who actually experienced the events.' I truly admire her decision and was immediately satisfied with the ending, accepting the fact that I have to live with mystery.
"A lie is like a snowball. It rolls, becomes bigger, heavier, and eventually, it's difficult to lift. I had thought I was strong. But how much weight could I actually carry?"

  "The efficiency of tyranny! They don't even need weapons to control us. Our own fear is more than enough."

Reading this book was truly an incredible experience and I enjoyed every single second of it. I learned so much about the history of Romania and they lived during the communist era. The fact that they use Kents (Western cigarettes) as a form of currency for bribes/trade, having to stand in line all day just for a can of dented beans, and having their apartments bugged is just unimaginable to me. As I've said earlier, this story made me feel grateful for all the little things that I have and can do right now that I usually take for granted. And I'm also thankful to Ruta Sepetys for writing this historical fiction story that has helped me to know these underrepresented stories from other countries around the world. Definitely looking forward to more books by Ruta Sepetys in the future and learn more historical events through them 😊.

  "How many others across Romania were standing on their balconies at the same time, painfully picking at the adhesive, all trying so hard—
To pull the tape from our mouths."

"When we don't know the full story, sometimes we create one of our own. That's what I had done.
And that can be dangerous."

Read my full review here:
http://www.thebookielooker.com/2022/0...

Torrey

G! O! O! S! E! B! U! M! P! S!

We follow Christian Florescu, a 17 year old boy who has grown up under the Communist regime and the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu. When information about Christi having ownership of an American dollar gets to the secret police, they blackmail him for information on the people around him. 

There is a reason why Ruta Sepetys is my favorite author. The stories that she creates are so immersive and impossible to put down and I Must Betray You is no exception. This is the shortest of her books, yet it still packs in all the emotional aspects that are a staple of her stories. The plot is incredibly fast paced and continues to pull the reader in. 

The characters are incredibly well created and so complex. Each person has their own stories and motivations, pulling the reader in to feel as if we are truly in 1980s Romania. It is impossible to tell who we are supposed to trust. 

I cannot even express how much I loved this book please just do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Trapped by an evil dictatorship, will Cristian be forced to betray his family or will he risk everything he loves to resist? A powerful YA thriller, inspired by real events, from a Carnegie Medal-winning author. Cristian has lived his entire life in the grip of a repressive dictatorship. The country is governed by fear. When the secret police blackmail him, Cristian has an impossible choice. Save the life of his sick grandfather by informing on his family, or risk his life - and all of theirs - by resisting? At 17, Cristian dreams of being free but doesn't know where to turn. In this climate of constant suspicion, can he trust his best friend, his girlfriend or even his family? Closely based on the real events of the Romanian Revolution of 1989, this is a powerful, heart-breaking thriller from the award-winning YA author of Salt to the Sea.

Elizabeth Jones

Amazing. Ruta Sepetys has done it again. The amount of research and care she puts into her novels is astounding. 
This novel shares an event that many are not aware of and that is one reason I love her novels and writing. Her characters are young, real, and remind me of my own students. I will recommend this to anyone, no matter age. 

Rina

*2.5
The setting and subject was interesting, not something I’ve read about before. It’s what made me read this, the execution of the story fell flat for me unfortunately. 

Nearing the 50% mark and I still felt like Cristian was achieving nothing. The circumstances pushed him along. I also didn’t like the narration and the way it hinted at things to come. It failed at intriguing me, felt like a forced way to keep the reader so. The first half wasn’t much uneventful, everything else was squeezed more than halfway through (and this book is short) it felt rushed.

Cristian as a main character didn’t much appeal to me either. I felt like there was so much more to unpack in the story and it being solely in his point of view showed only the surface. There were many interesting side characters, I was constantly questioning what they were up to more so than what Cristian was. Had this been told in at least some of their point of views, maybe this could have really been a thriller. There were character struggles mentioned that were barely touched upon. 

This book had its moments but could have been so much more.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the arc!

  București, 1989

  În Europa, toate regimurile comuniste se prăbușesc rând pe rând. Românii nu se bucură de libertate, ci se află în continuare sub brațul de fier al dictaturii lui Nicolae Ceaușescu.

  Într-o țară închisă, izolată și condusă prin impunerea sentimentului de frică, Cristian Florescu, un adolescent de șaptesprezece ani, care visează să devină scriitor, este șantajat și racolat de Securitate. Nu-i rămân decât două posibilități: să-i trădeze pe toți din jurul lui, tot ce iubește, sau, folosindu-se de de noul lui statut, să facă tot ce poate pentru a submina sistemul totalitar, din interior. Cristian riscă totul ca să demaște regimul autoritar și pe cel mai diabolic dictator din Europa de Est, să ofere o voce poporului român și să arate lumii ce se petrece în țara lui. Când apare scânteia Revoluției, se alătură plin de entuziasm și luptă pentru schimbare și, în sfârșit, pentru Libertate.

I Must Betray You

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