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The Prophesy Saga #1
The Crest
In the fall of 1914, Gerhard Lange excitedly receives orders from the Kaiserliche Deutsche Armee. He and his best friend, Otto Schmidt, are to join Germany’s battle with France. The young men quickly learn that there is no glory in war.
At the end of World War I, Gerhard and Otto return home broken men, and work alongside their fathers to restore the farming community they fought so valiantly to protect. Life remains tenuous as another war looms.
Concerned about the safety of their families, the Langes and Schmidts relocate to Bavaria. Once again, Gerhard’s commitment to his country is challenged, and he and his son, Paul, find themselves serving in an army led by a tyrant. Despite the oppression of serving on the Eastern Front, a light is cast in Paul’s direction when he encounters Ilse-Renata Chemiker.
As war rages around him, Gerhard worries about his family and how he will ensure the future of the Lange legacy.
The Prophecy saga spans over 70 years, and is a story of war, prejudice, migration, crime, love, and heartbreak. Each story is an intriguing, fast moving, historical fiction written from the perspective of the people involved. The Crest is dedicated to those folks who are forced to fight for what they believe in, to keep their family and their country safe.
Together, The Crest, The Emerald and The Destiny tell of the challenges and changes that external forces place on everyday people who are forced to rise above their own expectations to meet family obligations and responsibilities, no matter how reluctant they may be to do so. They provide the reader with an opportunity to consider life from an alternate perspective
At the end of World War I, Gerhard and Otto return home broken men, and work alongside their fathers to restore the farming community they fought so valiantly to protect. Life remains tenuous as another war looms.
Concerned about the safety of their families, the Langes and Schmidts relocate to Bavaria. Once again, Gerhard’s commitment to his country is challenged, and he and his son, Paul, find themselves serving in an army led by a tyrant. Despite the oppression of serving on the Eastern Front, a light is cast in Paul’s direction when he encounters Ilse-Renata Chemiker.
As war rages around him, Gerhard worries about his family and how he will ensure the future of the Lange legacy.
The Prophecy saga spans over 70 years, and is a story of war, prejudice, migration, crime, love, and heartbreak. Each story is an intriguing, fast moving, historical fiction written from the perspective of the people involved. The Crest is dedicated to those folks who are forced to fight for what they believe in, to keep their family and their country safe.
Together, The Crest, The Emerald and The Destiny tell of the challenges and changes that external forces place on everyday people who are forced to rise above their own expectations to meet family obligations and responsibilities, no matter how reluctant they may be to do so. They provide the reader with an opportunity to consider life from an alternate perspective
- GenresHistorical
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2018
About the author
Jerena Tobiasen
7 books12 followersJerena Tobiasen - award-winning author of The Prophecy, a 3-volume, historical fiction saga including The Crest, The Emerald, and The Destiny - lives in Vancouver, Canada.
Jerena’s latest novel – Tsarina’s Jewels – is sister to Tsarina's Crown, and the second novel in her latest adventure: The Nightingale and Sparrow Chronicles.
Jerena embellishes her writing by travelling to foreign lands, visiting museums and libraries, conducting interviews, and travelling in the footsteps of her characters. Her experiences and discoveries enrich the authenticity of the historical fiction she crafts. Jerena has travelled extensively throughout the United Kingdom, France, the Mediterranean, southern Europe, northern Africa, Russia, Scandinavia and the Arctic collecting data for her latest series The Nightingale and Sparrow Chronicles.
Jerena also writes short stories, poetry, travel commentaries and an assortment of other writings some of which can be found on her website.
Jerena is a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada, the Canadian Authors Association, the Federation of BC Writers, the Royal City Literary Arts Society and The Royal Canadian Legion.
Jerena’s latest novel – Tsarina’s Jewels – is sister to Tsarina's Crown, and the second novel in her latest adventure: The Nightingale and Sparrow Chronicles.
Jerena embellishes her writing by travelling to foreign lands, visiting museums and libraries, conducting interviews, and travelling in the footsteps of her characters. Her experiences and discoveries enrich the authenticity of the historical fiction she crafts. Jerena has travelled extensively throughout the United Kingdom, France, the Mediterranean, southern Europe, northern Africa, Russia, Scandinavia and the Arctic collecting data for her latest series The Nightingale and Sparrow Chronicles.
Jerena also writes short stories, poetry, travel commentaries and an assortment of other writings some of which can be found on her website.
