I enjoyed Sky in the Deep so much that Adrienne Young became one of my favourite authors from that very moment. Naturally, The Girl the Sea Gave Back has been on my radar ever since its upcoming release was announced, so imagine how grateful I was when I realised that my wish to view the ARC on Netgalley was granted! To make things even more perfect, I actually enjoyed it. I'm still reeling from how fantastically written this is, and I can tell I'm going to miss it.

Since young, Tova has lived among the Svell. But to say that she belongs is an understatement, for the marks on her skin makes her an outcast — a Kyrr. Born with the abilities of a Truthtongue, the Svell makes use of her powers to see the future. All seems to be well until the two clans located in the east joined to become one. The Svells have felt threatened by the merger for a long time, and the question of whether to maintain the peace or go to war has lasted for years. Upon using her stones to read the future on this matter, Tova sets forth a series of violent events without meaning to. It is then she meets one of the Nadhirs by the name of Halvard, a man whose fate is bound to hers.

Once again, Adrienne Young has created an incredible world of the Vikings. Every clan has their own rituals, gods, and differences that make them unique. Learning about their cultures left me intrigued, inducing the eagerness that comes with wanting to know more about the world that the author has built so painstakingly. What's more, we get to catch a glimpse of how the characters from Sky in the Deep are faring. Being reminded of how Halvard is related to Fiske and Iri makes my heart clench, and I wonder when I will have the time to read the companion novel again.

But that is not to say that Tova and Halvard are lacking in any way. They are both very likeable, and I find myself rooting for them all the way. The romance is of the slow-burn category, very much like the one between Fiske and Eelyn but more, so I always find myself waiting impatiently for the next time that the two of them will meet again. Even though their interaction is considered limited, they always send good tingles to my stomach, and I love that.

I will always remember the goosebumps that come up on cue whenever the action scenes make their appearance. The horror, the sorrow stirred by the deaths, and the suspense — so many emotions in this story. I will always remember how awed I feel by what a Truthtongue is capable of.

On the other hand, I actually feel that this could be a little longer? The romance isn't given enough time to develop. I was literally left with my jaw open, and the question of "That's it? What? NO. I need more!" when I finished it. I also don't understand the significance of the chapters that bring readers to the past.

Nevertheless, this book deserves the 5 stars. The good definitely overpowers the bad tenfolds. I'm looking forward to reading subsequent books written by this author!

This review is written based on the ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley. This book can be read as a standalone.

I have been waiting for this book for a very long time, and it certainly did not disappoint. Though it took me a while to settle into the story (mostly because of the Norse-inspired names) once I began to meet and love Tova and Halvard (again), it became the beautiful Norse story Adrienne Young has gifted us once before. I cannot recommend this book enough, for its story and magic, it's lovely rhythm and minimal focus on the battle. IT's all abut the build up of the battle, not the battle itself, and perhaps that's why I love it so much.

Absolutely wonderful, but definitely be sure to read sky in the Deep first if you haven't already!

I really liked this one, not as much as the first book but still. I thought Tova and Halvard were great characters. I loved seeing what happened to everyone. The only thing I liked less was the quick romance. I feel like maybe it should've been left out. It was just very sudden. Other than that, a great quick read.

This book was received as an ARC from the publisher and Author , in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
As a companion and continuation of Sky in the Deep, The Girl the Sea Gave Back
Is a complex, deep, creative world that the Author has created. with enjoyable character and a stunning storyline.
Compelling narrative writing is easy to read. What really enjoyed was the Author ability to create a diverse multi faceted world with and the detailed complex social classes, and cultural traditions.
What I really enjoyed was the two perspective POV’s and
dynamics of the tribes in these books and the culture and different rituals that go with the world building. I was hooked from the beginning in this emotionally charged plot.

Very imaginative Nordic magic system is very different and I must say that I really thought it was some of the best in a YA novel.
A fierce read, about love, hope, ... and how fate shapes each us!

