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Zion Covenant #5
Danzig Passage
Opening in 1936, the Zion Covenant series tells the courageous and compelling stories of those who risk everything to stand against the growing tide of Nazi terrorism that is sweeping through central Europe under the dangerous and deceitful guise of Hitler's Third Reich. As the net of Hitler s Third Reich begins to close around the Jews in prewar Europe, two families face the grim reality of life in the New Germany. When Anna Lindheim s sister Helen and her pastor husband Karl Ibsen are arrested for helping the Jews, their children, Lori and Jamie, must find a way to escape the Nazi pursuers and get past the iron gates that keep them imprisoned in the Reich. Young Peter Wallich, with his mother, sister and baby brother, faces the same dilemma. How can he, a Jew, get them out of Vienna to Danzig, the last place of refuge for Jewish families?
464 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
162 people are currently reading
1620 people want to read
About the author
Bodie Thoene
203 books1,367 followersBODIE AND BROCK THOENE (pronounced Tay-nee) have written over 45 works of historical fiction. These best sellers have sold more than 10 million copies and won eight ECPA Gold Medallion Awards.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
Bodie began her writing career as a teen journalist for her local newspaper. Eventually her byline appeared in prestigious periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report, The American West, and The Saturday Evening Post. She also worked for John Wayne’s Batjac Productions (she’s best known as author of The Fall Guy) and ABC Circle Films as a writer and researcher. John Wayne described her as “a writer with talent that captures the people and the times!” She has degrees in journalism and communications.
Bodie and Brock have four grown children—Rachel, Jake Thoene, Luke Thoene, and Ellie—and five grandchildren. Their sons, Jake and Luke, are carrying on the Thoene family talent as the next generation of writers, and Luke produces the Thoene audiobooks.
Bodie and Brock divide their time between London and Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
July 10, 2018
The best way to summarize the heart of this book can be found in the book as quoted by Winston Churchill, "NEVER GIVE INTO FEAR, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE IN". When all around you are succumbing to evil, there will always be at least one person who keeps his head about him and stays the course of righteousness and what is morally right.
I really love the story-line to this book and all of the Character developments and how each handled the trials and tribulations that they had to endure and overcome.
It is WWII Austria/Germany, It is the Night of the broken Glass, A National Staged program by the NAZI Propaganda machine against the Jewish Community. Jewish owned Shops were broken into and looted, Jews beaten up and removed from their homes, and some taken to Concentration and work camps. It is the night where evil has taken over and caused destruction and death.
Story one, there is Lucy a beautiful Aryan who is pregnant and madly in love with a Major in the SS, who she has found out that is married and who is planning on sending the baby to his wife to raise. and now she wants to leave. story two, you have the ordeals of a Preacher who is arrested while trying help a Jewish Family from his congregation leave their apartment before the storm troopers arrive and what ultimately happens to his family. There is a lot more going on. This is riveting and sad and intense book that hits the heart strings and leaves you wanting more.
I really love the story-line to this book and all of the Character developments and how each handled the trials and tribulations that they had to endure and overcome.
It is WWII Austria/Germany, It is the Night of the broken Glass, A National Staged program by the NAZI Propaganda machine against the Jewish Community. Jewish owned Shops were broken into and looted, Jews beaten up and removed from their homes, and some taken to Concentration and work camps. It is the night where evil has taken over and caused destruction and death.
Story one, there is Lucy a beautiful Aryan who is pregnant and madly in love with a Major in the SS, who she has found out that is married and who is planning on sending the baby to his wife to raise. and now she wants to leave. story two, you have the ordeals of a Preacher who is arrested while trying help a Jewish Family from his congregation leave their apartment before the storm troopers arrive and what ultimately happens to his family. There is a lot more going on. This is riveting and sad and intense book that hits the heart strings and leaves you wanting more.
