Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George is based on a folktale from Norway.  It tells the story of woodcutter, Jarl Oskarson's youngest daughter.  When she was born her mother was very unhappy about having another girl and refused to give her a name.  Thus, she was known only as 'pika', meaning 'girl'.  Being youngest, most of her siblings had moved out and on to lead their own lives.  Her older brother, Hans Peter, however, came back after years aboard a merchant ship, injured and broken.  He and Pika became very close.  Hans Peter was dismayed when a giant polar bear came seeking Pika, asking her to live with him in an ice castle in the north for one year, in exchange for wealth and riches for her family.  Pika agrees, at the encouragement of her greedy mother.  Pika could never have realized that Hans Peter knew much more about this situation than her let on.  During her year stay with the polar bear, many strange things happened to Pika, including a nightly visit from a strange man who wouldn't speak to her.  When her curiosity got the best of her, Pika lit a candle to get a good look at her visitor.  Unknowingly, this act ruined the deal the man had made with the evil Troll Princess.  Now, despite Pika and the stranger having fallen in love over the course of their time together, he was forced to marry the troll!  So, Pika calls upon all of her strength to travel into the trolls' realm and challenge the princess, risking her life and limb to save her true love.

When I read this book, I couldn't help but feel as though I already knew the story.  About half way through, I realized it was the folktale I was familiar with, not this particular version of it!  I really liked this book.  It was a great fantasy adventure.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books by Shannon Hale.