The Resistance Daughter - by Joanne Kormylo Paperback

Book Synopsis

Inspired by true stories of WWII, don't miss this emotional and poignant historical novel debut of courage against all odds, perfect for fans of Anna Stuart and Soraya M Lane.

Poland, 1942. After witnessing the destruction of her hometown in Warsaw, Anna Kowalski joins the Polish Resistance. She is tasked with smuggling as many children as possible out of the Warsaw Ghetto through the sewers and relocating them to safety.

Through her work, Anna meets Johnnie Nowak, an RAF pilot who had managed to escape from a prisoner of war camp. He's not safe in Warsaw, so Anna leads him out of the city to protect him...

But suddenly Anna is caught by the SS and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp where she is surrounded by even more horror and despair. A female guard, known as The Beast, is renowned for her violence and aggression towards her prisoners, and she's set her sights on Anna.

When Anna is relocated to a different camp, she finds herself reunited with Johnnie Nowak, the pilot she had saved. Desperate to escape, the two of them devise a plan, that if caught, could mean a fate far worse than death.

Will Anna and Johnnie finally find freedom, and survive the war together?

Review Quotes

A gripping plot--Leigh Russell

A meticulous and gripping page-turner that sheds light on an overlooked part of the horrors of the Second World War--Richard Woodbury

Action packed and full of drama... A must read for 2025.--Kathleen McGurl

An epic and powerful tour de force. Subtle in her brilliance, Kormylo writes of the resilience of love, hope and the will to survive. The Resistance Daughter is a stunning debut.--Robert Dugoni, New York Times Bestseller

Combining extraordinary research with compelling story telling, Kormylo has created a must-read story for the ages.--Robert Rotenberg

Joanne writes with insight and precision. Her research is impeccable and captures the essence of her characters... An impressive debut.--Steven James

Never turned pages so quickly--Tara Taylor

About the Author

Joanne Kormylo's debut novel, THE RESISTANCE DAUGHTER, is a work of historical fiction inspired by true stories. She is the daughter of a WWII bomber pilot and prisoner of war. As part of her research for this novel, she studied her late father's Wartime Log, interviewed veterans, served on the board of an Air Force Museum, and traveled to the UK, Poland, and Germany. Joanne holds both an MA and a JD, leading to a career as a lawyer and business owner. She has one daughter, Andrea, and resides in Western Canada.