Sunday 2 September 2018

Review: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.


Hardcover, 393 pages
Published February 2nd 2016 by Philomel Books 
Genre: Historical Fiction/Young Adult

Kristine's Thoughts:

Salt to the Sea was another great book by Ruta Sepetys. What I enjoy about her work is the geographic area that she wrote about. It is an area that I was not overly familiar with in relation to the war. It was also an area that was truly left without hope. With Stalin on one side and Hitler on the other, the people of these areas were left with no real choice or help during that horrific time. The suffering and fear was real. Although it was a work of fiction there were elements of the story that were not. The ship and what happened to it being one of them and the theft of the Amber Room is still a mystery to this day.

This story was told from Joana, Emilia, Florian and Alfred's point of view in short little two or three page chapters. It was easy to get lost within the pages and I tore through the book, finishing it quickly. Joana was not an unfamiliar character although I didn't make the connection until I was a couple chapters in. Readers were first introduced to her in Between Shades of Gray as the main characters cousin. Each character was completely different with different circumstances but with equally tragic stories.

Salt to the Sea is marketed as a young adult book but it would definitely appeal to readers of all ages. It was beautiful and tragic at the same time and it left me with a desire to know more. This is one of the things that I love about historical fiction. It leaves me with a thirst to learn more about an area or event and I end up researching it after I finish the book. This book did that for me.

I highly recommend this book. I absolutely loved it.






About the Author
Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan in a family of artists, readers, and music lovers. As an author of historical fiction, Ruta is drawn to stories of strength through struggle. Her award-winning debut novel, "Between Shades of Gray" was inspired by her family's history in Lithuania and is published in 45 countries. Her second novel, "Out of the Easy" is set in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1950, and her third novel "Salt to the Sea" exposes one of the greatest hidden disasters of World War II. Ruta lives in a treehouse in the hills of Tennessee.

Connect with Ruta

2 comments:

  1. I reviewed this book last week. I loved it, too. Refugee stories are so important, especially because we’re in the middle of a refugee crisis right now. Great review!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Thanks for the comments. I'm heading over to read your revuew right now! :)

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