So it took me awhile to get into this book. I loved Sky in the Deep so much so I persisted but if it was a book I knew nothing about I probably would have quit. It was just a bit slow paced and jumbled. It would jump between the past and present but it wasn't always in chronological order. Some chapters would be 10 years ago and some would be more but they would alternate. To make it clearer I think it should have started from 20 years ago and than 10 years, etc.

It did get really good towards the last third of it though. Then it leaves a lot unanswered so now I’m wishing there would be a second one. I think the ending is more for the readers to decide how it ends, but I think definite closure. All in all, I did enjoy the read, just was confused at times.

At 50% I DNF the book. I loved "Sky in the Deep", so I had high expectatives for liking this one... but it wasn't to be. I didn't connect to the characters, the writing got me lost sometimes with the time jumps and I felt like the plot wasn't all clear or for me...

We follow two main characters from rival clans: Tova, who comes from another clan and is hated on the clan she is now because she is a fortune teller and they kinda fear/hate it; and Halvard, the kid from the Rikki clan from the previous book who is now all grown up.
They find themselves in the middle of a war between their clans but they sort of refuse to kill each other because there is something going on between them. Tolva feels it more mystically at thr beginning, like Halvard is sth else, and he is kinda attracted to her, but to me it fall flat.
The presence of a character from the same clan as Tolva withvHalvard felt forced and I didn't know why they didn't make him to tell who she is (at least not before I DNFed the book) and why he recognizes her...
To me it was a very confusing lecture, with no clear stand points and with charactera that didn't caught my attention not hold it.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back includes alternating chapters between Tova and Halvard as we learn their perspectives about an impending war between clans. Characters from Sky in the Deep are included in this one so it was nice to see how they fared many years down the line. I wish the book would have been written from Tova’s point of view instead of split with Halvard because there was so much information I would have liked to learn about Tova. We get glimpses of Tova and Halvard’s pasts, but I would have preferred a fresh story on Tova since the audience doesn’t know much about her despite that she is hated for being a Kyr in her clan. Her story was cut in half to include Halvard’s perscpective, and so much more about her could have been included if the author had detached this from Sky in the Deep and focused solely on Tova.

I wasn’t as enamored with this one as I was with Sky in the Deep which I believe was because of the two points of views. I have nothing against Halvard, but the story could have been much stronger without his half.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

As an avid fan of YA fantasy, I read a lot of books. And because of this, sometimes the story gets a little repetitive. However, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this story had a very fresh and new feel to it. Tova is tossed into the water by her family, dead, at the age of six. She then mysteriously washes up alive on the faraway shores of the Svell, another class. She is a TruthTeller, a seer of the future, and though she is useful in her new home, she is also hated.

This story has a Viking feel to it, as well as something a little reminiscent of Greek mythology in the form of the mysterious Spinners of Fate. I like the characters, the changing points of view, the mystery, and the world the author has created. I quickly read through this one, eager (and sad!) to get to the end.

A big thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book I exchange for review. I am so conflicted on this one. I really enjoyed Sky in the Deep and was excited for my ARC of The Girl the Sea Gave Back. The author's writing and pace is wonderful. However, the clans, gods and characters were very confusing in the beginning. I reread Sky in the Deep and it did help some, but it really needs a clan tree and map to give some clarity. The main problem for me was immersion. I was confused in the beginning so that made it hard to get into and once I was, I found I wasn't that interested. The book seemed to lack something, possible emotion? There was so much action, but little emotion or character growth. And so little meaningful character interactions. I really wanted to care about Tova, but it just wasn't in the cards. She was flat. I felt nothing. I felt more for Halvard and Aghi, as well as old characters from the first book, but even then I flew through this one waiting for the moment I became engrossed. It almost happened, right at the end, but the book ended so suddenly and abruptly that it didn't end up happening at all. If you liked the first one then you might like this, just to see old characters. If you like a fast paced action book, then this one has that in spades. Personally the lack of...substance made it hard to like this one.

Such an epic follow up by Adrienne Young. Set in the same unique, viking-inspired world as her first novel- the plot, the characters, the setting- it was all perfect. Loved it!

