RUSSIAN MENNONITE CHRONICLES
Book One: Katarina's Dark Shadow
by MJ Krause-Chivers
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Pub Date Sep 06 2021 | Archive Date Oct 02 2021
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Description
FIRST CAME THE HORSES. Then came the fires. Then, they came for us.
Book One: KATARINA'S DARK SHADOW: While the Great War rages, the Russian Revolution sparks.
As a young Mennonite woman, Katarina dreams of defying tradition to become a missionary school teacher and travel. But when she is injured during a rebel attack on the family farm, her future is upended.
Suddenly aware of the rapidly changing political climate, Katarina senses growing distrust between the local Russians and the peace-loving German-speaking Mennonites. Fear rises, loyalties shift, and death threats appear. In this atmosphere of increasing violence, grave and hasty decisions threaten the colonies’ future. As some succumb to the pressure to leave Russia, Katarina’s world unravels. Will she depend on her passive faith to fight the forthcoming evil? Or will Katarina abandon all hope and flee with the others?
Decades later: While searching for clues to Katarina’s disappearance in Ukraine during WW2, her son, Peter, stumbles on her diaries from the Russian Revolution. What secrets lie behind the Iron Curtain? Is there a chance that she’s still alive?
Set during the darkest days of Ukraine’s history, Katarina’s Dark Shadow portrays the courageous human struggle inside a distinct faith during violent political times.
Inspired by true stories and actual events based on the harrowing tales of the author's ancestors, this book will particularly interest those with German-Prussian, Ukrainian, or Russian Mennonite ancestry.
If you enjoyed Tears of Amber and The Girl with the Silver Star, you’ll enjoy stepping into this intriguing and unusual world with it’s unique cultural dynamics. Witness the Russian revolution from an entirely different perspective.
If you like intrigue, complex characters, and strong women of faith, you'll enjoy this spine-chilling Christian historical fiction series.
Advance Praise
"“A chillingly realistic, yet fictional account of what happened to ordinary people in Russian Ukraine when their world was overthrown by social unrest, war, and then a revolution. I couldn’t put it down.” *****Author P.C. James.
***** “A gripping historical fiction and true to its time. Highly recommended for those interested in a different viewpoint from WWI.” ***** Author Nola Li Barr"
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9781775189558 |
| PRICE | $2.99 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Naira A, Reviewer
This was pretty interesting and I enjoyed it for what it was! It was an insightful and educating read and that’s what I usually love with my books’ so 5 out of 5 stars!
Jan L, Librarian
Liking historical fiction, I enjoyed this book. Set in Russia, Katerina's story was a time in history I have not come across before in fiction. A bit slow at times, it is a book I will recommend. The author put in a lot of research and I do feel I learned more about what people went through. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
Kerrie H, Reviewer
I like reading historical fiction that causes me to look up names and events. This story did just that. Some of the story seems eerily similar to events in today's current political climate. The story is told from the pov of Katarina who lived through the horrors. The other pov is her son Peter who is trying to understand his mother through her diaries.
Elize B, Reviewer
M J Krause-Chivers presents a significantly interesting and informative historical writing. Krause-Chivers' offers an ability to write a page turner book and a magnificent storyline. The book presents a significant insight into the Russian historical events, revolution and the manner in which the time period influenced people's lives. The Russian Mennonite Chronicles stays a must read book for any person interested in the Russian historical timeline.
LADY R, Reviewer
This was an excellent story. I just couldn't put it down. It was that good I had to read it in one sitting. This was a fantastic debut novel that has since change its cover picture. This book had a great medium to fast pace. The brilliant storyline had lots of unexpected twists and some were quite shocking. I loved the setting of Ukraine before it's independence. Katarina's story was set during WW1. I thought the author did a great job at creating brilliant emotions throughout the book as there was plenty of uncertainty for Katarina whether to leave the family farm. I haven't read many Christian stories but the added religious elements really added another dimension to the book. The diaries are discovered and then the book flicks between 2 persons point of view during both world wars. I really recommend you read this independently published book as it is the start of what is going to be an excellent series. I always recommend you try a sample if this book to see if you will love it just as much as I did.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishing team for creating such a wonderful story.
I hope to find the second book so I can write to let you know when the second book in the series comes out.
The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog today https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/katarina-s-dark-shadow-by-mj-krause-chivers-booksgosocal-independent-author-4-stars either under my name or ladyreading365
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