Description
Clutching precious amber found in a clump of seaweed, PETER, an amber guild apprentice in Pomerania in the waning years of the Thirty Years’ War, has a choice to make. Despite the severe penalties imposed on such an action, Peter keeps the amber and works on it in secret, with potentially disastrous consequences for people close to him. Meanwhile, unaware of the amber piece’s magical powers, Peter finds himself drawn into a world three hundred years in the future where he gets embroiled in the troubles of a mysterious stranger.
In my blog post, The Amber Crane – Inspirations, maps, and images, you can visit some of the places that figure into the story:
I also invite you to check out my presentation: “History matters: the lure of amber in a land at the edge of the sea“
Malve von Hassell
The Book Review Directory
“The scenery is one of the highlights of the entire book. From windy beaches to muddy farms to cluttered workshops, every scene is full of sensory details that will transport readers back in time. It is especially impactful that these scenes are so well described because when time-travel comes into play, it emphasizes why Peter is so shell-shocked to be experiencing a different time period.”
“In The Amber Crane, two people that couldn’t be more different from each other find
companionship as they realize that though time separates them, they are connected by
something greater than them. Von Hassell skillfully creates scenes that will transport readers to a different time, a different life. Detailed and atmospheric, The Amber Crane has songs, poems, physical places, and symbolism threaded throughout that creatively and respectfully embody two of the most destructive wars in history. A cross between historical-fiction and science-fiction, this compelling story will keep readers glued to the pages.”
Malve von Hassell
The Coffee Pot Bookclub, editorial review by Ellie Yarde
“The historical background of this novel has been depicted with a keen sense of understanding for both periods. Malve von Hassell has penned a novel of intrigue, danger, and consequence. All actions have outcomes, and this book gives a wonderfully rounded idea of the significance of Peter taking the pieces of amber, breaking the rules, and how it affects the lives of those around him. Everyone is affected in some way by his actions, and that extends far into the future, three hundred years into the future, to be exact. Taking the amber had both good and bad outcomes, and this novel explores the idea of just how far the effect of one decision can spread. The Amber Crane by Malve von Hassell is a novel that is well crafted. Like a master craftsman working with the finest of amber, this novel is an object of beauty and elegance.”
Malve von Hassell
Historical Fiction Company, DK Marley
“Malve von Hassell does an outstanding job in setting up a very exciting and unique story from the opening pages and inciting incident.”
“The author has a knack for sentence structure and word usage which engages a reader every step of the way as if pulled along by the magical amber stone. This is recommended for someone who wants a taste of fantasy and history woven into one, focusing more on the characters rather than the massive details of the Thirty Years War and WWII.”
malvevonhassell
Review by Untold Reads, October 9, 2025, 5 Stars
A Timeless Literary Touch
A poignant coming-of-age story and a meditation on the endurance of the human spirit, Malve von Hassell’s The Amber Crane is a moving blend of historical fiction and magical realism; a tale that connects two young lives divided by centuries yet united by war and hope.
Set partly in seventeenth-century Pomerania during the Thirty Years’ War and partly in Germany at the end of World War II, the story begins in 1644, following fifteen-year-old Peter Glienke, an apprentice amber worker living on the Baltic coast of Pomerania. His country is ravaged by famine and war, and his only comfort is his bond with his younger sister, Effie, who is gentle but cognitively unique. When Peter finds two pieces of raw amber on the beach, a forbidden treasure, his life changes forever. He begins to slip through time, seeing visions of a young German girl fleeing the chaos of 1945. Across centuries, the two form a mysterious, wordless connection through the amber. Peter faces guild restrictions, superstition, and accusations of witchcraft, while Lioba struggles to survive the brutality of war. Their intertwined destinies reveal that compassion and courage can reach beyond time itself.
Von Hassell writes with elegance and empathy, painting vivid scenes of both war-torn eras. Her attention to historical detail grounds the fantasy elements, making the time-slip transitions feel believable and deeply emotional. The characters are rendered with warmth and authenticity, especially Peter, whose innocence contrasts with the cruelty of his time. The alternating timelines are handled with grace and clarity, and the historical details feel authentic without overwhelming the emotional core of the story.
Heartfelt and unforgettable, The Amber Crane is more than a story of two wars. It is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of small acts of goodness that echo through time. Perfect for readers who love history touched with wonder, this novel shines like the amber at its heart—warm, enduring, and full of hidden light. 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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