Jerena is a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada, the Canadian Authors Association, the Federation of BC Writers, the Royal City Literary Arts Society and The Royal Canadian Legion.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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Blurb:
In the fall of 1914, Gerhard Lange excitedly receives orders from the Kaiserliche Deutsche Armee. He and his best friend, Otto Schmidt, are to join Germany’s battle with France. The young men quickly learn that there is no glory in war.
At the end of World War I, Gerhard and Otto return home broken men, and work alongside their fathers to restore the farming community they fought so valiantly to protect. Life remains tenuous as another war looms.
Concerned about the safety of their families, the Langes and Schmidts relocate to Bavaria. Once again, Gerhard’s commitment to his country is challenged, and he and his son, Paul, find themselves serving in an army led by a tyrant. Despite the oppression of serving on the Eastern Front, a light is cast in Paul’s direction when he encounters Ilse-Renata Chemiker.
As war rages around him, Gerhard worries about his family and how he will ensure the future of the Lange legacy.
The Prophecy saga spans over 70 years, and is a story of war, prejudice, migration, crime, love, and heartbreak. Each story is an intriguing, fast moving, historical fiction written from the perspective of the people involved. The Crest is dedicated to those folks who are forced to fight for what they believe in, to keep their family and their country safe.
Together, The Crest, The Emerald and The Destiny tell of the challenges and changes that external forces place on everyday people who are forced to rise above their own expectations to meet family obligations and responsibilities, no matter how reluctant they may be to do so. They provide the reader with an opportunity to consider life from an alternate perspective.
Blurb:
In the fall of 1914, Gerhard Lange excitedly receives orders from the Kaiserliche Deutsche Armee. He and his best friend, Otto Schmidt, are to join Germany’s battle with France. The young men quickly learn that there is no glory in war.
At the end of World War I, Gerhard and Otto return home broken men, and work alongside their fathers to restore the farming community they fought so valiantly to protect. Life remains tenuous as another war looms.
Concerned about the safety of their families, the Langes and Schmidts relocate to Bavaria. Once again, Gerhard’s commitment to his country is challenged, and he and his son, Paul, find themselves serving in an army led by a tyrant. Despite the oppression of serving on the Eastern Front, a light is cast in Paul’s direction when he encounters Ilse-Renata Chemiker.
As war rages around him, Gerhard worries about his family and how he will ensure the future of the Lange legacy.
The Prophecy saga spans over 70 years, and is a story of war, prejudice, migration, crime, love, and heartbreak. Each story is an intriguing, fast moving, historical fiction written from the perspective of the people involved. The Crest is dedicated to those folks who are forced to fight for what they believe in, to keep their family and their country safe.
Together, The Crest, The Emerald and The Destiny tell of the challenges and changes that external forces place on everyday people who are forced to rise above their own expectations to meet family obligations and responsibilities, no matter how reluctant they may be to do so. They provide the reader with an opportunity to consider life from an alternate perspective.
December 10, 2020
The Crest is an engaging family saga that spans both World Wars. The author draws readers directly into these characters’ struggles both during the chaos of wartime and the years in between. We feel their pain as they’re haunted by their wartime experiences and we understand completely their fervent wish to not be drawn into battle again. From the beginning we are hoping for the survival of all and are with them on their heartbreaking journeys. Well worth the read for anyone who loves multi-generational stories.
October 21, 2020
5-Star Review from Readers' Favorite:
"Jerena Tobiasen created the perfect atmosphere from the very beginning. She struck the right balance between action and pace so that the twists and turns added were logical. Everything blended seamlessly in The Crest and gave a realistic insight into what it was like to be a German at such a time. From dialogues to descriptions, the author made sure the reader was in for a roller coaster ride."
"Jerena Tobiasen created the perfect atmosphere from the very beginning. She struck the right balance between action and pace so that the twists and turns added were logical. Everything blended seamlessly in The Crest and gave a realistic insight into what it was like to be a German at such a time. From dialogues to descriptions, the author made sure the reader was in for a roller coaster ride."
August 29, 2021
I enjoyed The Crest it was an interesting read. It is about a military family from Germany back during the wars, it follows them signing up for the wars and what happens both before and after. The characters were very well-written and the plot was engaging. The first half of the book flew by, the second half was a bit slower, with significant time jumps between chapters.
October 9, 2022
I dnf’ed this book on page 211.
