SALT TO THE SEA
by Ruta Sepetys
Release Date: 2/2/2016
About the Book
For readers of Between Shades of Gray and All the Light We Cannot See, international bestselling author Ruta Sepetys returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war’s most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.
In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them 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 toward safety.
Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.
Told in alternating points of view, and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson’s critically acclaimed #1 New York Times bestseller Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein’s Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff–the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.
Praise for Salt to the Sea:
“Ruta Sepetys is a master of historical fiction. In Salt to the Sea the hard truths of her herculean research are tempered with effortless, intimate storytelling, as her warm and human characters breathe new life into one of the world’s most terrible and neglected tragedies.” —Elizabeth Wein, New York Times bestselling author of Printz Award Honor Book Code Name Verity
“A rich, page-turning story that brings to vivid life a terrifying—and little-known—moment in World War II history.” —Steve Sheinkin, author of Newbery Honor and National Book Award finalist Bomb
“Brutal. Beautiful. Honest.” —Sabaa Tahir, New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes
* “Sepetys excels in shining light on lost chapters of history, and this visceral novel proves a memorable testament to strength and resilience in the face of war and cruelty.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
* “This haunting gem of a novel begs to be remembered, and in turn, it tries to remember the thousands of real people its fictional characters represent. What it asks of us is that their memories, and their stories, not be abandoned to the sea.” —Booklist, starred review
* “Artfully told and sensitively crafted, Sepetys’s exploration of this little-known piece of history will leave readers weeping.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“The inevitability of the ending (including the loss of several characters) doesn’t change its poignancy, and the short chapters and slowly revealed back stories for each character guarantee the pages keep turning. Heartbreaking, historical, and a little bit hopeful.” —Kirkus
“This book includes all the reasons why teens read: for knowledge, for romance, for amazing and irritating characters. This novel will break readers’ hearts and then put them back together a little more whole.” —VOYA
“Sepetys’s…scene-setting is impeccable; the penetrating cold of the journey is palpable, and she excels at conveying the scope of the losses while giving them a human face….[T]his elegiac tale succeeds with impressive research, affecting characters, and keen, often unsettling insights into humans’ counterposed tendencies toward evil and nobility. Readers will be left to discuss which impulse triumphs here.” —The Horn Book
To learn more about this book and see our review, go HERE.
About the Author
Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan in a family of artists, readers, and music lovers. She is the award-winning, bestselling author of Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy. Ruta lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee. Follow her on Twitter at @RutaSepetys.
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Giveaway Details
5 winners will each receive a hardcover copy of SALT TO THE SEA.
Entering is simple, just fill out the entry form below. Winners will be announced on this site and in our monthly newsletter ( sign up now!) within 30 days after the giveaway ends.
During each giveaway, we ask entrants a question pertaining to the book. Here is the question they’ll be answering in the comments below for extra entries: What do you think of the cover & synopsis?
I really, really want to read this novel. I love the cover and the synopsis drawn me in. I have heard such great things about this book. I am so excited about reading this!!
Both terrifying and intriguing
Love it!!! I absolutely ADORE Ruta’s books. I cannot wait to read this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though I’ll probably cry.
Would LOVE to win this book~ it sounds like historical fiction at its best!
The cover and synopsis are both compelling and I would love to read this book!:D
I fell in love with Ruta Sepetys’s books when I first discovered them on the shelves of my library, and I can’t wait to read this one too! She’s amazing at writing historical fiction and immersing readers into the setting. I love the blue of this cover; it seems to just draw you in.
I think the cover and the synopsis are both interesting, especially the synopsis.
This author’s reputation precedes her, and finally with this release, I recognize a storyline that will likely hook my interest! I am eager to try this author by reading this particular book! Thanks, Kara S
The cover looks dark and powerful; the synopsis sounds even better! I can’t wait read another of Sepetys’s books.
It all sounds so good!
I love the cover. This author makes little known history very accessible to her readers. I’m excited to read it
I would love to learn about Salt of the Sea and I love the cover ♡ Thank you
That is one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen this year and the whole synopsis is something I find myself gravitating toward
I love stories about WWII – I read about the social/cultural issues more than the military stuff, but I love ti all.
I am very intrigued by both the cover & synopsis for Salt To The Sea.I gravitate towards anything WWII & told in alternate points of views,
I have a huge collection of WW2 books and would love this book in my collection too.
I think the cover is awesome!
I loooooved Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy. When I heard Ruta Sepetys was releasing a new book, I freaked out! I love WWII historical fiction and cannot wait to get my hands on this book. The synopsis and amazing cover only add to my desire to add this book to my collection.
The cover and synopsis are both gripping. I love the clouds, water, and life preservers in the cover. I love WW2 novels. I want to read this book!