Cristian, a teenager living in Romania in the 1980s, has been blackmailed into spying on an American diplomat in return for medicine for his sick grandfather. Once again, Ruta Sepetys has given me insight into a piece of history I know little about. Her amazing storytelling transported me to a time and place that allowed me to imagine what it was like to live under a communist regime. It was both harrowing and fascinating to read about the fear and distrust Romanians felt living under a government that gave them no freedom or control over their lives. Sepetys does incredible research for her books and is a master storyteller. Cristian's situation is tough to read about at times, but his story is hopeful, too. Even though this book is marketed as YA I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. A very compelling and powerful read.