November 9, 2017
A number of new characters introduced here. Otto is back from the first two books and helps with one group. The other group is a bunch of teens/children connected to the Lindheims, who also show up in this book, but they are not the main focus. The "odd duck" out here is Lucy, a Bavarian woman used in the Aryan breeding program. The tagline on the front says "For those who desperately cling to the tiniest glimmer of hope, even the last illusions are being extinguished...." - the illusions of the Jews that they will be alright as Kristalnacht occurs; the illusions of Lucy that Wolf loves her and is not just using her; the illusion that people are safe and that the Powers that Be in Nazi Germany are not killing or imprisoning people because of their usefulness, or lack thereof. Pastor Ibsen is imprisoned at "Nameless Camp" - Hitler wishes to have him turned to the Nazi Party for propaganda.
The storyline has "less action", even though at the end of the book, the action sped up. It also ended without a clear denouement - getting on the train to Danzig for all those trying to escape Nazi Germany clutches is evidently seen as "where the characters wish to be".
A couple of places made me laugh/smile, though they were more towards the end of the book.
(1)Hitler praises two blonde headed boys (one teen, one baby) as models of Aryanism - they're Jews escaping..... and
(2) As a Nazi Lieutenant is stripped and his clothes are thrown off the train, the other group that the action follows picks them up and uses them in their escape - getting ON the train.
The storyline has "less action", even though at the end of the book, the action sped up. It also ended without a clear denouement - getting on the train to Danzig for all those trying to escape Nazi Germany clutches is evidently seen as "where the characters wish to be".
A couple of places made me laugh/smile, though they were more towards the end of the book.
(1)Hitler praises two blonde headed boys (one teen, one baby) as models of Aryanism - they're Jews escaping..... and
(2) As a Nazi Lieutenant is stripped and his clothes are thrown off the train, the other group that the action follows picks them up and uses them in their escape - getting ON the train.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2021
This book was *chef's kiss* wonderful to read. And the ending-! Could it get any better, honestly?
Okay, let's talk characters. Because let me tell you, there are some AMAZING characters in this book.
(Potential Spoilers from here on out)
First of all, Theo and Anna are just as perfect as always. As righteous and as good as always, although they don't get as much focus in this book as in the others. And they're trying to fight, and feeling so helpless. And of course there's Murphy, Elisa, Louis and Charles. Oh what dear boys they are!
Then there's Samuel Orde. That British captain who's rallying the Jews and fighting the Arabs craftily, giving them a taste of their own medicine. One of my favorite lines from this book is "As he covered the ground in a rapid hike, he alternated between thanking God for sparing his life and apologizing for having been so stupid that he needed divine intervention." XD
And Alfie, what can I say about Alfie? Aww, darling Alfie. My favorite character, so dear and innocent. So trusting. I could go on and on about him. He's so... perfectly Alfie.
And there are many more characters that I could go on about. And the plot too, was wonderful, the ending, perfectly satisfying. This is what I aspire to write as an author.
Okay, let's talk characters. Because let me tell you, there are some AMAZING characters in this book.
(Potential Spoilers from here on out)
First of all, Theo and Anna are just as perfect as always. As righteous and as good as always, although they don't get as much focus in this book as in the others. And they're trying to fight, and feeling so helpless. And of course there's Murphy, Elisa, Louis and Charles. Oh what dear boys they are!
Then there's Samuel Orde. That British captain who's rallying the Jews and fighting the Arabs craftily, giving them a taste of their own medicine. One of my favorite lines from this book is "As he covered the ground in a rapid hike, he alternated between thanking God for sparing his life and apologizing for having been so stupid that he needed divine intervention." XD
And Alfie, what can I say about Alfie? Aww, darling Alfie. My favorite character, so dear and innocent. So trusting. I could go on and on about him. He's so... perfectly Alfie.
And there are many more characters that I could go on about. And the plot too, was wonderful, the ending, perfectly satisfying. This is what I aspire to write as an author.
April 14, 2015
I loved this installment of the series. It dealt a lot with children escaping the Nazi regime, and how families were torn apart by Hitler.
I truly love how much these books have opened my eyes to so many things that took place leading up to World War II. There were so many people that closed their hearts and minds to the things going on, but thank goodness there were the few who helped, even if it signed their own death warrant. Another great read!
I truly love how much these books have opened my eyes to so many things that took place leading up to World War II. There were so many people that closed their hearts and minds to the things going on, but thank goodness there were the few who helped, even if it signed their own death warrant. Another great read!
