Customer Reviews

Elske

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Elske is a book of unusually clear insight and resonant truth; Voigt never lapses into cliches to avoid ugly situations that many other authors would. Set in the same world as earlier Kingdom books (Jackaroo, On Fortune's Wheel, The Wings of a Falcon), Elske has very rich and believable settings that are always gritty and realistic. No pink sugar-spun clouds here. Voigt is ruthless in presenting some of the ugliness in life, but she emphasizes truth and honor and love in life in spite of betrayals and falsehoods. Characterization is also some of the best I've read for awhile, and Elske's in particular develops realistically and well. My only criticism is the pacing, as I felt more time ought to have been spent on Beriel's reclaiming of the Kingdom and on Elske's romance.

All in all, a most excellent and heartfelt novel for the mature teen. The funny thing is that I don't know that I would have cared to see the truths it shows two years ago, so I'd recommend waiting to read it at the ripe old age of fifteen or sixteen. Also, for those who like the rich setting-- not quite fantasy, not quite history, try The Raging Quiet, by Sherryl Jordan.

Ailanna

Clean, effective writing and a great plot are trademarks of Cynthia Voigt's work, and the more she writes, the better she gets. I read some of her earlier books beginning around the age of eleven -- Homecoming, Dicey's Song, Seventeen Against the Dealer, Jackaroo, The Callendar Papers -- and I've never forgotten them. Voigt doesn't shy away from complex, adult issues; instead she makes them challenging and yet accessable for anyone.

I saw ELSKE on this site and couldn't resist buying it to see if Voigt was still as good as ever. Turns out she's even better -- I've read all the books in the "Kingdom" series and this, though I love the others, is my favorite. It's an adventure story about two young women making their own way in a world against them, and it's got everything: "primitive" tribal customs, plots against a royal family, narrow escapes, war, even love. It's got morals, too, but Voigt skillfully avoids hitting you over the head with them. All told, it's as great for adults as for kids.

NOTE: I would recommend that any "kid" reading it be old enough/mature enough to understand and handle things like rape and sexual innuendo, which are in no way graphic or overdone, but certainly are important elements in the story.

In one word, this book is wonderful. I read Jackaroo and On Fortune's Wheel when I was 14, and now I have read The Wings of a Falcon and Elske, when I am 18. Although labeled Young Adult, this series is good for adults of all ages. If only Cynthia Voigt would write more in this series!!!!!

I just finished the Jackaroo series, with Elske, and enjoyed every book! While I was somewhat disappointed with the emotional "detachment" of the characters in Wings of the Falcon, Elske re-establishes Voight's strength of characterization and imagery. Although I can understand concern for some of the content of Elske, the story does not dwell upon violence or "adult behavior" in the least, nor does it deal explicitly with such, and focuses, instead, on Elske's development from an innocent girl, raised in a barbaric society, to a mature and courageous woman. In truth, maturity is required to wholly grasp the rich lessons of the story; and therefore, the story is more appropriate for older teens and adults. Once again, however, I found myself wrapped up in the world of the Kingdom and the fates of two young women struggling to overcome their foes in the face of prejudice (toward women), tyranny, and death. A rewarding tale!

This was a well written story, any fantasy lover will be captivated by the complete world presented. The characters are strong and memorable. Elske is a compelling heroine that sets out on her own and her wit charms many men, but only one "knows the sweet honey of her name..."

I found the author's exploration of a woman's role in the world a little predictable, but still interesting to read. The main character travels and lives in three different societies where women are treated in relatively different and sometimes brutally violent ways and readers are suppose to draw their own conclusions. I'm sure most young adult readers won't notice how formulaic it is, especially girl readers (If anything, they enjoy that and that's half the appeal of fantasy titles.)

What bothers me the most is the violence that is depicted with the Volkaric society. The first chapter has a mass rape along side with the exposure of unwanted girl babies out to feed the wolves (which the main character & her grandmother against that society's express customs snap their necks before exposing them in a stroke of mercy.) I understand the author's use of it as a contrast, and it is not a "glorified" type of violence. The darkness and evil of the Volkaric only makes Elske's character all the more luminous and good. But the violence is there all the same. There is also another "rape" that is featured in the story's plot, one that involves an unwanted pregnancy. Again, it is not glorified, but it does take a serious and complicated matter and wraps it up pretty in two chapters.

People who monitor what their children read may want to hold off on letting their younger teens read this. (I found this book in the adult section of my library and approved the librarian's discretion.) Some people will pooh-pooh this warning, some people don't care what their kids read, as long as they are reading. I myself worry that when kids are exposed to too much violence, they get de-sensitized to it. So take care with this title, its a good read, but has very mature themes in it.

