The Children of Zagreb

by Lelita Baldock

A heartbreaking story of friendship, sacrifice and the children who must never be forgotten.

Croatia, 1941. When the Nazis invade Yugoslavia, nurse Ilona's world is torn apart. Her Serbian husband Jovan has joined the resistance, her best friend Misa has vanished, and children are disappearing from their homes. Working alongside the brave Diana Budisavljević, Ilona risks everything to rescue thousands of children from concentration camps, but she cannot save the two who matter most to her friend's shattered heart.

Croatia, 1991. Fifty years later, Ilona's granddaughter Nadica has grown up believing she knows her family's history. But when war erupts again and they are forced to flee their homeland, devastating secrets emerge. Nadica discovers her true heritage and why the past refuses to stay buried.

Inspired by the incredible true story, The Children of Zagreb is an unforgettable tale of the bonds that transcend blood, the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times and the children whose stories must never be forgotten. Perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and Kate Quinn's The Huntress.

Genres: Historical Fiction

364 pages, ebook

Published October 24, 2025

About the author

Lelita Baldock is an author of historical and literary fiction.

Lelita's novels focus on lesser-known aspects of history and the incredible everyday people who endure and overcome.

You can follow her on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lelit...

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was 1941 in Croatia when the Nazis invaded and lives changed forever. The gap between the Serbians and Croatians was vast; the hatred some Croatians had for the Serbs, insurmountable. Ilona, a Catholic, was married to Serbian, Jovan, who converted when he fell in love with Ilona, but her brother was a devout Croatian and hated his brother in law, joining the Ustasa movement and causing the deaths of many. When the death camps were formed by the Ustasa people, with the Germans allied with them, Misa, Ilona's best friend, was taken, along with her two children, two year old Stephan and one year old Hanna. They were then separated from their mother when she was taken to a labour camp, and no one knew where the children ended up.

Ilona was a nurse in the Zagreb hospital and with Jovan in the local resistance, she worked non stop. When a woman, originally from Austria, decided to remove the children from the camps, Ilona and others joined her. Diana Budisavljević was a humanitarian aid worker, and while war raged, emaciated children were rescued and taken to churches and other places to recuperate. Would Stephan & Hanna be found? Would Misa survive the horrors she was confronted with?

It was 1991 in Croatia when the past was once again brought to life. Ilona's granddaughter, Nadica, thought she was aware of all her family history - but when secrets began to rise to the surface, Nadica was shocked at what little she knew...

The Children of Zagreb is an outstanding historical novel, based heavily on fact, by Aussie author Lelita Baldock. I googled Diana Budisavljević and yes, she was a true hero, a determined and feisty woman who managed - with help - to rescue around 10,000 children. I've included a small article about her:

This article deals with an almost forgotten and recently ‘rediscovered’ story of the autonomous humanitarian operation of Diana Budisavljevic, an Austrian woman who initiated one of the largest and most complex humanitarian operations in Europe during the Second World War. Thanks to her extensive network of staff and helpers, she led a large-scale rescue operation of some 10,000 mainly Serbian children from concentration camps in fascist independent Croatia. She provided support and shelter and kept evidence of 12,000 abandoned children. Despite the success of Action Diana Budisavljevic, this extraordinary story remained hidden from the outside world for almost 60 years.
Credit: OpenEdition Journals

With thanks to Lelita Baldock for sharing this story, one I hadn't heard of in all the historical reading I do. Blending fact with fiction made this a particularly riveting and heartrending story, and it's one I recommend highly.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

1941. When the Germans invade Yugoslavia, Ilona husband Jovan joins the resistance and she stays behind and continues working as a nurse.

The Ustaše or fascists are targeting Orthodox Serbian people like Jovan, despite him converting to be a Catholic and her best friend Misa, when she vanishes and Ilona is determined to help, she starts off by donating clothes and bedding and handing out soup at the train station with Red Cross.

Here she meets Diana Budisavljević, and together they rescue thousands of children from Ustaše camps, but she can’t find any trace of Misa's missing son and daughter.

Croatia, 1991. Nadica is Ilona’s granddaughter and when war erupts again and they are forced to flee their homeland.

