Cover Image: The Girl the Sea Gave Back

The Girl the Sea Gave Back

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Thank you NetGalley for the review!

This was my first book from Young so for me, it did read like a debut novel and was just ok for me. I know a lot of people were super excited for the book then I realized its sort of a companion novel to Sky in the Deep. Its a very beautifully written book. I do plan on reading Sky in the Deep as well.

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I was so looking forward to reading this, and it did not disappoint! Thgis one is a companion novel to Sky in the Deep, so it's set in the same world and many of those characters are mentioned, but they are not the focus.

Tova is a truthtongue, someone who can see into the future by casting stones. She is feared but also valued by the Svell, a clan whose shores she washed up on as a child. Told that her original clan sacrificed her, she has no choice but to try to fit in among the Svell, even as they go to war with a third clan, the Nadhir.

The Nadhir's leader-in-training is Halvard, and he is trying to find his place among the clan, and decide for himself if he is truly worthy of leading. When he meets Tova, it could change the future of both their clans.

The world-building continued in this book, which I loved. There were some awesome flashbacks to the early lives of Halvard and Tova, which let me get to know both of them better.

A couple things I wish I could change about this book: there weren't enough interactions between the two main characters. I felt like their plot line was rushed. I also felt like the book itself was a little too short. I would have liked for it to flesh out more of the war between the clans, or to see more in the end. Overall, though, I fell just as deeply for this book as I did for Adrienne Young's first, and I am looking forward to any other books she writes.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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I just finished reading The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young and I could not put it down. I could see where it was probably going but I didn’t know how it was going to get there and I enjoyed finding out!

Tova and Halvard were wonderfully sympathetic characters. Their struggles were mine and I felt every inch of their stress. The supporting characters were captivating as well. So was the world that was created around them.

I love anything centered on mythology and fate. This story won me over almost instantly. I sincerely hope there are more books centered around Tova and Halvard coming soon!

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Well, I am really glad that I paused after initially starting this one to first read Sky in the Deep! Though marketed as a standalone, the world-building and introduction of characters in the first book definitely added to my enjoyment of this one. I really don't think that I would have liked it nearly as much. Stylistically, this book is definitely separate and so despite the setting and characters, the book doesn't really feel like it is the same series. Where the first book is told exclusively through Eelyn's perspective, this one offers a few different voices. The main narrative is split between Tova, the titular girl from the sea, and Halvard, first introduced in Sky in the Deep as the friendly younger brother of Fiske. But, ten years have passed and Halvard has more responsibilities than you would have guessed. Tova is something of a foundling of the Svell's Tala who found the Kyrr girl in a boat.

Tensions and battle rise between Halvard's people and those that have begrudgingly taken in Tova and the plot revolves around this. The storyline isn't exactly unexpected or unpredictable, although it's still an exciting read that follows a fast pace. The ending unfortunately feels a bit abrupt and I really hope that the next book is a sequel that follows the events here more immediately. It's not quite a cliffhanger here, but rather close...

Die-hard Sky In The Deep fans may be a little disappointed because this one has a very different format and some of the more beloved characters play little more than cameos here. The two main narratives overlap at times which gives the book an odd feeling of repetition that feels unneeded. It also slows down the pacing. I had a harder time immediately connecting with Tova, but by the end, I am anxious to see what comes next!

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The girl the sea gave back by adrienee young was deftintally one of my most anticpataed reads for 2019! So, when the publisher sent me this arc I screamed, because I was super excited for it. It took me a litle while to read the arc cause I coudln't get into it while reading it. But when the audiobook and my pre-order arrived I flew this book.
This follows the same characters we met in sky in the deep so you do have to read that one in order to read this sequel/compiaion novel! The setting was amazing. These characters were awesome. I loved all the battle scene that we got they were written better than her first book.
Now don't get me wrong I really enjoyed sky in the deep when I read it last year but even though this is her second novel you can tell she has grown already and that's amazing!
I would totally recemeond this book. I listen to the audiobook which was narratrated by: Dan Bittner & Caitlin Kelly! Who these two have quickly became my favorite narrators this!
So yes people who are reading this review I do recemond this book to everyone I know!(:

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Adrienne Young's The Girl the Sea Gave Back is a companion novel to the authors Sky in the Deep. Once again, the author dives deep into Norse mythology to tell her story. Apparently, this story takes place 10 years after Sky in the Deep. The story follows two main characters from rival clans: Tova is a tattoo-covered Truthtongue who is feared by the Svell clan for her ability to cast runes and see the web of fate. Halvard, the kid from the Rikki clan from the previous book, is now all grown up and has been made heir to the clan. Something he believes he is not worthy of.

