Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Release Date: January 8th, 2008
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 336
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Blessed—or cursed—with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she’s known to her family) has always been an oddball. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn’t hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servents. Only a grueling journey on the backs of the four winds will reveal the truth: the bear is really a prince who’s been enchanted by a troll queen, and the Lass must come up with a way to free him before he’s forced to marry a troll princess.

This is the first book I’ve read by Jessica Day George, but it was entertaining at the very least. It took the typical Beauty and the Beast story and gave it a fresh new look.

The Lass isn’t necessarily relatable, but at the very least is very enjoyable. Seeing how she deals with not having a name and how the others in her family treats her is almost interesting in itself. However, the most interesting part is when the isbjorn comes and takes her away to his ice kingdom. The mystery of the story keeps the reader in the story trying to figure out why people are disappearing and who is it that cast such a curse on this isbjorn.

The writing is nothing spectacular. While it is not necessarily an easy flowing read, it keeps the reader engaged well enough. Overall, it was a nice retailing of my favorite fairy tale.

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