Reviews

This book was incredible. I slammed through it in 3 days (which is so very fast for me) so that should tell you what you need to know.

Ruta Sepetys truly never misses. Ever. She strikes yet again with a story of forgotten history. Multiple points of view, multiple characters stories that are unfolding at once. Cutting straight into your heart and giving chapters so quick that I would sit there and say “ok just one more” about 50 times before I actually put the book down.

The reason I’m giving this one a 4 star instead of 5 stars is because it’s honestly devastating and really horrific. But there was no other way to be when telling the story of the Wilhelm Gustoff. A story that is a historical event - it couldn’t be and shouldn’t be sugar coated or glossed over. But then it’s a double edge sword because you have to sit with the fact that these things actually happened on this earth.

Gonna take a few days to get over this one

madimoss's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

agiberson's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced

lattenightread's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? N/A

5.0

catbrigand's review against another edition

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3.0

I feel bad about giving such a thoughtful and well-researched book three stars. But let me explain.
The book uses four narrators whose paths eventually converge. While it allows for four perspectives, it also makes for convoluted reading. I felt disconnected from a few of the narrators, and in two particular instances, it was not at all clear what was happening. In others, it was sort of a matter of:
Narrator A: I knew he must never find out my secret.
Narrator B: I saw that the girl was wounded.
So it was sort of a pattern of unnecessary cliffhangers resolved by a different person on the very next page. An interesting stylistic choice, but not one that was for me.
Ultimately I must commend the author for choosing to bring the tragedy of the Wilhelm Gustloff to light. It's amazing that the deadliest maritime disaster in history is so unknown. I hope that this book encourages people to pick up more books on the subject and brings it more into the public conscious.

rebeccasarine's review against another edition

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5.0

Don’t skip the authors note.

abbyl819's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was so amazing and powerful that I am actually having difficulties wrapping my mind around it. I had heard great things about this book, and it did not disappoint. I was completely unable to put it down and finished it in around half a day. The characters in this book are so well written and emotionally developed. The switches in perspective really help to display the reasoning and motives behind their actions, words, and thoughts. I was in love with this book and it's characters, and felt every twist and turn emotionally as I went through it with them. I love them all so much it is difficult to pick a favorite. Their bravery and positivity through hardship really are to be admired, as is that of many in history who don't get the recognition and memory that they deserve. This has definitely got to be one of the best historical fiction books that I have ever read, and I would definitely recommend it. Fans of Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire will love this as much as I loved both that series and this book.

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