Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Hauntingly beautiful. I’d never even heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff despite the many stories I’ve read about WWII. Ruta Sepetys enraptures you through the characters while slowly revealing the horrors of war. This one will stay with me forever.
Sometimes you just read a book that is so well written, so immersive and so so sad that you have no choice but to rate it five stars. This book gave me a reality check on so many levels.
What a beautiful story. In one book this Author manages to catch and hold all that is dear in humanity as well as all that is broken and deprived. I’m not sure my soul will allow me to ever read this book again. But, it is so worth reading. These stories are worth knowing, in spite of them being fictional. Every once in a while a book comes along that leaves a deep mark on your soul... this one such a book.
3.5 stars. Didn’t love this one as much as her other novels. Still a sad tale that taught me a lot.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
(Catching up on books read while slacking on the updating GoodReads for a few months)
I loved this book and am a big fan of Ruta Sepetys. I feel like the research done for their books is excellent and I always learn something!
I loved this book and am a big fan of Ruta Sepetys. I feel like the research done for their books is excellent and I always learn something!
I love how the author brings light and life to important events that have not been highlighted in history books.
this is a perfect book to get back into reading again if you’ve been on a hiatus. the short chapters that shift perspectives between the four protagonists kept me turning page after page! the end had me a little weepy but that’s just the mark of great writing :) love this author and how she gives a voice to the underrepresented during the ww2 era of historical fiction! *one small critique would be that alfred had almost no character complexity, he was just 100% douche. i didn’t even see the point in having his character be a protagonist if there was no depth there. other than to act as a foil for the other characters (specifically florian) and to show how deep brainwashing and delusions can affect a person, i didn’t see a need for him at all. i guess he serves a purpose, but to present him at a protagonist level with the other three was just a little out of place for me. however i’m still marking the book 5 stars because my confusion and irritation with alfred in no way compares to the beauty of the book as a whole.
It took a little bit to get into it and remember who each of the characters were, but eventually I couldn't put it down...