March 25, 2017
One day I will write a longer review of these books, this series. They are wonderful on so many levels. I highly recommend the series to anyone who wants to learn more about the lead-up to WWII and the war itself. It is not a "war" book, but more about lives and people and how they were affected. Very well written and researched.
November 8, 2017
Another great book in this series. These books make history seem more real, and not just something I read about in a history book. Besides that, the events in this book made me think of modern times, with all the terrible things that are in the news these days. Danzig Passage reminds me that there are so many more people in the world besides the ones in my immediate circle.
January 21, 2023
This has been my favorite book, so far, in this series. A number of interesting, intertwined plots going on, and although there is still very much the presence of evil, I felt the emphasis was more on those that were on the side of good, or moved to the side of good.
There was also more definite characterization of some people as Christians, but unfortunately, there were still places of confusion between Christianity and Catholicism.
A dark time in history, but yet there were those who stood for righteousness no matter what, and that is portrayed in this book.
There was also more definite characterization of some people as Christians, but unfortunately, there were still places of confusion between Christianity and Catholicism.
A dark time in history, but yet there were those who stood for righteousness no matter what, and that is portrayed in this book.
February 6, 2025
This book opens on Kristalnacht, November 9, 1938 in Berlin and on its 51st anniversary and the fall of the Berlin Wall. As with all historical events, no one who did not live through it can truly understand it. I was 23 years old in 1989 and remember very well how hopeful of peace we felt.
A repeated theme throughout the book is “Tor auf” or “open the gate.” At the Berlin Wall in 1989, the young people shouted, “Tor auf!” On Kristalnacht, Jewish people pressed against the English and American embassies crying “Tor auf!” As Jewish people arrived at the concentration camps, their SS guards would call, “Tor auf!”
And then this beautiful passage on Christmas Eve when Pastor Karl Ibsen (Anna Lindheim’s brother-in-law) has witnessed the hanging deaths of two dear friends and fellow prisoners, when he is fighting despair and cries out to his enemy, the Devil: “It is Christmas! God has come among us! The miracle is accomplished! You cannot change it now! The Gate is open!”
The main story line follows:
1. Lucy Strasburg, a beautiful young woman from Bavaria who is the mistress of an SS captain that is stationed in Vienna. When she discovers she is pregnant, she knows she will have to escape to keep from ending up in a Lebensborn.
2. Karin Wallich, a Jewish widow and her 3 children, Peter, Marlene and baby Willie. They have been hiding in Otto Wattenbarger’s apartment since Kristalnacht.
3. The Ibsen children, Lori and Jamie, along with their friends, Jacob Kalner and Mark Kalner, whose parents are Jewish Christians who attended Karl Ibsen’s church. They have been hiding in the boarded-up church, but they know they must leave because the church is to be destroyed to make room for the Nazi’s building program.
4. Samuel Orde who is trying to train a Jewish force to defend themselves from Arab attacks.
5. We check in occasionally on the Murphys and Lindheims in London.
A repeated theme throughout the book is “Tor auf” or “open the gate.” At the Berlin Wall in 1989, the young people shouted, “Tor auf!” On Kristalnacht, Jewish people pressed against the English and American embassies crying “Tor auf!” As Jewish people arrived at the concentration camps, their SS guards would call, “Tor auf!”
And then this beautiful passage on Christmas Eve when Pastor Karl Ibsen (Anna Lindheim’s brother-in-law) has witnessed the hanging deaths of two dear friends and fellow prisoners, when he is fighting despair and cries out to his enemy, the Devil: “It is Christmas! God has come among us! The miracle is accomplished! You cannot change it now! The Gate is open!”
The main story line follows:
1. Lucy Strasburg, a beautiful young woman from Bavaria who is the mistress of an SS captain that is stationed in Vienna. When she discovers she is pregnant, she knows she will have to escape to keep from ending up in a Lebensborn.
2. Karin Wallich, a Jewish widow and her 3 children, Peter, Marlene and baby Willie. They have been hiding in Otto Wattenbarger’s apartment since Kristalnacht.
3. The Ibsen children, Lori and Jamie, along with their friends, Jacob Kalner and Mark Kalner, whose parents are Jewish Christians who attended Karl Ibsen’s church. They have been hiding in the boarded-up church, but they know they must leave because the church is to be destroyed to make room for the Nazi’s building program.
