Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

The lass is the youngest of the woodcutter's children. Her mother was so upset that she had another child, let alone another girl, that she refused to even give her a name. The lass grows up, and is delighted when her older brother, Hans Peter, comes home from the sea. Hans Peter is cursed upon his return and is forever depressed, but he enjoys the lass's company and teaches her how to read the strange symbols in his wood carvings.

When the lass is sixteen, rumors of an isborjn, a white polar bear, surround the village. The lass has been gifted with the ability to talk to animals. Upon hearing of this gift, the white polar bear seeks the lass out and asks her to join him at the palace of ice for one year. Hans Peter tries to argue that she can not go, but the bear promises her family riches if the lass joins him. The lass agrees and travels with him to the ice palace.

While there, she meets an array of magical creatures. All seem to be under enchantments of the evil troll princess. There's also a mysterious visitor to the lass's room every evening, but she is unable to see his face or talk to the stranger, and each morning he has disappeared.

Thanks to Hans Peter's carvings, the lass realizes that she can read the carvings on the wall, which tell stories of the spells and curses the troll princess has cast. When the lass's own isborjn is taken away by the troll princess, the lass must risk everything she has to find the palace East of the sun and West of the moon and break the curse upon him.

A beautifully written tale of spells, magic, romance, and wit, SUN AND MOON, ICE AND SNOW is a retelling of the Nordic tale, EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON. Author Jessica Day George adds depth to the story and background to the characters that makes this retelling stand out on its own. The story itself is reminiscent of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, but SUN AND MOON, ICE AND SNOW holds its own surprises.

The reader will be enchanted by the story of the lass and her isborjn. This is a stunning tale that deserves to be read again and again.

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This is almost exactly like Edith Pattou's book "East." Now, I understand they're both based on the same legend. And, obviously, there are only so many ways one can write a story about the same legend. However, I thought the author could have at least tried to infuse this legend with something new. As it is, this book has been written before - by Pattou. I thought "East" was far better in terms of writing style, and, also, when I read "East", I hadn't ever heard of the legend before. So, it was all new to me. Reading this one held no surprises, and it was like reading the same story over, except by a different author, with very, very slight modifications.

I really think there could be other creative ways to interpret this legend. So, I'm not sure whether the author didn't do her research (didn't know about "East") or if she just didn't care.

My advice is to skip this one, and head on over to Edith Pattou's "East". I think it's superior both in terms of writing style, and the characters.

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This is the first book I have read by Jessica Day George. Overall I really enjoyed this book. This was a quick read, written in a classic fairy tale style.

The main character was never named by her mother, but her siblings called her pika. She has numerous brothers and sisters, and they all live on the brink of starvation in a small cottage. Two things happen to change pika's life forever. The first happens when she stumbles upon, and rescues, a white deer. The deer offers to grant her one wish, and pika wishes for a name, which the deer whispers to her. Then later a great white bear shows up on pika's doorstep and demands that she come and live with him in a castle made of ice for one year and one day.

This was a very entertaining story. Pika was a great character; she is accepting of things, and very caring, but deep down has a strength and toughness to her. Her older brother is also an interesting an mysterious character. Of course, the giant white bear, is another fascinating character. The book is beautifully written and gracefully moves through the plot. I had a lot of trouble tearing myself away from this book. In fact I read it all over the course of one day. There isn't a ton of action, but the mystery surrounding the palace of ice really pulled me in and kept me guessing.

If you like fairy tales; you will love this one. It is a easy read, the character never ends up in too much trouble. This is a softer fairy tale but creative and fascinating all the same. At times it reminded me a bit of "Beauty and the Beast"; I know it is based on an old folk tale, so that may be why it evokes that image for me.

While I probably won't re-read this story; but it was a wonderful and pleasant read and made me interested in reading more of Jessica Day George's books.

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