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Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
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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
...more
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Hardcover, 328 pages
Published
January 8th 2008
by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
(first published January 1st 2008)
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Start your review of Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
*Buddy Read with my wonderful friends, Tammie and Laura 😊💕
This book was magical!!! It was even better than the book "East" me and my friends read!
I had this freaking paperback at one time but got rid of it when I was having a clean out, little did I know!! The paperback is now on my Amazon wishlist 🙄
So, she who shall not be named until the end of the book is a wonderful character. To make this short and to the point I’m going to sum up a couple of favorite things.
She goes out to find the white ...more
This book was magical!!! It was even better than the book "East" me and my friends read!
I had this freaking paperback at one time but got rid of it when I was having a clean out, little did I know!! The paperback is now on my Amazon wishlist 🙄
So, she who shall not be named until the end of the book is a wonderful character. To make this short and to the point I’m going to sum up a couple of favorite things.
She goes out to find the white ...more
As I see it, there are two different ways to adapt a fairy tale into a full-length novel. You can either reinterpret the entire shebang with a whole new spin on the formerly familiar (ala A Curse Dark as Gold or The Magic Circle) or you can take the essential parts of the original tale and just fill them out with some depth and padding (ala Beauty). Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow falls squarely into the latter category. Now if I was a fairy tale snob I might get all huffy that Jessica Day George's b
...more
This is a retelling of a Nordic fairy tale set in an atmospheric Viking world that follows a girl who can speak to animals and a bear who is a prince. If you liked Uprooted, this is a wonderful lyrical tale in a similar vein.
In the old Norse lands—long after the Viking raiders but long before the Industrial Age—there lived a poor farm family with nine children. Our heroine is the youngest of the nine, so little valued that her mother didn’t bother to name her or have her christened.
The lass with no name—indeed, she is referred to as simply “the lass” for the vast majority of the book—is largely ignored, except by her well-meaning, rather ineffective father (who never stands up to his cruel, childish wife) and her el ...more
The lass with no name—indeed, she is referred to as simply “the lass” for the vast majority of the book—is largely ignored, except by her well-meaning, rather ineffective father (who never stands up to his cruel, childish wife) and her el ...more
If I read one more young adult novel that features the hero physically overriding the heroine's will, I will set something on fire.
(view spoiler) ...more
(view spoiler) ...more
Long ago and far away in the land of ice and snow, there came a time when it seemed that winter would never end. The months when summer should have given the land respite were cold and damp, and the winter months were snow filled and colder still. The people said the cold had lasted a hundred years, and feared that it would last a hundred more. It was not a natural winter, and no one knew what witch or troll had caused the winds to howl so fiercely.
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow is a classic f ...more
↠3-
I really don’t know how I get this bad luck. Beauty and the Beast is my least favorite story and this is my third and a half (read two short stories) read of a retelling... this year. Besides Beauty and the Beast vibes (which would be weird if it wouldn’t have those vibes) there was also a Cupid & Psyche vibe (view spoiler).
The writing is simple and easy to follow, although the main character is a young adult it ...more
I really don’t know how I get this bad luck. Beauty and the Beast is my least favorite story and this is my third and a half (read two short stories) read of a retelling... this year. Besides Beauty and the Beast vibes (which would be weird if it wouldn’t have those vibes) there was also a Cupid & Psyche vibe (view spoiler).
The writing is simple and easy to follow, although the main character is a young adult it ...more
first read: May 2013
first reread: September 18 - 23 , 2016
I still really liked this book, though, being 27, I would say its a bit young for my liking.....buuuuuuuuuuut because of my love for the movie "The Polar Bear King", I can't help but want to read it over and over. ...more
first reread: September 18 - 23 , 2016
I still really liked this book, though, being 27, I would say its a bit young for my liking.....buuuuuuuuuuut because of my love for the movie "The Polar Bear King", I can't help but want to read it over and over. ...more
Feb 21, 2016
TL
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone who loves a fairytale
"It is a fine thing, to set your sights on crystal towers and golden thrones," Hans Peter said quietly. "But first you had better see what lurks within those towers, and what sits on those thrones. Every palace needs a foundation, Askeladden. Make sure that yours isn't of human bones. "
The lass didn't ask about his dire statement. She felt strange too. It wouldn't be just like old times. Her father was injured, perhaps dying. She knew some of Hans Peter's secrets, and the family's fortunes had d ...more
The lass didn't ask about his dire statement. She felt strange too. It wouldn't be just like old times. Her father was injured, perhaps dying. She knew some of Hans Peter's secrets, and the family's fortunes had d ...more
In the fairy tale mood, I was looking for something to follow up Master of Shadows. Jessica Day George's Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow looked like just the ticket. A retelling of the East of the Sun, West of the Moon fairy tale, I was both excited and nervous. For various reasons I have a hard time getting into retellings of this fairy tale and, though I did enjoy Edith Pattou's East, I've been hoping ever since to find a version I liked better. And I found one. I first loved the cover. I like the
...more
This review has been hard for me to write because the author, Jessica Day George, is a friend—and not in some squishy, internet way, either, but in a book group, get-together-every-month kind of way. You wouldn't think that'd make this hard considering that I enjoyed the book immensely—and despite several strikes against it from a personal taste perspective, too!
