The Princess Adelina: An Ancient Christian Tale of Beauty and Bravery

by Julie Sutter

From eighth-century Germany comes the stirring tale of Princess Adelina, a virtuous young woman determined to fulfill God s call on her life. The daughter of an Iona missionary to the German people, Adelina s world is turned upside-down when a young pagan ruler, Hedan of Thuringia, falls in love with her and commands that she become his bride. As a wedding gift, Hedan promises Adelina that he will allow Christians within Thuringia to worship and evangelize freely, spreading the Gospel among his people. But Hedan s mother, Geila, hates both Adelina and Christianity, stopping at nothing to subvert her daughter-in-law and stamp out the fledgling German Culdee church. Based on a true story, this Esther-like tale recounts the deeds of courageous Adelina as she endures persecution, slander, exile, and the impending destruction of her people. Through it all, will Adelina remain faithful to her Heavenly King? Or will she fall away and leave the Culdee church to its fate? Find out in this ancient Christian tale of beauty, bravery and romance -- The Princess Adelina

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Historical

189 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2008

Reviews

[Sarah]

I'm actually not exactly sure what to think of this book. I'll have to do some research to see what exactly is history and what was retold. However, I felt for a retold story, the authors did very little to make it readable for today's audience, especially for the young people they were trying to reach.

The story had some good points, but again, I'm just not sure how I feel about it.

[Gabriellyn]

What a great book. Read aloud with my sisters and loved it! Story of faith, determination, and a Godly heroine.

Overall Impression

This book has, since the first time I read it, been one of my favorites. The culture is amazing, the characters wonderful and the story itself? The story is a powerful tale of faith, love, and courage. And the most amazing part about it is that it really happened. This story truly shows the power of God’s hand and the beauty of his plan. I would recommend this to everyone.



Characters

Adelina is truly a heroine. She is one of my favorite characters of all time. Continue reading at https://pageturnersweb.wordpress.com/...

[Joah Pearson]

An amazing story based on a real life. True feminine heroism! (Hollywood - start taking notes.) And wow - never thought a true story could be so much like a fairy tale! You got the prince who falls in love with the beautiful country girl at first sight, the evil mother in law, even the old hermit. Yet this is also an amazing missionary story which strongly smacks of the book of Esther. Just an all around delightful book!

(You do have to get past the underwhelming history info-dump of a first chapter but from that point on it just gets better and better!)

[Addi]

I enjoyed the storyline but didn't love the delivery.
I feel like this could have been an exceptional book if the story were fleshed out more and if it hadn't seemed so forced with the "thee"s and "thou"s and such archaic language, though it was an otherwise well written book. So much potential, but lost in translation with the modern times. Also, I think it would have been much better if they'd kept Adelina's original name, Bilihild. "Adelina" seemed out of place, which was perhaps intended; but Bilihild is not an ugly name (I think it's very nice actually), is very unique, is historically accurate, and is more similar to the other names used throughout the book, such as Regiswind, Gozbert, Gisilhar, and others.
This would be great as a movie or mini-series, especially if it was made similar to The Last Kingdom (it reminds me of the show with the setting, Norse gods, Christianity vs heathenism, and all the funky names-plus the presence of Saxons).
An inspiring and romantic story at heart, I really like the idea of it and wish there were another, longer, more detailed and immersive version that would really bring the story and all of its history and characters to life.

**UPDATE: I just found out that original translation of this story written by Julie Sutter was published in 1883 and was titled Bilihild: a Tale of Irish Missionaries in Germany AD 703. So far as I can tell from the the ebook, it is word for word the EXACT same except that it uses the name Bilihild rather than Adelina. Why the unnecessary name change for the heroine? It's so strange to me!

[Natalie Weber]

Knowing that the Coghlan family, of the hilarious Life In a Shoe blog, were the ones who discovered, edited, and highly recommended this book, I was excited to purchase and read it. I saved it until Noelle and I made our trek out to Colorado in June for the CHEC homeschool conference. We read it aloud on the way out there and found ourselves captivated by the engaging story. It was an inspiring retelling of the how God used the faithful devotion of a young woman to shine forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Scotland.

[Kristina Seleshanko]

The writing here is so bad. Melodramatic throughout. Roughly switching from clearly fictional prose to a non-fiction writing style.I enjoyed the basic story here, but it does seem the book is more fiction than hard history.

[Jasmine Shadows]

It has been several years since I have read this book. So I don't remember many of the particulars. However, I remember that I truly enjoyed it as did my youngest daughter. A wonderful encouragement for young girls to read. So much reading material breaks down the path of virtue. It is wonderful to have some that build it up.

