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Twist of Tales
Of Ice And Promises: A retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Na'omi has fallen into the clutches of a mad man, and the only way out is to agree to an incredible challenge in which she must don the skin of a polar bear and keep silent. But, succeeding is not just up to Na'omi keeping up her end of the bargain.
Theo has only ever wanted to be a hero, but feels trapped in the responsibilities of caring for his family after his father dies.. When circumstances force his hand, an unexpected lifeline is thrown his way that gives him a chance to support his family and go on an adventure. But things are incredibly mysterious and he might not be able to stifle the curiosity that is sure to ruin everything.
Of Ice And Promises is a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
This book is part of A Twist of Tales, a series of nonmagical Christian genderbent fairy tale retellings with epic adventures and animal companions.
Theo has only ever wanted to be a hero, but feels trapped in the responsibilities of caring for his family after his father dies.. When circumstances force his hand, an unexpected lifeline is thrown his way that gives him a chance to support his family and go on an adventure. But things are incredibly mysterious and he might not be able to stifle the curiosity that is sure to ruin everything.
Of Ice And Promises is a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
This book is part of A Twist of Tales, a series of nonmagical Christian genderbent fairy tale retellings with epic adventures and animal companions.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've always been intrigued by East of the Sun, West of the Moon, but this the first time I've actually read a retelling of it! The way many of the elements of the story were pulled off were quite impressive, considering this was a non-magical retelling!
Characters:
Theo was a dear boy and I quite enjoyed him as the main POV. He had a good heart and was just very kind and considerate.
Na'omi was a sweet girl! And how the white bear aspect of the story was worked in was most impressive! It was well done and I quite enjoyed how throughly thought out that part was!
Thorn was such a cute like hawk! So sweet!
Also, Ciar! (Okay, so the horse wasn't in it a ton, but I like horses, okay!)
Melville...*shivers* Him, I do not like.
Romance:
Yes, a slow strangers to friends to lovers, very sweet.
Magic:
N/A
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
There isn't really anything much to note. A knock to the head and brief mention of blood, getting lost in s snow storm, being held at knife point, and getting attacked/hurt by a *cough* bird.
Overall:
This was a fun retelling, my brain and the writing style didn't get along, but honestly that's definitely a me thing. The longer I read the easier it was, but at first my brain just rebelled. XD
It was a great story and those who love non-magical fairytale retelling with a Victorian esq feel will love Of Ice and Promises!
Recommended age 12+
Characters:
Theo was a dear boy and I quite enjoyed him as the main POV. He had a good heart and was just very kind and considerate.
Na'omi was a sweet girl! And how the white bear aspect of the story was worked in was most impressive! It was well done and I quite enjoyed how throughly thought out that part was!
Thorn was such a cute like hawk! So sweet!
Also, Ciar! (Okay, so the horse wasn't in it a ton, but I like horses, okay!)
Melville...*shivers* Him, I do not like.
Romance:
Yes, a slow strangers to friends to lovers, very sweet.
Magic:
N/A
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
There isn't really anything much to note. A knock to the head and brief mention of blood, getting lost in s snow storm, being held at knife point, and getting attacked/hurt by a *cough* bird.
Overall:
This was a fun retelling, my brain and the writing style didn't get along, but honestly that's definitely a me thing. The longer I read the easier it was, but at first my brain just rebelled. XD
It was a great story and those who love non-magical fairytale retelling with a Victorian esq feel will love Of Ice and Promises!
Recommended age 12+
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a fascinating tale!
I was not familiar with East of the Sun, West of the Moon, but I read through the original fairy tale after reading this book, and now I’m even more impressed by how incredibly original and creative the author got with this story. I can tell the author put a lot of thought into coming up with this nonmagical spin on it, and it worked really well. I smiled so many times at little nods I could tell were references.
The entire book reads almost like a fairy tale of its own, with lush descriptions, a rather outlandish premise, and threads of mystery throughout. And of course, the loyal hawk companion that aids the protagonist in his journey! I can’t think of the last book I read that had a hawk in it — I wish that was more common!
I also really enjoyed the setting of this one. Very wintry and immersive, with lovely descriptions of the manors and forests. It didn’t feel as fantasy as I was expecting, more like a more whimsical version of olden times, as details like tickets, a Bible, and other slightly more modern details were woven in. I don't often read of settings like that, so I enjoyed it.
And as always, I loved how the protagonists trusted the Lord, and the strong themes of family, caring for others, courage, and kindness. The protagonist in particular was admirable in his attempts to first help his family, no matter the cost, but also to help the hawk, strangers, and of course, our tragic female protagonist — even when he didn’t understand what was going on. Overall, this was not at all what I expected, but it was such a clever spin on the original fairy tale, and I’m so glad I gave it a chance!
I would recommend to readers 12+ who enjoy very original retellings of obscure fairy tales, sweet slow-burn romances, lush descriptions, and family loyalty.
