Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite
Albina (A Windflower Saga Novella) by Aleksandra Layland is a short story/novella in the science fiction fantasy genre. This is a book that would appeal most to a mixed audience of adults and young adults who have enjoyed the Windflower Saga, as well as those who enjoy a strong female main character. Albina was born a twin and the only daughter of Tribune Loris Kennet and Lady Keridwen - she grew up in a mixed household in Torun. Albina had a happy childhood, thanks to her father’s position as Tribune, though her mother’s position as Duchess of Ansgar did force young Albina out of her old dresses and her workshop to attend a ball.
Albina (A Windflower Saga Novella) by Aleksandra Layland is a book meant for those who have already read the Windflower Saga; I found myself a bit confused on the setting and importance of Albina as a character in the beginning of the book. However, as I continued to read, I found myself growing to like young Albina and to understand the uniqueness and importance of her as a character. Her desire to be accepted by society and people, due to who she was as a person and not just because of her father’s position, showed the strength of her character and her wish that all people would be seen as equal, regardless of their skin color, household, or position. My favorite scene in the whole book is when Albina discovers that the two old women she has been seeing are actually dead, and that they are her grandmothers watching over her. Overall, I enjoyed this book and it has awakened a desire in me to seek out the rest of the books in the Windflower Saga.