Croatia, 2003. Sara and Daniel are making a documentary about the Children of Zagreb, they are interviewing survivors and she has no idea how far reaching and painful the damage was.

The narrative has a dual timeline and is set in 1941, 1991 and 2003 and at times the latter one seemed only made up of short snippets and irrelevant and this is not the case.

I received a copy of The Children of Zagreb by Lelita Baldock from NetGalley and Storm publishing in exchange for an honest review. The book is inspired by a real person, Diana Budisavljević an Austrian humanitarian who saved thousands of children from Ustaše camps in the independent State of Croatia, and a puppet state established by the German's in occupied Yugoslavia.

I find Croatia’s history confusing, even after reading the novel I’m not sure I have it pieced together correctly but what I do know was land was fought over due to its location, and it involved politics, religion and ethnic groups.

I really admired the following characters, Ilona and Jovan, Misa and Kata, they endured so much and showed incredible strength, a shame we haven’t learnt from the past and four stars from me. I'm keen to read Ms Baldock's previous book The Baker's Secret and I believe it starts in my home state of South Australia and she writes about past conflicts.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing of the Croatian fight for independence before picking up this book. I had enjoyed Lelita Baldock’s The Keeper of Lost Art this Spring, so I knew that I’d be immersed in a well-researched and compelling story. While the trauma that freedom cost the children was brutal, I tried to focus on the choices that had to be made and the changes that resulted. It didn’t help ease the pain, but it allowed me to focus on the reasons. I can’t imagine living under such pressure, where divisions occurred not only within the country but also within families. Be prepared. Grab your tissues. If you’re a historical fiction lover, I know you’ll be reaching to Google (if you haven’t heard of her previously), the female Schindler, Diana Budisavljevic.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is based upon a true story and that makes me love it even more. This was well researched and steeped in history. The author’s writing is so descriptive the emotions either hit you in the gut or your heart. Many gut wrenching moments. Several uplifting moments.

I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely unprepared for the gut-punch of The Children of Zagreb. Having read Letita Baldock's other books set in World War II, I knew this one would be an emotional journey too. Dealing with the horrors of the Nazis is one thing, but ethnic and religious hatred in Croatia was the stuff of nightmares. The Croats, who were Catholic, welcomed the German invaders, seeing the opportunity to rid the country of Serbs, who were Eastern Orthodox. The Ustaše, the Croatian fascist organization, began a reign of terror against Serbian men, women, and children in their effort to create an ethnically pure country.

This story is told in three timelines, which ultimately connect the main characters in unforeseen ways. It begins in Zagreb, just before the start of World War II, with the young nursing students, Ilona and Misa. The second timeline begins in 1991, just as the Yugoslav Wars kick off, once again threatening the families of Ilona and Misa. And tying the characters together in unexpected ways is a documentary being made many years later, after Yugoslavia had split into multiple countries.

This is one of the most painful books I've ever read, and that's saying something. I've been an avid reader for seven decades. The cruelty of the Ustase was beyond any concept I had of brutality. I was so overwhelmed that I had to stop reading for many hours because my heart couldn't take one more page.
"Children, babies? I see only vermin. We don't feed and shelter vermin. Vermin scurry out of the way, in case we decide to crush them."

"Along the rough, bare floor lay children. Stripped naked, not even a blanket to cover them or to line the rough cement beneath them. Tiny bodies, the bones of their limbs poking painfully through stretched skin."

"Dubrava. The newspaper had reported the details. Sixteen men from universities around the city, held since the beginning of the Ustase rule, roused from their sleep at midnight, driven to the square and hanged on metal hooks while they still breathed. Brutal. Unforgivable. All to seed fear."

I commend Lelita Baldock for presenting the story of these incredibly brave women of Zagreb, who risked the wrath of the Ustase and the Nazis, to provide some comfort to prisoners and to save as many children as possible from the death camps. I suspect that most readers are unaware of what was happening in Croatia during World War II, as I was. As difficult as it was to read this story, I continued to read to bear witness. We are seeing the language of dehumanization being used now, as well as rounding up men, women, and children and forcing them into camps. Let us hope we possess the compassion and bravery of the women in these pages to help in whatever way we can. The Children of Zagreb is a stunning achievement and is not to be missed.