4. Samuel Orde who is trying to train a Jewish force to defend themselves from Arab attacks.
5. We check in occasionally on the Murphys and Lindheims in London.
April 3, 2019
This book continues the inspiring saga of Elisa and John Murphy, and their adopted twin boys, Charles and Louis. It introduces new characters such as:S.S. officer Wolf von Feider, and his affair mistress, Lucy Strasbourg; Nazi agent Samuel Orde, a RAF deserter, while giving more details about the lives of Alfie Ibsen, and his grandchildren, Rachel, Peter, Lori.
This was the most enjoyable book in the series so far for me! It pursued the question of:will Elisa’s pregnancy end well in a precarious world? Will Lucy be able to escape wolfs clutches as he now wants her imprisoned for her helping the Ibsen family escape and as she runs away from him now that he desires to take her baby away after it’s born to raise it in a Nazi home?
Rating:1000+ stars
Concerns: Lori Ibsen struggles with physically desiring her boyfriend, Jacob Kalner. Lucy and Wolf have a brutal, lusty affair though he’s married with 3 children. Samuel Orde sadistically refers to Louis and Charles. Lucy and Elisa’s births are very traumatic and disturbing.
Recommends: for older teens, ages 16+
This was the most enjoyable book in the series so far for me! It pursued the question of:will Elisa’s pregnancy end well in a precarious world? Will Lucy be able to escape wolfs clutches as he now wants her imprisoned for her helping the Ibsen family escape and as she runs away from him now that he desires to take her baby away after it’s born to raise it in a Nazi home?
Rating:1000+ stars
Concerns: Lori Ibsen struggles with physically desiring her boyfriend, Jacob Kalner. Lucy and Wolf have a brutal, lusty affair though he’s married with 3 children. Samuel Orde sadistically refers to Louis and Charles. Lucy and Elisa’s births are very traumatic and disturbing.
Recommends: for older teens, ages 16+
January 5, 2019
The writing style still annoys me—but the attention to historical detail still impresses me. I think out of the 5 in the series so far, this one and the second one might have been the most interesting so far. This one introduced quite a few new characters, and reintroduced some characters that I'd forgotten about. It took me a few chapters to get everyone straight in my head, but by the end I was quite invested in their fates.
July 16, 2022
4.5
This book I really liked. One of the best in the series. It was very factual. The characters and plot tied you in and you really enjoyed the writing and flow. It was quite depressing at times though since it talks so much about the start of the Jewish exterminations and the Holocaust. However, with topic like that, it has to be depressing.
This book I really liked. One of the best in the series. It was very factual. The characters and plot tied you in and you really enjoyed the writing and flow. It was quite depressing at times though since it talks so much about the start of the Jewish exterminations and the Holocaust. However, with topic like that, it has to be depressing.
August 30, 2020
This is a reread for me, I've had these books for years. Such a great mix of historical and fictional characters. Also doesn't gloss over any truth about how horrible conditions were for all under the purview of Hitler.
November 1, 2021
Just like every other book in the series, I loved it. I will definitely continue on with the other books, in the series.
January 7, 2018
Danzig is the name of this city in German, but the polish equivalent is known as Gdansk. A major port and thoroughfare for trade from Sweden to England to Poland and beyond. They highlighted this particular area because the book focuses on how 10,000 Jewish children were able to be sent to England for adoption from the Third Rei ch – so everyone that was capable tried to make it to Danzig in hopes of greater freedom in England.
The story continues to follow the main characters, but also takes a spin off on Elisa’s Aunt & Uncle – staunch Christians who despise Hitler and the practices that are overtaking Germany. Their opposition lands the children in hiding while the parents are deported to forced labor camps until they rescinded their opposing views of the third reich. Not willing to change their stance lays out for an interesting battle found against the Nazi’s on more than one front.
Another spin off comes from Captain Orde – a prominent figure in the prior book “Jerusalem Interlude” and how, as a Christian, he tries to show Jews how important it is to fight for a Jewish homeland because that is what God has promised. His determination is highly contagious and interesting to read about.
Lastly, the book follows Otto Wattenburger – a Nazi only in name. As he plays games with the SS and Nazi’s he is also trying to secretly help any of those that he can to escape the horror that is unraveling towards the Jews.
