I received this book in an early reviewers giveaway. I had some mixed feelings about this book. I felt that in general it was a good story, it had some adventure, a bit of romance and historical facts. I liked learning some of the information about Ceaușescu’s reign, but I felt that it was slipped in a bit awkwardly.

A previous review had commented that this was written without emotion and I agree with that statement. I, too, didn’t feel much for any of the characters. SoI wasn’t very eager to pick it back up. I was also a bit lost in the first few chapters with the time jumping around.

In my job as a middle school teacher, I have read many books for young people and this is how I felt the book was written somewhat. Not a lot of descriptions and the author told you what was happening with the characters rather than letting you infer from the things that they said, expressed or did. Just very basic fiction writing. I have not read any of the author’s non fiction works but I would guess that is where her strength lies, with research and facts. I give this book 2.5 stars, as I feel it was just an average read for me.
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Romania, post-WWII, was ruled by a Communist and dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, who was responsible for mass surveillance as well as severe repression and human rights abuse. Mica, the novel's protagonist, is the seventeen-year-old daughter of one of the members of the Resistance. Mica's father taught her how to escape Romania into Hungary if he was ever arrested. Mica would unearth diamonds that have come into the procession of her father via his brother. Mica considered the diamonds to be blood diamonds as they came to her Uncle for forging a passport of a Jewish concentration camp prisoner.

Mica does make her escape to Hungary but due to her age was force to stay at the American Embassy for over a year until she could receive a visa to journey to America to join her Uncle. This book will take the reader through the trials of Mica to sell the diamonds and attempt to bring her parents safely to America. ( )

This was a pretty good story about a young girl and her escape from Romania, special diamonds, and getting her family back. I enjoyed the story, background, and history that was included. ,However my only issue was that I think one or two "historical facts" weren't exactly true, but this is fiction and didn't claim to be otherwise. ( )

Roberta Seret portrays the perils of Romanians during the reign of Nicolae Ceausescu. This trilogy follows the lives of four teenaged girlfriends during this reign of terror. Book 1 of this trilogy follows Mica from life in Romania to her fleeing the country with her father’s diamonds. The characters enhance the story with their vivid description. The short history of diamonds contained valuable information and just the right amount of explanation. Many authors have described the problems of Romania and Serbia and the subject matter seems trite, at times. Seret writes well of the issues and heartache, but her writing lacks emotion. ( )

I really wanted to like this book. The summary sounded like the stories I enjoy. I did learn about Romanian history and about diamonds. However, I couldn't connect with Mica, the main character who escapes Romania to Hungary and then to the United States. The characters were flat and the dialog didn't seem real. ( )