Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Woodcutter Jarl and his wife have nine children; when the last one is born and turns out to be a fifth daughter, her mother refuses to give her a name, believing that sons are more useful. Her family refers to her as "pika" (girl), although her favorite brother, Hans Peter, who traveled the world on a ship calls her "lass." The country where they live has been immersed in a nearly-unending winter, which makes life difficult. So when a giant enchanted polar bear (isbjorn) shows up one night and asks the pika to live with him for year, she agrees to go if he'll ensure that her family finds fortune while she's gone. The isbjorn takes her to a castle made of ice that has all the comforts she could want, except that it starts to feel like a prison. The more questions she asks, the more servants start disappearing and she begins to fear what could happen; but that doesn't stop her from trying to find answers--and risk ruining everything...

This is a fairly good retelling of the fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon, though there aren't really many surprises. I was a little disappointed that some of the plot points introduced at the start of the story that seemed important never really amounted to anything. However, I did enjoy it and I was interested to see what would happen. I would definitely recommend this to fantasy fans who like to read fairy tale retellings or who want something set in the "real world" that's a little out of the ordinary.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Seer and the Sword, Fablehaven, Howl's Moving Castle, or Auralie: A Fairy Tale

East & Once Upon a Winter's Night

Both of these books retell and expand the Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon. If you want to read a traditional version, there is one here, although the annotations are a little odd.

In East, by Edith Pattou, Rose is the youngest child of a superstitious mother and a map-maker turned farmer. Although Rose's mother wants her to settle down, Rose has a wandering spirit and longs for adventure. Told from the point of view of five different characters: Father, Neddy, Rose, White Bear, Troll Queen, it explores what happens when a young girl follows her own destiny and discovers a world of magic.

Once Upon a Winter's Night by Dennis L. McKiernan sets the same story in France where Camille and her large family are huddled in their cottage to wait out the winter when a large white bear brings them a message from the Prince of Summerland in Faery. He has heard her singing in a field and asks for her hand in marriage (offering a substantial sum of money to her parents). Although Camille is unsure, she hopes that her ill younger brother will benefit from her sacrifice. Soon however, she falls in love with the prince and then must find a way to save him.

These books tell the same general story although they take it in different directions and imbue it with different flavors. Pattou's story is intriguing because the multiple points of view give it more facets and depth, even though McKiernan's version tells the story in much more detail, drawing out each segment of the tale. The second version is more romantic in some respects and also more adult (recommended for older teens) but I really enjoyed both books: the way that East stuck to the 'real world' (except for the magic, of course) and the way that Once Upon a Winter Night explored Faery. Fantasy fans, in particular those who enjoy fairy tales, should definitely check these out.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wicked Lovely, Spirit Fox, Firebird, or Black Pearls