This novel managed to both shine light on a forgotten tragedy of WW2 as well as introduce 4 characters I felt I knew inside and out masterfully. Most authors would have dropped the ball on one of these fronts, but Sepetys balances things perfectly. The book ended in the perfect place, although I never anticipated where the 4 characters would end up at any point of my reading. One of the characters was easy to hate and at times their POV dragged for me, but it made the story come together and enhanced the other character's POVs.

If you are left wanting more at the end of the novel, read the author's note and the segments of interviews present at the end. They are worth it and focus equally on the history and the real life people affected by that history.

Spoiler

I hated Alfred from his first POV. If anything was going to bring this down from 5 stars it would be having to put up with him for so long, but he had a fitting ending that made sitting through his POV worth it. I also think his POV was necessary to complete the story of the rest of the characters when they were all on the ship.