emiann2023's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a huge fan of retellings. Most times they don't do much for me. With a few notable exceptions (Renee Ahdieh).
So I found this book. And despite its similarities to the tale of beauty and the beast, it is a story all it's own, rich ans vibrant and alive.
Echo and Hal are the kind of couple born through self-sacrifice and trouble, and they were a joy to read about. The twists weren't bad, and the ending was wholesome. Overall a good read.
So I found this book. And despite its similarities to the tale of beauty and the beast, it is a story all it's own, rich ans vibrant and alive.
Echo and Hal are the kind of couple born through self-sacrifice and trouble, and they were a joy to read about. The twists weren't bad, and the ending was wholesome. Overall a good read.
banana83854's review against another edition
5.0
***ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!***
This breathtaking story was everything I knew and didn't know I wanted. A retelling of the east of the sun, west of the moon fairy tale, Meyer's vast landscapes, heartfelt characters, and enchanting magic gave so much "scope for the imagination" to quote Anne Shirley. This was a hard-to-put-down kind of story. And the little twist toward the end surprised even me. I, for one, think this book needs to get a lot more attention than it's currently getting and I am anxious to read much more from this author. Thank you Joanna, and job well done!
This breathtaking story was everything I knew and didn't know I wanted. A retelling of the east of the sun, west of the moon fairy tale, Meyer's vast landscapes, heartfelt characters, and enchanting magic gave so much "scope for the imagination" to quote Anne Shirley. This was a hard-to-put-down kind of story. And the little twist toward the end surprised even me. I, for one, think this book needs to get a lot more attention than it's currently getting and I am anxious to read much more from this author. Thank you Joanna, and job well done!
cyntismiles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is inspired by one of my favorite fairytales/folk tales “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” so it had an edge from the beginning. I’ve read a number of books based on this fairytale and I thought this was the best riff on that story. It’s not a straight retelling which I enjoyed because I know that story from front to back.
There were a lot of added elements which I thought were interesting. I am a sucker for magical books to the magical library was a fun little touch. Although more was added, I didn’t feel that too much was happening throughout the book.
A part near the end got a little wobbly and weird but it didn’t ruin the book for me. It just mad me think “huh that’s an interesting choice I don’t think is necessary” but that part was over pretty quickly and the actual wrapping up of the story was enjoyable.
This book is a young adult book and I am not the target audience. Because of this, there were a number of reveals that were obvious to me far before the main character figured them out. This could also be my familiarity with the fairytale. But even so, some parts are very “young adult fantasy”. It wasn’t so much that it got in the way of the story but I could tell as an adult reader. If I were a teen/preteen, I don’t think I would have noticed these things and would have been all over this book.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fresher take on “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” and enjoyed young adult fantasy.
There were a lot of added elements which I thought were interesting. I am a sucker for magical books to the magical library was a fun little touch. Although more was added, I didn’t feel that too much was happening throughout the book.
A part near the end got a little wobbly and weird but it didn’t ruin the book for me. It just mad me think “huh that’s an interesting choice I don’t think is necessary” but that part was over pretty quickly and the actual wrapping up of the story was enjoyable.
This book is a young adult book and I am not the target audience. Because of this, there were a number of reveals that were obvious to me far before the main character figured them out. This could also be my familiarity with the fairytale. But even so, some parts are very “young adult fantasy”. It wasn’t so much that it got in the way of the story but I could tell as an adult reader. If I were a teen/preteen, I don’t think I would have noticed these things and would have been all over this book.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fresher take on “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” and enjoyed young adult fantasy.
littleknit10's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
klara_hansen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
fizzy_lizard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
13delathauwere's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
acarman1's review against another edition
4.0
A full blooded retelling of the Norwegian fairy tale--East of the Sun, West of the Moon--a story very similar to the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche and to the Grimm Fairy Tale Beauty and the Beast. In it we follow young Echo, the half-orphan daughter of a bookseller, whose attempt to rescue a white wolf in a trap goes very wrong and leaves her with a face full of scars. One day she meets the white wolf again and is deceived by him into coming and living with him in a magical house for a full year. But as time goes on and they grow closer, she also begins to suspect that he isn't being entirely truthful with her. She decides that she must figure out a way to save him from his enchantment but it is difficult to do so, when you don't know who is holding all the cards. Who is the mysterious Queen of the Wood who has enchanted the House? Who are the friend Echo meets in the library--a carefree young man named Hal and an adventurous girl named Mokosh? Who can she trust? Meyer does an excellent job fleshing out characters into well rounded individuals with agendas and motives of their own, a curious mix of the self-absorbed and the heroic. Fans of northern European mythology, fans of winter literature, or even just people who enjoy a good fantasy will love the book.
alba_1994's review against another edition
It just lost its pace in de middle, the characters also felt a bit flat