My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.

[Lilisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Croatia’s history has been complex and tragic. Wars and ethnic and religious divisions have plagued it for years. We witness firsthand in this book the devastating happenings during World War II and the Croat-Serb wars of the 1990s and their long lasting multi-generational impacts on families, communities, and especially the children. We also witness the strong bonds of love, friendship, sacrifice, brutality and kindness of people regardless of which side they’re on. And with trauma and tragedy come hidden secrets that if revealed will shatter the safety of loved ones. This was a well structured book, absorbing and sobering. I enjoyed the storyline and the cast characters set against the background of true events. I appreciated and was struck by the roles grandparents, in particular, played in the scheme of things. This was a solid 4-star read and I definitely recommend this book. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Helen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, shocking novel that brings to light a perhaps lesser-known aspect of history. Much is known about the countries of Western Europe during WW2, but not the horrific and brutal acts that took place in Croatia.

The Children of Zagreb is a compelling and heartbreaking story of the ethnic and religious hatred, and the war crimes committed against children in Croatia in WW2.

Ilona is a wonderful main character; immensely brave and compassionate. Working with others to rescue thousands of innocent children, “they each did what they could with what they had.”

Through Ilona and Misa, we see that the trauma of war continues long after the fighting has ended. With such tragic pain and loss, the repercussions of war are still felt decades later. The journey to finding peace, healing and acceptance is a long and difficult one.

The Children of Zagreb is an informative, moving and memorable story that will stay with me.

[Tammy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Are you telling me that the soldiers murdered people, children, just because they were Orthodox?”
Radmila had said they would, but who could believe such a policy? Who could imagine such brutality?
Jovan closed his eyes. “No,” he whispered sadly. “They did it because they could.”

“Was there no end to the cruelty of the Ustaše regime?”

“Children of Zagreb” brought to light a lesser known aspect of WW2 history for me; the horrific and brutal acts that took place in Croatia and the Balkan’s. The ethnic and religious hatred against Eastern Orthodox Serbs was fierce. The Ustaše was the Croatian fascist organization that formed a reign of terror against Serbian men, women and children, in an effort to create an “ethnically pure” country. They welcomed the Nazi invasion and worked with them to send Serbs to the camps.

The story focuses on Ilona, a nurse who lived in Zagreb when the Germans invaded Yugoslavia. She volunteered with the Red Cross handing out soup to prisoners at the train station. She met Diana Budisavljević and joined her in the mission to rescue thousands of children from Ustaše camps. The children —including babies—were taken from their parents and left to die at camps with little food, heat, clothes or any bedding.

In the acknowledgments, the author wrote, ““When I first read about Diana Budisavljević and the Red Cross nurses who worked against the odds to save children during World War Two, I knew there was no other story I wanted to write more. That began the research into a harrowing tale of pain. But in the trauma there can be moments of lightness. Survivor stories portray these glimmers of hope. Through it all what is most important is that we remember–and never allow such events to be repeated.”

I found the story painful but compelling. Some of the past and present chapters were confusing to me in the beginning. And the words for mother, father, grandmother and grandfather in their language took me some time to understand. But I loved Ilona and her family and I was anxious to put their story together.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

[Lesley Bungay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth historical novel from author Lelita Baldock who has a talent for telling the lesser known stories of WWll focusing , in particular, on the devastating effects of war from a female perspective.

This heartbreaking tale set in what was Yugoslavia at the time, shows the brutality faced by women and children at the hands of the Ustaše. At times a difficult read, but an important one nonetheless. It’s a story of loss and grief, of courage and survival.

At a time when the world is once again facing extremism and the rhetoric of the few who spread fear of otherness for their own ends, it’s a story that needs to be read and shared.

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Children of Zagreb by Lelita Baldock
Pub Date: 24th October 2025

ARC Review:

Wow, just wow. How is it possible that something so absolutely heartbreaking, such an awful piece of history, be shared in such a beautiful way?
This was truly perfect in every way, I can’t find a single thing I didn’t like about this book.

I cried when I felt heartbroken, but also felt genuine hope, and love.
This book is seriously one of the best, if not, the best, Historical Fiction novels I’ve read.

