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The Bear Kings #1
East of the Sun
A curse from long ago. An ancient lineage of kings. And three teenagers who are about to find out that fairy tales are more than just stories…
Saedis and Sola grew up in the shadow of the White Mountain, surrounded by stories of magical animals and wicked trolls. Saedis never once thought they were real—until a beast out of legend took her younger sister…
Ash wants nothing more than to be a storyteller, living a life of adventure like the heroes in his tales. Unfortunately, what he’s got are no prospects, a bad reputation, and no direction. Until he meets a girl who tells him the stories are real…
Now Sola is trapped in a magical world outside of their own, entangled in an ancient curse that seems to have lain in wait just for her. When bear kings and trolls vie for power and magic can take on a life of its own, danger lurks in every shadow. Somehow, Saedis, Sola, and Ash must find each other before the bright lands claim their freedom—or their lives…
East of the Sun is book one in the saga of the Bear Kings, an epic fairy tale adventure set in a world based on Norwegian folklore.
Saedis and Sola grew up in the shadow of the White Mountain, surrounded by stories of magical animals and wicked trolls. Saedis never once thought they were real—until a beast out of legend took her younger sister…
Ash wants nothing more than to be a storyteller, living a life of adventure like the heroes in his tales. Unfortunately, what he’s got are no prospects, a bad reputation, and no direction. Until he meets a girl who tells him the stories are real…
Now Sola is trapped in a magical world outside of their own, entangled in an ancient curse that seems to have lain in wait just for her. When bear kings and trolls vie for power and magic can take on a life of its own, danger lurks in every shadow. Somehow, Saedis, Sola, and Ash must find each other before the bright lands claim their freedom—or their lives…
East of the Sun is book one in the saga of the Bear Kings, an epic fairy tale adventure set in a world based on Norwegian folklore.
- GenresFantasy
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2023
74 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 19, 2023
A wonderfully-told tale that doesn't disappoint
"East of the Sun: An Epic Fairytale Adventure" by A. E. Becker is a retelling of the Norwegian folk tales, collected in "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" and other books, but it is so much more. The author blends together elements from multiple versions of the folk tales, plus fairy tales and legends from other countries and a healthy dose of her own creations into an enchanting and engaging novel filled with believably complex characters whose mundane solid world turns all topsy-turvy as the old stories and legends come to life and swallow them up. As the family members respond to the challenges of a world gone mad they make new friends and fearsome enemies. A human boy with a gift for story-telling recounts various legends at crucial points to provide context to enrich the story of the novel, but because it is a tale where myths and legends are revealed to be true there are also talking animals, fantastic creatures, and monsters aplenty. The system of magic with unique, secretive spells, curses, and marvelous artifacts is unique, inventive, and believable within this world. The heroes of the story and their allies have complicated motivations, and their actions are not always brave and true. The antagonists and villains are similarly portrayed in realistic fashion. Even the most evil-seeming are revealed to be motivated by feelings of family and devotion, twisted though those relationships have become. And then there are the creature-characters Diamond and the puk. So much deliciousness!
If you love imaginative retellings of folk tales like the "Wicked" series by Gregory Maguire and the Keltiad books by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison or the world-building of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman then I think you'll like this book. It is harder for me to find parallels to the author's writing style. I think it might be called "grounded whimsy." There are elements of L. Frank Baum and C. S. Lewis, as well as some harder edges to the story as you might find in C. J. Cherryh or Marion Zimmer Bradley. Becker's prose sings its own tune, though, easy and lilting and full of half-remembered fragments from other legends and your own dreams. This is the first half of the story. A second novel, "West of the Moon", is promised to complete the tale in the fall of 2023. I, for one, can hardly wait for its publication. Get this book. You'll not be disappointed.
