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Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Review by Emily of ...whimsy...
The difficult thing about reviewing is finding a balance between telling about a story and not giving anything crucial away. I am finding this balance particularly difficult with Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow.
If I knew everyone would be intrigued enough to read it with a recommendation that simply said, "I love this book. If you enjoy YA fantasy, such as books by Shannon Hale, Robin McKinley, Patricia Wrede, C.S. Lewis, etc. don't pass this one by"...that is all I would write. I enjoyed the journey through this book, not having any clue about the story ahead of time. I have seen reviews since I read Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow that gave away crucial elements of the story that I am glad I didn't know.
Having said all that, here is my review. I know. Finally.
The girl, aka the pika, lives in a place that is always winter. Her family is poor. The girl, though a teenager, remains nameless. Her mother was so upset at having another worthless girl, that she refuses to name her.
Legend has it, that nameless girls are often stolen by trolls...but it isn't a troll that takes the pika away from her safe home and beloved brother. It is an isbjorn, or ice bear. The great white bear takes the girl to live in an ice castle for a year, promising that her family will be wealthy.
Many girls have been taken by isbjorns in the past, but the girl has a special quality that distinguishes her from the others.
She can talk to animals, which certainly helps when you have been taken captive by a bear.
Jessica Day George loved this Norwegian fairy tale and decided to flesh it out into a full length novel. At the BYU conference, she said she chose the story because it had everything...adventure, trolls, castles, mystery, romance.
I also enjoyed the details she added to the tale...like how the ice castle smells of rotten meat. Ewww. So gross. Great description though.
Recommended readers: lovers of YA fantasy/fairy tales.
Don't forget to comment (in a relevant way, please) on this review, the review of Dragon Slippers or the interview posted earlier today for a chance to win a signed copy of Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow!!!
23 Comments:
Thanks for that review! Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow sounds really good. I'll be sure to put it on hold at my local library.
Thank you for the review! I am so excited to read this book now! It's got everything I love in a book all wrapped up in one!
That sounds like a really neat book. I've read some Norwegian fairy tales, I think, but I'm not familiar with this one.
Sounds super - I'd love to be included!!
Is this the same myth that East by Edith Pattou is based on? I really enjoyed East, and Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow sounds great. I will definately have to check this one out!
KT, I haven't read East but I believe they are based on the same fairy tale.
I want to read it. I just read East though, so I think I will take some time so that I can read this book without comparing it too much.
I like the interview - she sounds like a hoot. If she's that entertaining in real life, I'm sure the book is great!
East o' the Sun, West O' the Moon is my favorite fairy tale, so I have to read this! It looks magical.
It sounds like an amazing read :)
I've only read Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George, sadly :-(
And I totally agree with you on the reviewing-with-balance-in-mind thing ;)
I would love to enter to win this book. Thank you!
Thanks for the review. It sounds like a fun read.
Wow! I'm so excited to read the book now. I hadn't been able to find any reviews of it yet, but this is incredible.
I started reading this book yesterday and I totally love it!
I'm anxiously awaiting this - I love fairy tale retellings. Shannon Hale (also a Utah author) has excellent fairy tale novels such as The Goose Girl or Book of a Thousand Days.
Hi Everyone!
I'm anxious to read East now, too. I'll add that to my ever-growing to-read list.
Anna, Welcome. If you stick around, you'll find that I am a big fan of Shannon Hale. I spent a whole week spotlighting her here, actually. You can find an interview here: http://cleanreads.blogspot.com/2007/11/interview-with-shannon-hale.html
Okay, sign me up again -- I'd love, LOVE to get this book!
I loved meeting Jessica as well, wish I knew you were there. I haven't read EAST either but I've heard it's fantastic.
Thanks for the great review. I appreciate the way you concealed details.
I really wanted to read this book and now, I only want to read it more. It sounds great!
I am really excited now that I know that it's based on the same fairy tale as East. That just confirmed it will go in my every growing must read pile. Yay!
Do you know of any other books that are based on Norwiegan folktales? I would love to hear about them.
I have yet to read "Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow," but it sounds like it would be an excellent addition to our library. I was a bit cautious and did not want to buy it straight off without knowing more about it. Bad, bad experience with other authors. Methinks I can safely go seek out "Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow."
Thanks for the review, especially for not giving critical information away!
Caesia J.
I'm sorry I missed out on the contest. Sounds like a very good read. I added it to my wishlist.
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