I am definitely looking forward to reading any upcoming writing from Adrienne Young

I loved "The Sky in the Deep" by Adrienne Young, and I really love following Adrienne Young on Instagram, so I was really excited to read "The Girl the Sea Gave Back." I know it's a book her publishers really encouraged her to write even though she initially felt like "TSITD" stood better on its own.
Honestly, it pains me to say this, but I was a little disappointed. It felt like the story took a long time to develop, and I was really looking forward to an epic romance of the proportions I saw in "TSITD," but instead I only got hints of it at the very end. It honestly felt like I got to the end and the story had finally started heading where I wanted it to, and then it was over.
I love how Adrienne Young writes, her prose is beautiful, and I love the atmosphere in both this book and its predecessor. There was a lot of potential in the setting and the characters, I just never felt like I was able to get into it. I was never as invested as I was in "TSITD."
So I guess I spent a lot of time comparing "The Girl the Sea Gave Back" to the previous book, and it just didn't quite live up to it. But I did get through it trying to find out what the answers to the questions raised, and in constant anticipation of the romance that didn't give me quite the satisfaction I was hoping for. So it wasn't a total dud, but it didn't quite live up to my high expectations.

When I first read Sky in the Deep, I thought it was a stand-alone. This book is part sequel part companion book. The main plot takes place about 10 years after the end of Sky in the Deep. It follows Halvard, Fiske's little brother, now a young man; and a young woman named Tova, who when she was a girl washed up on the beach near a Svell village in a half-burnt boat. It follows their intertwined path.

I wasn't sure at first if I would like this book as much as the first one, as it doesn't follow the same characters, they make cameos, but they aren't really in this book. I really loved Eelyn and Fiske, so I wasn't sure if I was going to like it as much. I did though, not as much but I still really liked this book. The world has expanded a little, and the magic that was eluded to in the previous book is expanded more with Tova and her runes. I love the setting of this world. It feels real and ancient.

This book is more plot-driven than character-driven in my opinion. Tova and Halvard, while still great characters, just aren't as compelling as Eelyn and Fiske were for me. They weren't in many scenes together, so their chemistry came across a little more forced and less authentic. The pacing wasn't great either, but this is an uncorrected proof. And while I only noticed one type-o, I'm also sure when the novel goes through final edits everything will be smoother.

I can't wait for this book to come out though. I look forward to reading the final copy. And if you enjoyed Sky in the Deep, I hope you like this one too.

This was a good read, I enjoyed the writing and the plot fine enough. I had a few issues with the main character but overall she was fine. All in all I would suggest this to people who are just getting into the fantasy genre.

I was given an uncorrected ebook copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

YES, YES, a thousand times YES! Another round of applause, ladies and gentlemen, because Adrienne Young has done it again!

As a companion and continuation of Sky in the Deep, The Girl the Sea Gave Back is about an outcast girl who is gifted with reading fate named Tova, and a boy destined to rule his clan one day named Halvard. Though their stories don’t seem connected, the upcoming war between their clans changes all that. Or maybe, their stories were connected long before they were even born. This novel portrays grief, anger, fierceness, love, hope, but mostly fate and how it shapes each and every one of us becoming the person we were always meant to be.

I loved loved LOVED Sky in the Deep, which was definitely one of my top 5 from last year. I love this complex, deep, breathing world that Young has created and we have yet to even know the half of it (more books please??)
As always Young’s writing is top notch and is easy to read (aside from all the Nordic-type names that I have no clue how to pronounce). I loved that she delved into 2 characters perspective this time, really letting as see further into the minds of enemies/friends/social order of their two worlds.
I think that Sky in the Deep is still my favourite, because Eelyn is one of my favourite characters ever to grace my shelves (love that girl).
I felt that this book had a lot more time between major events, which isn’t bad but sometimes moments dragged a little long. I just wanted more interaction between some characters but overall everything that needed to be said was said and done was done. That being said, the ending was good, but I WANT MORE. Maybe this means a new book is on the way?

I love this author so much and one click anything she writes! I was so excited to be able to review this recent work and was not disappointed! Thank you netgalley for the arc!

I honesty requested this book purely bc of the cover. I knew nothing of the author (or her previous book) and didn't even read the blurb. (sorry not sorry). I later found out this book is based in the same world that the author's previous book is about..so I was worried I would be missing crucial information (but honestly I don't feel like you HAVE to read the other book, to understand this one..though maybe it would help to flesh out more of the story). Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a little tough for me in the beginning and I thought for sure I was going to put it down and walk away but I stuck it out and wound up liking it. I would probably go back and try to read the author's other book and see if that helps me with any issues I had with this book.

