I Must Betray You
A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about 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.
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.
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This was heartbreaking and thought-provoking. It leaves me searching for answers that Christian was asking, feeling the same hurt, confusion, and disgust. I am heartbroken with the contents we came to find towards the end. I have no more words. Wow
This YA historical fiction book was a page turner and I could hardly believe she was writing about 1989 as it was so reminiscent of Stalinâs Russia. Highly recommend.
Mind freaking blown! This is my second read of Ruta Sepetys and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both. She is quickly becoming one of my new favorite authors. I skipped over the first books about the Holocaust because I was tired of all historical fiction books being about the same time and place. But in this book (as well as Fountains of Silence), she shares an informative (fictional) story of history that we don’t often hear about in the US. And at first I was concerned it’d be watered down since her books are for YA, but she doesn’t hold back! Wow! This story is powerful, raw, and poignant.
so quick and such a nice book! the author put so much effort and i love that. i liked the characters and the writing overall was amazing! definetly will read more of ruta's work!!
Excellent book! This should be required reading for middle school and high school students. Very enlightening in regards to Romania and the fall of Communism.
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