I first read this in 2003, after learning it was a conclusion to one of my favorite series as a teenager. The genre is fantasy only in the made-up medieval "Kingdom" setting; think wooded journeys and Robin Hood figures, and that's what I loved it for. I reread this now because I wanted to give it as a gift to Amy, and I was curious to revisit its themes. The first time, I was stunned by it being one of the most overtly feminist novels I'd ever read -- and for teenagers.

It is, producing not one but two girl characters written in a shamelessly feminist way, in a story whose purpose is to explore the influence of gender customs on societies and have them surpassed. It compares a few extremes and degrees, and how independently thinking girls are challenged in all unless they shape change. The characters speak plainly about rape in many contexts. In the accepted gender dialogue, simply sharing these ideas without softening them is radical itself.

I mean, mostly it's an adventure story for Elske, who has to escape her explicitly barbaric society first for one that is happier but just as explicitly conservative. I know these two examples are key to the author's ideas, but I find the story gets extremely better once Elske finally meets Beriel, and the two girls get to interact. Beriel's secret is amazing, and both girls eventually get to lead heroic retribution at the climax.

In particular, I like how Elske breaks the mold with everyone she meets, but in a way that is often unwelcome or dangerous. She ends up earning respect for her unique stature, but she does not ever change anyone's mind. She's not a "magical woman" character, the upbeat type that heals everyone with her unconventional impulses and charm. (It works perfectly for Mary Poppins, but is pretty tired by now.) Elske is serious and practical within a variety of rigid groups, each of which would restrict her if she didn't prefer to act as an individual. It's not easy to be that person.

I would give this book to every teen reader. Even in the few places it lags as a novel, its effortless portrayal of girls who will not sacrifice themselves is the most valuable moral for any story.

This got worse the second and third times. Voigt's On Fortune's Wheel is better.

Originally I was attracted to this book because of the cover. I had no idea it was part of a series, let alone the conclusion to a series, but I enjoyed it regardless. This book totally caught me off guard for something I randomly grabbed off the shelf.

Having escaped her village where women and girls are possessions to be owned and used at will, Elske makes her own way as an outsider into the city. Hard working and stoic, Elske's connections soon lead her to a girl-who-would-be-queen, Beriel. Berield is determined and fiery, insistent that she will do whatever it takes to claim her throne.

This is a reread for me, maybe the fourth of fifth time. I love that it is a story of two strong young women who have such different strengths. I like the political intrigue, the world it takes place in, the swoon-worthy romantic ending. It isn't super fast paced but Elske is an intriguing character, raised as a compassionate person amongst a tribe of Viking-like warriors, and I like how her knowledge of that terrifying people and their language becomes an asset in the political world she slowly becomes a part of. Just a good story.

Sensitivity warning: rape is a topic often discussed

fantasy

2.5 stars.
The problem with interweaving stories, where the next protagonist is somehow related to the previous, is that you don't always like the new one. I found Elske okay, but not too interesting. She's a bit flat, outwardly cheerful, but inwardly still and cold. And Beriel... yikes. For all her situation ought to have roused empathy, it didn't much. She, too, was rather unreachable. A sad end to a series with a strong start.

Although I enjoyed Elske, I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more of a connection to the previous Kingdom books. This was probably the least related to series of the 4 books, and much of what I loved about the other books were the little nuggets she wove into the stories that helped us understand the background of the characters and how the history around their grandparents or great-grandparents influenced what was happening in the current book. But other than that, I really did like the book.

I'm sure I read this as a teen/young adult, because I read & loved all of the Kingdom books. But I don't have any detailed memories of it.

Words cannot express the awesomeness of this book. I think I like it better than Jackaroo. Great culture clash stuff, and terrific characters!