New Era - Vera Kryzhanovskaia;By the Spirit Count J.W. Rochester

Set in the turbulent winter of 1699, New Era is a profound historical novel dictated by the spirit Count J.W. Rochester to the pioneer Russian medium Vera Kryzhanovskaia. As Czar Peter the Great violently forces Western European customs onto his people-including altering the calendar to begin the New Year on January 1, 1700-Russia is torn between its sacred ancient traditions and aggressive foreign influence.

At the heart of this cultural clash is Prince Danila Petrovitch, a proud and conservative boyar who fiercely resists the new, oppressive mandates. His steadfastness, however, shatters his own family. His sister, Anna, and his rebellious son, Artemy, fully embrace the decadent foreign fashions, plotting to corrupt the prince's innocent daughter, Elena. Swayed by the allure of masquerades and the seductive promises of an indebted German adventurer, Baron Dorfgame, Elena nearly breaks her engagement to her loyal Russian fiancé, Gleb.

Through harrowing prophecies from a cloistered holy woman and the tragic testimonies of abused women, Elena awakens to the dark reality behind the glamorous foreign facade. But her realization comes just as tensions erupt into shocking violence. After suffering a humiliating public assault by foreign soldiers, Danila confronts his treacherous son, leading to a catastrophic and fatal family tragedy.

Blending gripping historical drama with Spiritist philosophy, New Era explores the devastating karmic and social consequences of uprooting a nation's soul. It is a haunting reflection on loyalty, family, and the heavy price of abandoning one's sacred roots for the illusion of progress.