Gillian Reads: Hellalyle and Hildebrand by Tagai Tarutin | Historical Romance Review

I’ve always enjoyed a medieval saga, so when I came across this book, I instantly wanted to read it. Before beginning, though, I decided to do a little research into the legend behind the story—and what I discovered made me want to read it even more.

According to Wikipedia, Hellelil and Hildebrand is a tragic medieval Scandinavian love story, immortalised in a Danish ballad and depicted in The Meeting on the Turret Stairs, an 1864 watercolour by Irish artist Frederic William Burton. It tells of a princess who falls in love with her bodyguard, leading to a bloody family feud and a devastating conclusion.

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Tagai Tarutin

AUTHOR BIO

Hellalyle and Hildebrand is Tagai Tarutin’s first completed novel.

There are two others of a completely different genre that lie unfinished, awaiting inspiration.

He has worked most of his life in sales but has always had an interest in Arts and Humanities. Things that are beautiful and appealing play an essential part in his imagination.

Besides travelling in Western Europe, he has journeyed to the far South Atlantic and European Russia, anxious to see parts of the world that are, for many, mystical destinations on a historical map.

BOOK BLURB

In a land near the Baltic and Kievan Rus dwelled an innocent young noblewoman, a gifted lady like no other, whose presence, a legend in her lifetime, set the standard of womanhood against which all others are judged.

Her father, the king, urgently required at the extreme edge of the kingdom, must leave behind his beloved daughter in a now inadequately defended castle. He decides to enlist twelve knights from across Europe as her bodyguards to protect her until his return.

The leader of these knights wins her heart—an attraction engineered by the spirits of Arcadia.

However, their love contradicts the chivalric order and displeases the king, setting in motion a tragedy for the soldier and the princess.

The heroic actions of a Teutonic knight carrying a terrible war wound, and the brave efforts of a diminutive, disabled servant girl, her affliction wrought at conception, strive to bring positive closure to this ancient saga.

MY REVIEW

The book itself reads almost like a poem. It's beautiful, artistic language brings to life a romantic legend set during an era renowned for its chivalry.

The story begins in England, where we meet a young prince named Hildebrand. As a teenager, he experiences a celestial vision after rescuing a lamb from a cliff face. Not long afterwards, while travelling with two knights, he comes across a holy dwelling known as the White Priory. It is there that the young prince first discovers his destiny.

Years later, Hildebrand has become a veteran of the Crusades and an undefeated warrior. When he turns thirty, a mysterious stranger appears and hands him a scroll before vanishing. The message reveals that the time has come for Hildebrand to fulfil his destiny by answering a summons from King Thornstein, ruler of a faraway kingdom.

The king must travel to another region of his kingdom with his seven sons to restore order following a victorious battle. Before leaving, he entrusts Hildebrand with the safety of his only daughter, Princess Hellalyle, and asks him to lead eleven specially selected knights who will remain at Preben Palace as her bodyguards. Together, they are considered the twelve finest knights in Christendom.

Among them is the Teutonic knight Karl von Altenburg—a giant of a man who was left unable to speak following a horrific war wound.

But Hellalyle, Princess of Eydis and Orn, is no ordinary princess. She possesses not only great beauty, but also an extraordinary aura that inspires reverence in those around her.

This is a story of romance, jealousy, supernatural forces and chivalry, in which human compassion and courage are put to the test. Reminiscent of the Arthurian legends, with their tales of valour and magic, it is a captivating whirlwind of a read. The memorable characters, romance and magic combine to create a story that remains with the reader long after the final page—and one I shall enjoy reading again and again.

Thank you to LiterallyPR and Tagai Tarutin for inviting me to take part in the Online Book Review Tour.

COMING UP NEXT…

Coming up next, I’ll be returning to the Glass Ceiling Club series with Maree Church’s latest cosy murder mystery, Death Wore Sunglasses. Look out for my full review, coming soon!

"Following an aborted vacation in Venice, members of the Glass Ceiling Club head to the Amalfi Coast for some peace, quiet, and sunshine. But Chiara Chandler, aka a magnet for murder, upends their plans when a young American woman is murdered the night before Chiara is to meet with her. The murder sets off a series of events that draw them into a sinister plot in which the sins of the past threaten the course of current events."

WIP UPDATE

I’ve been making good progress on the first draft of the next Crazy Cream adventure, starring Poppy and her younger sister, Devon—the two Golden Retrievers who inspired the books. The story is really beginning to gather pace, and although there is still plenty of work ahead, I’m thoroughly enjoying seeing their latest adventure come together.

Meanwhile, my supernatural thriller will soon be in the hands of my editor, and work on the cover design has already begun. It’s exciting—and a little nerve-racking—to see everything gradually taking shape!

Thank you for joining me today, and until next time…

Happy Reading!

Gill xx

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