The novel has a fairy-tale feel, though in a solidly Norsk setting (I don't know how better to name it—it's northern with all the ice a ...more
The novel has a fairy-tale feel, though in a solidly Norsk setting (I don't know how better to name it—it's northern with all the ice a ...more
Jan 31, 2019
Tammie
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy-buddy-reads,
ya-fantasy,
young-adult,
fantasy,
owned-kindle,
stand-alones,
retellings
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 servants.
This is the third version I've read of the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moo ...more
This is the third version I've read of the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moo ...more
I couldn't help but love this. East of the Sun, West of the Moon has long been my favourite fairytale, and there are myriads of re-tellings that never quite do it justice. A Court of Thorns and Roses is probably the most recent, and unfortunately the series only became incredibly good once the fairytale aspects had already been dealt with.
This re-telling kept everything good - the brave heroine, the trolls, the candle, the carefully crafted ending - and simply made sense of it all. The love stil ...more
This re-telling kept everything good - the brave heroine, the trolls, the candle, the carefully crafted ending - and simply made sense of it all. The love stil ...more
The ability to tell a story with characters who have warmth, humor, and humanity to them is my greatest reason for loving Jessica Day George's work. Sun and Moon is a fabulous retelling of the fairytale: East of the Sun West of the Moon. The Nameless ninth daughter of a poor woodcutter saves a white deer and is given the gift of speaking to animals which leads her on an adventure where she's stuck living with a polar bear for a year and a day so her family can have wealth. Loved the book, love t
...more
1.5/5
this version of east of the sun & west of the moon was a pleasant read.
pika, lass or whatever you might call her, lacked substance, meaning she wasn't a fleshed out character. all of jessica day george's books seem to have this particular problem. the author draws a strict line between evil vs. good, so the reader makes no mistake as to categorize who's the hero and who's the villain. which is a shame.
there is more than just one side to a person than that! i'm disappointed once again by g ...more
this version of east of the sun & west of the moon was a pleasant read.
pika, lass or whatever you might call her, lacked substance, meaning she wasn't a fleshed out character. all of jessica day george's books seem to have this particular problem. the author draws a strict line between evil vs. good, so the reader makes no mistake as to categorize who's the hero and who's the villain. which is a shame.
there is more than just one side to a person than that! i'm disappointed once again by g ...more
The lass has no name.
But she has a gift. The ability to speak to animals.
And the inability to give up.
When the white bear arrives on her doorstep, promising her family wealth if she will live with him for a year, the lass says, “Yes.”
A promise that will take her west of the moon and east of the sun.
A fairy tale with echoes of Beauty and the Beast and Rose Red and Snow White. I particularly liked the Norwegian setting. From the lefsa to the white reindeer.
But she has a gift. The ability to speak to animals.
And the inability to give up.
When the white bear arrives on her doorstep, promising her family wealth if she will live with him for a year, the lass says, “Yes.”
A promise that will take her west of the moon and east of the sun.
A fairy tale with echoes of Beauty and the Beast and Rose Red and Snow White. I particularly liked the Norwegian setting. From the lefsa to the white reindeer.
If I had to describe this book in a single phrase, the one I’d use is short and sweet (haha, yes, despite of its 300 and something pages)
The story is about a girl, who is unnamed, and so, is called pika or lass by her family. She has a wonderful ability to talk to animals. One fine day, an isbjorn (an enchanted, magical bear), comes to her small hut, and asks her to stay with him in his palace of ice for an year, in return for which, he shall give her poor family wealth. The lass agrees and goes ...more
The story is about a girl, who is unnamed, and so, is called pika or lass by her family. She has a wonderful ability to talk to animals. One fine day, an isbjorn (an enchanted, magical bear), comes to her small hut, and asks her to stay with him in his palace of ice for an year, in return for which, he shall give her poor family wealth. The lass agrees and goes ...more
When I picked up Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, I was unaware it was a retelling of the same fairytale as East by Edith Pattou was. So for a while, I was simply dumbstruck at how similar, or more like, absolutely the same they were. Even though I read East years and years ago and didn't realize I even remembered it all that well.
It was an okay read, overall pretty good, if a little simplistic. It didn't grab my attention in a special way or inspire any particular feelings. I guess I would have enj ...more
It was an okay read, overall pretty good, if a little simplistic. It didn't grab my attention in a special way or inspire any particular feelings. I guess I would have enj ...more
3.5 stars!
