Alina: A Song For the Telling by Malve von Hassell

Alina: A Song For the Telling by Malve von Hassell

August 27, 2020

BHC Press

Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook

Genre: Young Adult/Historical/Medieval

"You should be grateful, my girl. You have no dowry, and I am doing everything I can to get you settled. You are hardly any man's dream." Alina's brother, Milos, pulled his face into a perfect copy of Aunt Marci's sour expression, primly pursing his mouth. He had got her querulous tone just right.

I pinched my lips together, trying not to laugh. But it was true; Aunt Marci had already introduced me to several suitors. So far I had managed to decline their suits politely.

Maybe Alina's aunt was right. How could she possibly hope to become a musician, a trobairitz, as impoverished as she was and without the status of a good marriage?

But fourteen-year-old Alina refuses to accept the oppressing life her strict aunt wants to impose upon her. When the perfect opportunity comes along for her to escape, she and her brother embark on a journey through the Byzantine Empire all the way to Jerusalem.

Alina soon finds herself embroiled in the political intrigue of noble courts as she fights to realize her dream of becoming a female troubadour.

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Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alina by Malve Von Hassell is a remarkable work of Medieval Historical Fiction that can be read and enjoyed by young adult readers and adults alike!

Set in France in the 12th century the book begins at the funeral of Alina's father. Her mother and sister passed previously from the sweating sickness and her father of a broken heart. It's now just her and her brother, Milos when their Uncle and Aunt come to take over the family manor. They aren't the most pleasant people to Alina and Milos, so the two decide to leave and try to make their own way in life. They join a group of Knights and pilgrims and travel to Jerusalem.

Alina plays the lute and dreams of becoming a trobairitz, a female troubadour, so she plays and entertains the group along the way. The two siblings meet many interesting characters and have many adventures on the way to their destination. They eventually reach Jerusalem and the court of King Almaric.

Alina is a wonderful story that kept my attention throughout. There's adventure, drama, danger, and even a little murder mystery. Highly recommended!

Alina is out TODAY!

About the Author

Malve von Hassell is a writer, researcher, and translator. Born in Italy, she spent part of her childhood in Belgium and Germany before moving to the United States. She lives in Southampton, New York, close to the ocean and a bay beach where she meets flying sea robins and turtles on her morning walks with her rescue dog Loki. She enjoys reading, playing chess with her son, gardening, anything to do with horses, and dreams of someday touring Mongolia on horseback. Her works include the children's picture book, Letters from the Tooth Fairy, written in response to her son's letters to the tooth fairy; The Falconer's Apprentice, her first historical fiction novel for young readers; The Amber Crane, a historical fiction novel set in Germany in the 17th century, and Alina: A Song for the Telling, a coming-of-age story of a young woman from Provence in the 12th century who dreams of being a musician.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, August 27
Review at Passages to the Past

Friday, August 28
Interview at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Saturday, August 29
Feature at Books, Cooks, Looks

Monday, August 31
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Wednesday, September 2
Review at History from a Woman’s Perspective

Thursday, September 3
Feature at SplendeurCaisse

Friday, September 4
Review at YA, it's Lit

Monday, September 7
Review at Books and Zebras

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Alina by Malve von Hassell! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on September 7th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Alina