Really, I guess that’s my main caveat. The only other things I would say by way of ‘warning’ would be that it can be a little slow to get into at first for a young reader. The language style is older, more formal, a bit stilted, and the setting is foreign to most modern readers, in both time, place, and worldview. The moral of the story will also be strange to those modern ears who think duty, loyalty, and obedience are uncomfortably out of date concepts.

But I think it’s a sweet and valuable read. It is based on a true story that happened some 13 centuries ago in Germany, and it is hard to find good children’s books set in that time period.

Troops of Irish missionaries from the ‘Culdee’ churches (the first churches in Ireland and other Celtic countries, predating the Roman church by several centuries) would set out to evangelize other countries. Their priests were married, and they generally went in groups of 12, setting up homes, businesses, and a church building in which to worship and working to spread the gospel to their new communities. These Cenobite settlements were not ‘cloisters’ in the sense of keeping isolated, but were intended as mutual support and encouragement in the inhabitant’s efforts at outreach. They made copies of the Bible in the local vernacular (centuries before Wycliffe), and each Culdean congregation was autonomous in rule and authority- really, this is quite a fascinating period in the history of Christendom, and far more should be known of it.

Adelina was the daughter of some of these missionaries to Thuringia (now part of Germany), and one day catches the eye of a Prince of the Thuringians, one whose pagan mother would do much harm to the Cenobites if she could. Adelina becomes the Esther of her people, and maintains her faith, her integrity, and her sweet spirited commitment to do what is right through many trials and difficulties.

I wanted to know more, more about the time period, more about the people, and more about the Culdean church when I was finished with this book.

You can get it from Vision Forum or from Kim and Perry Coghlan and family for three dollars less. They also have a flat shipping rate, so you can order several copies for the young ladies in your life who would enjoy reading about a young heroine of the faith from the distant past.

The Headmistress

When Kim writes that there aren’t many books about strong women who show a godly, Christian example in difficult circumstances, she’s right. When they found The Princess Adelina and decided to reprint it, they provided today’s Christian women with a timeless example that is so desperately needed. Bravo!

A true story of the daughter of Irish missionaries to Germany 13 centuries ago, The Princess Adelina does an amazing job of capturing the shining character of a young Christian woman faced with hard choices. It balances strength with a tender heart and an ardent love for Christ and his teachings. Her faith and humility are especially evident when she must make life altering decisions and walk a path, unfortunately, less traveled - one of obedience.

While it’s not something I mind since I love old time writing, be warned that the first couple chapters take some warming up to. They are written in the style of the late 1800s and are easy to get bogged in. By chapter 3, I was deeply engaged and couldn’t wait to turn the page. When I was done, I wanted a sequel! It was excellent.

Janel Messenger
http://janelmessenger.com

“And Pillung watched her speed away towards a man who, from his dress and bearing, seemed a shipmaster, as she described him. But Pillung could not see his face light up with joy at the account Regiswind gave him. He watched them walk away towards Adelina’s present home. The “shipmaster” was sufficiently disguised by a wig and false beard, appearing an elderly man in his adopted garb.”

The book was a page turning adventure from the start but after reading this passage I stayed up until midnight reading!

The book is an encouragement to young ladies to be strong in their faith. Based on a true story about a real girl who stood up against pagans and was used by God to convert and strengthen Christians. Because of this retold story, this missionary’s daughter is still encouraging us today in 2009.

Christian persecution in America today is not life threatening, but in Adelina’s day it could mean a torturous lingering death. In comparing Adelina’s life with pagans to my own experiences with ridicule of my convictions, I think she had it a lot worse. God was her strength, He is mine also.

Just reviewing this story makes me want to read it again. I strongly encourage all young ladies and grown women to read this book at least once.

Bridgette Brenneman, 13yo
Large Family Logistics

A huge problem I had with this book was concerning Bible doctrine. The missionaries in this book were said historically to be from the church of Iona in Ireland. This church trained believers in the Word and sent them out as missionaries. This church was Baptist and firm in Bible doctrine. I recognized all of the Baptist distinctives in practice by the people within the book, although of their baptism by immersion I am unsure. Also, there were a few strange and unbiblical customs these people held to. It is my assumption that either the historical account of these missionaries was thwarted, or the record was indeed accurate and they had departed from sound Bible doctrine.

Aside from these important points, the book was excellent. I wish the book would have been true to the Word of God. If so, I have no doubt this book would be one of my favorites. It was not blatantly unscriptural so, overall, I rate it fairly high. That aside, I shall now begin my narrative of the book’s lovely and heartening story.

The Princess Adelina is a retold account of true people and events, taking place in Thuringia, Germany during the eight century. Adelina is a missionary’s daughter faced with a crucial choice, one which will affect the liberty of the believer’s to worship God. So they may freely serve the Lord, Adelina chooses to marry the young pagan herzog (king or ruler), Hedan. A true Esther of her day, Adelina accepts the position in which God choses to place her and use her life, at peace despite her impending danger and distress. God rewards her courage to obey and blesses many through her steadfastness.