Tova was blessed/or cursed at birth to foresee the future using runes. Her tribe thought her dead and cast her out to the sea to their Gods when she was six. Curious, or destiny, she is found by a man named Jorrund from the Svell clan who raises her among his clan. The Svell perceive Truth Tongues to be bad omens. The Svell reluctantly allow her to remain while simultaneously trying to kill her and seek her guidance in a war with Halvard's Nadhir clan. When reading the runes, Tova accidentally sets in motion a series of events that will lead to bloodshed. Torn between guilt and loneliness, she is forced to take part in a blood feud with another tribe.

It is fair to say that Halvard was almost an after thought in this book. He is witness to a devastating loss and betrayal when there should have been peace. He spends a whole lot of time running from the Svell who want to kill him which ends up him meeting Tova who believes that Halvard must be saved so much that she joins his clan. Harvard and Tova have very little scenes together, although they think about each other a lot. His side of the story is more about him coming to terms with becoming the new leader of their clan. He feels unsure and incompetent but it is nice to see that everyone else from his clan see his potential.

The battle scenes in this book are brutal and bloody and the saving grace for the entire story. Some may argue that the romance is lacking in this book, and they might be right. Though, I might add that this did not bother me. The thing I didn’t enjoy: The time jumping threw me off it was so jarring because it went back 7 years, then 10 years, then 12 years. In a major WHOA moment, Nadhir clan combines the 2 clans we met in the 1st book – Riki and Aska together as one. On that point, there is a Eelyn, Fiske, and Iri sighting in this book. It is fair to say the ending leaves LOTS of room for more stories in this world.

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First I would like the thank Netgalley and St. Martin`s Press for providing an E-Arc. 

This is the second book by Adrienne Young that I have read, the first being Sky in the Deep. I loved Sky in the Deep when it came out, so I think that really affected my enjoyment of this novel. I went in with really high expectations and was a little letdown. 

The Girl the Sea Gave Back alternates chapters between Tova and Halvard. Tova is a Truthtongue from the Kerr clan. She was found abandoned in a burnt boat by Jorrund when she was little. Halvard is the younger brother of Fiske who was one of the main characters in Sky in the Deep. This story takes place 10 years later, Halvard was chosen to lead so he is training to become the leader of the Riki and Aska clan (I forget the new name when the two clans joined). Overall it was an entertaining, quick read that I enjoyed, but it didn`t stick in my head and I didn`t love it. I liked the world and the characters for the most part, but I found the pacing to be off which impacted the believability of Tova and Halvard's relationship. Another thing that really started to annoy me the more I read, was how the alternating chapters were done. They overlapped a lot, which was really interesting at first and helped give more depth to some scenes. Unfortunately, it was for pretty much every single chapter so it got old very quickly. Once completing the book I was left wanting more. More romance, more backstory and an explanation of what happened in the end. It ended too vague for me to feel satisfied with it. 

If you read Sky in the Deep and enjoyed it, I would still suggest picking up this one and giving it a go. I don`t think it is for everyone, but if you are looking for a faster read this is one to consider.

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I stopped reading at about 25%. I was really excited for this book, and I tried so hard to make it through, but it just could not keep my attention. I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The writing felt flat and the plot didn't have any surprises. I think this author's writing just isn't for me because I had the same issue with her first book. That being said, I think readers who enjoyed her first book will really like this sequel. You don't have to have read the first book to understand it, but a couple characters make cameos and I bet fans will really enjoy that. Unfortunately it wasn't a hit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Sorry this one wasn't more positive.

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This book was an excellent companion to Sky in the Deep. I loved reading the dynamic between the people and the world building was excellent.