CW: a couple non-described kisses, the protagonists are forced to sleep beside one another but nothing more happens, some mild injuries and peril
** I received an ARC copy of this book, and wasn't required to leave a review. These are my honest thoughts.
I was not familiar with East of the Sun, West of the Moon, but I read through the original fairy tale after reading this book, and now I’m even more impressed by how incredibly original and creative the author got with this story. I can tell the author put a lot of thought into coming up with this nonmagical spin on it, and it worked really well. I smiled so many times at little nods I could tell were references.
The entire book reads almost like a fairy tale of its own, with lush descriptions, a rather outlandish premise, and threads of mystery throughout. And of course, the loyal hawk companion that aids the protagonist in his journey! I can’t think of the last book I read that had a hawk in it — I wish that was more common!
I also really enjoyed the setting of this one. Very wintry and immersive, with lovely descriptions of the manors and forests. It didn’t feel as fantasy as I was expecting, more like a more whimsical version of olden times, as details like tickets, a Bible, and other slightly more modern details were woven in. I don't often read of settings like that, so I enjoyed it.
And as always, I loved how the protagonists trusted the Lord, and the strong themes of family, caring for others, courage, and kindness. The protagonist in particular was admirable in his attempts to first help his family, no matter the cost, but also to help the hawk, strangers, and of course, our tragic female protagonist — even when he didn’t understand what was going on. Overall, this was not at all what I expected, but it was such a clever spin on the original fairy tale, and I’m so glad I gave it a chance!
I would recommend to readers 12+ who enjoy very original retellings of obscure fairy tales, sweet slow-burn romances, lush descriptions, and family loyalty.
CW: a couple non-described kisses, the protagonists are forced to sleep beside one another but nothing more happens, some mild injuries and peril
** I received an ARC copy of this book, and wasn't required to leave a review. These are my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My latest ARC from Beyond the Bookery's Twist of Tales series is Of Ice and Promises by Jenny A. Bee. This book is a gender-bent, magicless retelling of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," which sounded like a pretty big challenge. Fortunately, she was up to the task and wrote a convincing story that drew enough elements from the fairy tale to be familiar while replacing all the magic and trolls with real objects and people. I have to admit I was impressed with how well this story worked under such rigid guidelines.
The premise of this book works well as a retelling of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," but the circumstances of the male protagonist also reminded me of a lesser-known Brothers Grimm fairy tale, "The Story of a Boy Who Went Forth to Learn Fear" also known as "The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers." Both stories are about a boy who agreed to stay in a stranger's mansion under mysterious conditions in exchange for a reward. The main difference is that Theodore isn't doing it to learn about fear, but to help his family. Instead of encountering monsters, he encounters a sad girl in a polar bear costume who was forced to set up the challenge to get out of an unwanted marriage.
Na'omi, the polar bear girl, must follow a series of strict rules to earn her freedom. She is not allowed to speak or remove the polar bear costume during daytime hours. At night, she must sleep next to Theodore in pitch darkness. If he sees her, she fails the challenge and must marry her tormentor. These rules form a strong parallel with "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," making the polar bear transformation something that could exist in the real world. Na'omi's silence is the biggest obstacle between her and Theodore, but he finds other ways to communicate with her through their shared love of reading.
This book has an elegant narrative style, filled with lush descriptions to make up for the lack of dialogue from Na'omi's vow of silence. Theodore befriends a hawk on the way to the mansion, who becomes a beloved companion throughout the book. The prose is so lovely that the ending almost feels like a let-down when the ethereal world of the mansion with the silent polar bear is replaced with regular people and corruption in the real world. Still, the book provides a satisfying overall experience for readers who enjoy magical realism.
Overall, Of Ice and Promises is a poetic retelling of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" with a silent heroine and a sympathetic protagonist. It strips the fairy tale down to its most basic roots, forming a timeless love story filled with mystery and intrigue. The polar bear costume, the vow of silence, and nightly visits all translate surprisingly well into a grounded story about coercion, survival, and found connection. I recommend this book to fairy tale fans who prefer magical realism over epic fantasy retellings.
The premise of this book works well as a retelling of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," but the circumstances of the male protagonist also reminded me of a lesser-known Brothers Grimm fairy tale, "The Story of a Boy Who Went Forth to Learn Fear" also known as "The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers." Both stories are about a boy who agreed to stay in a stranger's mansion under mysterious conditions in exchange for a reward. The main difference is that Theodore isn't doing it to learn about fear, but to help his family. Instead of encountering monsters, he encounters a sad girl in a polar bear costume who was forced to set up the challenge to get out of an unwanted marriage.
Na'omi, the polar bear girl, must follow a series of strict rules to earn her freedom. She is not allowed to speak or remove the polar bear costume during daytime hours. At night, she must sleep next to Theodore in pitch darkness. If he sees her, she fails the challenge and must marry her tormentor. These rules form a strong parallel with "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," making the polar bear transformation something that could exist in the real world. Na'omi's silence is the biggest obstacle between her and Theodore, but he finds other ways to communicate with her through their shared love of reading.
