Reviews

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

835mphelps's review against another edition

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5.0

It took me a while to get to this book - it’s been on my TBR list for months...I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer. What a powerful story. I found myself engrossed in it, not wanting it to end. Even though the characters are fictional, the struggles & events of the sinking ship aren’t. I will be researching this tragedy further - not knowing about it until this book. Thank you Ruta Sepetys for a story I won’t forget...

kimouise's review against another edition

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sad fast-paced

3.5

richarzo's review against another edition

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5.0

AMAZING. Her books are so flipping good.

shannontay's review against another edition

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5.0

"The sinking of the Gustloff is the largest maritime disaster, and the world still knows nothing of it". I am one of those who had never heard this story! It's mind boggling to me that this isn't part of the common narrative surrounding WW2. The characters are wonderful, I really enjoyed this book. Occasionally I struggled with the quick changes between narrators, but everything else was great

wisteriadumster's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One of the first historical books I ever read, and it got me HOOKED! Forever obsessed with Ruta Sepetys

akosua_exe's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

aritrigupta's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a beautiful narrative of four different individuals brought together by Gustloff tragedy.
I hadnt read [a:Ruta Sepetys|3407448|Ruta Sepetys|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1344869981p2/3407448.jpg] before - but I will certainly do so. Her language, and story telling was simply fabulous.
I loved the mystery in each of the background plots of the characters, the historical facts about the Gustloff, the Amber Room, the flow of the plot from the different points of view - all the elements put together made a wonderful, moving story. I feel guilty in admitting I had very less idea about the true story of the ship and the massive evacuation - but it just shows how war brings nothing but misery, loss, pain and destruction to both sides, irrespective of who the victor is.
The poignant story of Florian, Joana and Emilia made me smile at times, and cry quite a number of times, and Alfred was indeed an example of the unfortunate brainwashed youths under the Nazi regime, who in the end were just misled, disillusioned boys. However, the characters will remain with me for quite some time.

mmarie222203's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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bookbug827's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

wafflegirl564's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75