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“The truth was everywhere. It was in everything. You only had to open your eyes to see it.”

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC!

This is my first book by Adrienne Young and thought I had mixed feelings about it at the beginning, I am very happy with the ending and the path this book lead to.

About halfway through the book I was convinced this was going to be a simple 3 star but the more I pushed myself to read the more i really started to connect with Tova.

I really liked that the book was heavy on her characterisation, and how everything always related back to her heritage and past.

— mild spoilers ahead —

The one thing I think I wasn’t entirely comfortable (or perhaps I just didn’t understand) was the constant mentioning of Halvard. It almost seemed that there was infatuation after their limited intereaction but I got over that towards the end.

The romance (expected, I mean this is a YA) was sweet and just the right amount, didn’t feel over saturated and unnecessary.

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I've been waiting for an eternity to read "Sky in the Deep" and understand all the excitement for Adrienne Young's books. I read "The Girl the Sea Gave Back" first and now I understand the hype! Before I continue with my review, I do recommend reading the books in order to best understand them. I missed several references and subplots because I haven't read "Sky in the Deep" yet.

I will read anything about mythology. Mostly I've read Greek mythology, but I wanted to read more series about Norse culture. This series is perfect for that! There's a stream of consciousness style of mythology storytelling, so much so that you don't want the background detail to ever go away. It's clear that Young did her research because mythology is tied in with the overall plot. Whenever Tova specifically was ruminating on Viking lore, I couldn't stop reading. You can tell that Tova is enjoying the mythology just as much as you are!

Speaking of Tova, she was my favorite character hands down. First of all, her name is badass. Second, she tries her best to be a good person despite all the obstacles in her path. I admire that more than anything else in a main character. I'm relieved that she finally got closure in the end. Hopefully though we get to see more of Tova in the future! I can't wait to see Tova grow and gain confidence in future stories. She's so dynamic and powerful in such an empathetic way.

Overall I couldn't get enough of this story. Young takes an unknown and perilous atmosphere and fills it with lovable characters and meaningful dialogue. This is a must read for anyone who enjoyed the "Red Queen" series, "To Kill a Kingdom," "Everless" and the "Percy Jackson" books.

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Although The Girl The Sea Gave Back can be read as a standalone, I think I would have liked it better had I read Sky In The Deep first. I say this because I had a difficult time becoming acquainted with this world, and some cameos from past characters are presented, not that I understood, though. I absolutely love the cover art. The writing is lovely and smooth, and the story is truly unique. I'm sorry to say I just didn't connect with the world or the characters. It's slow going, and I had to really make myself read this book because I got bored. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book like I expected I would. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Although this is a sequel to 'Sky in the Deep' it's set 10 years later and focuses on different characters so it's not particularly crucial to have read that first. I appreciated that it was a very different story to the first and not just a rehash and it felt less cliched, although I must admit I found this second novel a little slower and I didn't connect with the characters as quickly. Overall a decent teen historical fantasy, I'd read more novels by the author.

(ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley)

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The Girl the Sea Gave Back was really good but not for the reasons I thought I was going to love it.

It still had bloody brilliant battle scenes (just like in Sky in the Deep) and I loved the little snippets of past characters - - > Eeyln, Fiske and Myra! I lived for those little hints that they were all good and still happy *sigh*. So yes, I’m biased, my favorite characters (however small their cameos were) made me like this book that much more.

What I wanted was to love TGtSGB for the MCs – Tova and Halvard – and although they each were amazingly strong, resilient and capable, together they didn’t give me quiet as much of the feels as the previous MCs did and that I was expecting. The connection as instant (once they finally meet) but it was there and gone in a blink because the majority of the story is them apart, each doing their own thing to further the story along.

The politics and the mystery of Tova’s background is intriguing and the mystery behind it all kept me reading but it was definitely missing the one on one interaction between Halvard and Tova. I’m a romantic and I was expecting a larger romantic plot that just never materialized.

The book was also a bit slow to start and the back and forth between the past and present was nerve wrecking lol! Things definitely pick in the second half of the book but the ending felt scarily abrupt and quick. I wouldn’t have minded an alternate ending with just a couple more pages with the MCs spending some time together when they weren’t fighting for their lives. I think it would have made a huge difference.

Would I recommend? Yes, especially for those that don’t crave such a strong romantic aspect to the story.

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I was excited to read The Girl the Sea Gave Back. Every review I read about this book painted it as a fantastic read. So, I went into this book with high expectations. I am happy to say that The Girl the Sea Gave Back lived up to those expectations. It was a fantastic read!!

The plotline for The Girl the Sea Gave Back was interesting. Tova was found in the wreckage of a funeral boat by a Svell holy man. Recognized as a Truthtongue by she is taken to the nearby Svell village. There, she is used to read runes for the leader of the Svell. Things change for her when two rival clans merge into one. Forced to read the runes, what Tova sees will change her life. People will die, and Tova will realize that she can have the one thing that she wants the most: a home.

The plotline for The Girl the Sea Gave Back was fast-paced and well written. I have a love/hate relationship with fast-paced books. I love them because the book zips along. I don’t like them because sometimes, there are plotlines that get overlooked. Which didn’t happen here.

I loved how the author had the tribes modeled after the Vikings. The tribes weren’t exactly like the Vikings, but there were enough similarities that I had pause at points and tell myself, “This is a fantasy book. Not real life.” The two essential things that stood out to me were the Tova reading the runes and the funeral boat in the prologue.

I liked Tova and man, did I feel bad for her at points in the book. What she went through was awful. The Svell hated her because she was a Kyrr Truthtongue, but they used her too. I couldn’t even imagine growing up under that type of hatred. She read the stones that told the Svell that they needed to battle Nadhir, which sets her on course to meet with Halvard. I also liked that Tova was conflicted about her rune reading. She wanted to please the leader, but at the same time, she didn’t want to cause death. I found her connection to Halvard to be interesting. I do wish that more had been explained about why she was connected to him. Something other than he was her destiny. Because I’ll tell you, it did confuse me.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is a bloody book. There are quite a few battles between the Svell and the Nadhir. I liked that the author didn’t hold anything back when it came to describing the battles. I am not at all affected by blood and violence in a book. But some people are.

There is no romance in The Girl the Sea Gave Back. I can’t tell you all the last time I read a young adult book that didn’t have a romance. I loved it!! There was a hint of it between Tova and Halvard but it didn’t get beyond a hint.

I do wish that Tova’s background had been released sooner. I would have understood certain parts of the book better. I didn’t put two and two together until the middle of the book. And even then, it took me a while to realize who Tova was.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is not a stand-alone book. I read it as one and was left wondering about several things mentioned in the book. Relationships and how the Nadhir were brought together were the main ones. Read Sky in the Deep before reading The Girl the Sea Gave Back.

The end of The Girl the Sea Gave Back was interesting. The way individual storylines were ended made me wonder if there will be another book in this world. I hope so because I enjoyed it. I hope that there will be more focus on the Kyrr if there is.

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3.5

Ten years ago, the Riki and Aska clans united to defeat their common enemy the Herja. The clans remain united, calling themselves the Nadhir. Peace, always tentative, is on the verge of breaking as tensions rise between the Nadhir and the Svell. Heir to the clan chieftain, Halvard is amongst the first generation to grow up without constant blood and death among their people. He’s loath to lead his brethren on a path that will bring back the fighting and revenge. But he will do everything he can to ensure the survival of his clan.

Tova has lived among the Svell since she was a child. Her life before that is foggy, but the symbols and pictures on her body mark her as a Kyrr. Most notably, the open eye at her chest indicates Tova is a Truthtongue; someone who casts the runes to predict the future. All her life Tova has been used for her powers, but also equally used as a scapegoat when things don’t turn out the way the leaders want. Her casting the runes will set the Svell on a path of war, death, and destruction, and will put Tova right in Halvard’s path.

For those who don’t make the connection going in, Halvard is the younger brother to Fiske from Sky in the Deep. Honestly, it took me a bit to put it together, but it really doesn’t matter. The Girl the Sea Gave Back reads really well entirely on its own, but if you have read Sky in the Deep (recommended) then it’s also nice to have that context in place.