This historical fiction novel also incorporates ways in which Hitler continually tried to collaborate with the Arabs to obliterate the Jews in Palestine, Kristalnacht, and the increased tactics of how Nazi & SS officers manipulated the public into hating and getting rid of the Jews.
I really love the way that this author writes because I feel like I’m watching a movie. It contains my whole attention and really opens up new views that I never understood before. (I especially loved the ending of the book!) The author has brought fictional and non-fictional characters to life by intertwining stories in such a clever fashion. I’m excited to see how the journey is concluded with the remaining book: Warsaw Requiem.
The story continues to follow the main characters, but also takes a spin off on Elisa’s Aunt & Uncle – staunch Christians who despise Hitler and the practices that are overtaking Germany. Their opposition lands the children in hiding while the parents are deported to forced labor camps until they rescinded their opposing views of the third reich. Not willing to change their stance lays out for an interesting battle found against the Nazi’s on more than one front.
Another spin off comes from Captain Orde – a prominent figure in the prior book “Jerusalem Interlude” and how, as a Christian, he tries to show Jews how important it is to fight for a Jewish homeland because that is what God has promised. His determination is highly contagious and interesting to read about.
Lastly, the book follows Otto Wattenburger – a Nazi only in name. As he plays games with the SS and Nazi’s he is also trying to secretly help any of those that he can to escape the horror that is unraveling towards the Jews.
This historical fiction novel also incorporates ways in which Hitler continually tried to collaborate with the Arabs to obliterate the Jews in Palestine, Kristalnacht, and the increased tactics of how Nazi & SS officers manipulated the public into hating and getting rid of the Jews.
I really love the way that this author writes because I feel like I’m watching a movie. It contains my whole attention and really opens up new views that I never understood before. (I especially loved the ending of the book!) The author has brought fictional and non-fictional characters to life by intertwining stories in such a clever fashion. I’m excited to see how the journey is concluded with the remaining book: Warsaw Requiem.
January 22, 2015
Another Winner in this Series!
I have been rereading the books in the Zion Covenant series for the first time in several years, and this book definitely ranks as one of my favorite books in the series! What I like best about this book is it intertwines the themes of good vs. evil and miracles. It was very easy to stay engaged in the book, from the beginning to the end.
I have been rereading the books in the Zion Covenant series for the first time in several years, and this book definitely ranks as one of my favorite books in the series! What I like best about this book is it intertwines the themes of good vs. evil and miracles. It was very easy to stay engaged in the book, from the beginning to the end.
January 6, 2011
Well written. I've read the 4 books prior to this one also. Found myself emotionally drained because of the tension in the story. Will need to psyche myself up to read number 6, but believe it will be just as well done.
November 12, 2024
Danzig Passage - Bodie & Brock Thoene
Read: May 23-Jun 2, 2022
"The net of Hitler's Third Reich begins to close around the Jews in prewar Europe, and millions are trapped in his sinister web. Kristal Nacht, the Night of Broken Glass, shatters the last illusions for thousands who hoped to escape the Nazi terror.
As the synagogues of Berlin burn and Jewish homes are plundered, two families face the grim reality of life in New Germany. Anna Lindheim's sister Helen and her pastor husband Karl Ibsen are arrested for helping the Jews. The Ibsen children, Lori and Jamie, must find a way to escape their Nazi pursuers and get past the iron gates that keep them imprisoned in the Reich.
Young Peter Wallich, with his mother, sister and baby brother, faces the same dilemma. How can he, a Jew, get them out of Berlin to safety? How can they reach Danzig, the one place that offers hope, the promise of freedom?
And then there is Lucy, in such desperate straits herself. How can she possibly help these children?"
Feeling overwhelmed while standing in front of my to-read bookshelf, I picked this book up on a whim. I started reading this series 17 years ago and had the last half of the series to read. I love historical stories, especially the WW2 era, and I need to start whittling away at my to-read list. I loved this story – the characters were so rich and complex, especially during a very difficult time in history. This book reminded me very much of Edward Rutherfurd’s historical novels. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Rated: 4.25/5.0 - Overall, an engaging and entertaining story. So happy I picked up one of these books again after reading the first four of the series 17 years ago. Eager to see where the story leads in the rest of the series.
