Critiques en avant-première

ALINA: A SONG FOR THE TELLING is a coming-of-age story of a young woman from Provence in the 12th century. Although written for middle grade/young adult, this timeless and classic tale will be enjoyed by readers of all ages, especially those who enjoy historical books like Anna of Byzantium, Anne of Green Gables, or Little Women. “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. Maybe Alina’s aunt was right. She could not possibly hope to become a musician, a trobairitz—impoverished as she was and without the status of a good marriage. But Alina refuses to accept the life her aunt wants to impose on her. At the first opportunity that presents itself, Alina and her brother embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to escape from their aunt’s and uncle’s strictures. Their journey east takes them through the Byzantine Empire all the way to Jerusalem, where Alina discovers her passion and finds her voice. ARCs are provided as electronic PDFs, which work on all devices.