Book Review: Vandella: Resilience

IndieBookView

Dec 19

Vandella: Resilience

by M. Ch. Landa

Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

ISBN: 9781955601054

Print Length: 312 pages

Reviewed by Lauren Hayataka

In M. Ch. Landa's evocative dark fantasy, Vandella: Resilience, the intricate interplay of morality and war unfolds through the eyes of Peach Niemeyer, a spirited young woman nestled in the tranquil corners of the German countryside.

Central to the narrative is a thought-provoking question: "If Death warned you of your impending demise, would you dare to defy it?" This question is the catalyst for Peach's journey, overshadowed by her family's deep involvement in the SS. In the midst of wartime chaos, Peach's dreams of hurdling her way to Olympic glory collide harshly with the grim realities of Nazi oppression, creating a poignant and thought-provoking narrative.

At a wedding steeped in ominous mystique, Peach witnesses a séance within the walls of the infamous Wewelsburg Castle. Here, the line between the supernatural and the corporeal blurs, as a spectral entity bargains for Nazi victory in exchange for the lives of seven innocent children. Appalled by this sinister pact, Peach embarks on a daring rescue mission, guiding the captive children through a war-ravaged Germany while being relentlessly pursued by the unforgiving forces of the SS.

One of the novel's standout features is the relatability of its protagonist, Peach. Readers may easily connect with her struggles, not just against the oppressive SS but also against the weight of familial expectations. While Peach nurtures dreams of Olympic glory, her mother envisions a divergent path for her—a future where Peach marries well and fulfills the rigid expectations set by the regime. In this envisioned life, she would earn the coveted Cross of Honor of the German Mother from the Fuhrer, a recognition achieved by bearing at least five healthy children. This aligns with the Nazi regime's viewpoint, as an SS officer reminds Peach that: "There is nothing more serviceable than motherhood...Bearing this nation's soldiers in your womb is nothing short of heroic."