Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1999)
Voigt's fourth adventure set in the alternate reality world of Jackaroo (1985) is a stately-paced study of courage and loyalty shared, mostly, between women. Condemned to a ritual rape and murder by the brutal raiders known as Wolfers, Elske escapes untouched to the mercantile port of Trastad, where she meets prickly, imperious Beriel, an occasional visitor who claims to be a princess from an unknown land. Responding deeply to Beriel's inner fire, Elske becomes her steadfast servant, finding a home for her secretly-borne child, following her on the long, dangerous journey back to her kingdom, and, while she is away battling her treacherous brother for the throne, cleverly driving off an invading company of Wolfers without bloodshed. Aside from one assault, the violence is off stage, and Voigt keeps the focus on her two main characters: she traces Elske's growth from almost amoral innocence to strong-minded, loving maturity, and presents Beriel as a figure made larger-than-life by her anger and surety, demanding utter loyalty from her followers, but able to return it in kind. Fans of thud-and-blunder epics should look elsewhere; for readers who enjoy probing studies of ties that bind, this will illuminate some hidden corners of the human spirit. 1999, Atheneum, $18.00. © 1999 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Janice M. Del Negro (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, December 1999 (Vol. 53, No. 4))
Elske is the “death maiden,” she who is chosen to accompany her tribal leader, the Volkking, into the afterlife on the occasion of his death. The cunning of her grandmother saves her from this fate, and the kindness of fortune sees her safely ensconced as servant to rebellious noblewoman Beriel. Elske becomes devoted to Beriel, seeing in her a self-mastery and direction she was unaware was available to women. She aids Beriel in her quest to claim her rightful throne from her usurper brother, is the pivotal ingredient in a plan to overthrow the vicious Volkaric, and finds true love in the form of Lord Dugald, Beriel’s cousin. This fourth volume in the saga of the Kingdom (The Wings of a Falcon, BCCB 9/93, On Fortune’s Wheel, 7/90, and Jackaroo, 9/85) stands alone, although there are subtle references to elements in previous titles. While the narrative is involving and complex and the layers of social organization and political intrigue deftly woven, the scene is set with painstaking detail that slows the momentum just enough to make the plot trajectory drag, and the final crisis is too rapidly resolved. Elske is an intriguing if distant character, her buried emotions emerging briefly and suddenly. Surprisingly, in a novel where the women are pivotal, the male characters are livelier and more three-dimensional. The lure of the adventurous quest is strong, however, and Elske is a protagonist whose fortunes are worth following. Readers eager to delve into the previous Kingdom titles will want to delve here as well, and they’ll be glad of whatever gold they mine. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 1999, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1999, Schwartz/Atheneum, 245p, $18.00. Grades 9-12.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2000)
In this last book in the "Kingdom Series" (which began with Jackaroo), Elske has escaped her fate as the Death Maiden and joins a new community, serving Beriel, the would-be Queen of the Kingdom. The two women are foils for each other, which enhances both portrayals. For the sophisticated reader, the book will be a challenging and thoughtful experience. Category: Older Fiction. 1999, Atheneum/Schwartz, 245pp, $18.00. Ages 12 to 14. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Monica Irwin (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 12, No. 4))
Part fantasy and part historical romance, this novel is sure to please both genres. It is an interesting mix and should prove popular for the mature teen. Elske is a strong girl living in some unspecified years in the past. There are allusions to many things that would point to the Dark Ages as a time frame for this book. She is saved from certain death by her grandmother and escapes to live as a servant in a foreign country. She is asked to serve the very strong-willed young girl named Beriel. Beriel claims to be a princess of a country nearby. She flaunts the societal rules and seems to be everything Elske is not--self-assured, independent, and strong. However, the two girls grow to trust each other, and Elske learns to truly know her own strengths. They fight together to regain Beriel's empire. This is truly a book filled with action and adventure. Teenage girls will also like the little bit of romance thrown in. This is a novel which contains some violence and strong actions. It also discusses rape and the subjugation of women in history. It is a book of quality, but it may not be appropriate for younger teens. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades High school. 1999, Atheneum, 245p, $18.00. Ages 14 to 18.

Rebecca Barnhouse (VOYA, October 1999 (Vol. 22, No. 4))
Old fans of Voigt's Kingdom novels will thrill to this tale of high adventure set two generations after The Wings of a Falcon (Scholastic 1993/VOYA December 1993). Newcomers will be able to appreciate its virtues without reading the earlier books. Her grandmother, a captive of the brutal Wolfers, raises young Elske. She avoids rape and death when she escapes the Wolfers. Like Oriel and Griff in Falcon, Elske journeys physically and emotionally from her old life into a new one; first in a city of merchants, then in the Kingdom. Along the way, she forms an alliance with Beriel, a proud young queen deprived of her throne. Their complex relationship recalls the bond between Oriel and Griff, and adds subtle tension to the already suspenseful plot. As Elske aids Beriel in the fight for her kingdom, she learns about her own heart, which she denied herself during her harsh early life. The novel is as challenging and layered as the earlier Kingdom books, and characters struggle with difficult ethical issues. Some readers may shy away from the infanticide and gang rape early on, but those who keep reading will be rewarded by Voigt's refusal to compromise. The high adventures and moral issues are as tangled as they are in our lives. The heroines are more authentic than many comparable heroines because they endure and triumph over the very real threats that women face every day. A compelling story, Elske provokes readers emotionally and intellectually. VOYA CODES: 5Q 5P S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 1999, Atheneum/S & S, 245p, $18. Ages 15 to 18.