Ryan Graudin's YA novel, Wolf by Wolf, is another addition to what has become almost a genre in itself: the alternative history of the world if Nazi Germany had won World War II. That this is going to be a story that is familiar yet strangely alien at once subtly foreshadowing a major underlying theme of the story— is forecast in the opening line: "Once upon a different time, there was a girl who lived in a kingdom of death." The opening words also hint that there just may be a little bit of fairy tale fantasy going on in this alternative vision.
In addition to being a "what if?' historical novel, Wolf by Wolf also enters the world of hard science fiction. The central premise of this vision is based upon the question of what if Nazi scientists—who actually did work in the more notorious and darker corners of scientific experimentation—had devised a way to transform genetics. Specifically, what if the Nazis could have turned those with non-Aryan physical features into people with Aryan physical features. The protagonist is a Jewish girl named Yael whose semitic features are transformed into the alleged ideal of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed German. (Notably, Adolf Hitler was the foremost progenitor of this ideal despite being just the opposite in appearance.)
After undergoing Experiment 85, Yael comes out a bit more transformed than the fascist Dr. Frankensteins had expected. She can go far beyond giving away her Jewish heritage by gaining the powers of a skinshifter-. This means she "could manipulate her appearance the way other people might change clothes" and is capable of modifying her height, weight, coloring, the length of her hair, the sound of her voice" at will. There are some limitations, however. She cannot change her gender or heal any wounds she suffers. Most important within the context of Nazi Germany, however, is that her limitations also extend to an inability to change tattoos, such at the one forced upon all Jewish prisoners to identify them as such.
Since this story presents an alternate vision of World War II, its action can move beyond the standard years of a war story. In 1956, it is time for the annual cross-continent motorcycle race known as the Axis Tour. The "prize" for winning this competition is a dance with Hitler and it just so happens that the leading contender is a female cyclist named Adele Wolf. Some simple literary calculus presents the obvious equation at work in the novel: Yael plus the ability to skinshift equals taking Adele's place in the race and using that golden opportunity to dance with der Fuhrer in order to assassinate him.
Only one essential element is required from this type of novel which recreates an alternative history contrary to what we know actually happened. That element is significance. If altering the course of history adds nothing particularly significant to what actually happened—if the alternative course of history outlined in the story serves no point—then the entire reason for creating that alternative course seems pointless. When it comes to this specific sub-genre of alternative history of "what if the bad guys had won WWII" this becomes a particularly problematic element because there have been so many examples already published or produced. Unfortunately, a plot to kill Hitler—even engaging a cross-continent motorcycle race and a dance with the devil himself—is just not pointed enough to support the premise.
Which leaves only one possible alternative for this novel to pursue in order to make the effort worthwhile. If the premise itself is not essential, then the characterization and themes need to take over the job of making the story worth reading. What makes Wolf by Wolf worth the effort could just as easily have been inserted into a story with less historical revisionism and more science fiction. Ultimately, it is Yael's ability to take on the look of an Aryan heroine that is the thematic heart of the story. This science fictional element allows it to become a psychological analysis on the nature of identity and how easily propaganda that subverts truth can be manipulated to inspire a gullible audience.
