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kylajaynebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Terminal illness, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and War
dilani's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I appreciate how Ruth Sepetys did some in-depth research into the real tragedies that this book is based upon. The interviews with people involved at that time was a nice touch. Sepetys sheds light to a WWII tragedy most have never heard of. And she does a damn good job of it.
“When the survivors are gone we must not let the truth disappear with them. Please give them a voice.”
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
mayukiiq's review against another edition
5.0
* reminiscent of All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr) in some ways
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and War
Moderate: Gore, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Rape and Antisemitism
maria1085's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
“We the survivors are not the true witnesses. The true witnesses, those in possession of the unspeakable truth, are the drowned, the dead, the disappeared.”
It always amazes me when I read historical fiction I learn something new. Salt to the Sea is based on the real sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in the Baltic Sea on January 30, 1945. This was the single greatest maritime disaster in history yet not many people know about it. As a history buff I like to think that I’ve learned a lot of history, but it just isn’t the case. The ship was overcrowded carrying 10,500 refugees and military personnel. Included were 5,000 children. When it was struck by three torpedoes from a Russian submarine it began to sink. It was a tragedy that took so many lives.
This hauntingly beautiful story follows four characters who become connected as they make their way to the port to escape the advancing Red Army. This novel was well researched and so well written. It’s YA, but it didn’t feel that way when I was reading it. This is my first book by Rutya Septys and it won’t be my last. She is such a prolific writer, each story was so heartbreaking but the way she connected the characters at a human level gives the reader hope.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, and Medical trauma
juliamb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Vomit, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
erinlikesstories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pregnancy
cammiem8's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Torture, and Vomit
Depicts WW2 and Nazism realistically, so expect all the violence and bigotry that goes along with that.julia1579e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture and Vomit
kalin_grace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Rape, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
sarahquang's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Child death, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Sexual harassment