Echo North

By: Joanna Ruth Meyer

Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans

Echo Alkaev's safe and carefully structured world falls apart when 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 ultimatum: if she lives with him for one year, he will ensure her father makes it home safely. But there is more to the wolf than Echo realizes.

In his enchanted house beneath a mountain, each room must be sewn together to keep the home from unraveling, and something new and dark and strange lies behind every door. When centuries-old secrets unfold, Echo discovers 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, the rooms begin to disappear and 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.

©2019 Joanna Ruth Meyer (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"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, starred review)

It could have been a great book but so disappointing

Beautiful prose, some really cool magic and use of different folklore but ultimately a contradicting and messy plot. Plot holes and unanswered questions. Objects that imply special meaning but never pay off or are explained. The hero should not be forgiven. He never learns his lesson. He is selfish the entire time, he just learned to be emo and tortured about it. There was so much good about this book. It just needs pruning, continuity and a clear message that is not to forgive the guy that repeatedly and knowingly manipulates and hurts you for love.

good but a bit too long

The story was good, I liked the world/character building. It was a bit too long though, I ended up skipping a couple of chapters, but didn't get lost. I liked Howl.

Well done storytelling!

I definitely enjoyed this one from Joanna, it feels like a genuine fairy tail story! The characters were very well done, great world building and an interesting plot. Definitely recommended for anyone that likes fairy tales and especially Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

Mmm...

Too much nonsensical magic for my taste. So sad because I really wanted to like this book.

Twists & Turns

The story was wonderful. Engaging from page 1. I will listen/read more by this author.