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nasab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I didn’t think I would love it this much! It reminded me of why I love historical fiction! The characters aren’t real, but the experience is! This is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time. I’m just surprised that I’ve never heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff, despite it being the deadliest disaster in maritime history. I’m glad Ruta Sepetys is contributing to its recognition.
War is ugly. Some use it as an excuse for their horrible actions, but most people just want to live peacefully with their families and loved ones and don’t care about politics. It saddens me that innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire. Unfortunately, war isn’t something in the past; it’s still affecting many innocent people in Gaza right this moment. الله يرفع عنهم وينصرهم.
I can’t bring myself to talk about the plot and characters because I’m still processing it, and it’s making me so sad.
Joana the nurse. Florian the artist. Emilia the selfless. Heinz the shoe poet. Ingrid the blind. Klaus the wandering boy. Halinka the baby. Eva the sorry giant. And last and definitely least, Alfred the idiot.
I'm feeling so many emotions right now that I can't put into words. It's a sign of a 5-star read.
Minor: Child death, Racism, Abandonment, Rape, War, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Blood, and Pregnancy
fluture's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The point of view were taken from four different people with different characteristics yet it wouldn't confuse you to read it. Every chapter flows just like a river and very enjoyable to read. A page-turner book, beautiful yet tragic.
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, War, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Genocide, Hate crime, Infertility, Antisemitism, Child death, Gun violence, and Grief
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Vomit, and Stalking
allisonbraun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Child death, War, Medical content, Genocide, Body horror, Pregnancy, and Death
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, and Antisemitism
hollycluff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The prose was beautiful and vivid without distracting from the story, which was a huge win for me. It did become quite graphic in some scenes, which totally made sense given the content matter, but reader beware.
It was fascinating to me that this was based on a massive real-life tragedy that I had never heard of, and the story explored WWII from perspectives I hadn't seen before.
I appreciate a good, emotional ending that still provides closure, and this story absolutely delivered. Props to the author for ending this story with the perfect balance of sadness, hope and justice, and a very cleverly written epilogue.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Gore, and Body horror
amberinbookland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racism, Violence, Grief, Deportation, Death of parent, Death, Ableism, Medical content, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, War, Physical abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, Murder, Child abuse, Body horror, Antisemitism, Animal cruelty, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
kylajaynebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, Racism, Death of parent, Hate crime, Genocide, Gore, Body horror, Child death, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Terminal illness, Vomit, and War
ingrid21's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, War, and Antisemitism
hungeberg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
However i did really enjoy this book even though it was darker than anything i had read in a while. I especially enjoyed the character of Frigg since he reminded me of people i've met in real life - even though he is absloutly horrible. He was laugable throughout the book to a point where i laughed out loud because of his self interest and stupid observations.
Anyway i don't get why this belongs in young adult it is pretty horrific to read and I wouldn't let anyone under 18 read it because of some of the graphic describtions. That said the book is very necessary especially because this is properly pretty close to the horrific acts of violence commited throughout the war.
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Xenophobia, War, Vomit, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Genocide, Death, and Child death