Read: May 23-Jun 2, 2022
"The net of Hitler's Third Reich begins to close around the Jews in prewar Europe, and millions are trapped in his sinister web. Kristal Nacht, the Night of Broken Glass, shatters the last illusions for thousands who hoped to escape the Nazi terror.
As the synagogues of Berlin burn and Jewish homes are plundered, two families face the grim reality of life in New Germany. Anna Lindheim's sister Helen and her pastor husband Karl Ibsen are arrested for helping the Jews. The Ibsen children, Lori and Jamie, must find a way to escape their Nazi pursuers and get past the iron gates that keep them imprisoned in the Reich.
Young Peter Wallich, with his mother, sister and baby brother, faces the same dilemma. How can he, a Jew, get them out of Berlin to safety? How can they reach Danzig, the one place that offers hope, the promise of freedom?
And then there is Lucy, in such desperate straits herself. How can she possibly help these children?"
Feeling overwhelmed while standing in front of my to-read bookshelf, I picked this book up on a whim. I started reading this series 17 years ago and had the last half of the series to read. I love historical stories, especially the WW2 era, and I need to start whittling away at my to-read list. I loved this story – the characters were so rich and complex, especially during a very difficult time in history. This book reminded me very much of Edward Rutherfurd’s historical novels. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Rated: 4.25/5.0 - Overall, an engaging and entertaining story. So happy I picked up one of these books again after reading the first four of the series 17 years ago. Eager to see where the story leads in the rest of the series.
March 22, 2022
I truly loved every book from this series until this one. They are so beautifully written, so full of heart and feeling and drama. I loved the way they all tied into music, as the titles imply. But I really struggled reading this one. The first half dragged on and on without much happening. The introduction of so many new characters was difficult because there were already so many from previous books. And the writing was very choppy, only a page or two in each setting before we jumped abruptly to another place and another cast of characters.
That said, things really picked up at the 2/3 mark and soared onward from there. I wish I had gotten to know more about the inner workings of a few people; I felt like they were still only acquaintances to me instead of friends. But it's evident the care the authors took to tie all the pieces together not only in this book but in the entire series, and on through other series as well. We never do get to a clear point where we know we've wrapped it up with previous characters, so I wish we still could hear more from characters like Murphy and Elisa.
It might be a while before I want to pick up the next one of the series.
That said, things really picked up at the 2/3 mark and soared onward from there. I wish I had gotten to know more about the inner workings of a few people; I felt like they were still only acquaintances to me instead of friends. But it's evident the care the authors took to tie all the pieces together not only in this book but in the entire series, and on through other series as well. We never do get to a clear point where we know we've wrapped it up with previous characters, so I wish we still could hear more from characters like Murphy and Elisa.
It might be a while before I want to pick up the next one of the series.
April 9, 2018
The net of Hitler's Third Reich begins to close around the Jews in Prewar Europe, and millions are trapped in his sinister web. Kristal Night, the Night of Broken Glass, shatters the last illusions for thousands who hoped to escape the Nazi terror.
As the synagogues of Berlin burn and Jewish homes are plundered, two families face the grim life in the New Germany, Anna Lindheim's sister Helen and her pastor husband Karl Isben are arrested for helping the Jews. The Isben children, Lori and Jamie, must find a way to escape their Nazi pursuers and get past the iron gates that keep them imprisoned in the "Reich.
Young Peter Wallich, and his mother, sister and baby brother, face the same dilemma. How can he, a Jew, get them out of Vienna to safety. How can they reach Danzig, the one place that offers hope, the promise of freedom?
And then there is Lucy, in such desperate straits herself. How can she possibly help these children?
As the synagogues of Berlin burn and Jewish homes are plundered, two families face the grim life in the New Germany, Anna Lindheim's sister Helen and her pastor husband Karl Isben are arrested for helping the Jews. The Isben children, Lori and Jamie, must find a way to escape their Nazi pursuers and get past the iron gates that keep them imprisoned in the "Reich.
Young Peter Wallich, and his mother, sister and baby brother, face the same dilemma. How can he, a Jew, get them out of Vienna to safety. How can they reach Danzig, the one place that offers hope, the promise of freedom?