I highly recommend everyone reads this, especially fans of Kristin Hannah and Madeline Martin.
Thank you sooooo much NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Meaghan Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an emotional and difficult yet important read. My husband and I visited Zagreb and other parts of Croatia this past summer. While there, we learned a lot about the Croatian Homeland War and the breakup of Yugoslavia, but we didn’t learn anything about the genocide of Serbs during WWII under the Nazi-controlled fascist government. It is definitely an important part of understanding Croatian history and the fight for independence from Yugoslavia.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Children of Zagreb by Lelita Baldock crept into my bones and stayed there. I very much enjoy living in Croatia part time as a Canadian but parts of Croatia's history are turbulent and cruel. This achingly beautiful novel joined some of the dots which had been missing in my knowledge. The author was inspired by true events and included humanitarian Diana Budisavljević who rescued thousands of children during this horrific time. The story is about grief, the capacity of humankind to torture and to love, resilience, determination, letting go of dreams, and clinging to slivers of hope.

The far-reaching Nazis invaded Yugoslavia April 10, 1941. Anyone seen as opposing were dealt with swiftly and harshly. The fascist Ustaše wanted a pure Croatia and began ethnic cleansing, including children, who were ripped from their parents, treated abysmally, starved, filthy, and died in incomprehensible ways. Ethnic and religious tensions ran high and there was mass confusion and chaos.

In the 1941 timeline, Ilona was a nurse married to a Serbian man, Jovan, who had earlier converted to Catholicism and then joined the Resistance. Ilona worked alongside Diana who at great risk to their own lives, moved mountains to save children. They didn't all survive but many lived. Misa, Ilona's dearest friend, disappeared. Her children were forced from her arms and also went missing. Labour and killing camps were run like machines, working and torturing people until they died, and then went on to the new arrivals who arrived by trains. Red Cross nurses were desperate to feed as many mouths as they could when trains stopped en route to camps. But they could only do so much.

In 1991, Ilona's granddaughter Nadica fled her home country. Serbs living in Croatia were terrified as once again, ethnic and religious tension rose to a fevered pitch. Nadica discovered layer upon layer of buried secrets. In some parts of Croatia, neighbour fought neighbour, friend fought friend.

Ethnic cleaning is extremely difficult to read about but so very important to remember. Children of Zagreb is a powerful, evocative, thought-provoking, terrifying and emotive book. Seeing Zagreb (and other communities involved) now, it is not easy to force oneself to envision the horrors of the 1940s and 1990s. How people existed and survived is unfathomable. Those who resisted and rescued are real-life heroes. I like that interviews were written between the chapters as well. The author treated this subject with tenderness and care, yet did not gloss over dreadful realities. Her writing is personal and brings details to the forefront, especially those of the precious innocent children. My heart hurts after reading this novel but it would be a shame to miss.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is gonna lean hard and heavy.

Lelita Baldock presents a top-notch historical fiction novel based on an actual true story. This is the history of true events that have somehow been elusive and tucked into the corners of time. As citizens of this same planet, why have we not be aware of what actually happened to our fellow human beings?

The Children of Zagreb caught my eye because my husband's family on his mother's side came from what was known as Yugoslavia. They were Croats from what is now known as Croatia. I was unaware of the wars, the strife, and the cruelties inflicted upon people of this region. At least not to the extent that Lelita Baldock reveals through her novel. The majority of people were divided as Croats, Serbs, and Roma. Politics, religion, and culture added to this division.

Baldock opens with Jovan, a Serb, married to Ilona, a Croat. Jovan is a talented violinist and Ilona is a nurse at the local hospital. But that separation of people escalated in 1941 when the Nazis invaded Yugoslavia. The Nazis hunted down Yugoslavian Jews who were then sent to concentration camps. In addition to this, a horrendous group of nationalists known as the Ustase, rounded up Serbs both women and children. They were put in camps with deplorable conditions with babies separated from their mothers. And later, atrocities were inflicted upon by Croats by Serbs.

Baldock showcases an actual Austrian woman, Diana Budisavljevic, who worked tirelessly to bring those children back. It is mindboggling to think that these children, those who did survive, lost their sense of identity not knowing if they were Croats or Serbs in the mix.