This is the second book I have read by Adrienne Young, and I adored her first novel, A Sky in the Deep. This story is set 10 years after A Sky in the Deep and though it is being described as a stand alone, I felt like it truly was a sequel in the way it incorporates so many of the characters from the first novel. This is the story of Tova, a truth tongue who was found as a small child in a different part of the world. She has been raised by those who found her and she has been reading the stones for them. Her skills have been manipulated by those she lives with and she is slowly starting to have a change of heart about their agenda. This story is also about Halvard, brother to Fiske from the first book by Young. He is now ten years older and is on track to be the next ruler of his tribe. Young weaves their worlds together as war between their worlds becomes imminent.. I loved the passion and writing in this story but I felt like the romantic connection was not anywhere near the way it was handled in the first book. I appreciate the connection between Tova and Halvard but I wanted to more time spent on face to face interaction. Overall, I recommend this story to anyone who is looking for a good adventure but I do highly recommend starting with A Sky in the Deep. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

For the most part I really enjoyed the book, the storyline was interesting, the characters were well written, and I just love anything Norse inspired. I was a little lost at the beginning because I didn't remember who everyone was from the first book and they weren't reintroduced clearly to refresh my memory. I really like Tova and I hope there is another book to answer some of my lingering questions about her clan's culture since it was left so vague.

Tova discovers there is more to her past and magic in this sequel to Sky in the Deep.

Told ten years after the events of the initial book, it follows the story of Tova, a mystic from far away lands held captive by a clan, and Halvard (yes, he’s all grown up!), an emerging leader of the combined clans of Riki and Aska. Chapters alternate between both main characters with prominent flashbacks throughout the story. Narrative focus shifts to new clans not mentioned in the previous book. Other than Halvard, not much time is given to the original cast of characters. All of those pining to see Eelyn and Fiske will most likely be disappointed.

I loved Adrienne Young’s first book, Sky in the Deep. It had it all – excellent world-building, a character-driven story, and an epic (and earned) romance. Everything I loved about the first book is missing in this lackluster sequel. This book is plot-driven instead of character-driven. The romance is rushed without enough (not nearly enough) time spent between the two characters. The culture and ancillary characters introduced in the book are poorly developed. It hurts me to say this, but the story felt half-baked and rushed. I still recommend you give this novel a try, but forgive yourself if this ends up on your DNF shelf.

tl;dr Plot-driven with a rushed romance and alternating points-of-view left me not enjoying this novel.

This book read very much like a second-in-series, despite not being a direct sequel to "Sky in the Deep" but merely takes place in the same world. I very much felt as though I was missing key elements of lore and worldbuilding. It was also a very slow start, with the two main characters not even directly interacting until nearly 3/4 of the way through the book, then almost immediately became Insta-love. I asked for this galley because of the whole Viking/Rune angle, which I really enjoy, but without the knowledge of the first story, I think I didn't like it as much as others might. Would recommend for fans of the first book, or the entire series to fans of "Sea of Trolls" by Farmer.

Another fantastic mythical adventure through history, a real page-turner even for a reader who isn't always a fan of historical fiction!

"The Girl the Sea Gave Back"
by Adrienne Young
I started to read "The Girl the Sea Gave Back" without first reading "Sky in the Deep," I was totally confused and at 15% was ready to give up when I realized I should read "Sky in the Deep" first. I absolutely loved the story Eelyn and Fiske and the introduction to the clans helped me to follow the story of Halvard and Tova. In this story, we are introduced to two new clans: the Svell and the Kyrr. As the novel, begins, a small raiding party of Svell have attacked the Nadhir (the name of the new clan that is composed of the Aska and the Riki). Halvard has been chosen to be the new chieftain and must now deal with this new threat. Tova is a Truthtongue from the Kyrr clan who was found and raised by the Svell. The Svell do not trust Tova, but have used her abilities. Tova and Halvard have a connection just as Eelyn and Fiske did, but the book ends so abruptly I was left feeling as if the story was not resolved. I would be interested to learn more about Tova's clan, the Kyrr, which may happen in a sequel?

*An early copy received from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review*

*3.5 I think the final copy of this book could be a 4-star contender in the YA category. The story was intense from the beginning - Tova, a 6 year old, is placed in a little boat and sent out to sea in an emotional, ritualistic ceremony. She is found by a completely different clan, the Svell, and is feared because she can cast stones and predict the future. The Svell keep her and use her ability to their advantage. Tova struggles with her place in the world, which is a key conflict throughout the novel. The book jumps between Tova and Halvard (a male character from a different clan), who is also struggling through coming of age conflicts. Their stories eventually intertwine.

