📖 Overview
Edith Pattou is an American fantasy fiction author best known for her novel "East" (2003), which became an ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults in 2004. She has written multiple works in the young adult fantasy genre, including the Songs of Eirren series and the sequel to "East" titled "West" (2018).
Pattou received her formal education at several prestigious institutions, earning a B.A. in English from Scripps College, an M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate School, and an M.L.I.S. from UCLA. Beyond her fantasy novels, she has also authored the children's picture book "Mrs. Spitzer's Garden" (2001).
Her work has garnered recognition in the young adult literature sphere, with nominations for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award and selection as a National Public Radio Best in Young Adult Fiction finalist. Her novels often incorporate elements of fantasy, folklore, and mythology, particularly drawing from Norwegian fairy tales in her most celebrated work, "East."
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Pattou's vivid world-building and reimagining of fairy tales, particularly in "East" (known as "North Child" in some regions). On Goodreads, fans highlight her detailed research of Norwegian folklore and polar exploration.
Common positive feedback focuses on:
- Character development, especially strong female protagonists
- Rich descriptions of settings and landscapes
- Integration of multiple viewpoints and narratives
Main criticisms include:
- Pacing issues, particularly in middle sections of novels
- Some repetitive plot elements
- Secondary characters that need more depth
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- East: 4.1/5 (50,000+ ratings)
- West: 3.9/5 (6,000+ ratings)
- Hero's Song: 3.8/5 (1,000+ ratings)
Amazon:
- East: 4.6/5
- West: 4.5/5
Several readers note they discovered her books as young adults and returned to them years later with continued appreciation. Multiple reviews mention reading "East" multiple times.
📚 Books by Edith Pattou
East (2003)
A retelling of the Norwegian folk tale "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" following Rose, who embarks on a journey across Scandinavia to save a cursed white bear.
West (2018) The sequel to East, where Rose must undertake another quest to rescue her daughter who has been taken by trolls.
Hero's Song (1991) First book in the Songs of Eirren series about a young man named Collun who searches for his missing sister in a world inspired by Celtic mythology.
Fire Arrow (1998) Second book in the Songs of Eirren series following Breo-Saight, a young archer seeking revenge for her father's murder.
Mrs. Spitzer's Garden (2001) A picture book about a teacher who tends to her garden throughout the school year, serving as a metaphor for nurturing students.
Ghost Dance (2009) A young adult novel about a girl who discovers her ability to communicate with spirits while trying to solve a mystery in her small town.
West (2018) The sequel to East, where Rose must undertake another quest to rescue her daughter who has been taken by trolls.
Hero's Song (1991) First book in the Songs of Eirren series about a young man named Collun who searches for his missing sister in a world inspired by Celtic mythology.
Fire Arrow (1998) Second book in the Songs of Eirren series following Breo-Saight, a young archer seeking revenge for her father's murder.
Mrs. Spitzer's Garden (2001) A picture book about a teacher who tends to her garden throughout the school year, serving as a metaphor for nurturing students.
Ghost Dance (2009) A young adult novel about a girl who discovers her ability to communicate with spirits while trying to solve a mystery in her small town.
👥 Similar authors
Robin McKinley writes fantasy novels that blend fairy tale retellings with original world-building, similar to Pattou's approach in East. Her works like Beauty and The Hero and the Crown feature female protagonists who challenge traditional roles while navigating magical worlds.
Shannon Hale specializes in young adult fantasy with strong folklore elements and focuses on coming-of-age narratives. Her Books of Bayern series and Princess Academy incorporate cultural mythologies into their storytelling frameworks.
Jessica Day George creates fantasy novels based on folk tales and fairy stories, with particular attention to Eastern European and Norse influences. Her Dragon Slippers series and Princess of the Midnight Ball demonstrate her focus on reimagining traditional tales with contemporary sensibilities.
Juliet Marillier writes historical fantasy that draws heavily from Celtic and Norse mythology. Her Sevenwaters series shares Pattou's interest in detailed cultural research and folklore integration.
Donna Jo Napoli crafts young adult novels that reimagine traditional fairy tales from different cultural perspectives. Her works like Zel and Beast examine familiar stories through new cultural lenses while maintaining historical authenticity.
Shannon Hale specializes in young adult fantasy with strong folklore elements and focuses on coming-of-age narratives. Her Books of Bayern series and Princess Academy incorporate cultural mythologies into their storytelling frameworks.
Jessica Day George creates fantasy novels based on folk tales and fairy stories, with particular attention to Eastern European and Norse influences. Her Dragon Slippers series and Princess of the Midnight Ball demonstrate her focus on reimagining traditional tales with contemporary sensibilities.
Juliet Marillier writes historical fantasy that draws heavily from Celtic and Norse mythology. Her Sevenwaters series shares Pattou's interest in detailed cultural research and folklore integration.
Donna Jo Napoli crafts young adult novels that reimagine traditional fairy tales from different cultural perspectives. Her works like Zel and Beast examine familiar stories through new cultural lenses while maintaining historical authenticity.