As a comparison between the two companion books, Sky and Girl read like entire opposites in terms of pacing and characterization. When looking back, I actually love the connection that it brings up between where the clan was ten years ago (fighting, dying) with where they are now (living, peace). Both books represent really well the mindset in which we find our characters/world. I loved Sky’s fast-paced fierce brutality. But I understand Girl’s hesitance to go back in that direction again.

There’s a lot of contemplation about fate and whether or not it’s an unmoving force or a movable object. There’s a lot of circling that happens throughout the book and it can feel a bit repetitive, but somehow, with Adrienne Young’s brilliant writing, the story moves steadfastly forward.

I would have loved more interactions between Halvard and Tova. What little there is wasn’t as satisfying for me as Fiske and Eelyn’s interactions in Sky. But Halvard and Tova each occupy their own space. Halvard in the task of leading his people into potential slaughter, and Tova with figuring out where she comes from and what part her path plays in the future of the Svell and Nadhir. I enjoyed the fact that Halvard and Tova circle around each so much throughout the story, but when they finally do come together I really wanted more depth as it’s clear they’re connected on some kind of almost spiritual level.

While The Girl the Sea Gave Back didn’t resonate with me as much as Sky in the Deep I still found it to be a worthy companion novel. Be prepared for the differences, but also try to go with the flow of what the novel is supposed to represent and I think you’ll enjoy it.

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Okay, this wasn't bad at all, but it just wasn't as good as Sky in the Deep in my opinion.
It took a REALLY long time for me to get into the story and the characters and it was only during the last half that I started to enjoy myself.

The dual perspective didn't sit well with me since Tova and Halvard were separated throughout 80% of the book and I would've preferred seeing things unfold through one of them instead of both, which made some things overlap.
I also expected this to have more romance, but the romance was pretty much non-existant here. I didn't feel the spark between them, which is a shame, because I love a good slow-burn romance.
I loved reading about the characters from the previous book, like Eelyn, Iri and Fiske.

I wish there would have been a little more action, especially in the first half, but the epic battle in the second half made up for that!

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So when I started this book, I didn't realize it was a sequel or in the same world as a previous book by the author. I don't know if that's why I struggled to get through this book or not. I found that I just didn't feel any connection to the characters or world at all. I really hate saying that considering how beautiful the cover is and how well the author writes.

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This was such a great story! The characters were great, the world was interesting. There wasn't a lot of detail on the different cultures or the people but it didn't hinder the story. It had a viking feel like Sky in the Deep, similar culture and religious beliefs. The ending, while somewhat predictable, was great and left you suspecting instead of having a solid end. Overall, this was a great story and something I'd recommend to those who like fantasy based in a viking culture.

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*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

After thoroughly enjoying Sky in the Deep, when I saw this book come up on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it. What I totally didn't realize it before starting is that this book is also set in the Sky in the Deep world. You don't need to read the other before this one, but it does shine a light on some of the characters and the background of one of the clans. I did wish I had re-read Sky in the Deep recently. I recognized names, but couldn't remember if we knew anyone more -- had I, I might have felt more emotional over a few of the actions and scenes.

While I did really like this one, I felt like most of the time I was waiting for something to happen. The book is pretty much all a lead up to the end part. This makes it feel more slow-paced. In fact, the book is told over just a few days. There also are not many positive interactions between people, which bummed me out. And yes, that means only a few short interactions between our main characters, who are love interests. Truly, the romance is something we could have done without in the book, because I don't think it was handled very well. I think they only have 3 conversations in the book... maybe.

Yet, I did really like it. I couldn't help but keep flipping the pages to see what was going to happen. I even enjoyed how the flashbacks were handled.
Tove and Halvard are really interesting characters. Halvard is thrust into a leadership position, when he doesn't want to be and Tova is an outsider forced to use her abilities in order to survive. I liked the characters and wanted them to succeed, which also probably why I felt so compelled to keep reading the book to the end.

I definitely will recommend this one, but not for anyone wanting something fact-paced. Yes there is action and some brutal scenes, but the pacing might throw some people off.

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