The Girl the Sea Gave Back. This. Book.

let me first start off by saying that I am a fool for not reading Sky in the Deep prior to this and also
a fool for not reading anything Adrienne Young writes automatically with no questions asked.

There aren't a lot of things you'll miss if you don't read Sky first since they're both stand alone's but
they are in the same universe so theres some history and what not that I was a little stuck on since this is
10 years after the events in Sky but I can totally go back and read Sky in the Deep and im sure nothing major was spoiled.

NOW lets get into this beauty of a book. First of all I want Adrienne Young to write all the fight scenes i'll ever
read for the rest of mY LIFE ! The battle scenes in this book had me seriously so hyped up lol not to mention that
I love listening to pretty hardcore music while I read stuff like this so it always makes the adventure that much more epic but trust me it's not the music making it epic, its the book.

The world building is of course incredible and if you've read Sky in the Deep then you know how intricate the history is not to mention all the clan names, gods, and all the mysticism in these stories.

Tova MY LOVE ! I love Tova so so so much She's such a good MC she doesn't want to be a barbarian for no reason and I absolutely love her for it, shes smart, cunning and a freaking bad ass let me tell you.

And don't get me started on Halvard, I'm so glad this was in his POV too I loved his chapters and I love him1 He's such a well thought out character and his fighting skills WOW im just gonna say the battle scenes from his POV are gonna have you standing up!

this story as a whole was just so incredible I don't know what I did before it or before Adrienne Youngs writing!
I will recommend this read to anyone and everyone, in fact I'll buy copies and just fling them at people because I need everyone to read this the moment it comes out

5 out of 5 stars, all the stars who cares just have them

Such a well-written and enthralling novel! The characters were well-developed and while reading, you almost feel like something is missing, but with the flashbacks, those missing feelings get filled with information from the characters’ pasts. I really like that the whole novel builds up to the battle discussed in the beginning!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first book.. so it isn't really surprising that I fell in love with this one as well.

The girl the Sea Gave Back was so entertaining! It was definitely a page turner and made me fall in love with Tova and Halvard. Now I'm not really a fan of the back and forth with flashbacks because they don't always work in books. Yet, it definitely did in this one. It made everything clearer in a way that I wasn't expecting. It also made me fall even more in love with Tova's character because she is most definitely a bad ass.

Speaking of Tova, oh lord she was aammaazziinngg! She had moments when I had cheered for her because no one should be treated that way. I felt so bad for her during those moments so I was like.. ya know karma is a bitch but I feel like Tova is a bigger one when you try to cross her. Or ya know.. hit her in any way, shape, or form. YA KNOW?

Then there's Halvard, and ugh I loved his parts! I was craving more interaction between him and Tova though but I guess I can accept what I got in this book - maybe? Not quite sure on that yet. I especially want to know more about this damn cliffhanger - because hot damn, I hate those so much! UGH, I NEED MORE DAMMIT - so I'm expecting another book ASAP!

Overall, everyone should read and love this.

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. After reading Sky In The Deep I had high expectations for this book. Unfortunately it felt a bit shallow and it was very detailed with emotions and not action. I was definitely not feeling the Viking vibes so much in this book. There was also not too much action but when there was it was the scenes were brutally exquisite! I also found myself less connected to Halvard and Tova. The tattoos that Tova had that represented stories and prayers of her people was a really cool detail. Overall I enjoyed this book but I was disappointed by the depth of it and lack of action.

***ARC received from Wednesday Books and NetGalley in exchange for honest review, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

I did not read Sky in the Deep and while this book doesn't bill itself as a sequel, its not but I would consider it a continuation. You don't have to have read the first book, I was able to fully enjoy this book and the characters, I still think reading the first book would have given you a full background of the world.

The Good

- I really liked Tova and Halvard. The book is told from their POV which is nice because they are on opposite sides. It gives the reader a chance to see the conflict from both sides, glimpses into what drives them, especially the Svell. I liked Tova, a Truthtongue able to read the rune stones. She lives with the Svell in this constant state of unbalance. They turn to her when needed and hate her for what she brings to them, its a really interesting dynamic. The book providers a few small chapters dedicated to the backstory of Tova and Halvard and you get to see level of fear she seemed to exist in while growing up. For me, it helped flesh out the idea as to why an outsider would stay with a group that so clearly dislikes her. Sometimes you get a feeling its a sense of duty without the real why, I appreciate that the author was willing to give the backstory to the why. Halvards parts of the backstory chapters didn't really do as much as Tova.

- The world is amazing, I loved the clans and Norse inspired world. The two clans had different reactions to the runes and the gods fate. The author seems to have done a really nice job in creating her told. I think having read the previous book I might have gotten a fuller view since the Svell felt more fleshed out than the other since we spent more time through Tova's view.

