Review: Between Shades of Grey

Between Shades of Grey

by

Ruta Sepetys

A sad and heart wrenching tale that will leave you sobbing and weeping. You can't help but carry Lina and her family in your heart even after your done reading.

Ruta Sepetys has created a similar tale of what it must have been like taking true stories and piecing them together along with some of her own wonderful imagination to create this remarkable and astounding tale about Lina and her family. They lived well up until they were rudely interrupted by the NKVD one day while they're father was gone. Made to pack one suitcase with all the belongings they could fit inside they had to go with them. Luckily, Lina's mother had anticipated such a sad event and had sewn valuables inside her coat pockets to be sold when needed later. Forced to get onto a train with others and made to stay inside, no bathroom, and no food. Occasionally Ruta would show flashbacks of Lina's life before these sad series of events to show how great of a life she had.

Lina's family had been chosen because of her father. They had already abducted him. Lina could draw remarkably well and would leave hidden messages, and drawings in hopes that he would find them. So sad some of the things those children witnessed. So sad. Makes you realize the things we take for granted. I had hoped for a happy ending, but knew better than that. I certainly didn't expect what was to come though.

5/5 Stars. 346 Pages. Published by Penguin. This was an ARC copy received from the publisher.