East is a beautifully written retelling of East of the Sun West of the Moon. West takes reader’s back to the richly detailed land of ice and snow. Having read East 15 years ago, I thought it only fair to give it a reread before reading and reviewing West. I thoroughly enjoyed reading East again but I do not think that it is necessarily essential for a reader to read East before West. There is enough background given to fill a reader in on past events.

For me, West is everything East was and more. The novel is full of references to mythology and folklore. There is more talk about the winds and wind magic, something that was lacking in the first book despite its presence in the original myth. We see more of the characters that we only just got a slight insight to previously – Charles, Estelle, Neddy, and a few new characters.

The book is quite fast paced. The chapters change between points of view which allow the reader to gain insight into the emotions of all the different characters. You can really feel the struggle Rose goes through.

Overall, I loved this book.

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**

What a wonderful addition to Rose's story. I especially liked that in the introduction, the author/narrator explained why there is a sequel so long after the original and that the plot of East was referenced for those who didn't want or couldn't re-read East first. Rose's reunion with Charles was heartbreaking and felt real. I liked the subplots involving the secondary characters. It was well worth the wait.

West is a delightful fantasy novel, gorgeously pieced together with adventure and folklore it is sure to please fans of East and new readers alike.

East (though it will always be North Child to me) is one of my most favourite books. I love its beautiful writing, elegant and so very imaginative in its simplicity. I love the fairytale remix. I love the strength of Rose, her curiosity, wandering spirit and determination. I love the short chapters written from the perspectives of multiple characters which detail the story. I love the White Bear and I love Rose’s love for him. And so, when a sequel was announced, some 15 years after the publication of East, to say I was excited might have been a huge understatement. And yet, sometimes a new title after so many years, an extra part of a story which you thought completed, can sometimes be a disappointment. Fear not, because West is every bit as beautiful, magnificent and wondrous as East. It continues Rose and the White Bear’s story as if the ink on the pages of East had only freshly dried. It carries the same heart, the same creative storytelling in its unique and simple way. It doesn’t undo any of the happy ending of the first book, but simply continues the story. And it has made this reader very, very happy.

I am so glad that West gives me the opportunity to share afresh my love for East and Edit Pattou’s writing, to share with a new generation of young (and young-at-heart) readers Rose’s stunning story of adventure, determination and love. The release of West is the perfect time to read or reread East.

In East, Rose had to travel east of the sun and west of the moon to rescue her White Bear. Now she and Charles have started a family. By when a sudden storm destroys the ship Charles is sailing on and he is reported dead in mysterious circumstances Rose sets out once again to rescue him.

West is a combination of everything I love in a beautiful fantasy novel. It combines legends and fairytales and weaves them through Rose’s story. It is both adventurous and full of surprise twists. I honestly felt a little sorry for Rose for the constant stream of challenges thrown her way and yet she never, ever gives up. She is the epitome of a strong and determined character and joining her on her journey and quest is a delight. West also features the importance of family. Neddy once again shares his perspective in short chapters throughout the book, as does Rose’s mother and Rose’s adopted young charge. And of course, no fairytale retelling would be compete without romance. The strong connection between Rose and Charles is challenged, but their determination and devotion to one another is clear. We readers also also treated to a second love story - that of Rose’s brother Neddy.

Magic, quests, challenges and games, ancient folklore and legends, the gorgeous and historic scenery of the northern Scandinavia, the wonderfully detailed characters and Edith Pattou’s unique and beautiful writing style, all work together to make West a pleasure to read.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

This review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon and my blog, Foxes and Fairy Tales, on https://foxesfairytale.wordpress.com/2018/10/06/review-west

West is the sequel to East (or North Child), a retelling of the Norwegian fairy tale, East of the Sun, West of the Moon. West continues the characters' adventure after they get their happily ever after. It's all the more interesting because Rose is a little older now, and is a wife and mother going out on a quest, something that I rarely get to see in fantasy adventures.

I'd say that, although the writing has the same 'fairy tale -esque', super simple, dreamy language feel of the first book, this one moves a lot faster into the action part of the story and feels faster paced. I read an eARC so I can't be sure of the page counts, but West definitely feels shorter that East. Although it's still beautifully written, and a wonderful adventure, I didn't feel like West added terribly much to the story overall. It just didn't capture the same magic that the first book had. I think fans of East will enjoy West, but I'm not sure it would hold up as well on its own.

Rose continues to be an amazing protagonist. She's really grown from the self-absorbed, contrary child she sometimes seemed to be at the very beginning of her story. In this book, she kicks all different kinds of ass. I love that although Rose is outdoorsy and wild, and goes off on these epic adventure quests, Pattou doesn't use this as an excuse to 'not-like-other-girls' and deride more feminine-coded interests. Although Rose wields a badass sword in this one, she also wins a fight with a sewing needle, and it's ultimately her creativity and skill at weaving which uncovers Winn's location. And the key! I won't spoil it, but gee-whizz! Rose is definitely one of my favourite heroines.

I really enjoyed this book. I also love how accurate the cover is with the tone and overall feelof the book. The story was whimsical and fantastical and I loved the main character.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

When I was younger, several years younger, I read East on a whim. It was a paperback copy from the library, and I loved it. It has stayed in my mind for years as one of my favourite retellings, deep and imaginative and filled with imagery you just can't forget. Browsing NetGalley and coming upon West was like finding an old friend - grown up, changed, but so familiar and lovely. Actually getting a copy to read was like Christmas.

I had forgotten that Pattou's storytelling is done in a choppy, plain way. It takes a bit of patience to get into her books, but it's well worth the time. She lays out her tales like brickwork, and they stick with you. Once you get into them, it's like reading an old fairytale - which is appropriate, as this is the sequel to a retelling.

West is a strong sequel, full of twists and turns. The characters are just as good as before, and are developed into stronger versions in this tale. Especially Rose.

I also love the glimpses of Norwegian culture that we get! Definitely give this a try if you like faerytales or Norwegian stories.

I think I've read almost all of Ms. Pattou's books and "West" was just as compelling as "North" as its sequel. It had been some years since I've read North and reading West brought the memories flooding back. I remembered Rose's determination in saving her Bear, and Rose's superstitious mother however now Rose is older, wiser, and a mother. Rose is once again on a journey to save those she loves and to do battle against the evil forces that she once believed to be gone forever. I can't wait to read more of Ms. Pattou's works.

Quality Rating: Three Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars

My rating for this one keeps jumping up and down. I was a bit underwhelmed while reading, but every time I put it down I'd find myself replaying little sections. In the end, having had the time to step back from it, I think of it more fondly than while I was reading. Take that as you will.

As an older reader, reading East again with its simplistic style didn't matter too much because it was fuelled by nostalgia. I adored it as a child. Reading a new story with its very straightforward writing was a bit harder. It's both a blessing and a curse because there's a timelessness to it, a real nod to fairytales. Its ambiguous style lifts it in some ways, but it also means that important twists and action scenes are underwhelming: they're described in three or four points and then it's finished. It's not quite as satisfying when you feel so personally attached to the characters (whereas in a fairytale the protagonist is often androgynous and unspecified).

Ultimately, as much as I enjoyed the parallels to the first story, it didn't add much new. If you broke down the structure of West it'd probably be identical to East, and when you consider that Rose is essentially on her own search again, the White Bear is trying to find this identity, and Neddy is trying to unite his people, it's the same story all over again. And, to be fair, we do look at different things, but I'm not as attached to them. Where East beat with a heart of exploration, filled with maps and compasses, West replaces them with more practical mountain climbing and wind directions. It's still interesting, and I suppose it's grown with the characters now in their adult forms, but it wasn't as whimsical. Worth the read? Yes. But maybe not so close to reading the first book.

How to make me love Rose even more than I already did? Give her a sword. Goddamnit, I am weak. Of course, Rose was already a heroine authors should look up to; she was active and determined without needing a weapon. I think she's scaled maybe three or four mountains largely by herself at this point. Most importantly, she empowers others. It stretches the imagination sometimes, how adoringly they all look at her, but I think it's believable too. She's the beating heart of this story (even though it was a shame we still don't really get to know Charles at all).

I was a bit disappointed while reading West, but the more I think about it the fonder I am of it. I remember it like a fairytale, and that's a hard thing to achieve, but it doesn't sit so much like a novel. It works better recounted than experienced.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

'North Child' or 'East' as it was repackaged, was a magical retelling of 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon', one of my favourite fairy tales. 'West' expands on the story with what happened to all the characters afterwards. First of all a round of applause for the author for keeping the fairy tale feel - most writers seem stymied after the HEA and end up creating something that feels very different. This felt like a fairy tale and contained bits of various fairy tales without being a retelling of a specific story. Second round of applause for such a dynamic heroine. I really like a story where the heroine has to use her wits and courage to get back the person she loves - which is why I've always enjoyed Tam Lynn retellings. Rose is a great character. Not traditionally beautiful but kind, clever and competent. This time around the quest is not due to her own actions - in the first book it was her own justifiable but fatal curiosity which caused the problem. This time it was an indirect result of her triumph last time as she seeks first her husband and then her child. Mothers are rarely put at the forefront of heroic tales especially in YA so that was a refreshing change. Once again the book contains a cast of engaging characters, dreamlike, descriptive and yet sparse prose and bits of history and folklore all seamlessly woven together. This was a highly enjoyable fantasy retelling with a strong, courageous heroine. Highly recommend for those who enjoy fairy tales.

North Child (aka East) was and still is one of my favourite books. Finding West on Netgalley, and then getting approved to read it was exciting. I was not let down. Folklore, fairytales, mythology, the magic of dreams and nightmares are all beautifully woven into this amazing novel. I don't want to give away more than I have to because it's amazing and I'm sure you will enjoy it. That said this is the second in a in a series (?) so I recommend reading east beforehand.

It's an immense pleasure to return to Edith Pattou's world of ice, wind, and magic. As a child, I greedily devoured East like one of the sumptuous meals in the castle. West is more of a slow burn, but all the more enjoyable for it's measured pace and studied character development. What a relief to go on another adventure with fearless Rose and her white bear!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital ARC of “West” by Edith Pattou. This book was a total surprise. I read and absolutely adored “East” and was so excited to find a sequel is being published. This book is as beautiful and gripping as I could have dreamed. The characters are still as wonderful as I remember and the writing is lyrical. When reading this story everything else just stops and I am transported to the world created by this amazing author. I am officially hooked on Edith Pattou’s novels.