I didn't realise this was a sequel and had to go and read the first book in the series first and I'm glad I did because there were so many references to different things that happened in Flight. I did however like it a whole lot better than Flight. There was more story to it and therefore it felt less predictable. I also felt like there was more danger in this book, the danger felt more abstract in Flight. It felt more like they were alone, whereas in Safe there was the constant reminder that they were right by the roads the Nazis were travelling along.

There was also less animal death in this one. There's a bit of hunting and fishing, but that's it, unlike Flight.

I really enjoyed getting to know the children's and their different stories and background. It was nice to see a physically disabled character and a character with mutism added to the cast, especially as with the background of war and illnesses like polio, both these things would have been fairly common at the time. I thought they were handled fairly well but having neither of these things myself, I can't be sure. I also can't be sure of the handling of the Romani character, who was the POV character for this book though I questioned whether her identity was being stripped away since she no longer rode the horses bareback in this book.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, which was a surprise since I wasn't into Flight.

Safe is a wonderful tale set in WW2 of a dangerous horse rescue mission carried out by 2 children, Kizzy and Jakob.

The story lightly held my interest at the start but by the time they got to the castle where the horses were and it became clear it was more than horses needing help I was absolutely captivated.

The hero of the tale is Kizzy. She is brave, resourceful, clever and compassionate. At the beginning of the book she reminded me of Jo from Little Women with her tomboyish intelligence and determination.

The historical setting is wonderfully balanced as the children are obviously in great peril but as the book is aimed at younger readers the threat is not intensely overwhelming.

A good example is the heartbreaking conversation in which Anna tells Kizzy what happened to her parents and brother. It is a horrific scene but not explicitly described so that mature readers would still understand but it would not be too upsetting for more sensitive readers. I feel the author did a wonderful job of keeping that balance throughout the novel.

As a parent I feel that the book would be great to inspire discussions about the war with children and as the protagonists are also children it will be so much more relatable.

Kizzy is the beating heart of the story, she is wonderfully brave and heroic but the author has made her very human and relatable too. The moments where she wonders if her deceased parents are proud of her and where she weeps from sheer exhaustion after first making sure no-one can see her, were lovely touches.

The beautifully written afterword by the author draws a parallel between the experiences of the children in the novel and what is happening to many children in the world today.

There is a previous book called Flight which also includes Kizzy and Jakob which I had not read at the time of reading but it did not impact my enjoyment, I think it would be helpful in providing a bit more background.

Overall I highly recommend this novel, it has great characters, great suspense and is ultimately a very moving tale of bravery in truly awful circumstances.

I am honoured to have been given a digital ARC by the publisher through Netgalley to provide an honest review.

Kizzy is a natural with horses but less so when trying to behave like a young lady, so when she and best friend Jakob are asked to rescue some rare breed horses, she is ready for the challenge, especially as they have already been involved in saving some Lippizaners for the Spanish Riding School in the past. However, she is mistrustful of the man who seeks their help, and very quickly realises that there are more lives to be saved than the horses she was expecting.
I was not initially gripped by this book, but as soon as the protagonists found themselves in charge of the horses the whole pace and excitement level of the novel increased. Kizzy and Jakob are very appealing characters, each survivors of their own wartime traumas which have left them resilient, determined and compassionate, and totally devoted to each other, but with the same insecurities and jealousies that are natural in any child of their age. Once it gets going, this is an exciting adventure story, packed with dangerous encounters with humans and the environment, underpinned by friendship and teamwork and a love for horses, and with a clear message about kindness and being careful not to judge too quickly. Although set in World War 2, this story will resonate with today's young readers given the events taking place in the world today.

Written with such care and sensitivity, SAFE is a thrilling WW2 adventure with the most beautiful friendships. It shows the darkness so many children have had to carry but also the light of hope shining brightly within them.

In this eagerly anticipated sequel to Flight, we again join Kizzy, Jacob and Heinz. The story begins at the Countesse's Schloss. Kizzy is not too keen on what the Countess has planned for her but Heinz, as always, resolves the issue by sending Kizzy and Jacob on a mission to rescue more horses before the Russians reach the Sudentenlands. What follows is a heart in the mouth adventure; the tension is palpable. The writing is so vivid that you cannot help but be drawn in.  I love that Vanessa Harbour does not shy away from the horrors inflicted by the Germans during WW2. She has written a terrific tale and has not shied away from events that had a huge impact on the children of Europe.
This is a novel that speaks and it's words are powerful.
A triumphant 5 star read
Huge thank you to Firefly Press and NetGalley for the early read.