East

East, written by Edith Pattou, is a gripping novel about a young girl named Rose. Rose is told she was born to the East, yet she discovers that she was in truth born to the North. Feeling betrayed by her family for keeping this secret from her, she decides to leave with a large white bear who shows up on the doorstep one night. The bear promises health and wealth for Rose's family, if she goes away with him. Rose is taken to a large castle in the mountains, and every night finds a visitor who comes into her room and sleeps. Curious in nature, she decides to find out who the stranger is, not knowing that her mere curiosity could lead to utter unhappiness for the white bear. She tries to go and find him, trapped in the land that lays "east of the sun and west of the moon" with a troll queen. This is a mystical fantasy that explores the depths of imagination.

Stars: * * * * * 5/5