East

A magical, epic adventure with the fearless heroine, Rose, named after a wind rose, symbolic compass Rose who finds her way in remote unbearable parts of the North. The fantasy novel encompasses the legend of trolls, love, commitment, poetry, power and control and determination.

I loved every moment of this story! It has a unique switching of point of view, which adds to the flavor. This retelling of the old fairytale is beautiful and captivating. I loved the sequel, West, just as much - So much that I read the two books in two nights because I had to know what happened. These books lead me to other similar books as well by Durst and George. Ice is the first and Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow is the other!! If you love folk tales and fairy tales, you will love this story.

I was shocked and appalled to see some of the reviews this deliciously chilly book has received. True, the point of view changes, but I never had any trouble following or being bored by the story. Pattou's prose is crisp and clean, but still evocative. The story is set in a Nordic landscape, but the tale is still heartwarming, and in some instances, heartbreaking. This is one of those books that you finish all giddy and exhilirated. You know, the kind that stops time and pokes at all the shivery places in your soul.

Ebba Rose - known simply as Rose to her family and friends - was different from the day she was born. It was clear from that tell-tale day that Rose was destined for something great. However, her superstitious mother keeps the strange circumstances of Rose's birth to herself, silencing her husband - Rose's father - from ever telling a soul, in the hopes that she can keep her daughter from leaving home, and fulfilling her destiny for an adventure. But even concealing the truth cannot stop Rose's inquisitive nature. So, one evening, when an enormous white bear appears at Rose's home, asking the teenager to accompany it on a journey to a magical castle in the woods, in exchange for her sister's health, and wealth for her family, Rose accepts the invitation - much to her family's chagrin - and travels the long distance atop the bear's back, to an empty castle, where, each night, a mysterious stranger joins her each night. But when Rose discovers the stranger's identity, she realizes that her journey has only just begun, and that she is destined for even more adventure. I was instantly attracted to EAST by its wonderful cover illustration, but when I read the back cover, the promise of adventure sealed the deal, and I purchased the book. I think it was one of the best decisions regarding literature I have ever made. EAST reminds you greatly of the story BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, though it is truly based on the fairytale EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON. Rose is an exciting heroine, who takes her daily life in the castle in stride; and the other characters dappled throughout the tale, from Rose's immediate family, to various evils lurking, and a few kind souls, all add to the stories pace, and keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Written in differentiating viewpoints by Rose, her father, older brother Neddy, the Troll Queen, and the White Bear, EAST is a story that will be eaten up by all who love a great fantasy novel. An epic novel that cannot be missed. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This is a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. To readers unfamiliar with the Norwegian fairy tale, think of "Beauty and the Beast" with an extra adventure tacked on to the end. (The main character is even named Rose.) I'll discuss Pattou's version at the end, but the bare bones of the fairy tale goes something like this: In exchange for her family's future well being, the youngest daughter offers to live with a bear in a distant castle, whom she suspects to be a prince under a spell. On a visit home (this is a very gentle confinement: our heroine has servants, good food, and can visit her parents if she promises to return), her mother and sisters question her easy acceptance of everything (rightly so, in my opinion) but can not convince her to stay home and forget the bear. Here is where the story diverges from Beauty and the Beast. Finally, the girl's mother and sisters convince her that her situation is weird, to say the least. They tell her to sneak up on the bear after dark with a candle and see if, as she suspects, he really does turn into a man at night. Our heroine agrees with predictable results: the bear's human form is very nice but she spills wax on his shirt and wakes him up. The bear's response is one of the things I've never understood about the fairy tale. Shortly put, "You've ruined everything, now I have to marry a troll and it's all your fault! Bye." When pressed for details, the bear (now in human form) explains about the spell and says if she had waited only one night more, it would have been broken. Now, of course, he has to marry the Troll Queen. He leaves wearing nothing but the night shirt with wax stain, but before he does, he mentions that the troll kingdom lies "east of the sun and west of the moon." This is very helpful and our heroine sets out immediately to rescue the bear. She has many adventures and finally hitches rides with the west wind and his brother the north wind to get to the Troll palace. After some more adventures, she rescues the prince (with no help from him), kills the queen, and destroys the palace, but not before rescuing some travelers waiting to be eaten. They return home (somehow), The prince formerly known as the bear marries her, and they live happily ever after. ********************************************************* What makes Pattou's version interesting: Pattou brings the stock characters of the tale to life and creates backgrounds and motivations for everyone Rose meets, from her family to the Queen to the new patron who helps her family after she leaves with the bear. The book is narrated by several different characters in turn, making for a facinating read. The bear's chapters, for instance, are told in poems. The best part, though, was finding out how Pattou incorporated all of the unanswered questions of the original tale in. Why did Rose and her family first agree to let her go but later wanted her to stay? Who was the prince and how could he go missing wit

I have read this book about 8 times and i have to say that i can never get enough of it! its a really great story about a young girl named Rose who is taken from her family by a white bear and is to live with him for two full moon phrases. I absoulty loved this book and recomended for people of all ages!