Carnegie Medal winner and number one bestseller in the New York Times!
This gripping historical novel, written by the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray, is about the citizen spy network that rocked a country and totalitarian Romania.
1989 in Romania. In Europe, communist governments are collapsing. Cristian Florescu, who is seventeen years old, wants to be a writer, but Romanians are restricted in their goals by laws and coercion.
In a nation ruled by fear and isolation under Nicolae Ceaușescu's despotic tyranny, Cristian is coerced into becoming an informant by the secret police. There are only two options left to him: either he betrays everyone and everything he holds dear, or he uses his position to subtly challenge the most infamously wicked tyrant in Eastern Europe.
Cristian takes great risks in order to reveal the real nature of the dictatorship, provide support to his fellow Romanians, and inform the international community of the situation in his nation. When the moment comes, he gladly enlists in the revolution to fight for reform. However, what price does freedom exact?
Ruta Sepetys, master storyteller, returns with a historical thriller that explores the little-known past of a country characterized by grief, quiet, and the steadfast faith of the human spirit.
I Must Betray You's Accolades
"As exciting and instructive as it is, I Must Betray You's power lies in its ability to make you feel the destabilizing effects of being spied on in addition to describing them." — Book Review, New York Times
"An epic heart-stopper...With her collection of work, Ms. Sepetys has established herself as a compassionate voice of moral clarity and a tribune of the underappreciated historical moment. - The Journal of Wall Street
* "In a manner that very few authors can, Sepetypys masterfully combines an astounding amount of information with heart, skill, and insight. really intelligent and readable." - Kirkus Reviews, with a star rating
* "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history." Booklist with a five-star rating
* "Sepetys's most recent work maintains the standard that fans have become used to from a writer whose attention to obscure history has elevated her to the status of YA historical fiction titan...Sepetys is an accomplished author whose works emphasize the need of writing about social injustice on a worldwide scale. This is an essential read because of it and her meticulous attention to detail." School Library Journal, with a five-star rating
* "Cristian’s tense first-person narrative foregrounds stark historical realities, unflinchingly confronting deprivations and cruelty while balancing them with perseverance and hope as Romania hurtles toward political change." Publishers Weekly gave it a star rating.
“Sepetys keeps readers riveted to this vivid, heartbreaking and compelling novel, locked into every meticulously researched detail. I Must Betray You captivates the heart and soul and leaves the viewer speechless with its beautiful language, empathetic characters, innovative narrative, and fast pace. As such, it requires a whole commitment from its audience. Shelf Awareness, a four-star evaluation
"A master class in pacing and atmosphere." - PageBook