The Children of Zagreb is a heartbreaking novel and it certainly won't be for everyone. But how can we not become more aware of those brutalities inflicted upon innocent people? And yet, humans repeat the same genocide and outright cruelties in our present times. But Baldock lines this novel with elements of hope and with the amazing feats of people who put themselves in danger to help others. No matter the dark side of the human soul, there will always be those who step into the light.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Storm Publishing and to the talented Lelita Baldock for the opportunity.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am broken. I am completely devastated. I don't remember the last time I cried so much. I don't remember the last time I sat in fear of what a character would experience in the future. I never expect a happily ever after when I read historical fiction. The author was kind enought to ease my heart a fraction, showing that there are possibilties for a better future.

I need to relinquish my history degree. I can't remember hearing of the devastation in Croatia during World War Two. I don't remember studying the horrors inflicted on children as their parents were taken away to camps. Learning of the Jasenovac camp complex had me in silence. The atrocities experienced should be taught to all so we never forget, never repeat.

The story combines numerous time periods. Sara and Daniel are doing a documentary in 2003 after hearing of Diana Budisavljwlić, a woman dedicated to helping those in need, especially the children during the war. With the help of others like Ilona, she was able to save many of those forced to be abandoned. They found them homes in hopes of returning them to their parents in the future. Hope is all they had.

Most of the story is told from Ilona's point of view. I soon learned of the tensions between nationalities living in the country. Her husband, Jovan, became a catholic for her. It won't be enough to save him when it is discovered he is Serbian. To learn of the torture, to read of the cruelty had me questioning humanity.

The war turned family members against each other including in Ilona's own family. She allows the reader witness the brutality, the lack of humanity. As she stands on the train platform trying to feed prisoners, she experiences loss first hand as her friend, Misa, is taken away. She will be her reason to save the children.

Open The Children of Zagreb and take a journey into the past. It is not a easy read, but it is a necessary read. I needed to know more, and took advantage of the story to research, to discover. Thank you Lelita Baldock for making me realize we are not taught what is necessary and that is up to us to study history, to learn and remember the past.

[Amanda Bennett at passionforprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The care with which Lelita Baldock approaches her stories is evident. With each new book, she reveals another corner of history I knew nothing about.

Told through alternating timelines, The Children of Zagreb explores the long and tumultuous history of Croatia and the deep divide between Orthodox Serbs and Catholic Croats. In 1941, the Nazis invade Yugoslavia amid Ustaše attacks, uprooting thousands of ethnic Serbs and tearing families apart. Many Croats welcome the German invaders, hoping to rid their country of the Serbs. Ilona’s best friend in nursing school, Misa, is one of those taken—leaving behind two young children in a camp. Joining Diana Budisavljević, Ilona risks everything to help rescue Zagreb’s abandoned children, determined to save them from the horrors of war.

Fifty years later, Ilona’s granddaughter Nadica faces a similar fate as violence once again erupts between Serbs and Croats. Forced to flee, Nadica begins to uncover her family’s hidden past—learning of the bravery, betrayal, and moral complexity that have shaped her life in ways she never imagined.

Threaded throughout the novel is a present-day documentary transcript that ties the storylines together, shedding light on the lingering trauma of war and the forgotten children it left behind.

Baldock brings to life a region rarely explored in historical fiction. Drawing inspiration from real people and events, she doesn’t shy away from the brutalities committed in the name of religion. The Children of Zagreb is both a moving tribute and a stark warning about the consequences of dehumanizing those who are different. This is a powerful, unforgettable read not to be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Lelita Baldock for the advanced copy of the book. The Children of Zagreb is out on October 24th. All opinions are my own.

