samstewart's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jvalleeauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This incredible second installment of the Sky and Sea duology provides a completely different outlook of a woman survivor, in comparison to its predecessor. The shift from a warrior protagonist to a helpless caster of rune stones pulls at your heart strings for the life she lives and her role in the outcomes that arise.
The story that follows the Svell clan has no less bloodshed than portrayed with the Aska and Riki, and discovering how the clans intertwine with time is a development worth sticking around for.
The story that follows the Svell clan has no less bloodshed than portrayed with the Aska and Riki, and discovering how the clans intertwine with time is a development worth sticking around for.
sydneybeth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarah_dreger's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the connections to sky in the deep. The atmosphere is amazing and Tova’s backstory is perfect. However the insta love was not needed. Either go more into their relationship or skip it.
wordsareweapons's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this overall. I definitely liked seeing more of the world she created in The Sky in the Deep, and getting a new set of characters. However, I don't know if it was the lack of action or what but I really struggled to stay interested in this one. The characters were great, but I felt like not much really happened for a good chunk of the book. Once it picked up I was more invested, it did wrap up rather quickly though. I honestly don't know, I think I just was expecting a bit more action or something.
books_plan_create's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
mdoerr's review against another edition
4.0
This was an unnecessary sequel. The previous book wrapped up well and didn’t leave me with lose ends. Here we jump forward a little over a decade and see the story of Harvard, the little brother the first one. I enjoyed the story of competing clans and power shifts. This one definitely had a bit more magic in it than the first one. I wanted to understand more about the culture of the new clans we are introduced to. They aren’t really mentioned in the first book and then they are just thrown in the for the second book. I wish I had a better understanding of their cultures to really be immersed into the world. With that being said, I still gave this 4 stars and really liked it.
livy22's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 stars
My review will be brief, but this book didn't quite hit the high note I was hoping for. I loved Sky in the Deep, and this book follows one of the beloved side characters from the first book. We also follow a girl marked by mysterious runes with the ability to read the will of the Spinners. With new clans and cameos from familiar characters, I thought this one would be a no-brainer. But unfortunately, a few issues kept me from loving The Girl the Sea Gave Back.
First off - and most prominently - was the pacing problem. The first 3/4 of this book dragged by with little-to-no advancement for either the plot or character arcs. It was basically one long introduction to the stakes of the story. The events that did occur could've been condensed considerably, as it feels like the real story began with only a thumbful of pages left.
My other qualms surrounded the lack of dynamic in the characters and their relationships. Halvard, who I loved in Sky in the Deep, felt like a stock character with no personality. Our other protagonist, Tova, was interesting, but a lot of her story revolved around Halvard, and the two only truly meet near the end of the book! Their romance lacked the development and tension that I loved so much in Eelyn and Fiske's story in Sky in the Deep. Instead, Tova and Halvard's "connection" felt very insta-love and star-crossed lovers, minus any of the angst.
Overall, I didn't hate this companion novel, but I wouldn't recommend it as a must-read for fans of Sky in the Deep.
My review will be brief, but this book didn't quite hit the high note I was hoping for. I loved Sky in the Deep, and this book follows one of the beloved side characters from the first book. We also follow a girl marked by mysterious runes with the ability to read the will of the Spinners. With new clans and cameos from familiar characters, I thought this one would be a no-brainer. But unfortunately, a few issues kept me from loving The Girl the Sea Gave Back.
First off - and most prominently - was the pacing problem. The first 3/4 of this book dragged by with little-to-no advancement for either the plot or character arcs. It was basically one long introduction to the stakes of the story. The events that did occur could've been condensed considerably, as it feels like the real story began with only a thumbful of pages left.
My other qualms surrounded the lack of dynamic in the characters and their relationships. Halvard, who I loved in Sky in the Deep, felt like a stock character with no personality. Our other protagonist, Tova, was interesting, but a lot of her story revolved around Halvard, and the two only truly meet near the end of the book! Their romance lacked the development and tension that I loved so much in Eelyn and Fiske's story in Sky in the Deep. Instead, Tova and Halvard's "connection" felt very insta-love and star-crossed lovers, minus any of the angst.
Overall, I didn't hate this companion novel, but I wouldn't recommend it as a must-read for fans of Sky in the Deep.
binzpr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25