While the matter of the story itself is interesting, the characters are mostly flat and the writing leaves something to be desired. The timeline itself also has some inherent issues.
The writing itself is very stiff. I find there’s very little description and it’s mostly a tell don’t show kind of style. It makes the story have a they did this, then this, kind of feel. And with this writing style, all dialogue felt incredible stilted, forced, and childish even. There also was some head hopping.
The characters while they have some good motivations are about as interesting on the whole as soggy blankets. I just didn’t care about anyone in the book.
The storyline based on the blurb is already going to follow two generations. Not bad, but I usually find these books are best separated into two unless there’s two simultaneous timelines running which was not the case here. So the first war happens. Then we get a whole big segment about the civilian life which I honestly didn’t give a single hoot about. Then I suppose It’d go into the next war, but I stopped before war broke out.
While the matter of the story itself is interesting, the characters are mostly flat and the writing leaves something to be desired. The timeline itself also has some inherent issues.
The writing itself is very stiff. I find there’s very little description and it’s mostly a tell don’t show kind of style. It makes the story have a they did this, then this, kind of feel. And with this writing style, all dialogue felt incredible stilted, forced, and childish even. There also was some head hopping.
The characters while they have some good motivations are about as interesting on the whole as soggy blankets. I just didn’t care about anyone in the book.
The storyline based on the blurb is already going to follow two generations. Not bad, but I usually find these books are best separated into two unless there’s two simultaneous timelines running which was not the case here. So the first war happens. Then we get a whole big segment about the civilian life which I honestly didn’t give a single hoot about. Then I suppose It’d go into the next war, but I stopped before war broke out.
November 15, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up
TW: PTSD
This historical fiction novel is the first in the Prophecy Saga. Set in 1914, it first follows Gerhard Lange and his friend Otto Schmidt as they are sent to join the German army in the war against France. From there if follows their lives as they return from war as broken men, restore the farming community they had left behind, relocate, rebuild, find love, and face the next war with an evil tyrant.
I liked the concept of this novel, but it lacked a bit in execution. It was almost like being in a time machine and you got to briefly see a little bit of an event, then you would be flashed forward to another timeline and place, get a glimpse of that and you’d be whisked off again.
It felt like there were a lot of gaps that could have been filled in to make more of a story. I didnt feel drawn in and the characters themselves fell flat with basic writing.
Great concept, just lacking in some areas.
Thanks to Join Book Central for the copy to review.
TW: PTSD
This historical fiction novel is the first in the Prophecy Saga. Set in 1914, it first follows Gerhard Lange and his friend Otto Schmidt as they are sent to join the German army in the war against France. From there if follows their lives as they return from war as broken men, restore the farming community they had left behind, relocate, rebuild, find love, and face the next war with an evil tyrant.
I liked the concept of this novel, but it lacked a bit in execution. It was almost like being in a time machine and you got to briefly see a little bit of an event, then you would be flashed forward to another timeline and place, get a glimpse of that and you’d be whisked off again.
It felt like there were a lot of gaps that could have been filled in to make more of a story. I didnt feel drawn in and the characters themselves fell flat with basic writing.
Great concept, just lacking in some areas.
Thanks to Join Book Central for the copy to review.
May 15, 2020
Well written and intriguing
I enjoyed this book very much it gave a different twist for me of the two world wars. This one from a German families perspective.
I enjoyed this book very much it gave a different twist for me of the two world wars. This one from a German families perspective.
November 18, 2025
The author was in the same grade as me, we went to the same schools but never in the same classes. She lived two streets over. I thought she might have written about the old neighbourhood.
She didn't even write about Canada; the novel was set in Europe during the two world wars, and it was the perspective of Germans! A pretty ambitious project to portray citizens of a warring nation with sympathy as victims of circumstance. I liked that there were few characters (especially after some of my previous reads) and that the story was linear, providing a continuity through time. The romances were a bit cliched but I guessed wrong on who the protaganist ended up marrying.
I rook forward to book two in the series.
She didn't even write about Canada; the novel was set in Europe during the two world wars, and it was the perspective of Germans! A pretty ambitious project to portray citizens of a warring nation with sympathy as victims of circumstance. I liked that there were few characters (especially after some of my previous reads) and that the story was linear, providing a continuity through time. The romances were a bit cliched but I guessed wrong on who the protaganist ended up marrying.
I rook forward to book two in the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews