Things I Liked:
I love this fairy tale and have enjoyed a couple of other retellings. This one is its own unique take on the tale, setting it in modern times and having Bear be the keeper of polar bear souls. I enjoyed the setting in the Arctic, since that is a place I know next to nothing about. I think Durst did an excellent job of making the story her own and still keeping to that basic tale that seems to fascinate us so much. I really liked how Cassie was very independent and strong, but still manages to change in ways that we respect. And I didn't see that ending coming - very nicely done!
Things I Didn't Like:
I didn't think there was quite enough romance for me. I think it is difficult to spend the time (in a book, anyway) growing a relationship between characters when nothing is really happening, but I thought Cassie became attached to Bear rather suddenly. Also, Bear kinda annoyed me sometimes with his acting like he already loved her when he really didn't know her at all.
Read-alikes:
East by Edith Pattou
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (Psyche and Eros myth)
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a few throughout
mrg-factor: X
very much off-the-page, but they do get married, etc.
v-factor: ->
some mild violence/action
Overall rating: ****
Have you read retellings of this story? What's your favorite?
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