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Defying the Reich: The Untold Beginning of Mina Postner’s Journey
At fourteen, Mina Postner is a proud daughter of the Reich. By eighteen, she will be a traitor in its eyes...
Mina has been raised to salute the Führer, sing the songs, and march with pride. To question is unthinkable. She dreams of a future mapped out by loyalty, duty, and the promises of Germany’s destiny.
But shadows begin to creep across her world. Neighbours are dragged away in the night. Windows shatter on Kristallnacht, fire and broken glass lighting the streets. Old friendships become dangerous, and the banners and parades no longer hide the truth.
As the Reich tightens its grip, Mina must decide whether to remain silent or risk everything. One act of defiance changes her path forever, carrying her into a hidden struggle where every word spoken could cost her family their lives.
Defying the Reich is a Fernsby’s War Origins Novel , telling the untold beginning of Mina Postner’s journey before she became the voice of resistance...
Mina has been raised to salute the Führer, sing the songs, and march with pride. To question is unthinkable. She dreams of a future mapped out by loyalty, duty, and the promises of Germany’s destiny.
But shadows begin to creep across her world. Neighbours are dragged away in the night. Windows shatter on Kristallnacht, fire and broken glass lighting the streets. Old friendships become dangerous, and the banners and parades no longer hide the truth.
As the Reich tightens its grip, Mina must decide whether to remain silent or risk everything. One act of defiance changes her path forever, carrying her into a hidden struggle where every word spoken could cost her family their lives.
Defying the Reich is a Fernsby’s War Origins Novel , telling the untold beginning of Mina Postner’s journey before she became the voice of resistance...
618 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
160 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Jarvis
19 books27 followersJ.C. Jarvis grew up in Derbyshire, England, with a lifelong fascination for history, particularly the Second World War and Tudor England.
After serving in the British Army and later working in the IT industry, he turned fully to writing, transforming a lifelong passion for history into a career as a bestselling historical fiction author.
He is best known for the Fernsby’s War Series, a sweeping World War II saga following British intelligence officer Michael Fernsby and those drawn into the hidden war of espionage, resistance, and sacrifice behind enemy lines.
The series has built a loyal international readership and is praised for its depth of research, emotional realism, and cinematic storytelling.
In addition to Fernsby’s War, Jarvis is the author of the John Howard Tudor series and the origin novel Defying the Reich, which tells the powerful early story of fan-favourite resistance heroine Mina Postner.
When not writing, J.C. continues to research obsessively, always chasing the next story buried in history’s shadows.
After serving in the British Army and later working in the IT industry, he turned fully to writing, transforming a lifelong passion for history into a career as a bestselling historical fiction author.
He is best known for the Fernsby’s War Series, a sweeping World War II saga following British intelligence officer Michael Fernsby and those drawn into the hidden war of espionage, resistance, and sacrifice behind enemy lines.
The series has built a loyal international readership and is praised for its depth of research, emotional realism, and cinematic storytelling.
In addition to Fernsby’s War, Jarvis is the author of the John Howard Tudor series and the origin novel Defying the Reich, which tells the powerful early story of fan-favourite resistance heroine Mina Postner.
When not writing, J.C. continues to research obsessively, always chasing the next story buried in history’s shadows.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 15, 2026
Defying the Reich: The Untold Beginning of Mina Postner’s Journey by J.C. Jarvis is a gripping and deeply moving historical novel that explores the cost of awakening in a world built on propaganda and fear.
The transformation of Mina Postner is at the heart of this story. Raised to believe wholeheartedly in the promises of the Reich, Mina’s gradual realization of the regime’s brutality feels authentic and heartbreaking. The author skillfully portrays how indoctrination shapes young minds — and how difficult, and dangerous, it is to question everything you’ve been taught.
The depiction of Kristallnacht and the tightening grip of oppression adds emotional weight and historical intensity. Every decision Mina makes carries real consequences, and the tension never lets up. What makes this novel especially powerful is its focus on moral courage — the quiet, terrifying choice to stand up when silence would be safer.
At over 600 pages, the story is immersive and richly detailed, yet it remains deeply personal. It’s not just about war — it’s about identity, conscience, family, and the moment a loyal daughter becomes a voice of resistance.
A must-read for fans of historical fiction that highlights resilience, awakening, and the bravery required to defy injustice.
The transformation of Mina Postner is at the heart of this story. Raised to believe wholeheartedly in the promises of the Reich, Mina’s gradual realization of the regime’s brutality feels authentic and heartbreaking. The author skillfully portrays how indoctrination shapes young minds — and how difficult, and dangerous, it is to question everything you’ve been taught.