http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose

[Charlie Sandino · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book this was, it takes place in Yugoslavia during WWII. The book is set in Croatia and the tensions are between the Croats and Serbs. It is during a difficult time and crimes are committed on both sides. People are round up and deported to working camps including children. Defenseless children separated from their parents, and sent off to camps under horrible circumstances. It is the story about Ilona and Jovan, who are separated and Ilona is drawn into the war. Working as a nurse at the same time as other women. Misa is also caught up in the war and is doing all she can as she' separated from her children Stephan and Hanna. Mother and children end up in different camps heartbreaking situations, the horror of wartime. People not always aware of what is going on till they end up in places they shouldn't be. The WWII storytelling is very capturing and shows another view of how badly it was for many families and especially the children. The story puts a chill through the spine and some of the happenings are difficult to understand. The women who work behind their uniforms, try to help the people if so even with a quick meal on a train. Resistance to help these suffering children and people during the war, with a lot of loss. Many times this is at high risk of being caught and danger luring at the next corner. This story was suspenseful and the characters were quite amazing. So this story during WW II in former Yugoslavia gives the reader a different kind of story. The storytelling is not predictable, and also compared to other stories it is so good.
Charlotte N

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ This book is a haunting portrayal of courage and loss across generations, following Ilona, a nurse in 1941 Croatia risking her life to save children from concentration camps, and her granddaughter Nadica, who uncovers buried family truths amid the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Baldock doesn’t flinch from the horrors inflicted by the Ustaše regime or the ethnic violence that followed decades later. Her depiction of Ilona and Diana Budisavljević’s mission to rescue thousands of children is both devastating and deeply human, showing the quiet power of ordinary women who refused to look away.

What sets this book apart is how it brings a lesser-known corner of World War II history into focus. I came to it with only a surface understanding of the Balkan conflicts, but Baldock’s storytelling made that history immediate and personal. Through Ilona and Misa’s friendship, she captures how ideology and fear can shatter communities, and how compassion becomes a radical act in times of hate. The dual timeline builds tension as secrets from the past bleed into Nadica’s present, illustrating how trauma and identity echo through generations.

This is not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. The pain is balanced by profound moments of love and resilience that linger long after the final page. Baldock’s writing is empathetic, never sensationalizing tragedy, but honoring those who lived it. This story stands as both remembrance and warning, insisting we bear witness, because forgetting is how history repeats itself.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 📚

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartbreaking and powerful read. Lelita Baldock blends history and fiction beautifully, drawing attention to an often-forgotten part of WWII history while also exploring the lasting impact on future generations.

I was especially moved by Ilona’s storyline in 1941, working alongside Diana Budisavljević to rescue children from concentration camps. The danger, the moral weight, and the heartbreak of not being able to save everyone felt incredibly real. I also appreciated how flawed and human the characters were—Ilona, Jovan, and Misa were all written with such honesty.

The dual timeline worked really well. Nadica’s story in 1991 showed how the past never truly disappears, and I found her journey of uncovering her family’s secrets to be emotional and engaging. The contrast between Ilona’s wartime sacrifices and Nadica’s search for identity gave the novel real depth.

At times the pacing slowed, especially in the transition to the 1991 storyline, but overall the writing was atmospheric and compelling. The descriptions of Zagreb during the Nazi occupation and later during the Yugoslav wars were vivid and haunting.

This is a memorable story of friendship, sacrifice, and resilience. Perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah or Kate Quinn, it shines a light on both courage and heartbreak in times of unimaginable darkness.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early.

[Lorna Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Children of Zagrab – Lelita Baldock– 17th Oct 2025
Thank you to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.
Different women. Different time lines. Different stories. All heart-breaking.

1941 - two nurses who find themselves caught up as Yugoslavia is invaded by Nazis. One Serbian and one Croatian – their stories are devastating. Both experience camps from different points of views and it will forever shape their lives
1991 – War once again as Yugoslavia is torn apart. Survivors of WW11 are once again caught up in life changing decisions, protecting their families and the secrets of the past.
Present day – a documentary maker is interviewing people and finding out the true stories about the past. This draws all the stories together and bring the book to its emotional closure.
The book allows you to get caught up in three different timelines and I was particularly invested in Ilona and Misa’s stories set in the first timeline. The stories are devastating as you see the impact of the camps on families and children.
I was intrigued by a story set in Zagreb as I have never read any historical fiction from this region. It really made me think about how these nations have faced war with little time to recover before more conflict and how some people have lived through two of these harrowing periods of time.
An excellent, informative and heart-breaking read for lovers of Anna Sturt and Mandy Robotham

