A review by book_rascal
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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? No

5.0

 

This was a heartbreaking story of a little-known disaster during WWII told as a historical fiction. As the Russians pushed into Germany and the surrounding countries, they were brutalizing the people to the point many were running for their lives. This follows a group of refugees as they head to the coast to catch a ship right ahead of the Russians. They faced many hardships and even death trying to escape. Friendships were formed and hearts became involved. They did make it onto the Wilhelm Gustloff. While crossing the Baltic Sea, it along with several other ships was torpedoed by the Russians killing an estimated nine thousand people.  

Even with this disaster this book ends with hope and a little faith in humanity. Broke my heart and put it back together again. 

I really recommend reading this book especially with the current state of the world. It definitely speaks loudest now.