This book has an elegant narrative style, filled with lush descriptions to make up for the lack of dialogue from Na'omi's vow of silence. Theodore befriends a hawk on the way to the mansion, who becomes a beloved companion throughout the book. The prose is so lovely that the ending almost feels like a let-down when the ethereal world of the mansion with the silent polar bear is replaced with regular people and corruption in the real world. Still, the book provides a satisfying overall experience for readers who enjoy magical realism.
Overall, Of Ice and Promises is a poetic retelling of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" with a silent heroine and a sympathetic protagonist. It strips the fairy tale down to its most basic roots, forming a timeless love story filled with mystery and intrigue. The polar bear costume, the vow of silence, and nightly visits all translate surprisingly well into a grounded story about coercion, survival, and found connection. I recommend this book to fairy tale fans who prefer magical realism over epic fantasy retellings.
October 1, 2026
3.75 stars
My first read from Jenny.
This was awesome! No magic, per se. Great retelling! I like Na'omi and Theo. They were very simple, caring, and pious. Thorn was a great animal companion. And I liked the horse too! Very sweet, very quick story.
My first read from Jenny.
This was awesome! No magic, per se. Great retelling! I like Na'omi and Theo. They were very simple, caring, and pious. Thorn was a great animal companion. And I liked the horse too! Very sweet, very quick story.
September 28, 2026
I loved this sweet and intriguing East of the Sun, West of the Moon retelling, especially how it portrayed that real love is built upon actions and not words.
I really enjoyed the writing style. The single POV from the main male character was a perfect way to tell the story, and he was such a kind and gentle sweetheart that it was easy and to be in his mind and get to know what he was thinking and praying about. Speaking of prayers, I loved that there was so much prayer, including some pretty relatable prayers in moments where the characters are left with only one place left to turn.
There was some low stakes peril, mild violence, no swearing, and no spicy content. This story was a beautiful little tale that I think everyone, from older children and young teens to adults, could understand and love. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy retellings, sweet romance, and books that teach you a little bit about love and faith.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given willingly.
I really enjoyed the writing style. The single POV from the main male character was a perfect way to tell the story, and he was such a kind and gentle sweetheart that it was easy and to be in his mind and get to know what he was thinking and praying about. Speaking of prayers, I loved that there was so much prayer, including some pretty relatable prayers in moments where the characters are left with only one place left to turn.
There was some low stakes peril, mild violence, no swearing, and no spicy content. This story was a beautiful little tale that I think everyone, from older children and young teens to adults, could understand and love. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy retellings, sweet romance, and books that teach you a little bit about love and faith.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given willingly.
September 28, 2026
Of Ice and Promises was a sweet retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. There was no magic, but there were some amazing animal companions! Na'omi and Theo each had their own challenges to face in order to protect their loved ones. The story was woven with threads of faith and innocence that was endearing to read. This was easy to read and stay engaged with even though it did not include big adventures. But the more relaxed elements that still included challenges and trials, kept the story interesting. There was no profanity, the intimacy included hugs and sweet kisses. There was some violence but nothing gory or over described. I did receive an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 29, 2026
I love a good “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” retelling. So I was curious to see how this would play out without any magic. I was not disappointed! Na’omi and Theodore’s story is breathtakingly beautiful. From the details of the environment to the characters themselves. Plus our heroic little Hawk companion Thorn! Even without magic, the story was magical! I also loved how much God and the Bible were referenced throughout the book! If you enjoy gender swapped MCs, forced proximity and slow burn romance, then you’ll love this tale!
My favorite quote from this book:
I caught her up in an embrace and kissed her. We were both breathless when I released her.
My favorite quote from this book:
I caught her up in an embrace and kissed her. We were both breathless when I released her.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25 stars: This fascinating Christian romance was a retelling of a fairytale I am unfamiliar with, but I was still able to enjoy this story. I think it's so interesting to have a story with so little dialogue. I was definitely rooting for the main couple! I did feel like the ending was very convenient, where the antagonist was dealt with so thoroughly and everything was tied up with a bow, but that did play into the fairytale feel.
Thank you to the author for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author for the ARC; all opinions are my own.
September 29, 2026
This was a gender bent Christian retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It was very believable with no magic, but set in a different world. I loved how the story was easily recognizable, but still fresh and new, with elements of faith and trust in both God and each other! The romance was so sweet and clean, the main characters were very innocent and honest, and the villain was truly evil. I received an ARC copy and this is my review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love how Na'omi and Theo grew closer together without the need for communication. They only studied, read, and walked together. ❤️ Theo was actually so patient and understanding, not rushing to fix things but rather waiting for them to be revealed to him. I also admire how Na'omi carried on and did not let her fear rule over her. ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
A nice change of pace because the animal companion helped him not feel so lonely.
September 28, 2026
Review coming soon :)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews