Echo North

Written by Joanna Ruth Meyer

~400 pages

Published by Page Street Kids

Publication date:January 15th 2019

Summary (from Goodreads):

Echo Alkaev’s safe and carefully structured world falls apart after her father leaves for the city and mysteriously disappears. Believing he is lost forever, Echo is shocked to find him half-frozen in the winter forest six months later, guarded by a strange talking wolf—the same creature who attacked her as a child. The wolf presents Echo with an offer: for her to come and live with him for a year. But there is more to the wolf than Echo realizes.

In his enchanted house beneath a mountain, Echo discovers centuries-old secrets, a magical library full of books-turned-mirrors, and a young man named Hal who is trapped inside of them. As the year ticks by, Echo must solve the mystery of the wolf’s enchantment before her time is up—otherwise Echo, the wolf, and Hal will be lost forever.

“Epic and engrossing. Magic pulsates through every page. . .Readers will ache when it’s over and want to start all over again. A lush, captivating new twist on beloved fairy tales.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Meyer refreshes the familiar framework with additional fairy tale elements―’Cupid and Psyche,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and ‘Tam Lin’ among them―producing a compelling, satisfying romantic adventure with metafictional undertones.” ― Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A marvelous, enchanting tale about the power of love and stories.” ―Rosamund Hodge, New York Times bestselling author of Cruel Beauty

“I loved this classic-feeling fairy tale about destiny, family, and true love. If you like strong, clever girls, talking wolves and wonderfully strange mysteries, don’t miss this one!” ―Hayley Chewins, author of The Turnaway Girls

“A ravishing new fairytale woven of music, enchantment, and mystery. Readers will be riveted by Meyer’s poignant voice and masterful storytelling, and fall in love with Echo’s courage.” ― Elizabeth Lim, author of Spin the Dawn and Reflection

“An atmospheric story so well-told it will leave readers enchanted right alongside Echo and her white wolf. I devoured every page.” ―Jessica Leake, author of Beyond a Darkened Shore and Through the White Wood

Why I can’t wait to read this:

It sounds like a retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon, which is one of my favourite fairy/folk tales.
It features a talking wolf!
Echo Alkaev sounds like an interesting character – the surname sounds Russian but I’m not sure where this story is set. Also, I’v always liked how, in the original story, the main character goes off on an adventure to solve the problem, rather than being the one who is rescued.
There is a magical library?! With books that become mirrors and portals?! I want to read this now!
Bonus – look at that gorgeous cover!