I believe that Cynthia Voigt's previous installment in her "Kingdom" series was "The Wings of the Falcon". This is the only other book out of the series that I have completely read as of yet; however, it gave me the impression that Voigt is capable of writing much, much better novels than she did this time around. In "Elske", Voigt goes way into detail with less interesting events- banquets, walking from point A to point B, and so on and so forth. She also seems far too enamored by the pretty brightness and cleverness of the protagonist she has created, making much of how quick-witted Elske is while failing to put in any significant internal conflicts or character flaws that would have made her more compelling.

One thing that would have improved the story would have been if Voigt had gone more into depth about the more interesting events of the story, or at least had Elske react more strongly to them. For example, another reviewer here spoke of the relationship between Elske and Dugald, her love interest. Voigt must have put in around five short interactions between the two- more or less- before they were confessing their desire for one another. And those interactions were not very deep, either- somehow, they failed to be convincing. Birle's spontaneous love in "On Fortune's Wheel" was much more convincing than Elske's; Cynthia Voigt could have made much more of it.

Now, don't get me wrong- "Elske" is not necessarily a bad novel. The way the world and time period were depicted, as well as the customs and traditions of the peoples who inhabited it, were all very well fleshed-out and believable. However, the characters and plot were a huge disappointment after having read the much more gripping "Falcon" and parts of "On Fortune's Wheel". Perhaps the story would have been better if it had been told from the viewpoint of Beriel, the other protagonist of the story. Else was simply too bland and failed to compel. There were no faults evident in her character- she was just a pretty, modest, clever, quick-witted girl. There really was no depth to her. She reacted to just about everything with a calm that was supposed to depict her strength of character and whatnot, but really just came across as dull. Beriel, on the other hand, had a much more fiery character and went through a great deal of external AND internal conflict throughout the story- not to mention the fact that the things that befell her were far more interesting than anything that happened to Elske.

However, Elske herself aside, on its own plenty of people will enjoy reading her story. Those who really found Cynthia Voigt's other books deeper and more interesting should be a bit disappointed.

The latest addition to Cynthia Voigt's Kingdom series. Elske offers a heroine who is very much her own person. Even though Elske has been chosen to be the Death Maiden of the Volkking, she escapes to begin life. Elske makes her way to the trading city Trastad, despite being a servant and an outsider, her honesty, intelligence, and good humour bring respect and friendship.

Just when most fiction for young adults would have Elske marry the master of the house (whose children she cared for while their mother suffered from a lingering sickness) Voigt takes Elske down a different path. Since she refuses to marry anyone, she is sent to be the handmaid of the defiant princess Beriel. Elske's most difficult adventure begins.

Beriel has been sent to Trastadt to marry. In her kingdom the oldest child, male or female, may inherit the throne. Beriel's younger brother has usurped her position and exiled her. How he manages to do this is not for the squimish, nor for young readers.

Voigt does the unthinkable, she gives the reader not one, but two strong young women to share the pages of her book. Lesser writers would not be able to accomplish it. Voigt is able to bring Elske and Beriel together in an uncommon relationshp. They are never servant and master, and never truly friends. But, there is a bond between them. One of deepest trust. Elske's lack of knowledge of the world sometimes causes her trouble, but never embarrassment, for her actions are rarely for herself.

This books is for the more sophisticated, thoughful reader. Mature themes are an intregal part of Elske's journey. Not recommended for readers under 12.

Cynthia Voigt's Elske is recommended for mature teens who like complicated young adult plots: Elske escapes her repressive animal-like people to live with a princess who comes to rely on her strengths and wise advice. Political chaos accompanies the vanished princess' attempt to regain her throne and involve Elske in some dangerous confrontations with past and present.

I remember reading this as a youth and tried to find the book with the same cover and all. So glad I was able to find a piece of my memory. Cynthia Voigt was a terrific writer.

Elske is the next part of the puzzle as Voigt reveals piece by piece the perspectives, history, and tales of the kingdom. The story Elske certainly holds you attention, while the main character is fiesty and new to her surrondings. A short summary is:

Elske tossed into an un-known world makes her way as a hated enemy. Surprisingly enough attracts many types of friends, through her innocence as well as decieving appearence. As she turns away many situations where she could live a peacefull life, only to serve a "feindly princess." Beriel a girl fighting for what was hers as well as mustering a dark secret..... Together they make do with each other and even befriend each other.

The one thing about this that makes it so appealing is that Elske is not your average distressed maiden making it through life suffering, but always content while sharing a romance with a good hearted man of higher or lower status. Beriel and Elske's characters are very captivating.... You'll love this book if you are a fan of or have read: Jackaroo, On Fortunes Wheel, or Wings of a Falcon. New readers will enjoy this book just as much because no other former "tid bits of the last books plot" are key facts.