And then there is Lucy, in such desperate straits herself. How can she possibly help these children?
April 29, 2018
This volume returns to Europe for most of the players, this time to several persons trying to escape to the free city of Danzig on the coast of Poland. This shows my lack of knowledge of pre-WWII history, since I'd never heard of the city before reading this, although it was apparently some point of contention in the pre-war years.
The characters aren't as engaging as the prior novels, but I did really enjoy the way all the stories came together, with some obvious divine intervention, in the final chapters. It reminded me that sometimes what seems the negative in our lives, could be a blessing in disguise, sometimes to us, and sometimes to someone around us, about whom we never know.
As always, these novels serve as a warning to me to be aware of not only the politics around me, but to the plight of people that it can be so easy to ignore, if I'm not the one immediately threatened. May I always be open-hearted to the broken and abused of the world!
The characters aren't as engaging as the prior novels, but I did really enjoy the way all the stories came together, with some obvious divine intervention, in the final chapters. It reminded me that sometimes what seems the negative in our lives, could be a blessing in disguise, sometimes to us, and sometimes to someone around us, about whom we never know.
As always, these novels serve as a warning to me to be aware of not only the politics around me, but to the plight of people that it can be so easy to ignore, if I'm not the one immediately threatened. May I always be open-hearted to the broken and abused of the world!
July 3, 2025
Whew! This intense and detailed story continues with the characters and their harrowing experiences. The characters are so relatable, and the situations are gripping and terrifying. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book, hoping these characters find resolution and experience some kind of happiness. However, this world is filled with evil men and happy endings don’t always happen. This book serves as a stark reminder of the importance of history. By learning from their mistakes, we can prevent such horrors from happening again.
A favorite quote:
(To the questions of “but how…” did this evil get so bad)
“Finally Theo found an answer for the American. “It is happening because we thought it never could happen here.” He looked away at the slumbering houses. “We were naive. We were asleep. The Christian Church was also asleep, Mr. Hopewell. And now we have lost our children and our nation to the darkness of that terrible sleep.”
A favorite quote:
(To the questions of “but how…” did this evil get so bad)
“Finally Theo found an answer for the American. “It is happening because we thought it never could happen here.” He looked away at the slumbering houses. “We were naive. We were asleep. The Christian Church was also asleep, Mr. Hopewell. And now we have lost our children and our nation to the darkness of that terrible sleep.”
January 29, 2019
This book was much better than the previous book for sure. I was disappointed that Leah and Shimon were not involved in this as the previous books though. I’m glad that Leah was mentioned and so was your family. I didn’t joy the fact that Alfie, a child with special needs, what is involved in the plot. It seems like he may have had autism? Anyways, I really also enjoyed how Bodie Thoene used a lot of Scripture in the book. What fascinated me was the part when Bodie had Pastor Ibsen specific scripture references to the German reverend. It reminds Christians that we cannot read one verse from the Bible. Biblical readers need to read the whole passage from the Bible in order to fully understand the context. The German “Christians” had struggled with taking the Scriptures out contacts during their fight against Jews.
September 28, 2020
4.5 stars. The Thoenes have easily become two of my favorite authors. I have enjoyed every novel I've read thus far. They are master storytellers. I love that I learn history while enjoying a great story, and as a history lover, this series is definitely my favorite.
I've given every novel in the series 5 stars so far except this one. The beginning started slow and there seemed to be more characters than in the previous novels. It's not difficult to keep up with the new characters but switching from one character and place to the other took away from the enjoyment. But the pace picked up quickly half-way.
As for the characters, Peter is too unrealistically mature for a 15-year-old and Lori and Jacob too immature for 16 but then again, they faced a lot of trauma and that takes a toll on people.
Can wait to start the next book in the series.
I've given every novel in the series 5 stars so far except this one. The beginning started slow and there seemed to be more characters than in the previous novels. It's not difficult to keep up with the new characters but switching from one character and place to the other took away from the enjoyment. But the pace picked up quickly half-way.
As for the characters, Peter is too unrealistically mature for a 15-year-old and Lori and Jacob too immature for 16 but then again, they faced a lot of trauma and that takes a toll on people.
