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carissa230's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ruta Sepetys books have a way of creating fiction that is both accessible and informative. In this book we hear the story of refugees from different walks of life trying to get to safety in wartorn Prussia.
Joana is a nurse that just wants to help people and find her family. She takes charge of the group and helps to save the pregnant teen and the others in her group.
Emilia is a teenager that is pregnant and running. She is also Polish, which is a crime almost as bad as being Jewish in Germany.
Florian is a thief running to what he hopes is safety with something he hopes to save from everyone.
The shoe poet and the little boy are people that happened upon the group. The shoe poet tells the story of others through the type of shoes they have, the wear on them, and the way they carry themselves. The little boy is looking for his family. He knows where they're supposed to be, but his grandma didn't wake up one day and now he's got nobody.
Alfred is a German soldier. He is trying to prove himself, but there is something off about him. He loves Hitler and hates almost everyone else. He's not a smart man, but thinks he is.
All of these people come together to try and survive. They try to find and create families.
Joana is a nurse that just wants to help people and find her family. She takes charge of the group and helps to save the pregnant teen and the others in her group.
Emilia is a teenager that is pregnant and running. She is also Polish, which is a crime almost as bad as being Jewish in Germany.
Florian is a thief running to what he hopes is safety with something he hopes to save from everyone.
The shoe poet and the little boy are people that happened upon the group. The shoe poet tells the story of others through the type of shoes they have, the wear on them, and the way they carry themselves. The little boy is looking for his family. He knows where they're supposed to be, but his grandma didn't wake up one day and now he's got nobody.
Alfred is a German soldier. He is trying to prove himself, but there is something off about him. He loves Hitler and hates almost everyone else. He's not a smart man, but thinks he is.
All of these people come together to try and survive. They try to find and create families.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Grief, Murder, and War
gracielou2000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder
rebeccaisabelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? Yes
3.5
The reading pace was quite fast for this book. I got to learn about periods of history I didn't know before such as the sinking of the Willem Gustoff. I also loved the relationship between Florian and Joana. However, overall, I found that the book was sad. Characters I didn't expect to pass away, passed away, those such as Ingrid, the shoe poet, Alfred, and Emilia. Emilia's death was the saddest of them all because I really thought she'd make it but I guess that just points to the fact that many people died in that catastrophe. I'm glad that Joana, Florian and Klaus got a happy ending though. I would have liked to hear more about where Eva ended up or if Florian and Joana ever found their respective families.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Rape, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
themichellegray's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A beautifully written yet heartbreaking historical fiction that captured a part of WW2 I'd never learned about before. While I appreciate this book, I simultaneously struggled with the pacing and sadly never became fully invested in any of the MC's due to the storytelling format. Despite my personal reading struggles, this story is so important and the author's note perfectly sums up why:
History divided us, but through reading we can be united in story, study, and remembrance. Books join us together as a global reading community, but more important, a global human community striving to learn from the past.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Genocide, Rape, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
madeline_schmidt20's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
k_spence92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Antisemitism, and War
nasab's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I bought this book because of a sale. I didn’t know much about it, but I liked the theme and the book cover, so I bought it.
I didn’t think I would love it this much! It reminded me of why I love historical fiction! The characters aren’t real, but the experience is! This is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time. I’m just surprised that I’ve never heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff, despite it being the deadliest disaster in maritime history. I’m glad Ruta Sepetys is contributing to its recognition.
War is ugly. Some use it as an excuse for their horrible actions, but most people just want to live peacefully with their families and loved ones and don’t care about politics. It saddens me that innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire. Unfortunately, war isn’t something in the past; it’s still affecting many innocent people in Gaza right this moment. الله يرفع عنهم وينصرهم.
I can’t bring myself to talk about the plot and characters because I’m still processing it, and it’s making me so sad.
Joana the nurse. Florian the artist. Emilia the selfless. Heinz the shoe poet. Ingrid the blind. Klaus the wandering boy. Halinka the baby. Eva the sorry giant. And last and definitely least, Alfred the idiot.
It's silly, but I hoped the shoe poet would emerge from somewhere and be alive. Emilia as well was just too young, but I realize that many died who were much younger than her, and my heart breaks even more. Joana and Florian's romance was sweet, I'm glad they survived and raised the kids. Alfred is a lunatic and a bit exaggerated but represents those who obey such ruthless rulers and believe in them.
I'm feeling so many emotions right now that I can't put into words. It's a sign of a 5-star read.
I didn’t think I would love it this much! It reminded me of why I love historical fiction! The characters aren’t real, but the experience is! This is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time. I’m just surprised that I’ve never heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff, despite it being the deadliest disaster in maritime history. I’m glad Ruta Sepetys is contributing to its recognition.
War is ugly. Some use it as an excuse for their horrible actions, but most people just want to live peacefully with their families and loved ones and don’t care about politics. It saddens me that innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire. Unfortunately, war isn’t something in the past; it’s still affecting many innocent people in Gaza right this moment. الله يرفع عنهم وينصرهم.
I can’t bring myself to talk about the plot and characters because I’m still processing it, and it’s making me so sad.
Joana the nurse. Florian the artist. Emilia the selfless. Heinz the shoe poet. Ingrid the blind. Klaus the wandering boy. Halinka the baby. Eva the sorry giant. And last and definitely least, Alfred the idiot.
I'm feeling so many emotions right now that I can't put into words. It's a sign of a 5-star read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Child death, Death, Racism, Rape, Blood, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and War
kenny_2288's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
fluture's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A heart wrenching book taken from a true tragedy during World War II. I admire how Ruta can depict the situation and horror during the war with her words. Most parts gave me the shivers and goosebumps. It's a really good book to be read for those who like history fiction.
The point of view were taken from four different people with different characteristics yet it wouldn't confuse you to read it. Every chapter flows just like a river and very enjoyable to read. A page-turner book, beautiful yet tragic.
The point of view were taken from four different people with different characteristics yet it wouldn't confuse you to read it. Every chapter flows just like a river and very enjoyable to read. A page-turner book, beautiful yet tragic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Antisemitism, and Grief
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Vomit, and Stalking
alenert's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
4.0
Switched from digital to audio around ~30%. Audio was great and had a full cast for all of the POVs. I honestly didn’t know much about this going in, so I didn’t know it was about a ship sinking (clearly I didn’t read the synopsis), let alone that it was based on a real and relatively unknown (by the general public) historical event. Goal of informing people of lost history through fiction: achieved. Loved the characters and, though it goes without saying that this not a happy story, I’m glad I read this and learned some new history. Also the shoe poet has my heart <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Vomit