The lass leads a lonely life. She lives in a remote little Norwegian village that is blanketed by a strange, never-ending winter. Her mother refused to name her, and she is largely disregarded by all but her father and her beloved eldest brother, Hans Peter, who seems to the lass to be hiding a deep pain. But when the lass is blessed with the strange ability to be able to speak to animals, her life begins to change. People of all kinds seek her out for help -- and then, so does an isbjorn, a mas
...more
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Jun 02, 2016
Lara Mi
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lara Mi by:
Macklin
“Never look back, never forget.”
When a great polar bear offers her family fortune in exchange for her living with him for a year, the lass, who had never been given a name, agrees. Not only is the polar bear and his palace of ice more than what they seem, they also hold secrets over the curse that has been laid on the lass’ oldest brother. In order to save her brother, friends and the great polar bear, the lass must now solve the riddles of the ice palace and travel east of the sun and west o ...more
This was another light and quick read! Definitely something I needed after some books that I’ve read this month.
This book has enchantments! Trolls! Talking animals! Talking winds! More talking animals! And the writing style was great! Personally, I think if I were to ever reread this book again, I’d listen to it on audiobook because the author does such a great job of writing this is a fairytale tone. I really like her writing style.
Also, best acknowledgments that I’ve read in a while:
This book has enchantments! Trolls! Talking animals! Talking winds! More talking animals! And the writing style was great! Personally, I think if I were to ever reread this book again, I’d listen to it on audiobook because the author does such a great job of writing this is a fairytale tone. I really like her writing style.
Also, best acknowledgments that I’ve read in a while:
This...more
I'm torn. I seriously cannot decide which of the three retellings of East of the Sun West of the Moon was the best. All three had unique bits and pieces and details which set them apart and all three were written beautifully. This one had an old setting like East and a similarly enchanting prose. The female main character was a gutsy lass who raced against the odds and ice to rescue her white bear. She was a touch more curious than her other versions though.
I loved that there were all manner of ...more
I gave this book five stars after reading it a couple of years ago, but now I'm moving it down to four. I don't think it was as great as the other books I've given five stars, why is why I'm lowering its rating.
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow is a retelling of the Norwegian fairytale East of the Sun, West of the Moon. I had never been exposed to the story before, so I can't really compare the two - however, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. Jessica Day George keeps the plot moving without sacrificing ...more
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow is a retelling of the Norwegian fairytale East of the Sun, West of the Moon. I had never been exposed to the story before, so I can't really compare the two - however, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. Jessica Day George keeps the plot moving without sacrificing ...more
Thoughts on the Overall Book: I've never not liked one of Jessica Day Geroge's books and this one has turned into a new favorite. It was just lovely in every way her stories usually are and was a very enjoyable read.
Cover--Yea or Nay: I do like the cover, it's not bad, but it's not super interesting either nor does it look like the girl. I think it should have the ice palace instead.
Characters: The Lass, as she is named (or not named really) is a lovely character, and very typical to Jessica's h ...more
Cover--Yea or Nay: I do like the cover, it's not bad, but it's not super interesting either nor does it look like the girl. I think it should have the ice palace instead.
Characters: The Lass, as she is named (or not named really) is a lovely character, and very typical to Jessica's h ...more
Having read a similar story before, I could roughly guess what the story was about but I was curious as to how this one would be different. And it was indeed different.
The story, for me, was very slow-paced and nothing much ever happened. After the first few days "the lass" spent wandering around the palace, it gets pretty repetitive. She gets curious, she asks one of the servants, they die. You would think that at some point she would realize that she should STOP asking or find other ways to fi ...more
The story, for me, was very slow-paced and nothing much ever happened. After the first few days "the lass" spent wandering around the palace, it gets pretty repetitive. She gets curious, she asks one of the servants, they die. You would think that at some point she would realize that she should STOP asking or find other ways to fi ...more
This story is about a girl, the youngest in a family of twelve children, a girl with no name. The lass, she is called by her older brother, Hans-Peter. They live in a fantasy version of Nothern Europe, where snow is always falling and the families are always cold. After being effected by the enchantment of a White Reindeer, the lass finds she can talk to animals… And when she has a sudden encounter with a magical bear, called an isbjorn (which literally means ice bear), the lass heads off on a j
...more
A sweet rendition of the classic fairy tale. Enjoyed the read.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crazy for Young A...: October: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George | 1 | 7 | Oct 01, 2018 02:25PM | |
| 2017 Reading Chal...: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow | 1 | 12 | Aug 26, 2015 09:14AM | |
| Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 3 | Feb 23, 2015 06:19PM |
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Jessica Day George likes chocolate, knitting, books, travel, movies, dragons, horses, dogs, and her family. These are all things to keep in mind if you ever meet her. For instance, you could bring her chocolate to make the meeting go more smoothly. You could also talk about how adorable her children are, even if you have never seen them. You could discuss dog breeds (she had a Maltese named Pippin
...more
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“Love you always, miss you always... running day and night, leaving the place of sun and moon, of ice and snow.
Never look back, never forget.”
—
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Never look back, never forget.”
“And the prince who had once been a bear pulled close the girl who had once had no name, and kissed her.”
—
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