Book Blurb:
Inspired by true events, Katarina’s Dark Journey is the second book in a faith-based, coming-of-age series containing themes of intergenerational trauma, perseverance and resilience during wartime. With a dual time-line set in Ukraine during the Russian civil war and post-war Germany, this suspense-filled epic saga carries a poignant lesson about the fragility of freedom.
When darkness falls, faith prevails.
1918: Southern Ukraine. When the Bolshevik Army sets fire to the German Mennonite villages, seventeen-year-old Katarina and her wealthy pregnant sister, Anna, flee across the barren lawless steppes. Thrust into an adult world with sinister characters and a rapidly changing political landscape, Katarina learns to use her strength and wits to protect Anna and her unborn baby. But the enigmatic environment forces Katarina to grapple with her pacifist beliefs and face the darkness within herself. When there’s nowhere to hide, can she trust God to save them?
1952/3: Munich, Germany. As Peter faces the scary prospect of becoming a father, he struggles with closure to his mother Katarina's death. Fuelled by painful memories, he searches her diaries for answers but finds more questions. Will Peter spiral down into the darkness of the past, or will the burgeoning new life bring hope for the future?
Inspired by true events, “Katarina’s Dark Journey” is a faith-based coming-of-age mystery that offers a gripping exploration of family, survival, and the human spirit in times of war. With page-turning suspense, this epic saga is a must-read for historical fiction fans.
Fans of The Memory Keeper of Kyiv (Erin Litteken) and Women Talking (Miriam Toews) will appreciate the characters’ transparent and heart-wrenching struggles to survive injustice and overcome trauma.
If you haven't read book one, catch up to this growing series now. Check out Book One: Katarina's Dark Shadow to understand the cultural and political backdrop to this epic series. Book Two: Katarina's Dark Journey continues to follow the trail of Katarina's mysterious death and her illusive son, Jacob. Buy both books now to learn the facts behind the stories. Each story provides a bread crumb to the ultimate truth. Scroll up and get started on this epic series now.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/wcAzB
Editorial Review:
Katarina’s Dark Journey - Ukraine: Labor Pains - 1918 is the second book in author M. J. Krause-Chivers’ Russian Mennonite Chronicles series. It follows a dual timeline set in 1918 during the conflict in Russia and Ukraine as well as in 1951 post-war Germany. In 1951, Peter is preparing to become a father and grieving the death of his mother, Katarina, while also battling the guilt surrounding his father’s death. Peter’s grief leads him to read Katarina’s diary where she details her experience fleeing Russia with her pregnant sister after the Bolsheviks take control and begin to burn down German Mennonite villages. It is a tale of resilience that spans decades and is beautifully written. Readers will instantly connect with both Peter and Katarina as they navigate their struggles. While the book is the second in a series, it works well as a stand-alone, and readers should have no problem picking it up without having read the first book in a series.
“Overnight, civil disobedience spread like wildfire on a wheat field. While the imperial army struggled to regain control, the Bolsheviks took charge. Now the Reds were blazing across the countryside, killing the loyalists of the old guard.”
The time period, setting, and historical events are not often seen in historical fiction. It is an incredibly unique book that historical fiction readers will love. It is a nice change of pace from so many of the mainstream historical fiction novels that are based on common topics such as World War II. The legal independence of Ukraine from 1917-1922 is also not well known by many readers so it also offered the author a chance to provide new insight and education to his readers. In particular, the plight of the Mennonite people in Ukraine is not one typically seen in fictional writing. It seems that the author understands the uniqueness of her novel and provides thorough information about this history at the end of the book which will better help readers understand the novel and events it references. This is also incredibly relevant and helps to paint a more clear picture of the relationship and events happening between Russia and Ukraine currently.
“His burgeoning Black Army was a darkening curtain hovering over the region, and his unpredictable actions were putting the Mennonites on edge. Were his acts of violence a necessary evil in the Ukrainian fight for independence, or was he simply carrying out a vendetta against the Mennonites for some perceived childhood injury?”
The author’s interest and research in Ukraine and Russia are evident. He also provided vintage maps at the beginning of the book that are dated 1921 and and 1943 that do a wonderful job of illustrating the changes in Ukraine’s and Russia’s relationship well. The author has spent significant time researching these events to be able to incorporate them into a fictional novel as well as he did.
“The outfit aside, Katarina was astonished that any woman could both dress like a man and direct a military team. It was even more surprising that these men respected their female leader. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she’d never believed it.”
The writing is well done and easy to read. While it is not deeply riddled with extended metaphors, similies, and imagery, it is readable and has the ability to appeal to the emotions of readers. Readers will find themselves engrossed in the story and developing a genuine concern for the characters portrayed throughout the novel
“Not hers, but the men who chose to live a perverted life. They’d brought evil into their homes and infected her family. Now, it was up to the soiled women to purge the darkness from their souls so it wouldn’t destroy them. And for that, they needed God. And each other.”
The intended audience for this novel is those who are interested in historical fiction and enjoy exploring topics that are often not considered mainstream history. Those who love epic family dramas and dual timelines will also find this book enjoyable. The title, Katarina’s Dark Journey - Ukraine: Labor Pains - 1918, insinuates that the time period in this novel is both dark and difficult. Readers will learn about the Russian’s brutal treatment and attempted ethnic cleansing of indigenous Ukranians. The author has presented this information in a very eloquent way but some readers might still struggle with the content. The Civil War era in Russia was also a time when violence and brutality were prevalent. Child loss and miscarriage are also topics within Katarina’s Dark Journey - Ukraine: Labor Pains - 1918 that some readers may be sensitive to.
“Mutter said the Mennonites often planted common lilacs at the gravesites in Ukraine. She said if I ever go back there, I should look for the lilacs. Even if there aren’t stones, there will be trees.”
Excellent research, good writing, and a unique topic earn this book a five out of five rating. It is highly enjoyable and will open readers' eyes to history that is often forgotten and not studied. The book is very relevant to modern political events in Russia and Ukraine making Katarina’s Dark Journey - Ukraine: Labor Pains - 1918 a timely novel.
*****
Katarina's Dark Journey by M. J. Krause-Chivers receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence by the Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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