One of my reading group members described this book as "knock you over the head obvious"...and it was. If you're looking for mystery and suspense, look elsewhere; but if you're looking for a light summer beach book that will keep your attention, this is it.

The story is told through four different perspectives and at every turn, more secrets are revealed. The characters and their back stories play an important role in their present decisions.

In 1941, Stalin invaded Lithuania & Estonia and deported the counter revolutionists and nationalists to Siberia. Among the 1.5 deportees was 16 year old Lina Vilkas, her mother, and younger brother. Her father was also taken while working at the University, and Lina and her family never saw him again. Between Shades of Gray tells the story of this Lithuanian family's deportation, the conditions they lived and worked under, as well as their determination to survive and ability to hold on to love.

This book was quite an interesting read as I never really studied much about Stalin's regime during WW2. However, Ruta Sepetys left a lot to be desired in her writing. The lack of character development made it difficult for me to feel a connection with Lina and the others, despite the atrocities that were committed against them. Perhaps the author tried to "dumb" the book down for her intended audience (YA)? It is such a shame as this was a page turner. I just didn't feel the sense of humanity one usually feels when reading this type of subject matter.