Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys Book Review

My Thoughts

Lina lives in Lithuania with her family, content with her family. Soviet soldiers soon disrupt this peace, forcefully taking away everything she had. Soon, Lina's family is separated and she must find a way to survive in the labor camps.

Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother's was worth a pocket watch.

In the worst conditions known to mankind, Lina survives. She develops relationships with those around her at these camps and learns what it means to trust them and find loyalty and solidarity, finally seeking out the beauty in all the darkness.

Sometimes kindness can be delivered in a clumsy way.

Star Rating: ????? (5)

There's just something so strong and captivating about the author's writing that feels as if I can't stop looking away. Lina and her brother's relationship throughout the novel touched me as I recognized the theme of family through their interactions. Not only do they represent family, but they also show resilience in all that they went through together.

Overall, Between Shades of Grey was an important read on the lost stories of World War II. Sepetys' way of expressing this story flows from the page and touches readers in all ways as they follow along with the characters through their journeys.