Magic has always been real - and so has humanity's darkness.
Nestled high in the Swiss Alps, the Graswangtal School of Sorcery trains gifted children to master their powers and uphold an ancient Treaty forged after centuries of war between sorcerers and humans. For twelve-year-old Alin Pari, life here is supposed to be safe and ordinary - until a school field trip changes everything.
During a visit to memorial sites commemorating the atrocities of World War II, Alin discovers a strange metal artifact buried in the ground. In an instant, she is torn from her familiar world and thrown decades into the past - into Ravensbrück, one of the Nazi regime's most infamous concentration camps.
Stripped of her name and plunged into a waking nightmare of hunger, forced labor, and cruelty, Alin clings to hope as everything she once believed about humanity shatters. Yet even amid terror, she refuses to surrender. Each day tests her will to survive - and her compassion for those she tries to protect.
Then, as mysteriously as she vanished, Alin returns to the present. Traumatised, mistrustful, and wearing the scars of what she endured, she is discovered by Uwe Weber, a quiet and thoughtful fourteen-year-old sorcerer. As Uwe helps her rediscover trust and rebuild her sense of self, a deep bond grows between them. Meanwhile, the faculty uncovers a dangerous truth: the artifact is a remnant of a forgotten magical project once twisted by the Nazis - a weapon born from hatred and fear.
Returning from Hell is a powerful blend of historical drama and fantasy, exploring trauma, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through Alin's harrowing journey from despair to healing, the novel asks how the past shapes the present - and how even in the darkest chapters of history, light can still break through.
Content Note:
This novel contains references to historical atrocities and wartime violence, portrayed in a sensitive and non-graphic manner appropriate for mature teen readers (ages 16 and up). It does not include explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or other material inappropriate for minors.
Vladarg Delsat's profound experiences as a pediatrician and a father have shaped his literary voice. His eldest daughter's battle with a rare illness inspired him to write while infusing a sense of resilience and hope in his works. He's a multilingual author born in the USSR who now resides in South Germany.
Vladarg's narratives delve into the lives of sick and disabled children, as well as their experiences in Russia and Germany. He's a family man with three daughters and an elderly cat. His passion for amateur radio further showcases his desire to connect with others, just as his books connect with readers' hearts, offering hope and a reminder of the unconquerable will to survive.
