Review: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

by First Mate Keira

Title: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
Author: Jessica Day George
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 328
Grade Reading Level: 7th-10th Grade

Summary: Pika, the unnamed girl, is the youngest child in a large family. She lives in a place that has seen too much winter and not enough summer. On the day she releases a White Deer and is granted a boon, Pika’s life changes forever. She can talk to animals, she understands them and they her. News of her ability has traveled far so far it captures the attention of a giant polar bear who commands her to come away with him.

Why I started this book:

I chose this book because the novel promised to be a written version of the Norwegian Beauty and Beast fable White Bear, King Valemon legend. I also love and own The Polar Bear King movie. And also, because I really liked the Dragon Adventure trilogy by the author.

Likes:

That Pika didn’t have children and lose them the way the original tale goes.
When Prince Asher says (paraphrase), “How could I not love you after sleeping beside you, sharing your meals, and listening to you talk about your family for a year?”
The trolls fascination with tools. That was a good explanation and required no magic outside of their own to explain in the story.
Rollo, Pika’s wolf. I liked him as a character and guard dog.

Dislikes:

That Prince Asher was silent and dead asleep every night and that most of their conversations were limited when he was a polar bear even though Pika had the ability to hear and understand animals. Hans Peter’s sleep talking should have gone to Prince Asher. Overall too much tell and not enough show in the story for the romance to be convincing.
That Pika didn’t connect the human man and the polar bear despite constantly reading the troll language in the main hallway.
The multiple Polar Bear princes and silly females who always stupidly spy on the Isbjorn at night. It makes sense as the Troll Princess has lived for over 3000 years, but I felt it too much especially with Pika’s brother having been one.

Buy: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Rating: 2 Treasure Chests