The depiction of Kristallnacht and the tightening grip of oppression adds emotional weight and historical intensity. Every decision Mina makes carries real consequences, and the tension never lets up. What makes this novel especially powerful is its focus on moral courage — the quiet, terrifying choice to stand up when silence would be safer.
At over 600 pages, the story is immersive and richly detailed, yet it remains deeply personal. It’s not just about war — it’s about identity, conscience, family, and the moment a loyal daughter becomes a voice of resistance.
A must-read for fans of historical fiction that highlights resilience, awakening, and the bravery required to defy injustice.
December 1, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic descriptions of a turbulent era
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2025
Format: Kindle
Read it in two days. Couldn’t stop. Being a Cuban exilee, I could relate to this book in a personal way! The indoctrination of children, compulsory meetings, speeches, memorized songs. Some of them I still remember. This book is a very relatable story of children growing up in a totalitarian regime. The persecutions, the fear of torture and murder. It encompasses an era of untenable suffering. But it also has unforgettable tender moments. Can’t wait to find out what happens next! 5 stars always!
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2025
Format: Kindle
Read it in two days. Couldn’t stop. Being a Cuban exilee, I could relate to this book in a personal way! The indoctrination of children, compulsory meetings, speeches, memorized songs. Some of them I still remember. This book is a very relatable story of children growing up in a totalitarian regime. The persecutions, the fear of torture and murder. It encompasses an era of untenable suffering. But it also has unforgettable tender moments. Can’t wait to find out what happens next! 5 stars always!
January 8, 2026
I’m going to try to avoid spoilers in this review! If you are new to the series you should enjoy the story but be prepared to feel the weight of the history of this era as this is an inspiring story but sad in many places. I think the book is responsible in its telling of the times and as someone who has read all the other books it retains the careful crafting of good and evil of the others. My thoughts for those who have read the other books, I believe there be are a few minor deviations from the previous storylines. I’m hoping to get my wife interested in reading this and the promised following books…….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2026
What a brilliant read this book is. A family in Germany in the early Nazi years adapting and seeing the changes that Nazism brings . Being forced into the Hitler youth movement and then the pressure of marriage to a future SS would have been horrendous.
The fear on a daily basis would have been dreadful. The family unit shared the same beliefs and they stuck together.
This is really an emotional read and does depict the goodness of people against the horrors of what was to come.
The fear on a daily basis would have been dreadful. The family unit shared the same beliefs and they stuck together.
This is really an emotional read and does depict the goodness of people against the horrors of what was to come.
January 16, 2026
Terrifying Reality!
The beginnings of WWII unfolding in story form. The reality of the characters kept me from hardly putting the book down. Well written, keeps you glued to the story, what will happen next? So good and sad because we know how it all ends eventually. Keeping hope alive for the main characters.
The beginnings of WWII unfolding in story form. The reality of the characters kept me from hardly putting the book down. Well written, keeps you glued to the story, what will happen next? So good and sad because we know how it all ends eventually. Keeping hope alive for the main characters.
December 23, 2025
wow what an adventure
This book is spellbinding you won’t want it to end ,I feel like I know these people ,but never met them .
The writer has managed to make them real and the story believed .
This book is spellbinding you won’t want it to end ,I feel like I know these people ,but never met them .
The writer has managed to make them real and the story believed .
December 6, 2025
Wonderful read.
Riveting story. You felt you were right there. The bravery that was thrust upon ordinary people is unbelievable. Thank you for the invite on Mina and Michael
Riveting story. You felt you were right there. The bravery that was thrust upon ordinary people is unbelievable. Thank you for the invite on Mina and Michael
December 11, 2025
Great characters.
Liked the character development. However, The story was drawn out and data repeated making ‘the point’ too long. Nice intro for Fernsby!
Liked the character development. However, The story was drawn out and data repeated making ‘the point’ too long. Nice intro for Fernsby!
December 21, 2025
when everything is dark…..
Somehow you find a way. Perseverance through danger and unimaginable situations that can’t be imagined until you are actually in them.
Somehow you find a way. Perseverance through danger and unimaginable situations that can’t be imagined until you are actually in them.
January 6, 2026
a page turner
From start to finish I was just mesmerised and couldn’t stop reading my only question is there are a part 2
From start to finish I was just mesmerised and couldn’t stop reading my only question is there are a part 2
January 11, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in fact l couldn’t put it down, where is the next one
January 12, 2026
A book everyone should read
Hooked from the first page. Fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. I've read the whole series and they are all superb.
Hooked from the first page. Fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. I've read the whole series and they are all superb.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews