I knew I would be entranced with this book by the cover alone. It pictures a sort of fairyland, dark and mysterious, yet with twinkles of light bringing hope. Then, I was thrilled to discover, right after the Prologue, the classical Russian tale of the Snow Maiden. This is a story which has always intrigued me, for what choice had the girl of snow but to follow dreams, yet what price she must pay. The novel seems to tie right in with the Snow Maiden's tale, and I am so curious to know what has become of the girl who ran through the forest, or if it was, in fact, a bear who took part on her father's demise.