"East of the Sun: An Epic Fairytale Adventure" by A. E. Becker is a retelling of the Norwegian folk tales, collected in "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" and other books, but it is so much more. The author blends together elements from multiple versions of the folk tales, plus fairy tales and legends from other countries and a healthy dose of her own creations into an enchanting and engaging novel filled with believably complex characters whose mundane solid world turns all topsy-turvy as the old stories and legends come to life and swallow them up. As the family members respond to the challenges of a world gone mad they make new friends and fearsome enemies. A human boy with a gift for story-telling recounts various legends at crucial points to provide context to enrich the story of the novel, but because it is a tale where myths and legends are revealed to be true there are also talking animals, fantastic creatures, and monsters aplenty. The system of magic with unique, secretive spells, curses, and marvelous artifacts is unique, inventive, and believable within this world. The heroes of the story and their allies have complicated motivations, and their actions are not always brave and true. The antagonists and villains are similarly portrayed in realistic fashion. Even the most evil-seeming are revealed to be motivated by feelings of family and devotion, twisted though those relationships have become. And then there are the creature-characters Diamond and the puk. So much deliciousness!
If you love imaginative retellings of folk tales like the "Wicked" series by Gregory Maguire and the Keltiad books by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison or the world-building of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman then I think you'll like this book. It is harder for me to find parallels to the author's writing style. I think it might be called "grounded whimsy." There are elements of L. Frank Baum and C. S. Lewis, as well as some harder edges to the story as you might find in C. J. Cherryh or Marion Zimmer Bradley. Becker's prose sings its own tune, though, easy and lilting and full of half-remembered fragments from other legends and your own dreams. This is the first half of the story. A second novel, "West of the Moon", is promised to complete the tale in the fall of 2023. I, for one, can hardly wait for its publication. Get this book. You'll not be disappointed.
April 20, 2023
It is a rare book #1 that leaves me craving book #2 immediately, but there's something about a fairytale that just draws you in. I'm a sucker for archetypal characters in fantastic situations and settings, including a mythic underworld, and this book delivered it all.
March 24, 2023
Quite like a Grimm's tale...
I had no idea what to expect of this debut book. I've never read an epic fairytale adventure before either. I was pleasantly surprised by a manuscript that needed no editing as so many do these days. A big plus in my book. I also found very solid writing. Excellent description along with natural conversation and action. The world building and magic were very good. I particularly liked the descriptions of the part when Saelis releases each of the magical dogs. The tension created by the surroundings and the build-up with the release of each dog as they get scarier and more dangerous makes for wonderful reading. Though the dogs were intended to do damage, Saelis managed to get their cooperation to do what she needed on her quest. I had a hard time connecting to the troll character, Efina. She was disruptive and devious, a total schemer. She wanted one thing, and she didn't even really know why she wanted that. Once she got it, she wasn't happy with it. It didn't do what she thought it would do for her. Fickle.
Basically, we have an enchanted being that needs someone to break the enchantment under certain circumstances. Those involved in the enchantment can't discuss it. The enchantment doesn't allow them to. So they just have to hope that they find the right person to break the enchantment without breaking the rules. When the rules are broken, all sorts of things go wrong. The enchanted being has to go marry someone else against his will. The rule breaker tries to fix things using the bits and pieces of magic left around, and her quest goes wonky. Her sister wants to rescue her from the whole mess, so she sets off on a quest with a friend. Her brother is going to save her, and he sets off as well. So, all sorts of people are trapsing around in this magical landscape and running into magical characters and traps they aren't prepared to deal with but somehow figure a way to deal with. Some of them make friends. Some of them make enemies. Some of them gain powers they never could have imagined. But at the sudden ending of the book, no one has found their sister or the enchanted being, and one of them may be dying of their wounds. The author tells us all will be resolved in book two, out in the fall of 2023. I don't like sudden endings that require a second book. But, the story and the writing really are quite worth a recommendation. Recommended.
