Salt to the Sea

Young Adult historical fiction Salt to the Sea is a masterful character study of a disparate group of individuals trapped in a WWII drama. A teenage rape victim, a nurse, a weakening Nazi, and a poet are all being evacuated from Nazi Germany to a rescue ship.

The dangers and impediments they meet along the way make for a tense read: Who will make it? Who will not? The author's horrifying descriptions of war on the seas make for nerve-wracking but compelling reading.

With a clear picture of the terrors of war, and what such refugees faced, the reader comes… show more.

Ruta Sepetys writes historical fiction like no one else. All her books are wonderful, however, this one is my favorite. Not only does she write about a little-known event in history, she does it masterfully with short chapters told from four distinct points of view, doling out backstory as if it is a treat rather than something a reader must endure. Yes, the story is fascinating, but it is her craft that makes me reread it with a highlighter in hand. 

The narrative of this book is compelling. It starts with a bang and is haunting at the same time. Based on true events from 1945, the story centers on four refugees fleeing Russian invaders, only to find themselves aboard a sinking ship that is only meant to hold 1200, but instead has 10,000 onboard. Each character is given his/her own chapter, with each acting as a window to each of their souls. It’s riveting historical fiction, based on actual events.

Ruta Sepetys is arguably one of the great masters of historical young adult fiction. Salt to the Sea is an exceptional example of why this is the case. Sepetys expertly balances the stories of multiple protagonists set against an actual (and little known) tragedy that occurred during WWII. I found myself rooting for these characters while simultaneously biting my nails and trying to catch my breath.