Alina – A Song for the Telling by Malve von Hassell

 

Quests form an integral part of our lives. We often set out looking for adventure, glory, friendship and even love. Our foremost quest however is to find our voice, to find out who we are.

In Alina – A Song for the Telling, Malve von Hassell takes us on a journey through history, to the time of the crusades. This historical fictional story follows Alina and her lute on a musical journey across Europe to the Holy land of Jerusalem on a quest to find her voice.

A tale full of hardship, sorrow, sibling bonds, rivalry, power, love and most importantly freedom. The freedom to follow the path we want to in our lives to do what we want.

This book follows fourteen year old Alina as she finds her true path, her voice, not just to become a trobairitz, a woman troubadour, performing and composing her own music and verses but also her freedom and place in life.

The journey starts in her hometown after the death of her sister, mother and father. With her Uncle Garsanc taking over her father’s estate, Alina and her brother Milos are treated unfairly. Her Aunt Marci decides that the easiest way to get rid of Alina would be to marry her off. It is at this juncture that her brother Milos and she hatch a plan to run away to find their own path.

And so in the spring of 1173, starts Alina’s journey.

A journey where she comes across many interesting people from the Knights Templar to Counts and Queens.

A journey that is steeped in lies, deception, murder and political intrigue.

Malve von Hassell brilliantly weaves in this search for our voice, our freedom, into the entirety of the book. Nearly each and every character that Alina comes in contact with is also searching for their own freedom. Freedom from tyranny, control and oppression.  This quest for freedom and its subsequent achievement are what make this book an absolute treasure for eternity.

Maev’s grasp on history leaps out of every page. I literally felt transported to the era of the crusades while reading this book. This book is ideal for middle- graders and Young adults and also I feel a must read for adults too. For all of us have a voice and we need to find it.

So glad I got this RC it was very eye-opening and thrilling to read. Hope you liked my fair and honest review.

Happy Reading☺