The amber crane

Wars can create strife and the thirty year war resulted in about 8 million deaths. All the European nations were embattled in this war. Peter, an apprentice was commissioned to sculpt amber which during this time was considered valuable. Two pieces came into his possession, even though it’s a crime. No one is allowed to own or have amber except if the head of the guild allows it.  

Imagine being transported from 1645 to 1945 the final months of WWII where he meets Lioba who is attempting to escape a Russian army advancing into Germany. Traveling back and forth between timelines the author shares the fears he faces in this time period the war and the hardships can’t oppression of the people countered in 1945 where he helps Lioba to hopefully escape the Russians. Will she be labeled a witch? What is their fate? Imagine having to ask to take a walk on the beach or even try using the amber, creating a heart for his sister Effie who was raped to wear hoping it will have healing powers.

The love and loyalty of a brother in his time period and the loyalty to a friend in the future as his dreams take him on many journeys in both timelines. Molding the second piece of amber into a crane which he carries.,in the future he truly hopes to help Lioba but in his timeline the guild does not care why he’s heart instead they arrested both him and his sister. But he takes responsibility to get her released and faces a punishment. Five years exiled placed on a ship and hoping Effie will be okay with the love and help of his father who will start working again and Claire to help. A powerful. dramatic, sorrowful a and yet at tone hopeful account if people struggling to survive the oppression, hardships and devastation of the thirty year war and WWII. The setting is powerful and the descriptions vividly depicted allowing readers  to feel as if they are experiencing what the characters are in each timeline. The cold and windy beaches, the mud infested farms and the tightly cramped workshops and the separation of  the timelines yet in a sense connected. The descriptions of the amber stones can be pictured in your minds as each one reflects and emits energy that reflect shapes a different hues. 

Effie is central to the plot but is truly not an important part of any direct interaction as people talk around her not to her. Her voice is never given a chance to be heard.

Peter and Lioba come from two different worlds as the author blends each timeline together yet separately. Lioba’s story and journey is sad, heartfelt and has Peter facing more challenges each time he travels ahead. At no time do the characters reflect or question their location, time periods and how they manage to connect. The author’s research and description of both timelines adds to the authenticity of the story. The story is both fictional and has a touch of science fiction as the author using poems, songs and more draws it to a dramatic close with Peter beginning his five year journey. 

Fran Lewis just reviews