4.5 stars.
This is a well-written young adult book set in Bucharest 1989, leading up to the Romanian Revolution. It follows Christian, a 17-year-old high school student as he tries to deal with the difficulties of living in a repressive society under communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. With the Securitate (secret police) watching him and informants everywhere, no one can be trusted. No one. We see how this strains Christian's relationships with his friends and family.
Though not a teenager myself, I was immediately drawn in to and engaged in the story. It was very interesting (and heart-breaking) to learn what life was like for ordinary Romanian citizens. The book wasn’t overly political, and I got through it quickly. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is a well-written young adult book set in Bucharest 1989, leading up to the Romanian Revolution. It follows Christian, a 17-year-old high school student as he tries to deal with the difficulties of living in a repressive society under communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. With the Securitate (secret police) watching him and informants everywhere, no one can be trusted. No one. We see how this strains Christian's relationships with his friends and family.
Though not a teenager myself, I was immediately drawn in to and engaged in the story. It was very interesting (and heart-breaking) to learn what life was like for ordinary Romanian citizens. The book wasn’t overly political, and I got through it quickly. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the author and publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.