Cassie isn’t like the other teenagers that she knows. She doesn’t even know any other teenagers. Her life has been spent entirely in the Arctic, accompanying her father as he tags and researches polar bears. Knowing nothing else, she loves this life, and polar bears have become her passion, too.
On the day before her 18th birthday, she crosses paths with the most amazing polar bear she has ever seen. He reminds her of the Polar Bear King, who according to her grandmother's legends, kidnapped her mother. Although she never believed that story, she did grow up without a mother. Come to think of it, her grandmother also disappeared from her life as a young girl. However, I digress. Let’s get back to the story. So, when she sees this bear she absolutely must tag him for herself, not only because he is magnificent, but also to prove that she is grown up and can accomplish things on her own. Cassie loses the bear, but the next day he visits her… as the Polar Bear King. She must come to terms with the fact that the fairy tale is true, and she is now to be his bride. Trying to dodge her fate, Cassie makes a deal with him. She agrees to be his bride in exchange for her mother’s rescue. Disbelievingly, her mother shortly reappears and Cassie must uphold her end up the bargain.
Bear is forced to leave her, with no explanation. This sends Cassie on a terrifying adventure to unexplained and unimagined realms in order to rescue Bear and in turn, restore the balance of the natural world. Her task seems impossible until she starts to mature, understanding the value of family, friendship, and love.
This novel is an extraordinary and unique read…great for those who believe in fairy tales, even better for those who don’t.
