Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Three Children in Danger is a totally different novel than most WWII historical fiction books. Taking place in Berlin at the breakout of war, the 12 year old boy Holger has to protect his younger siblings after their Jewish parents were deported. They meet a Countess who helps them be protected by a Swedish Mission and Priest.

It is a very revealing story of how Germans had their own resistance to the Nazis. I don't want to give anything away, but it is an extremely good read.

Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this prior to publication.

Was this review helpful?

Three children in Danger, a great book based on a true story of 3 children’s fight for survival during WW2, an emotional and thought provoking book that is well written and gives a true account of people especially children suffered.

Was this review helpful?

I have become very interested in reading stories from World War II. This was another in my list of stories about the war, different people, different places, and different feelings people experienced during that terrible time in history, I admit, I am a history buff with a degree in the subject, but before I found NetGalley, I didn't ready much fiction about the war itself.

This was a story I was not sure I would love., but I did enjoy this read. What got me to finish this book was how the author told the story. It wasn't just one person's experiences, but the experiences of many. This story is told by different people, a communist, a German Countess, and a Jewish child. The author brings to life different lives and how the German Reich changes all of their lives. I liked learning about real people who were involved in saving others during this terrible time.

This story showed that people understood too late what was happening in Germany. Once the Nazi's took power, these people took a stand, and they helped people. This story made me feel that we all can make a difference, even when we feel like we are just one person. That the difference we make can mean the world to others.

Was this review helpful?

Three Children in Danger by Marion Kummerow is a historical novel set during World War II. The story revolves around twelve-year-old Holger, who is responsible for hiding his younger siblings from the Gestapo after their Jewish parents are deported. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Countess Sophie joins a resistance network and takes on the mission of getting the children to safety. The book is filled with suspense and courage as the characters navigate the dangers of Nazi Germany.

Ms. Kummerow settings are vivid. You can see the church, the attic and outside where the children play. The book has well-developed characters. The children’s characters are endearing and Princess Sophie is memorable. The story is both difficult and inspiring. The themes of freedom, the resistance and anti semitism. If you love historical fiction set during World War II this book is worth a read.

Thank you to Marion Kummerow, The Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I've read a lot of WWII fiction and while this was certainly less heart-wrenching than other books, I still enjoyed it. I finished it quickly since I was so invested in what was going to happen to the three siblings, whose relationship I adored. What an interesting way that was handled, and I loved the involvement of the Swedish parish. The insider spy was a surprise but showed what life was truly like under Hitler's reign and the choices that people of all backgrounds needed to make.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher The Book Whisperer for a chance to read an ARC of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is a story of three young children attempting to escape so many others’ fate during the holocaust, and a deeper look into all those that fought in the resistance.

I read a lot of WWII HF novels, but this is one of the only ones I’ve read from the perspective of three sibling children trying to escape a fate they weren’t able to comprehend.

The writing in this book feels so real. We’re presented with children that truly feel their age in their mannerisms and language.

We’re also presented with German characters that willingly risked their own lives to fight against the Nazi regime. Another great story of how persistence, love and integrity can truly shift the world.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read!

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful, heartfelt, gripping read about three children (siblings) who are held together by twelve-year-old Holger (the oldest) after her parents were deported during the war. Then we have Countess Sophie who wants to help so joins the resistance. This is where the two worlds collide and the amazing stories of courage, survival and escape come to the fore.

Based on the true historical events of the Mission Swedish Furniture this is yet another war story that is amazing, heartfelt and truly heart breaking and heart-warming all at once. I love the writing and the research done to get this story on the pages of this book. I love the lives of the young, the courage of the people and the way people come together in tough times. A truly wonderful story.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

This fact based historical novel set in WWII Berlin was gripping and kept me reading until the end.

Three Jewish children are hidden by the Swedish church in Berlin after their parents are taken away by the SS. Danger surrounds them as the Nazis become more desperate in their tactics as 1943 finds them more often in a losing position. The plans to move the children and other Jews to Sweden in a daring plot is hair-raising, and there is much tension.

There will be further books in this series and I look forward to reading them!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Was this review helpful?

Three Children in Danger is a compelling novel that brings three very different points of view together as Nazi Germany works to extinguish the Jews and freedom in Europe in the 1940s. Told from a Jewish child's perspective, a young, rebellious aristocrat's perspective and from a jaded Communist perspective, the story was much more multifaceted than similar books. There was still the feelings of suspense, danger, but it also evoked thoughtfulness for some of the other people who lived under Hitler's rule. I found the book fascinating; my only gripe being that this book is apparently not a stand alone and will be followed by more in a series.

