East, written beautifully by Edith Pattou, is a must-read for everyone.  It is a variation on the Norse legend “East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon” and stays true to the main points of the story while making the book original and fresh.  This is definitely the best rewrite of the tale I’ve read, filled with poetic script and deep meaning.

The story centers around Ebba Rose, who was conceived to replace her dead sister, and the adventures that come about when a talking white bear whisks her away to a castle in a mountain, promising her family health and fortune.  After betraying her white bear, she must journey to the place that is east of the sun and west of the moon to make amends and rescue him from a terrible fate.

The book addresses subjects such as superstition, magic, curiosity, and love.  It is a thrilling read, and the author narrates from multiple points of view.  While reading, I was taught life lessons and morals (such as putting others before yourself), and the book was realistic enough to keep me reading while including enough fantasy to captivate me.

I can truly say this is a masterpiece of a tale woven into old Norway.  It brings imagination to the mind and food for the thought and you cannot stop reading.