Can wait to start the next book in the series.
June 25, 2025
Brock and Bodie Thoene never disappoint with their well researched and well written novels. This is the 5th book in the Zion Covenant series and my favorite in the series. It's again set in pre-WWII Europe...Germany, Great Britain, etc. with many lives intersecting along the way.
The story line that impacted me the most is that of Pastor Karl Ibsen, who is being held in a German prison and having his faith tested. This is one of my favorite scenes: "The Lord is my strength! I will not be afraid of you! Of what men can do to me! I know who you are! I know my enemy! I will fight you! FIGHT YOU! And you will be ashamed!
The story line that impacted me the most is that of Pastor Karl Ibsen, who is being held in a German prison and having his faith tested. This is one of my favorite scenes: "The Lord is my strength! I will not be afraid of you! Of what men can do to me! I know who you are! I know my enemy! I will fight you! FIGHT YOU! And you will be ashamed!
November 24, 2025
The story started off slow. There were many sub stories, many settings and many characters. Some of the characters can be found in the other books of this series. We learn about a compound in Israel where Captain Samuel Orde is training the first Jewish IDF. We learn more about what happened to Anna Lindheim’s sister and husband, a pastor, who were caught helping the Jews. And their children, we learned how they bravely escaped to Danzig. Also, we learn about their wonderful loyal friends who also escaped to Danzig. This book was an excellent read because it was faith based, showed what true faith is when lives are tested. The story ended happy.
February 15, 2018
An exciting book that is hard to put down, because you want to see what happens next. One major theme of this book is to discover the Truth through fiction. Many times you can see God working in people's lives through circumstances, and answered prayer. There is also a study guide at the end of the book that can be used to open awareness of God's influence throughout the story. This book, like all the previous volumes in this series, is a great book for teens to understand more about previous history and understanding how God works in different situations.
May 14, 2020
The characters we've followed so closely take a somewhat background role as the focus shifts to those trapped in Germany as Hitler's iron grip tightens in the runup to World War II. Especially effective are the author's portrayals of children who have gotten separated from their parents yet plan to escape to Danzig, a free port where thousands are trying to seek refuge in hopes of using the city as a springboard to freedom elsewhere, anywhere outside Germany.
K look forward to reading the next installment.
K look forward to reading the next installment.
March 9, 2024
This is a great fifth book and the perfect segway for number six and the end of the series.
I'm giving Danzig Passage five stars because the story lines were beautifully woven together and the plot twists (especially near the end), were impeccable. I love how this story is so personal and conveys so many emotions through its pages.
I would have liked to see more of Eliza and Murphy, but I understand that their POV had to be kept minimal so that the newer characters could be developed.
The authors did a beautiful job with this book.
I'm giving Danzig Passage five stars because the story lines were beautifully woven together and the plot twists (especially near the end), were impeccable. I love how this story is so personal and conveys so many emotions through its pages.
I would have liked to see more of Eliza and Murphy, but I understand that their POV had to be kept minimal so that the newer characters could be developed.
The authors did a beautiful job with this book.
July 31, 2019
Compelling some things are simailer today. Subterfuge in full swing smoke, mirror and lies to continue to undermine are Christian heritage. Living in America today as a Christian is like living in Germany in the 1930,a rampant hostile peganism atheism abortion anti God at every corner
I was very impressed with character development. So many things I can relate today regarding subterfuge. I see a lot of Similarities between white male atheism in the Third Reich and today
I was very impressed with character development. So many things I can relate today regarding subterfuge. I see a lot of Similarities between white male atheism in the Third Reich and today
February 7, 2022
I love how this book features the courage and smartness of kids in facing difficult situations. Kids are not that weak and dependent as some of us used to think.
In this book these kids showed so much courage and cleverness in outsmarting the Nazis. They were able to cross borders on their own together with their friend "dumpkoft".
This book proves to us that "impossible" is just a word and has no grip on us if we take courage in facing dilemma.
In this book these kids showed so much courage and cleverness in outsmarting the Nazis. They were able to cross borders on their own together with their friend "dumpkoft".
This book proves to us that "impossible" is just a word and has no grip on us if we take courage in facing dilemma.
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