The Coronation

The Coronation

A volatile time period filled with visions based in history, religious beliefs and ceremonies, and miracles during the Third Silesian war between Prussia and Austria and with Russian alliance and more. It begins in 1761 when both sides fighting the war have the needed amount of supplies, men to fight or mount a sizable offensive. Prussian Countess Marion Graffin von Adler and Russian Lieutenant Ian Fermorforn an unusual bond. She has to run the castle alone while her husband fights in the war. She fights and tries but can’t win against a Russian commander who thinks he’s entitled to her estate’s fall harvest. Sticking up for herself leads the commander to strike her for speaking out and Fermor defends her honor. As a result, the commander stabs Fermor with his saber and leaves him for dead. Because of his valiant actions she makes sure he’s given medical care and fights for his life. With a vision of an eagle referred to as the Adler and is pulled from death. Thinking it’s a near-death experience, Fermor devotes his life to finding out why the Lord kept him alive and stays at the Adler estate. But life is hard when all is their flocks and food supply are taken by the Russians feeling they are entitled to anything they want. Marion and her people face the horrific thought if starvation during the winter. There are several plot lines and characters that add spice, intrigue, love, treachery, and faith to the story. 

Superstitions play a role as demons take hold of a person with an incurable disease or life-altering condition. Much of what happens connects Fermor and Marion as she develops an illness associated with the eagle or Adler and he discovers religion and the eagle which is commemorated on a religious statue in the estate’s church. What is its significance?

Marion leaves her estate at one point to visit her brother who owns an amber mine that has Newcomen pumps to keep seawater out of the places where there are diggings

There are many historical people that are referenced and the book does focus on the Enlightenment plus struggle for human hope and survival in a wartime economy.

The situations take on dangerous tolls when the armies take the boys away from home. Marion is livid and can’t stop what they are doing why is her own country’s force doing this and why is Casper? Added parts are needed to run the amber mine and deals take time and an unexpected source if funding arrives. Fermor is part of it all but Sisi has to be admired for sticking up for Casoer and getting the verdict overturned but the bridge betweenn herself and her mother widens. Marion at times does not consider both sides and is rigid in her thinking. Added in the author provides either a psalm or it historical quote setting the stage for what is about to come as the heading for each chapter. 

Far from over as lives change and Sisi and Marion have a falling out, the amber mine is completed but just who will benefit and who will still owe payment? Then Marion has an odd vision of the Adler and so does Fermor. Then harsh betrays and an imposter in their midst plus a death that should not have happened. Why was the problem connected to Adler? A final scene on page 273 will shock readers when Marion flies into a rage you decide and learn why. The ending leads us to believe that author Justin Newland has more to add to the lives and stories of these characters. The Fermor dreams of the Adler a numinous

Eagle entity whose territory extends across the lands of Northern Europe and which is mysteriously connected to the Great Enlightenment. How, why, and more when you read The Coronation.  Just what was the Adler supposed to do? What link to the spiritual gain of mankind? 

Fran lewis just reviews