It’s 1989 and Romania remains in the tight grip of Communism, overseen by Nicolae Ceausescu. Free speech is repressed, food is scarce, citizens have lost their basic rights, and everyone is being watched. For teenager Cristian this place is not what he wants for his future but he has no choice, especially when he is forced by the country’s secret police to spy on an American diplomat and his son. But Cristian will not give up and as the country spirals towards revolution, Cristian decides he will do his part as well and make sure the rest of the world knows what life is like in Romania, even if it costs him his life.

Though this is my first book by Ruta Sepetys, I had heard many goods things about this author and her collection of young adult historical fiction books. I’ve seen Ashes in the Snow, based off Ms. Sepetys’ Between Shades of Grey (the movie was great and I imagine the book is the same), so I was anxious to pick up one of her other works. I chosen I Must Betray You because it covers a topic that doesn’t seem to be written about much in the large canon of historical fiction. I know a little bit about Communist Romania, but mostly about the end of the revolution and the Romanian orphans so I was very interested in reading a story set during their time period.

I Must Betray You is a well written story and Ms. Sepetys clearly did her research. She creates a vivid picture of life in Romania in 1989 and her characters are all very realistic. I also enjoyed the cat and mouse game that is weaved in throughout the story and the reveal of who was spying on Cristian was well done and unexpected though unfortunately not unrealistic given what I do know about these communist regimes.

Though this book is targeted to a young adult audience, I do think adults would be interested by this book as well. But do be aware that the writing isn’t on an “adult” level so the language is more simplistic, for lack of a better word.

I gave this book four stars instead of five because the last part of the book does seem a bit rushed. I wouldn’t have minded Ms. Sepetys making the book a bit longer to avoid the ending feeling like it was quickly put together. Nonetheless, this is a well written and well researched book that I would highly recommend to someone is looking to read about a different time period in history that is not always written about.

4 out 5 stars