Defying the Reich: The Untold Beginning of Mina Postner’s Journey

by J.C. Jarvis

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...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Family

616 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

J.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.

Reviews

[Diann Barrow]

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.

[Bertica Robinson]

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!

[Paul Heckman]

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…….

[Margaret Wray]

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.

[Debra]

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.

[Michael]

3.5 stars. Overall I enjoyed this book enough to continue the series whenever new books come out. There were a few inconsistencies and i'm not sure Germans would have risked their families to help Jews back in this time. But I don't know. It's the impression I get from seeing how enthusiastic the Germans were with Hitler in the films we see.

[glen Fur]

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 .

[Emma]

a story to immerse yourself in from a different point of view

I really enjoyed reading this book and felt it gave me a different perspective on what German families were facing during the holocaust. I felt it drew you in where you couldn’t wait to read further and find out what happened next. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Jean Walters]

A story to keep you awake at night

With this story you are drawn into the pllite of German people during the
Reign of Adolph Hitler. The constant pressure to succumb to Nazism and leave good values behind. Quite stirring.

[Suzanne Romano]

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

[Nancy]

Great characters.

Liked the character development. However, The story was drawn out and data repeated making ‘the point’ too long. Nice intro for Fernsby!

[Diane M.]

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.

[Mrs S Ruck]

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

[Mrs P E Robinson]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in fact l couldn’t put it down, where is the next one

[Mrs Cheryl Canning]

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.

[Mrs. E. Wright]

riveting

Brilliant book. You felt a part of the story - right there all the time. Unputdownable. You felt the pain and sometimes the joy. Terrifying in part.

[Kelly]

loved this book

Although it is long it sucks you in and keeps you intrigued… I stayed up many nights long after I’d intended to sleep wanting to know what happens next.

[Patrick J. Baier]

Waiting

The I s is the last book I can locate by the author. I realize that is unorthodox, but is the author have more in the workd?

[Ina Tuscano]

Terrific

Filled in the blanks from Fernsby's's War. Very much enjoyed. Would like a book #2. The creation of the sisters is brilliant.

[Linda Slasberg]

Review of Defying the Reich

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. Emotional, compelling. I will not forget this story.

[John]

Outstanding book and incredibly well written!

[David Cooper]

This was my first book by this author and I was impressed! A very good read. I would definitely recommend it.