In the last half of the book it was still written in first person point of view, and still written like a journal from the protagonist Cristian. As the secret agent who blackmailed Cristian becomes a more prevelant character, the more Cristian is expected to betray loved ones starting with a friend and ending with his entire family. While being a secret informant he learns many new things, like when he learned his sister is a informant too.

This book takes place in Romania in 1989. This is a journal written by a 16 year old boy named Cristian living in a communist country. He lives in communism under constant surveillance, and minimal food/water. The leader Ceausescu is viewed as an evil man by Cristian and his family. In the rising action a government official approaches Cristian and forces him to become an informant. Cristian listens when the life of his grandfather is threatened.