Adelina finds the Hedan’s mother Geila to be a fierce enemy. Geila is determined to drive Christianity out of Thurgania and wastes no time in harassing Adelina. She cruelly plots against Adelina and slanders her virtuous name, humiliating her at every turn. Adelina looks to God for strength in her persecution, certainly afraid but not enslaved by terror. Her life shines brightly as a beacon in the darkness of evil. Humble and caring, Adelina reaches out to the servants beneath her, sharing the Gospel with all those around her, and is a loving and faithful wife to her husband. She leads many to the Savior and is used greatly of God.

In time, Hedan’s love for Adelina wans and unrestrained jealousy takes its place. Hedan must enter battle, so he restores his mother Geila to her prior position as queen. With Hedan gone, there is nothing to restrain Geila from attacking Adelina even more fiercely. In danger of her very life, Adelina flees with the aid of faithful servants who are believers.

While in battle, Hedan is gravely wounded and left for dead. A peasant man who is a Christian finds him, takes him to his home, and restores him back to health. Hedan receives Christ as his Savior and is made a new creature in Him.

Not knowing to whence Adelina has fled, Hedan searches desperately for his bride. After many months the two are reunited, and Adelina rejoices that Hedan has been gloriously saved from his sin. Peace is at last restored to the kingdom and they lived happily ever after.

Adelina’s life of virtue and faith is a shining example in this day of disdain upon Godly meekness, modesty, and femininity with true strength. This ancient, actual tale of a brave and beautiful princess who lived centuries ago is thrilling and inspiring even today, proclaiming salvation and liberty in glory to the Savior of ruined mankind.

Naomi U., 18 years old
http://winsome-writings.blogspot.com/

Blessings!
Miss Rachel

In this beautiful tale the Christian maiden, Adelina, lives in Germany around the year 703 A.D. in her Irish missionary community. Her life is simple until Heden, the new pagan ruler, falls “head over heels” in love with her and orders her to be his bride. As a gift to his new wife, Heden allows the Christians to worship God and evangelize without barriers, sharing the Gospel with his people. But the ruler’s mother despises Adelina, the Christians, and their God; wanting instead heathen practices and false god worship.

Here is an excerpt from the back of the book:

“Based on a true story, this Esther-like tale recounts the deeds of the courageous Adelina of the ancient German Culdee church as she endures and overcomes persecution, slander, exile, and the impending destruction of her people, being used by God as Princess Adelina, to see the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shine forth and prevail!”

I liked that even when things got tough Adelina trusted God and persevered. I also enjoyed how the book was set in the times of kings and queens in the middle ages. Another thing I liked was that Adelina acted like a Proverbs 31 woman by being faithful and honorable to her husband, also by “opening her arms to the poor and extending her hands to the needy”.

I rate this book with 5-stars and recommend it for all women and young ladies!

Catz, age 13
Stories From a Quill Pen

Not only was it an exciting story, but it is a story of virtue and submission, even in the face of difficulty.

I find myself praying that God would birth Adelina’s spirit in me, that I God’s spirit in me would be evident to all.

Praise God that your family found this book and edited it.

Leanne Gilchrist

If this isn’t enough for me to read to my children, they love a good adventure, then the fact that we live right where it takes place is reason enough. The main place is Wirtsburg, now Wurtzburg & even Mainz before it got it’s present name is mentioned. How wonderful! We live 20 minutes from Mainz & a couple of hours from Wurtzburg.

The fact that we are so close to these places, and have visited some of them, will make it all the more real. Nothing brings a book to life like actually visiting the town.

Go read the book!

April

April Showers

From across the ages - thirteen centuries ago, when the fearless Scotch and Irish missionary bands were sent out from the Isle of Iona - comes the story of a virtuous young woman of unshakable faith, filled with determination to fulfill the role to which God has called her.  She finds herself whisked away from a simple life to become the queen of a kingdom, where she wrestles with temptations from her past and faces down enemies intent on her demise.

Based on a true story, this Esther-like tale recounts the deeds of the courageous Adelina of the ancient German Culdee church as she endures and overcomes persecution, slander, exile, and the impending destruction of her people, being used by God as Princess Adelina, to see the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shine forth and prevail!

Get this hardback book with a beautiful pictorial cover for just $15 - that’s $3 off the retail price.

Shipping is a flat $3 no matter how many copies you buy, so you can get several as gifts for the young ladies in your life.

We hope you will consider buying Princess Adelina directly from us, but you can also buy it from the following retailers:

• Vision Forum (publisher)
• Christian Book Distributors
• Amazon

by Deanna, age 15