Review of Salt to the Sea-Ruta Sepetys

A very disturbing book about a historical incident during World War II.  This novel follows four characters as they make their way onto the German ship, Wilhelm Gustloff, which is moored off the coast of Germany as Russian soldiers close in.  Only one character is German and the rest are Prussian, Polish and Lithuanian (nationalities not Aryan enough for the Germans). This novel was written for YA readers, but the scenes of death and rape are probably too graphic for all but the most mature teens; many of the scenes are still haunting me.  3 Elves - Recommended for mature readers only