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wendyk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
This book is incredible! Told from four viewpoints, three young refugees trying to flee to safety during WWII and one pompous German soldier, their stories converge to a little known historical event. The harsh realities of youth caught in a war will stay with you. This book is heartbreaking and I could not put it down. Highly, highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
books_for_life3000's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, and Medical content
dilani's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.0
A very emotional, tough journey as we follow four young refugees trying to escape the chaos and destruction of WWII. I found myself connecting to the characters, especially the shoe poet (a.k.a. Opi), Joana, and Emilia. I was rooting for them the whole way through, except for Alfred. He was sad and pathetic excuse of a man. But besides that, I wanted everyone else to find some peace and solace.
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.”
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.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Child death, War, Genocide, Death of parent, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
lsmith725's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
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? Yes
5.0
I highly recommend this book, but read the physical book. The audiobook just confused me. The combo of short chapters that switch perspectives and the foreign names/terms just left me lost when listening, but wasn't a problem at all when I was reading the physical book.
I was captivated. This book is beautiful. The people in it and the beautiful language are just so well done. Ruta Sepetys has done her research for sure. You will cry, smily, and learn a lot with this one.
I was captivated. This book is beautiful. The people in it and the beautiful language are just so well done. Ruta Sepetys has done her research for sure. You will cry, smily, and learn a lot with this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape and Blood
Minor: Medical content
mformato's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Definitely one of the better YA books I've read in a while, which gives me hope that I haven't been completely turned off from the medium. Though it still had parts I wasn't a huge fan of.
I enjoyed that each character had their own distinct voice but I hated that they all withheld information from the reader. I understand that building up to a big reveal helps create tension but it felt unnecessary for all of them except Emilia. She was definitely the one with the most intriguing arc and I wish we had more depth with her.
I found myself skipping over most of Alfred's imaginary letters cause I just couldn't stand him and it really added nothing to the story. Even his big secret was muddied by his disillusion and not that monumental.
I adored the relationship between Klaus and the Shoe Poet; such a wholesome and tragic bond of two people in a time of war and I almost wish there was a novella from the Shoe Poet's perspective starting from right before he joined the group to how events played out in the novel.
Joana and Florian felt like generic YA characters to me. Not the worst, not the best. Just okay.
Overall I would recommend this book to others who enjoy YA and/or historical fiction. I am impressed with the amount of research Septeys does for her books; she truly cares about creating a historically accurate story with her own voice and I am definitely interested in more of her work.
I enjoyed that each character had their own distinct voice but I hated that they all withheld information from the reader. I understand that building up to a big reveal helps create tension but it felt unnecessary for all of them except Emilia. She was definitely the one with the most intriguing arc and I wish we had more depth with her.
I found myself skipping over most of Alfred's imaginary letters cause I just couldn't stand him and it really added nothing to the story. Even his big secret was muddied by his disillusion and not that monumental.
I adored the relationship between Klaus and the Shoe Poet; such a wholesome and tragic bond of two people in a time of war and I almost wish there was a novella from the Shoe Poet's perspective starting from right before he joined the group to how events played out in the novel.
Joana and Florian felt like generic YA characters to me. Not the worst, not the best. Just okay.
Overall I would recommend this book to others who enjoy YA and/or historical fiction. I am impressed with the amount of research Septeys does for her books; she truly cares about creating a historically accurate story with her own voice and I am definitely interested in more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, War, Grief, Racism, Genocide, Medical content, and Sexual assault
mayukiiq's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Absolutely gorgeous and absolutely devastating.
* reminiscent of All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr) in some ways
* reminiscent of All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr) in some ways
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, War, and Death
Moderate: Gore, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Antisemitism and Rape
itshrewsbury's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Probably one if the best historical fiction books I’ve read, and about a fairly unknown but heartbreaking tragedy.
13+
TW/CW: war, death, racism/anti-semitism, rape
13+
TW/CW: war, death, racism/anti-semitism, rape
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Rape and Death
bunnypez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, War, and Child death
izwit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Rape, Child death, Death of parent, War, Grief, Medical content, Death, Violence, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Blood
maria1085's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Vomit, Death, Gore, Blood, Medical trauma, and Rape