I received an advance reader copy for free. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Another fantastic story by Marion Kummerow, one of my favorite authors. Based on a true story of three children trying to escape Nazi Germany. Well researched, great characters.

Was this review helpful?

Courtesy of The Book Whisperer and Netgalley, I received the ARC of Three Children in Danger by Marion Kummerow. This well researched WWII historical novel was heartbreaking and compelling to read. Following the perils of three young German siblings trying to survive the Nazi regime was truly emotional. Learning about the Resistance movement involving Berlin natives and Swedish citizens was an eye opener and gratifying! Mission Swedish Furniture became a creative and successful method to evacuate Jewish people from Berlin to Sweden, Impressive and worthy of recognition!

Was this review helpful?

An epic story about the best of people during the worst of times. Holger is trying to keep what is left of his family together. When the SS took his parents, he grew up overnight and is taking on the responsibility for his brother and sister. There are quite a few good people in this story and all are trying to do the right thing for others. This story is so well written and heart wrenching. This story will haunt you long after you are done.

Was this review helpful?

Three Children in Danger is the first in a series. The writing was such that I could read it and I felt like I was involved in the setting. It was a easy read so I was able to finish it and be excited about the next book to come.

Was this review helpful?

A plan was devised to smuggle people to Sweden, a neutral country, via the railroad. Swedes, who were returning to their home country from Berlin, would ship their household goods via the railroad. The plan was to remove the goods after the Nazis had inspected the trains and smuggle people in the crates. The first attempt was a failure because someone had informed on them. The only ones arrested were the ones to be smuggled.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love historical fiction books, and this one is based in World War II, in Nazi Germany. This book is about 3 siblings trying to escape. I loved this book it was a fast paced read for me loved the authors writing style and look forward to reading more of her books.

Was this review helpful?

Ten year old Hans, his sister Hertha who is seven years old, along with their older brother Holgar, are wondering what will happen to them. Their Jewish school has been closed down sometime ago and the SS have raided the building where the family lived in an apartment, they had been hidden in an attic space, but now their parents have been deported and the children will probably never see them again! Now Holgar at twelve years old must be the head of the family and look after his brother and sister. But things are changing a lot in the area, people don't know who to trust any more, and everyone is frightened of being found out of hiding anyone in their homes or businesses and especially Jews. But the situation gets more dire as the time goes on, the SS are searching houses looking for Jews and anyone who maybe hiding them. The three children have no choice but to go on their own to try and seek help and some form of accommodation, but who can they trust? The people they find do their upmost to protect and care for them, but will it be enough to get them to safety?

A touching, emotional and in places an unsettling and heartbreaking book by Marion Kummerow, but I absolutely loved it, through the tension and suspense there lies hope.
This book is about Operation Swedish Furniture, which prior to reading this book I knew nothing about. Thanks to the author this has now being brought to the knowledge of many others. Thanks to Marion Kummerow for a moving story and I look forward to reading more of this author's work. A great big five-star read from me.

#MarionKummerow
#Netgalley
#WW2
#Stormpublishing

Was this review helpful?

A nice fast read. I was glad to read at the end that Operation Swedish Furniture really happened! Also that there is to be a continuation of this story as I got very invested in it after a somewhat slow start. It took a while to hook me in and I think part of that was because the writing felt a bit too modern at times for the time period, so it felt very fictional, but that seemed to ease off after a few chapters. I loved Countess Sophie and her daring escape from the informant, and I hope there’s more of her (and Eugen’s) fate in the next book.

Was this review helpful?

This book is about twelve-year-old Holger, who has to protect his young brother and sister after his parents get deported.

Tension is visible throughout this book, especially when the children’s safe haven is destroyed in a bombing, forcing the resistance to improvise a quick escape plan.

Even though Holger was a young boy, he was adamant and strong.

As a new reader of this author, I really enjoyed it. It was gripping, packed with tension, and, in parts, heartbreaking.

Was this review helpful?

Another fantastic book by Marion Kummerow - I wouldn’t expect anything less!

I love how this book can be read as a standalone to her other books, but that the characters are woven throughout different series. We first got a glimpse of the Gerber children and their escape from Nazi Germany in the Berlin Wives series, and it was great to read more about their lives and those of the people who helped them in this book.

I am looking forward to the next book, especially to read more about the Countess Sophie and her actions with the resistance.

4.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️

Was this review helpful?

I tried several times to get into this story, but it was just a flat read.
Sorry NetGalley but I DNF

Was this review helpful?