Kashka

by Ellen Kindt McKenzie

The son of a royal musician tries to prevent Lady Ysene and her brother from using their evil powers to gain control of the kingdom of Darai.

Genres: Fantasy

258 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1987

About the author

Ms. McKenzie is a retired writer who wrote part time between the 60's and 90's, her writing subscribes to her philosophy that writing for children should not be dumbed down or held to a low standard, but rather held to the same level of respectability as adult literature. She is also a concert pianist and loves mythology and history.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a teenager and remember liking it, but I am so glad I reread it now. It is not perfectly written, but a beautiful and compelling story that left me smiling.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 stars

A prequel to Taash and the Jesters, it takes place nine years prior to the events of that book and focuses on Kashka, Piff, and the royal family of Nazor. Here is where we first meet the evil Lady Ysene and her violent brother the Duke of Xon. Ekama was originally the ward of Ysene and Xon, but they foster her with Darai and Meta as part of their plot to gain control over Nazor. Xon very nearly whips Kashka to death the first day that Xon and Ysene arrive in Nazor. Thereafter, once the wise woman Bargah has brought Kashka back from the brink of death, the whole extended family is very careful to keep Kashka out of sight on the occasions when Xon returns to visit.

There is war and dastardly schemes. There is magic and enchantments. There is love and strength in family. Kashka and Piff are cousins, but as close as brothers and the very best of friends. They lose beloved parents and the grief is a tangible creature reaching out from the pages. Anyone who has experienced a loss feels what the boys are going through and McKenzie evokes that grief superbly.

The writing is spare, but efficient in a classical manner. I very much like McKenzie's writing style. It reminds me often of Lloyd Alexander.

[Genevieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars or so.

This was a book I read in 4th grade and absolutely loved, but it's hard to find and I hadn't re-read it since around then.

I think the main reason I adored it back then was that I developed a huge crush on the two main characters, Kashka and Piff. They're identical cousins! Acrobats! Musicians! Masters of disguise! Foiling evil plots and making up songs and kissing the girls and getting into scrapes! *dreamy elementary school sigh*

Now... The writing style is a bit odd (constant POV shifts) and the plot is not super-original. But it still has a certain charm, and I enjoyed rereading it. I was surpised just how well I remembered the events of the story given how much time has passed since I read it... clearly was a big influence on me!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not quite as good as Taash and the Jesters, but what a treat 40 years after reading the first one!!!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. She is an amazing storyteller!