I had no idea what to expect of this debut book. I've never read an epic fairytale adventure before either. I was pleasantly surprised by a manuscript that needed no editing as so many do these days. A big plus in my book. I also found very solid writing. Excellent description along with natural conversation and action. The world building and magic were very good. I particularly liked the descriptions of the part when Saelis releases each of the magical dogs. The tension created by the surroundings and the build-up with the release of each dog as they get scarier and more dangerous makes for wonderful reading. Though the dogs were intended to do damage, Saelis managed to get their cooperation to do what she needed on her quest. I had a hard time connecting to the troll character, Efina. She was disruptive and devious, a total schemer. She wanted one thing, and she didn't even really know why she wanted that. Once she got it, she wasn't happy with it. It didn't do what she thought it would do for her. Fickle.
Basically, we have an enchanted being that needs someone to break the enchantment under certain circumstances. Those involved in the enchantment can't discuss it. The enchantment doesn't allow them to. So they just have to hope that they find the right person to break the enchantment without breaking the rules. When the rules are broken, all sorts of things go wrong. The enchanted being has to go marry someone else against his will. The rule breaker tries to fix things using the bits and pieces of magic left around, and her quest goes wonky. Her sister wants to rescue her from the whole mess, so she sets off on a quest with a friend. Her brother is going to save her, and he sets off as well. So, all sorts of people are trapsing around in this magical landscape and running into magical characters and traps they aren't prepared to deal with but somehow figure a way to deal with. Some of them make friends. Some of them make enemies. Some of them gain powers they never could have imagined. But at the sudden ending of the book, no one has found their sister or the enchanted being, and one of them may be dying of their wounds. The author tells us all will be resolved in book two, out in the fall of 2023. I don't like sudden endings that require a second book. But, the story and the writing really are quite worth a recommendation. Recommended.
January 13, 2025
4⭐
*｡ Plot = 4⭐ ｡*
I liked the plot a lot.
At times, I felt it was like a fever dream however. Which I didn't love so much. It was a really unusual book especially for a YA fantasy. I really liked how it was unique. It's based on a Norwegian folklore tale which I know nothing about but I didn't feel stupid or at a disadvantage not knowing it.
*｡ Characters = 5⭐ ｡*
The way she wrote every character made me care about each character.
Ash: the storyteller, the boy with no prospects and a family who doesn't want him who would put himself in danger to help Sola and Saedis.
Saedis: the eldest sister, who carries her family's strifes on her shoulders and who has a brave personality. She cares so much about Sola that she would run, fight on a broken heel to rescue her.
Sola: the second eldest sister, who wants to prove herself and gives up her whole life for her family. She cares so much about people that she tries to free the imprisoned winds.
Mora Drana: Sola and Saedis' grandmother... who knows something but what? And how is she connected to the bear kings?
*｡ Writing = 4.5⭐ ｡*
I love her writing style. It is very lyrical and beautiful. Although you have to concentrate so it is not the easiest read, the pay off is worth it.
There are some spelling mistakes however.
Bottom line: this book is criminally underrated and I highly, highly recommend. Please buy this book 🙏🏻
*｡ Plot = 4⭐ ｡*
I liked the plot a lot.
At times, I felt it was like a fever dream however. Which I didn't love so much. It was a really unusual book especially for a YA fantasy. I really liked how it was unique. It's based on a Norwegian folklore tale which I know nothing about but I didn't feel stupid or at a disadvantage not knowing it.
*｡ Characters = 5⭐ ｡*
The way she wrote every character made me care about each character.
Ash: the storyteller, the boy with no prospects and a family who doesn't want him who would put himself in danger to help Sola and Saedis.
Saedis: the eldest sister, who carries her family's strifes on her shoulders and who has a brave personality. She cares so much about Sola that she would run, fight on a broken heel to rescue her.
Sola: the second eldest sister, who wants to prove herself and gives up her whole life for her family. She cares so much about people that she tries to free the imprisoned winds.
