Roberta Seret

Mica Mihailescu grew up under the harsh communist rule of Ceaușescu in Transylvania. Her parents are active in covert activities, making them a prime target for the Secret Police. When Mica is seventeen, Mica's father tells her of a way to get out of the country and a hidden treasure of diamonds that will help start a new life. When her father's plan goes awry, Mica makes an amazing escape with the diamonds that her father warned her might be cursed. After escaping, Mica now must figure out show more who to trust with the diamonds and how to help the country and people she abandoned.

When I think of Transylvania, Dracula is the first thing that comes to mind. However, later in history there was a man who is even more terrifying and whose awful deeds are well documented. A Gift of Diamonds is an engrossing and hopeful story of resistance and survival. Mica's character grows up under these harsh conditions. I have never really thought much about Romania and Transylvania history past Dracula. Through Mica, I was able to see the terror and that Ceaușescu was able to impose through creating hysteria and then implementing order. Mica's character showed immense willpower and bravery as well as a good moral compass. I was very interested in the history of the diamonds and how they found their way from Auschwitz to Mica's father. the diamond's story was so tragic, Mica felt a responsibility to use them for good. I was impressed by her willingness to use them to create a better situation for her country.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when it is based on situations that really occurred. I also like learning about history that was never taught in school. Gift of Diamonds is based in Romania and begins with the communist takeover and the reign of Nicolae Ceausescu.

Mica is 17 and living with her parents training to become an actress. Her parents were always worried about the changes in Romania and made sure that she learned to speak English so that she could escape to America if show more things go bad in her country. Both of her parents are part of the resistance working against the communists. When Mica returns home after starring in Romeo and Juliet, her parents are gone and the house has been ransacked probably by the secret police. She remembers her father's instructions, digs up some diamonds buried in the basement and flees Romania on her bicycle to find freedom in Budapest and hopefully get a visa to travel to the United States. After time spent in the American embassy, she finally gets her visa and arrives in NYC to stay with the uncle who sponsored. Is her uncle more interested in his niece or in the diamonds that she is carrying? Once she gets settled in America, she works relentlessly to get her parents out of Romania and to safety in the US.

Mica was a very well written character. She was brave beyond her years but also had a naive side. She was a character that I rooted for to be successful on her goal to get to freedom in the United States. I knew very little about the communist takeover of Romania and found the information very interesting. I always enjoy historical fiction that teaches me something new.

I looking forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy and find out what happened to the rest of Mica's friends. Are they still in Romania or have they escaped to freedom? Will the four friends every meet again? I can't wait to find out!

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. show less

Anca Rodescu escaped Ceausescu's dictatorship of Romania in 1970 at the behest of her husband. Pregnant and alone in America, Anca waits for Petre to join her. Petre; however, wants to lead the revolution to bring Ceausescu out of power. Nineteen years later, Anca and Petre have divorced and Petre has almost completed his goal. Anca has become a successful pediatrician in New York City and their daughter, Sandi is studying at University. Sandi and Petre meet from time to time in Europe when show more Petre is allowed to leave for medical research. Petre has become Ceausescu's personal doctor and is closer than ever to reaching his goal when Anca begins to receive threats in America and a strange phone call from an old friend that leads Anca to believe that Petre is in trouble.

Love Odyssey combines romance, danger and adventure in this historical fiction novel. Love Odyssey is the second book in the Transylvanian Trilogy that follows Anca's story. Anca's story focuses mostly on her time after she escaped Romania and her lingering feelings for Petre. I was captivated by Anca's escape and how she was able to build her life up after that. More so, I was amazed to learn more about Ceausescu and the evils he perpetuated for so long. At times Petre's story eclipsed Anca's with the work he was doing for the revolution. I was intrigued by his work with American Intelligence and how he was able to work next to Ceausescu and even save his life on occasion. I did appreciate the overarching theme of the Odyssey compared to Anca and Petre's journey and realizing their love for one another. I particularly loved Anca's strength at the end as she risks everything for Petre. I can't wait to see what story book three brings to life.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

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 show more 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. show less