Local author Taryn R. Hutchison releases final book of Romanian Revolution trilogy

Hutchison’s trilogy, a series of historical fiction for ages 12 and older, tells the story of protagonist Adriana Nicu and her friends, who must navigate increasingly hostile living conditions, mandatory military training, and terrifying tactics from the secret police.

Adriana is inspired to question her government and take a stand for freedom after reading banned books.

According to Hutchison, the completion of the final book, nine years after she first conceived the idea, gives her a sense of accomplishment. She said her time in Romania and her extensive research allowed her to write realistic stories about the area.

“Romanian friends of mine have read it in advance, and they’ve all written that they can’t believe how I describe things as though I was there,” she said. “They remember being there, and they’re saying that it’s just exactly what it was like.”

Hutchison said the final installment of the trilogy provides an exciting and dramatic conclusion to Adriana’s story. The first two books in the series are “One Degree of Freedom” and “Two Lights of Hope.”

According to Hutchison, even though it is part of a series, “Three Colors of Courage” can be read as a standalone novel.

“I had people who read the advanced copies who had never read the other two, because I really wanted to ask them how it worked, as a standalone,” she stated. “As I was writing it, in my mind, it was standalone, but I can’t really be objective about it.

“So they said it can stand alone, but having read the third one, they wish that they had read one and two,” she added.

According to Hutchison, middle grade students and young adult readers will be drawn in and enlightened when they read her books. The classic novels Adriana reads are listed in the front of the book, serving as a guide for today’s readers.

Thornwell Books, at 202 S. Sterling St. in Morganton, will have copies of the book on hand for Hutchison’s visit. The author will also sign books purchased that evening.