I think I would like to learn more about this creative world and may have to check out the previously published companion novel. Had I read that novel first, I think some of the details of The Girl the Sea Gave Back would have been better understood and appreciated.

My love for Adrienne Young's books grow with each one...okay, so far only two, but that love is even bigger than the first! Her first novel took us to the Viking-ish lands of the Aska and the Riki with the warrior girl Eelyn.

This one brings us to a new land of the Svell with Tova, a girl from the sea with strange markings all over her body who can read the runes and see what the Spinners hold. And to tie in the first book, the Svell are planning to take down the Aska and Riki. Meanwhile, Tova is drawn to one of the enemies, just as he is drawn to her.

Kind of hard to explain more without giving away the ending of the first book. Yes, you can read The Girl the Sea Gave Back without reading Sky in the Deep, but I highy recommend that you read SitD first because it is an outstanding book, and you will understand a tad more of TGtSGB, but it won't hurt you if you don't. Confusing? Hopefully not.

As usual, Young delivers a "romance" story without overwhelming us with hormones or stupid triangles. In fact, the romance in her stories are so subtle that it helps bring the stories to life more.

The book starts out with grieving parents whose daughter has died. A funeral boat is sent out to sea and an arrow is shot to light it on fire. The story continues 13 years later with Tova, a girl that was rescued from the sea, who can cast runes and see into the future. Tova has never been accepted into the tribe that found her. She discovers deceptions, makes new alliances and fights her way back to a family she did not know exists.

The question of how she was thought to be dead then washes up on another shore still alive is a question that was never answered. It left me as a reader wondering how this could have happened. Some type of explanation would have helped bring the story full circle. Besides that, I enjoyed reading Tova's story and would recommend it.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is a quick read with good use of alternating perspectives and timelines. Young once again sets the reader in the middle of a Norse fantasy filled with realistic landscapes and interesting characters. The action is engaging and detailed, interrupted with well-placed memories and flashbacks. The connection between protagonists Tova and Halvard is undeniable, though at times feels a bit rushed or forced.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

While I love the Viking world that Adrienne Young had created I found this story to be less accessible for me to connect the characters in the way the book is written. The voice of Tova and Halvard are not very distinct at times from each other and the first person and flashbacks required that the story needed to be pieced together in awkward chunks. Despite this I enjoyed the overall arc of the story and wanted to see the story to the end. I would love to see if changes are made to the story structure after the final publication.

Beautifully written struggle of one girl's heart-wrenching fight to find answers despite constant prejudice and oppression. Epic world-building. The background plot is based on an Asastro-type fantasy Norse religion, found in early in Nordic regions of the world, lends itself to a creative take on fate and whether it's in the hands of the God's or if it can be changed.
Tova's young life was taken by the sea and her fate was foretold by the God's. Her parent have her body back to the sea and the sea gave life back to her body. Now in the foreign, where she is seem as cursed, Tova must use the gift of Sight to keep herself alive.
Halvard never wanted to be a chief-in-training, let alone a chief, but the Gods have plans for him. When constant blood feuds and warring between clans come to ahead, he is forced to take up the mantle of chief.
A fateful reading of the stones brings Tova and Halvard eye-to-eye across enemy lines and their Fates are sealed. Wether to be friends or foes, they are drawn to each other. I won't ruin it by telling you more, but it is so worth the read.

This is set in the same world as Sky in the Deep, some years later. I really loved Sky in the Deep, but I could not get into this one. It's dual POV, and I got about halfway through and still hadn't connected with either POV. Fantasy isn't always my genre, so I'm sure this will appeal to some readers.

I really wish that I'd given Sky in the Deep a re-read before this so I could better remember some of the characters that are mentioned in this book. Other than that, it was a pretty good book. The beginning felt slow and when a lot of the action came it felt like it was too rushed at the end. Aside from that, the world and overall conflict of the book were interesting. I liked our main characters and their internal struggles. I think I just over-hyped this in my mind. Maybe I'll give the published copy a read and see if my thoughts have changed.