Broke my heart in the best possible way

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Sepetys illuminates the real vampires in Romanian history; the tyrannical reign of the Ceaușescus that spanned decades and made Stalin’s actions look mild. This is a history that is so recent (ending in 1989) yet so buried that you’ve probably never heard of it. The regime built on fear will unsettle you as a reader, and carve deep horror into the marrow of your bones. Through this era though, the bravery and strength of young people led to a bloody revolution and ultimate freedom from Romania’s isolating Iron Curtain of communism. It’s a tough read but ultimately full of hope and dreaming while living in a country where your every movement is monitored and no one can be trusted.

TW: death, gore, torture, genocide, police violence

I love that Sepetys’ books can be enjoyed by adults just as much as teens, they’re full of history that is so often forgotten about, she breathes new life into these stories.