Mora Drana: Sola and Saedis' grandmother... who knows something but what? And how is she connected to the bear kings?
*｡ Writing = 4.5⭐ ｡*
I love her writing style. It is very lyrical and beautiful. Although you have to concentrate so it is not the easiest read, the pay off is worth it.
There are some spelling mistakes however.
Bottom line: this book is criminally underrated and I highly, highly recommend. Please buy this book 🙏🏻
May 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this adventure!
When a group of teenagers become entangled with an ancient curse, they do everything they can to set things right. Not just for themselves, but the magical animals who were originally bound to it.
We follow Saedis, Sola, and Ash—a pair of sisters, and a boy who wishes to tell stories and live the life of a hero. One of the sisters is taken (somewhat willingly), and the others set out to find her. Each seek their own path to setting things right; but while their paths may differ, they are aligned in their goals.
A tale based on Norwegian folklore, lovers of fantasy and epic adventures will enjoy East of the Sun. I know I enjoyed it, and I can't wait to see how the story ends in book two.
When a group of teenagers become entangled with an ancient curse, they do everything they can to set things right. Not just for themselves, but the magical animals who were originally bound to it.
We follow Saedis, Sola, and Ash—a pair of sisters, and a boy who wishes to tell stories and live the life of a hero. One of the sisters is taken (somewhat willingly), and the others set out to find her. Each seek their own path to setting things right; but while their paths may differ, they are aligned in their goals.
A tale based on Norwegian folklore, lovers of fantasy and epic adventures will enjoy East of the Sun. I know I enjoyed it, and I can't wait to see how the story ends in book two.
March 4, 2024
I have read a few retelling of my favorite folk tale , east of the sun West of the moon, and they all had similar settings and what not. Don't get me wrong I'm not bothered by that as I enjoy reading authors own take on the tale. But this book really took me by surprise. A. E. Becker took the folk tale and took it to another level. It was not what expected and I love it. To expand on the world and give a deeper background to the curse and the characters added more to the story. I don't really have anything negative to say about the book only to say that in love it. Going to read the next book now lol.
January 21, 2024
A.E. Becker shares a most excellently woven tale with folklore and fairy tales woven into a magical world of in-betweens and different realities coinciding in a fantastical story well-written. Delve into the characters with zeal and become a part of their world as you read! It is worth reading the first time and the second and the third! You won't want to miss this book! Then move on to the sequel to it, as well!
May 3, 2024
Fans of The Bear and the Nightingale and Spinning Silver will find much to love in this charming and adventure-filled tale. An impressive debut set in colorfully described realms, filled with determined, likeable characters and an interesting, mysterious magic. Good for adult and young adult audiences. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
November 5, 2024
Ah what a grand adventure!
Feels like being plucked from our world and plopped into fairytales. Like sitting at Granny's knee by the fire and listening to tales you can truly imagine. Like a journey through a dream and you don't want to wake. Well done.
Feels like being plucked from our world and plopped into fairytales. Like sitting at Granny's knee by the fire and listening to tales you can truly imagine. Like a journey through a dream and you don't want to wake. Well done.
September 22, 2025
Wonderful story engaging from beginning
Loved the characters each and everyone! Oh the secrets we keep and how they come out. Great read. The histories we choose not to share are sometimes the key to the ouzzle.
Loved the characters each and everyone! Oh the secrets we keep and how they come out. Great read. The histories we choose not to share are sometimes the key to the ouzzle.
August 25, 2025
A lovely compilation of fairy tales into a storyline that makes sense. Story is completed in book 2.
January 6, 2026
A wonderful kickoff novel. The characters are engaging and relatable. Because the fantasy setting is based in folk tales, the world and magic are mysterious while still feeling familiar. The language is wonderfully descriptive. There were some abrupt scene changes or plot advancements but the pacing improved throughout the book. I am excited for the rest of the series; congratulations on publishing this and keep up the great work, A.E. Becker!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews