Review Detail

Life is cold and bleak in the Northlands and it has been for years. Pika doesnt remember when it was warm. Pika means girl, which is the equivalent of having no name. She is poor. She is the youngest of seven children. Her favorite brother, Hans Peter, has recently returned from an extended sea voyage faded, sad and gray. He spends his days carving strange figures out of wood. The third and, according to lore, lucky brother, Askeladden, would rather spend his days cavorting. He doesnt appear to be so lucky. Her mother dotes on Askeladden and complains about everyone else.

When the pika was twelve, a white reindeer was seen in the village. Anyone capturing the reindeer will be granted one wish. All the pikas brothers and sisters, except Hans Peter, run outside and join the search. The pika searches as well, and soon encounters the reindeer stuck in the brambles. Rather than capture it, she frees it and, in return, it grants her a wish. Unlike most people who wish for wealth and beauty, the pika wishes that the reindeer cure her brothers malaise. However, this wish is beyond its power. Unable to grant her true wish, it gives her a name, a very important attribute (and which will also keep her safe from trolls). Unbeknownst to her, it also grants her the ability to talk to animals.

When the pika was sixteen, a great white bear, isbjorn, was seen. Its pelt would bring the family a fortune and Askeladden hunts for it during a blizzard. While he was away, the door to their hut burst open to reveal a massive white figure. It was the isbjorn, itself. In return for granting her family wealth, it demands that the pika go away and live with him in a palace for a year. Over the objections of Hans Peter and her father, the pika accepts and is wisked away on the back of the bear to an ice castle in the far north. Thus begins an odyssey that will test her strength&and her wits.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow is a marvelous Scandinavian version of Beauty and the Beast, set in the cold north. Similar to Edith Pattous East, another wonderful book, this tells the story of a girl and a beast, living in an ice palace at the top of the world. Of course, the pika grows to love the isbjorn, but in order to keep her love out of the grip of the evil troll princess, she must outwit the princess. The characters are wonderful. The descriptions bring the action and scenery alive. This is a beautiful story and a must read. One of my 2008 favorites.