[Luisa Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, heart-rending tale of determination, sacrifice and love. This important novel sheds light on an aspect of history I knew shamefully little about and brings complex issues to life by showing their impact on individuals.
In 1939, Ilona and Misa are trainee nurses in Yugoslavia whose lives will be shattered by ethnic and religious divisions. As the novel charts what happens to them, it reveals how families can be divided by politics, and how deeply people can be damaged and scarred by civil war.
This is far from a light read, but then you couldn’t expect a story of war crimes against children to be that. It delves into what drives ordinary people to survive, and how they might find meaning and purpose in the most desperate and traumatic circumstances. The men who feel the responsibility to fight, and the women who use their wits and force of will to struggle in other ways. As the novel states, “they each did what they could with what they had. And they made a difference.”
I was gripped and moved by this beautifully written story, and am grateful that it helped me gain fresh insights into the history of a country I’ve always wanted to visit. Top notch historical fiction, and I suspect a story that will stay with me for some time.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me historical fiction author Lelita Baldock presents in The Children of Zagreb, a story of a little known aspect to WWII set in Croatia (at the time the country was a constituent state of Yugoslavia).

At the same time, the author uses a dual timeline set in 1991 during the War of Independence for Croatia to remind us that we need to remember our past to understand the present.

Lelita Baldock introduces a historical figure of the name of Diana Budisvaljevic who was of Austrian descent but was instrumental in the evacuation and saving of thousands of Croatian children from concentration camps during WWII.

Overall, The Children of Zagreb leaves the readers with a story of bravery, heritage and humanity.

Thank you to the author for penning this story and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced eARC via NetGalley.

All opinions are my own. This novel is expected to be released on October 24, 2025.

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[R Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. That took some reading. It must have been emotionally draining to write.
This is an intense account of the events in what was Yugoslavia during WW2 and in the early 1990’s. News accounts especially for the later period gave graphic detail of the events at the time but because they were half a continent away it was easy to block out the reality. This book was a stark reminder.
The novel focuses on events in what is now Croatia and relates a largely forgotten aspect of the Holocaust, where ethnic Serbs were brutalised by an extreme Croatian regime, the Ustase. It then picked up on the fear that this would reoccur in the Croatian war of independence in the 1990’s. The book expresses the desire to be politically neutral giving expression to atrocities by Serb and Croat. The storyline is a well constructed account that has its share of heartache, self sacrifice and bravery and for the protagonists it’s is a voyage into the soul, discovering more of their identity. While it was heartbreaking to read of the suffering that took place this was an important, excellent read that deserves to be widely circulated.

[Deb McIlroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Children of Zagreb is a beautifully crafted, heart-wrenching story that really struck a chord with me.

Lelita Baldoc takes us through three timelines. Sara and Daniel are doing a documentary in 2003 that reveals the harrowing past of Ilona, a nurse in WWII Croatia, who bravely risks everything to save vulnerable children.
The emotional weight of Ilona's sacrifices and the atrocities people inflict on one another was hard to bear.

Through Ilona’s granddaughter Nadica in 1991, we witness how the echoes of past traumas continue to influence her life, highlighting the lingering impact of history on personal identity and the quest for understanding.

Baldoc's ability to capture the complexities of love, loss, and memory left me reflecting on our shared humanity.

While I felt some characters needed a little bit more depth, the story’s heart and powerful themes of resilience truly lingered with me.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves heartfelt historical fiction.

[Jess Svajgert · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: October 24, 2025

This multiple timeline historical fiction takes place in Croatia/Yugoslavia during the 1940s/WWII, the 1990s/Yugoslav wars, and closer to present day. I learned a lot in this book that I’m ashamed I didn’t already know and since finishing this read, I can’t stop researching further.

I knew nothing of the Ustaše, Croatia’s far right facist/ultranationalist/Roman Catholic terrorist group whose goal was to create an “ethnically pure” Croatia. They welcomed Nazi ideology and killed hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews, Roma, as well as Muslim and Croat political dissidents in concentration camps.

This was a heavy read for me. My Croatian grandfather was 4 years old when the Germans and Italians invaded and occupied the country in 1941, and I was 8 years old when the Yugoslav Wars began in the 90s. He and his family eventually fled to the US a decade later and I know it wasn’t easy to get out, but only ever heard vague stories about almost getting sent to a camp before coming to America. Reading of the camps in this was chilling.

