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ratgirlreads's review
Elske is a delightful tale of two strong heroines, the title character and the queen she eventually serves, Beriel of the Kingdom. The travels Elske undertakes, first when she leaves the Volkaric and her fate as Death Maiden and walks to the city of Trastad, then as she sails with Beriel to the port of Pericol and thence to the Kingdom, highlight Voigt’s worldbuilding talent—she describes distinct cultures vividly as Elske encounters them. Elske herself is a fascinating character, with a brutal, calculating facet from her upbringing among the Volkaric uncommon to heroines, but also with the more typical caring and loving side. The story is well worth reading—Voigt is an author as talented as her writing is diverse.
syaser's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
octavia_cade's review
3.0
I don't really want to call this a likeable book, because rape is so much at the centre of it - for both the two main female characters - that it is at times a sickening read, but it's certainly a compelling one - though it's the most compelling when not dealing with the continual sexual assault. Instead it's the quiet character moments that stand out the most. This is especially true of Elske: her personality and especially her emotional growth were both aspects of this book that I found genuinely enjoyable. Voigt has created a memorable character here, even more so than Jackaroo's Gwyn.
Elske the book, on the other hand, doesn't reach the heights of Jackaroo, but then no other book in this series does either. (And why on earth the book's been covered with a Vermeer painting is beyond me.)
Elske the book, on the other hand, doesn't reach the heights of Jackaroo, but then no other book in this series does either. (And why on earth the book's been covered with a Vermeer painting is beyond me.)
jderaadt's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
malph's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
prairieraven's review
4.0
I picked up the copy from my library and it depicts a girl being eaten by a wolf on the cover which is much more suiting than this cover.....actually that is what drew me to this book. anyway I had no idea this was a series until I looked at it this morning. As a stand alone book this one is quite good. It starts out in black and white with a lot of darkness. as the story progresses the story of Elske comes to life. Recommended for those over 12 and those who just enjoy a tale or two.
Age recommendation due to content (rape - is mentioned and discussed)
Age recommendation due to content (rape - is mentioned and discussed)
torts's review
4.0
This is only under "animals" because it has wolf-people in it. They're not wolves, but they like to act like them. Yup.
boxtagram's review
1.0
I literally couldn't read past the introduction, it was disgusting, disturbing, and nothing anyone should ever read.
prationality's review
5.0
To be clear, Elske is the fourth book in Cynthia Voigt's loosely tied together series called The Kingdom. The other three (Jackaroo, Wings of a Falcon and On Fortune's Wheel) are all set in the Kingdom that Beriel hails from, while Elske is set in Trastad, a small country to the north of The Kingdom. You don't need prior knowledge of the other books, except perhaps to understand the truth behind the 'legends' that Beriel mentions. The legend of Jackaroo for instance is covered in depth in the book of the same name, while some of Beriel's ancestors are covered in On Fortune's Wheel.
This can be a little dark at times with some of the subject matter. Elske's people, the Volkaric (Wolfers) are a barbaric, primitive people who live to eat, plunder and worship their leader the Volkking. The only place a woman has is to satisfy their needs--whatever they happen to be. Her grandmother however was from the South and was resigned to her fate, Elske was her joy and treasure. When she was chosen as the Death Maiden, to be a sacrifice for the Volkking's Death, something snapped. Idle no longer she schemed to save Elske and in doing so get the revenge she should have sought years ago.
And thus does our story start. Mirkele (Elske's grandmother) is preparing Elske to run away, and Elske (barely thirteen years old) stoically faces her newfound freedom. By chance she happens upon Tavyan and his sons as they traveled home and by chance she became Beriel's handmaiden. Two exiled souls in a city that alternately reviled them and tormented them. Beriel's story is also a sad, dark tale we don't learn for many chapters, but suffice to say they both needed each other greatly.
I love this book, I have ever since reading it in college that idle tuesday afternoon. It's a very different fantasy from what I was used to at the time (there's no magic or monsters), but captivated me with its thoughtful plotting and pace. At its core Elske is about two girls who were cut off from everyone and everything they understood, who band together to grant their hearts' desires. This isn't a fast book or flashy book, its not horrifically violent or filled with drama. Like many of Voigt's other books its a character study.
The book itself covers roughly three years altogether (with an epilogue discussing the after effects), charting the progress of Elske as she learns to adapt to her new life and Beriel as she plots to take back her throne. Beriel isn't an easy person to get along with--she's short tempered, vindictive and can be very cruel. A lot of her ire turns on Elske herself--you always hurt the one you love most right?--but Elske is the perfect target almost. Raised by people far more cruel and heartless then Beriel, she stoically takes what Beriel lashes out at her and then carefully helps her pick up the pieces.
This is dramatic storytelling at its best in my opinion--proving that sometimes the one with the quietest voice is the one with the most to say.
This can be a little dark at times with some of the subject matter. Elske's people, the Volkaric (Wolfers) are a barbaric, primitive people who live to eat, plunder and worship their leader the Volkking. The only place a woman has is to satisfy their needs--whatever they happen to be. Her grandmother however was from the South and was resigned to her fate, Elske was her joy and treasure. When she was chosen as the Death Maiden, to be a sacrifice for the Volkking's Death, something snapped. Idle no longer she schemed to save Elske and in doing so get the revenge she should have sought years ago.
And thus does our story start. Mirkele (Elske's grandmother) is preparing Elske to run away, and Elske (barely thirteen years old) stoically faces her newfound freedom. By chance she happens upon Tavyan and his sons as they traveled home and by chance she became Beriel's handmaiden. Two exiled souls in a city that alternately reviled them and tormented them. Beriel's story is also a sad, dark tale we don't learn for many chapters, but suffice to say they both needed each other greatly.
I love this book, I have ever since reading it in college that idle tuesday afternoon. It's a very different fantasy from what I was used to at the time (there's no magic or monsters), but captivated me with its thoughtful plotting and pace. At its core Elske is about two girls who were cut off from everyone and everything they understood, who band together to grant their hearts' desires. This isn't a fast book or flashy book, its not horrifically violent or filled with drama. Like many of Voigt's other books its a character study.
The book itself covers roughly three years altogether (with an epilogue discussing the after effects), charting the progress of Elske as she learns to adapt to her new life and Beriel as she plots to take back her throne. Beriel isn't an easy person to get along with--she's short tempered, vindictive and can be very cruel. A lot of her ire turns on Elske herself--you always hurt the one you love most right?--but Elske is the perfect target almost. Raised by people far more cruel and heartless then Beriel, she stoically takes what Beriel lashes out at her and then carefully helps her pick up the pieces.
This is dramatic storytelling at its best in my opinion--proving that sometimes the one with the quietest voice is the one with the most to say.