The Not So Good

- For over 300 pages this book felt oddly compressed. It really would have benefited from being two books. The characters are constantly on the move but it felt like they were almost transporting to their destinations. I never got a feel for how large the world is, it feels from the way they talk that it is large but they manage to get places in hours. A large army, over 500 folks, doesn't travel fast it should take them quite a few days even across a short distance. I don't know if this was an attempt to keep the tension high but it didn't work for me. I was just left thinking that a more drawn out build up to the conflict would have had a better pay out.

I will definitely go back and read the first book as I want more of this world.

Synopsis:

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.

My Thoughts:

I loved the multiple POVs, between Tova and Halvard. I also liked the Past and Present narrative the author put together to give readers more of their stories, their backgrounds. Ever think you dont belong? This book will have you thinking twice and being confident that you belong everywhere for one reason or another. I loved the little romance, it didn't take over the story and become souly about the two lovers. I loved the magical system of runes!! So closely related to forms of magic from the past that I have learned about that use runes!! I loved this book and cant wait for a physical copy, but a huuuge thank you to the author as well as NetGalley for this opportunity to review and give my honest opinion!! Your gonna love this book, a fave for the year!!!

Wow—what an experience! I was a huge fan of “Sky in the Deep” so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on “The Girl the Sea Gave Back” with the hopes that this story would be just as fantastic (and it is!!). My favorite thing about Adrienne Young is that I never want her stories to end!

“The Girl the Sea Gave Back” starts about 10 years after “Sky in the Deep.” The story focuses on Tova, a Truthtongue from the Kyrr people, who ends up as an unwanted ‘guest’ of the Svell people, and Halvard, the younger brother of Fiske. Tova lives on the outskirts of Svell culture from the time she is 6 years old and is feared and hated because of her mysticism while Halvard is becoming a man under the peaceful existence of the Riki and Aska people, now collectively known as the Nadhir.

The story alternated view points between both characters while also giving us glimpses into their pasts. We get to see the struggles Tova faced with who she was and how she was treated while at the same time seeing Halvard flourish under the guidance of his family. It was sometimes heart-wrenching to read about Tova’s harsh upbringing and then to read about the same timeframe in Halvard’s life because their paths were so different. In the end, they both had a tough journey to face and Ms. Young’s writing style was flawless in guiding us through it. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Tova is the daughter of the Kyrr, a tribe that relies on fortune telling stones to guide their actions. Believed dead by her parents, Tova is adopted by a different tribe the Svell, which fears her fortune telling but seeks to use it for their own ends. As Tova grows older, she meets Harvald, chieftain of a rival tribe, and must decide what the future holds. Coming of age young adult fantasy. Plot was predictable but bits of the mythology were interesting.

DNF at 20% - couldn't get into this one. I'm pretty sure it's just because I'm not in the right mood to read this at the moment so will revisit it in the future

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

3.5 stars!

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is a companion novel to . Set 10 years in the future, we follow the now united Rikki and Ashka as they face a new threat to the east in the form on the Svell. Halvard, Fiske's younger brother, is on his way to a leadership position in the tribe. Tova washed up on the shore of the Svell's territory when she was only a young child, and uses her scrying power to help determine the course of war for the Svell.

Young's writing is absolutely gorgeous. She sets the atmosphere and tone right off the bat, and you are transported back to the time of the Vikings. It's clear that her books are very thoroughly researched, and peppered with Viking mysticism, beliefs, and culture. She also excels at writing emotional character arcs.

I enjoyed the increased touch of the supernatural in this installment. I would describe Sky in the Deep as a historical fiction, with no fantastical elements whatsoever. However, in The Girl the Sea Gave Back there is a fantasy element introduced with Tova's Truthtongue powers. Through her abilities, we also learn more about the belief systems in all of the different tribes.

I really felt for Tova. She struggles with feelings of abandonment and not having any place to truly belong. She wants to do what's right, beyond loyalty to the tribe that has taken her in. Halvard, on the other hand, struggles with the brunt of leadership and his confidence in being a just and fair ruler. Where this book lacked for me is the relationship between these two characters. We just scratch the surface of what their relationship could be. This novel almost felt like a pretense to the real development between them. I just wish that the book continued so that we could see what happened between them. The ending left me feeling pretty unsatisfied.

Overall, this story is gripping and emotional, and the lush yet brutal Vikings time period is he perfect setting for this tale. If you liked Sky in the Deep, you will probably like this one as well!


Link to goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2722370796?book_show_action=false

This book is stunning! Norse mythology loosely based. Beautiful prose throughout the book! This sequel, I feel was better than Sky in the Deep! I loved it! Everyone should pick this up for a gripping, stunning read!

I loved this book so much! Adrienne is such a talented storyteller; her descriptions are incredibly vivid and I always feel transported when reading her words. This companion novel definitely feels different than Sky in the Deep, and is less character-focused and more plot-focused, but I really enjoyed exploring more of the world, the different clans, and more of the mythology. The one thing that I felt was a little jarring were the flashbacks to the past in third person, but they were still interesting to read and provided insight into Tova and Halvard's characters. It was also fun seeing some of the characters from Sky again.

A richly woven story of vikings, war, and Gods of old. Tova as a child, is saved by a Svell clansman when the boat she was in came ashore through the fog. Marked as a rune caster with tattoos of the Kyrr tribe, she lives with the hatred of the foster tribe. Halvard and Tova's lives have been thrown together as war descends on the surrounding clans. Although a little slow, the story was gripping and emotional. I would recommend this to all ages. Having not read the first novel by Ms. Young, this read as a great standalone in this world. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young is poignant and beautiful.. I loved every moment.

Some pieces of this story tugged me down into dreamland when I read it at night, which I'd never thought would be a compliment about a book, but it's not that it was boring, (it wasn't), but Adrienne's cadence as she's writing. There are places where the sentences are so lovely, so smooth-edged, that they were like a lullaby.

Of course, the story isn't a gentle one. It's a tale of warriors and bloodshed, but there's also a strand of tenderness woven through it that was lovely, and even comforting . It's a different story than Sky In the Deep (a favorite of mine, by the way) but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to fans of Adrienne's heart-tugging, emotionally-gripping writing.

Also parts of the book gave me intense Muse of Nightmares vibes, and I feel like fans of that duology would enjoy this. It was absolutely a five star read.

(Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a free advanced copy of this ebook.)



{ St. Martin’s Press -- Per your stated preferences post your review no earlier than 30 days before the book goes on sale, I will post this review on my blog and Goodreads, and share in my caption with a styled image on Instagram on August 4th. Thank you for the opportunity to read it. }

Ooh this was so good! I loved the first book and this was a great sequel. The back and forth between Tova and Halvard, plus the flashbacks really moved the story along and made it easy to read this all in one sitting. The way the relationship between Tova and Halvard unfolded was unique, just these small moments that meant so much. I enjoyed the mystical aspects of the truth tongue, casting the stones, and fate. We also got some glimpses of the characters from Sky in the Deep which made me happy!
Great book!

The Girl The Sea Gave back is a great edition to the Sky in the Deep world.

I loved Sky in the Deep and was happy that this novel revisited many of the same characters years later while it did well to developed a new story, characters and kept things interesting. I especially loved that this book focused on Halvard since he was one of my favorites. Tova and the Svell were an intriguing addition to the world and I wanted to keep learning more about them. The action in this book was just as great as the first novel. There was treachery, fighting, and a fast paced and entertaining storyline. However, the romantic relationship in this book didn’t work as well for me as the one in the first novel. I just couldn’t connect with the characters as a couple but I did love them as individuals so overall found this to be a great read.

After falling in love with Sky in the Deep, I went into this book expecting to love it, and I’m so happy that I did!

I’m not going to lie, it took me a bit to get into it but after the 20% mark, I flew through it. Everything got so intense and there were several parts that hit me right in the feels.

Definitely pick this book up when it releases!

I don't know if I should have read Sky in the Deep before attempting to read The Girl the Sea Gave Back or not. I was under the impression that it was a companion novel that I could read alone. I dnfed very early in the book so I don't know if it gets better or not. To be honest, I had forgotten I *wished* for this book because it's been awhile but thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read it.

I absolutely loved a Sky in the Deep and was super excited for a Girl the Sea Gave Back. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I would categorize this as not something I liked, or disliked.

I love Adrienne's writing style, and her world building in this viking world is wonderful. I felt that this book lacked in a few areas that kept this from being more than a three star book for me taste. I felt like there need to be more backstory in regards to the cultures of the people rather than in Tova and Hallavard's lives (the all seer? the spinners? more more more).. I found T & H's flashbacks to be unnecessary as the information had already been given to the reader. I also don't know why I didn't find the main conflict pushing the plot forward to be believable. The layout of the plot was very similar to a Sky in the Deep, and I found myself not being very invested in what happened next.I felt that this book had a stronger beginning than it did an ending. For so much drama leading up to the final battle, everything ended smoothly and the resolution to the major mystery, to me, didn't match the severity of the stakes that Tova held during her journey. I was happy she was able to get her happy ending when her family showed up and all was made clear. I just don't know if that plot line was integrated well enough into the full plot of the story. Honestly, I think I need to read this again when it's in print for a better experience.

Also. The romance? Very forced. It was almost like it was thrown in at the end to satisfy a check box. It didn't need to be there at all, or it could have been a more focused on part in the plot. But I didn't feel the connection between them that the author was trying to express. I do see what she was trying to accomplish, but I don't know if this romance was successful.

I did enjoy reading this book (mostly for Tova she's a bad ass) but in many ways I feel like this story still needs some more work. And while I loved hearing about the characters from A Sky in the Deep, they didn't have the dimension they had in the last book.

This book is absolutely incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed this! I was thrilled to be able to dive back into the world that the author has created and I highly recommend this book to everyone!