Between Shades of Gray

Publication Date: 22 March 2011

Publisher: Penguin Group

Pages: 338

Summary:

Coldness never goes undetected. Bitter winds ravage through the air, wrapping all who infringe upon its presence with chills. It's a feeling distinguished from all else. Yet nothing freezes a person more than humanity's own immorality. Lina Vilkas learned such a fact when she and her family are thrust into the Baltic Genocide, victimizing them to years of murderous labor and abuse. To survive, Lina must discover her own sense of strength as she struggles to find hope in one of history's most unforgettable episodes.

Plot:

Learning about past events is never easy. Uncovering the trials that has befallen history often spurs unwanted emotions within a person: which is what makes them important. Ruta Sepetys delivered not just a well-written novel, but an important one. Lina's journey reinforces the dire consequences that result from humanity's own error, an aspect that illustrates why such an instance can never be repeated. However, I did find the imagery of the story to be a bit overwhelming at times, and feel that balancing it with other elements could have balanced the context a little more.

Characters:

I felt emotionally invested in these characters while reading. Sepetys' does an effective job at balancing the characters individual interests with their roles in the story, gifting them with an engaging personality.

Setting:

I found Sepetys' novel to be quite informational on a geographical scale. Visual depictions of Lina's journey helps to narrate the progression of the novel's story, an aspect that personalizes the piece's overall context.

Review:

My overall review for this novel is four stars out of five. I would recommend this book to any one who enjoys historical fiction, particularly Sepetys' other novels. Thanks for reading :)