[Jessin Stalnaker]

It’s a darling read if you go slow enough to get through the unpronounceable names and all the “thees” and “thous”.

[Danette]

I didn’t realize this was based on a true story.

1/21/26 Read with my girls at lunch.

[Rebekah]

I read this book because it was recommended to me by a missionary wife. I must at admit that when I first started the book I did NOT like it at all! However, once I got used to the "thees and thous" and all the unusual names and places, I loved the story and the main character, Adelina.

[Katelyn Snell]

This was given to me by mom as a 'just because' present years ago. It continues to be one of my favorites. The historical aspect is accurate, to the best of my knowledge. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it even better.

[Alissa Ackerman]

WOW....
I don't even know how to review this book.
I certainly loved it a lot!..

The first two chapters were difficult to read..
It honestly took me a little while to get into it cause of the way it was written. Others have mentioned it reads like the King James version of the Bible;
and i must agree!..
Those two chapters were mostly speaking of the history of the Irish-Scottish missionaries in Germany, and i found it a bit difficult to follow(I should probably re-read some of it!).
And Adelina wasn't really part of the story at all till the end of the second chapter, so thus, i found the beginning of the book slightly frustrating..
Plus i was annoyed at first that it's written in 3rd person, rather than 1st (which, i realized later that it wouldn't fit at all if it were written in 1st..).
But, once i got past that; WOW...!

Bilihild is the original name of Princess Adelina;
all that is told in this book is fully true. The characters and all that happened to them is reality. And it just shows how AWESOME God is!... How Powerful He is, and how Just.. But also how Merciful and Loving!... He hates deceit, and makes all things work together for Good..! This was quite a story of hope!.... Though much hardship happened, and at times, things looked unjust and as if there were nothing good that could come from it; God was in control all along, and everything worked together to advance His Kingdom!.. Nothing was wasted.

[Hannah]

I approached this story sceptically, but found myself greatly edified, and I actually laughed aloud for joy when reading the last chapter. Though the first chapter is somewhat slow, it gives interesting historical information about the missionaries of that age, and the story picks up quickly from there. Adelina is a wonderful example of a pure woman devoted to God, and the faith of the Christians who willingly die for their faith is inspiring. Though named after her, the book is as much about Hedan as about Adelina and has adventures enough to suit readers of both genders.

[Hannah]

It was a good story, it made it better that it was a true story. I liked how they added a lot of the names of things, like what they called houses and rulers in that country. But I do not believe that Adelina should have married Hedan, even if she would have saved everybody's lives, it all turned out well in the end, but God has told us not to marry unbelievers. But it was still a good story and exciting in some places.

[Abby]

I really liked this book. It is based on a true story of a christian girl who is forced to marry a pagan prince. If she refused to marry him, he would order her people killed, or something like that.(it's been a while since I've read it) It reminds me the story of Esther in the Bible.

[Megan]

This book a lovely story about the Princess Adelina! I enjoyed reading it so much! For me, what made it even better is the fact that it is a true story!

[Heather]

Wonderful story! It really reminds me of the story of Esther in the Bible.

[Brittany Williams]

This is a must read, especially for daughters and young women. This book has good scripture references, and a little bit of theology in it. Very good read, and it's based on a true story.

[Kezia]

(I beleive this is the same book as Bilihild and Belaheld)

CONTENT mentions of human sacrafice/threat of such/war violance, pagan rituels and anti-catholic sentiments, marrying not for love and accusations/temptations to infidelity, what could be called taking the Lord's name in vain, religious persacution, death

MESSAGES trust in God - somethings just don't work out - Catholics are idle worshipers who corrupt the true church of Christ

WRITING not extactly consistant; sometimes it's very imidiat like it's happening before us, and then it's zoomed out like a nonfiction history (and a rather dry one at that, if I'm being honest). And there was some skipping around in timeline that could get hard to follow.

CONCLUSION I'm not sure what star rating to give to this story. It could have been quite a nice and informative little book, but the way the narrator slammed the Catholic belief systam didn't sit well with me. (for the record, I'm not Catholic and I would be if I believed all their doctrines, but some of the claims about that faith in here felt like slander*)

*the writter might have been misinformed, and had the best of intentions though

If you can get past all the objections, it's a fun story.

Is it a true story?
~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilihil...
That was the only reasource a quick search showed me that did more than say "it's a true story", with nothing to back it up.

All in all, I enjoyed parts of this story, but it had so much potential. Also, it would have been cool if more of it actually happened.