My grandfather passed in 1995 and I interviewed him so I could write a 3rd grade paper about Croatia a few years prior. I wish things were digitized so I could remember what he said about his childhood and their journey. I was so young and had no grasp on the gravity of the situation. I’ve spoken to other family members who asked him about his childhood in Croatia and they all said he refused to talk about it— this book made me question what his life may have been like, and ask some difficult questions I’ll never get the answers to.

This book made me question so much but also helped explain the intricacies of the time like no book I’ve read on the subject before.

[Lisa Brooke Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Children of Zagreb is a powerful and beautifully written story that captures both the heartbreak and resilience of humanity during one of history’s darkest times. Lelita Baldock brings the World War II era to life through vivid detail and deeply human characters whose struggles, choices, and quiet acts of courage linger long after the final page.

I was completely drawn in by Baldock’s ability to balance emotion with realism, she doesn’t shy away from the pain and complexity of war, yet threads hope through even the heaviest moments. The pacing felt strong, and the sense of place was immersive, making me feel as though I was walking the streets of Zagreb beside the characters.

While there were a few sections that moved a bit slowly, the emotional weight and authenticity more than made up for it. This is a poignant, thought-provoking read that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Zoé · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Children of Zagreb is a multi-generational story that interconnects the portraits of families shaped by tragic historical events in Croatia, from the 1940s to the early 2000s. It is both heartbreaking and filled with hope.

Each storyline highlights the impact of one generation on another, and as a reader, it is impossible not to be moved by the courageous lives of Misa and Ilona. Despite going through some of humanity's darkest moments, it is the characters' solidarity that is the highlight of the book.

I didn't know much about Croatian and Serbian history, apart from the basics taught in history class in school. After reading this book, I ended up researching the topic and read more about the fate of so many children during WWII.

All in all, this is a powerful novel that reminds us not to forget.

Thank you very much to Storm Publishing, Lelita Baldock and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion of the book.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Lolita Baldock's work before, I was eager to read this one, and it did not disappoint. I knew little about the World War 2 experience in Zagreb, especially the genocide of Serbs. I loved the strong female characters, especially Ilona, MISA and Dianna. This was such a sad book in terms of human suffering, yet , it was also optimistic and positive about the power of love, family and forgiveness. Also, it shone the light on the power of what one person can do in the face of adversity and the positive impact it can have. For lovers of historical fiction, I would recommend this book as a way of learning about the war experience that most books don’t cover. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy to read and freely review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Croatia during the 1940s and the 1990s and what really struck me was that they were FIGHTING THE SAME WAR!!! Proof that people really do learn nothing from the past - and in this case it was definitely living memory for many too!

I had never heard of the Ustaše before and whoa, I was unprepared. I’d never read about Croatia before, in any time period, but it kind of boggles the mind that so much bad stuff all went down at the same time in the 1940s. I thought the Nazis and the Red Army were enough bad guys to cover all of Europe but nope, there’s more. This was a fascinating read, and the parallels between the two time periods were really scary, especially considering how recent the 1990s were. And it really was just the same war all over again. And why?!

[lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. Lelita Baldock always writes well about emotional topics. This book, is no exception! It is set in Croatia during the 1940's and 1990's telling a story that I was unfamiliar with. We tend to forget that Yugoslavia was affected by the 2nd World War. Although we heard about the war in the 1990's i was unaware of the impact on the families and children bringing back the memories and experiences of those children and families during the 1940's. A worthwhile read and a reminder of the damage created by a few extremists. Based on true stories.
The characters are well written, although it is confusing keeping on top of the relationships as we move across the timelines. I can recommend this book.

[Lisa A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

Another well-researched and thought-provoking novel by one of my must-read authors. I love that Lelita always takes me on an educational journey with her characters and I learn about events that I know little about. Her characters are well-developed and relatable, and I'm drawn into their lives through the pages, feeling their emotions and sharing their joy and pain. Lelita describes conditions and events with enough detail that you feel like you're witnessing the scenes yourself, but without being overly gruesome. I highly recommend you add this and other of this author's books to your list.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Lelita Baldock for the complimentary digital copy. My review is unbiased and left voluntarily.