A review by ratgirlreads
Elske by Cynthia Voigt, Jan Vermeer

 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.