If you're trying to convert your friends, this might not be the book for you. (If any book would be right for such purpose would also be a question)

[Lisa]

This is a retelling about historical people. However, the accuracy is somewhat doubtful as these people and the events took place in the 700s. The likelihood of accurate records from then is slim. That being said, as a story I did enjoy it and was inspired by Adelina's faith. The glossary of terms in the appendix was vital and I especially appreciated the cast of characters being listed in the front of the book. I wouldn't say this was an easy read, it took effort and I needed pauses from the strain of deciphering what was happening, but overall I enjoyed the read. I read it for a book challenge category, a book with in-law interactions, and it definitely met that as Adelina's mother-in-law is not a pleasant person.

[EagleRose]

The first chapter was difficult to get through, I thought it would be one of those books which the author is so desirous to give a Christian message, the story is lost, but I was pleasantly surprised. After the first chapter I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing story and would love to read other accounts, it is a story from so long ago and so incredible one wants confirmation of the facts but still it was delightful and I recommend it.

[Astar Williams]

What I would a true Christian fiction, everything was perfect. It was clean, and God and scripture was being talked about on every page. The language may be hard to understand, and the book has a slow start. But I felt so spiritually feed after this book. And I recommend all Christians read this atleatst once in their lifes

[Lillianna Drye]

I read this as a young teen and loved it! A beautiful and inspiring tale of the bravery of one Godly young lady in the face of hardship and a revelation of how God can bring love and redemption through terrible situations and humble hearts.

[Hannah Elise]

it's very old, which makes sense. but was an easy and enjoyable read. I wish we could know how much is fact vs fiction, but nothing really crazy happened. it's pretty believable.

[Grace]

This one was ok. It could've been better, I honestly thought it was a little preachy. Adelina was too perfect (like Elsie Dinsmore...if you know me, that isn't a good sign). Was it a good story? Yes, yes it was. Do I recommend for younger girls? No. There was some detail containing pagan practices (e.g. human sacrifices).

Maybe 13 or 14 and up. But, it is definitely targeted towards younger teens.

[Emily]

The only interesting, genuine and complex characters were the villain and his equally-evil mother; I found the heroine utterly unconvincing. In addition to this, I disagreed with the premise of the book. The villain proposes marriage to a young woman in a small Christian village and the young woman (Adelina) at first refuses, saying she cannot, under God's law, marry an unbeliever but when the man threatens to kill all her people if she doesn't marry him, she gives her assent. If this was portrayed as a weakness of hers, the consequences of which she must bear in the years to come, I would not take issue with the story but because this ungodly action is uplifted as noble, selfless and righteous, I cannot commend it.

Where is the "I must obey God rather than man"? God does not ask us to guarantee results, He asks our obedience to His clear laws and He will concern Himself with the outcome.

[Lydia]

This is a true love story! Adelina's godly character and amazing patience is an example to be followed by any woman of any age. This book gives a refreshingly different view on what Christian marriage is all about. She gives a brilliant example of what it means to follow God in submission to your husband, even if he is an unbeliever. It was so amazing to see 1 Peter 3:1 lived out in a way that I would have thought nearly impossible.
That being said, it was slightly boring at parts (nothing very eloquent or descriptive about the writing), but the ending is well worth some perseverance.
To sum it up - It is a "romance" that points your mind to Christ, not to the hero or heroine and a love story that came about not from "chance" but through prayer and sacrifice.

[LOVEROFBOOKS]

Interesting because it's true.

I really enjoyed reading this book and it's not even a long book to read. 185 pages to be exact. I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out in the end because (1) of all the heathens/human sacrifices and (2) Adelina being forced into marriage, but I was extremely happy how it ended.

Adelina was sweet and kind and strong willed at the same time. What a great Christian example she was of taking care of others and standing strong in her faith, even when it could have gone wrong. There is so much to be said for being a living example, and not just in words, but in deed, and Adelina was definitely that.

[Hannah]

This book was an interesting read. It is not the easy skim-through-it-fast book. The writing is way different and challenging. If you want to read it you probably would have to buy it. But I pretty much liked the book. It was an interesting sotry and a good change from my normal readings. Adelina really had a good spirit of following God's will and trusting him about her. I would say It could be a classic. A good Christian tale for teenage girls.

[Shannon]

A tale of old Ireland told for today's readers. The writing style seems a touch strange to me, perhaps because the story is "retold in English." Of course it wouldn't even have been accessible to me in its original form so I'm grateful to the reteller. Some explanation of town organization, mission work, and family organization is provided for those unfamiliar with the time. The story itself is good.