Age: High School-Adult
History: World War II, sinking of the Willhelm Gustloff
Tough Issues: Rape (referenced), Death (including children)

This book could have easily gone on for another 200 pages, but Sepetys' choice writing makes this a suspenseful page-turner filled with loss, friendship, and the determination to live when all odds are against our four main characters.

Spoiler

While the love interest between Joana and Florian adds some lightness and hope to the story, it still felt a little weird considering the tragedies surrounding their flight for life. I did appreciate that Florian was not an infallible, honorable hero. Most of his decisions were done to increase his likelihood of survival, including using Joana for his own benefit--although, in the end, this was done reluctantly. Someone that has survived that long as a "deserter" during the war has to be selfish to some degree.