I love these Viking tales that have been popping up in YA lit lately, but I really loved Sky in the Deep, so of course I absolutely adored this new book!! I love the new relationship dynamics of the tribes in these books and the culture and different rituals that go with the world building. I was hooked from the beginning with the mother having to give up her child because RITUAL. Everything about this book was a win: characters, writing, world building. I loved it and can't wait to buy a copy to go next to my Sky in the Deep!!!

ARC kindly provided by Netgalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed therein are purely my own.

Rating: 5/5

I'd like to say straight off the bat what a beautiful, enchanting, and emotionally charged book this is. The author toggles between the past, present, and future to weave a marvelous tapestry of her story. The book commences with a mother releasing her dead daughter into the sea on an engraved funeral boat, her husband later sending a burning arrow to consume both. This moment in and of itself is so powerful and lays a groundwork for what is to come throughout the book. Emotions are intense, simple acts are drenched in meaning, and the plot is so simple, yet so laden with uncertainty that the reader will be taken on a mental roller-coaster ride.

Tova is a daughter of the Kyrr, a headland people who are spiritual and isolationist. She was found by Jorrund, the Svell people's Tala (spiritual leader/their connection to their god), and has been made to cast runes for the Svell. She is rejected and feared, mistreated and blamed for ill omens by these Svell. Jorrund, the Tala, uses Tova to manipulate people, using her rune casting to his own advantage. When Tova forecasts Hagalaz, or the destruction of all (of the Svell) after a band of warriors goes off with the Chieftains brother to attack and burn an entire Nadhir (a neighboring people) village, the real trouble begins. Vigdis, the Chief's brother believes their people must attack the Nadir before that tribe gets any larger and stronger, but the Chief wishes for peace. The Chief reprimands his brother and calls for a meeting between both tribes to attempt to mend the damage through reparations. At this point, we follow the point of view of Halvard, the Chieftain-to-be of the Nadhir. He is a young man who has not himself engaged in the "fighting seasons" as the people call it, and has been voted by the Nadhir's leaders to become the next Chief. During the meeting, the Svell Chieftains brother Vigdis, betrays him by stabbing the Nadhir Chieftain, beginning a skirmish where almost all Nadir are killed. The Svell Chief is killed by Halvard in the skirmish, an outcome not expected by Vigdis. Thus, the plot is set. Vigdis now goes on a vendetta, blaming the death of his brother on Tova, and using his betrayal to force his people into an all-out war with the Nadhir. Tova is then given an ultimatum- find who killed Vigdis's brother, or die.


I absolutely loved this book and WILL be purchasing a hard copy for my personal library. It is a must-read, and I cannot say enough how wonderful, emotionally charged, and heart-wrenching this book is.

Book: The Girl The Sea Gave Back
Author: Adrienne Young
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC.

This book had all of the potential in the world, but it just fell flat. I do agree with the three star rating on Goodreads for this one. It has a beautiful concept, but it just didn’t come out on the page like it should. The prose is beautiful and I know I should had liked the characters a lot better, but I just didn’t.

The world that Adrienne has created is beautiful. I loved the Viking vibes I got from it. The magic system is very different from other young adult books and I must say that I really enjoyed it a lot. I love it whenever authors create something that is different. What I really liked was the Viking feeling. I am very interested in Viking culture and to have that in a book makes me like it even more.

The characters were just okay for me. Like with Wicked Saints, I would had liked to see them a bit more developed. They were really kind of flat and I have a really hard time with remembering who was who and what their role was. The beautiful writing and magic system just isn’t enough to make up for the flat characters. The relationship between Tova and Halvard felt forced. These were clearly two characters who didn’t have any chemistry with each other and the author was trying to make it seem like it was there when it wasn’t. Halvard also just didn’t seem to have the drive that we expect from young adult characters.

The plot was a little shaky as well. I really had no idea sometimes what the characters were trying to do. I know there is a war between clans, but other than that, it’s not at all clear. I honestly couldn’t figure out what the end goal was going to be. You have to make that very clear from the start of the book. Now, it can change, but there needs to an end goal. Now, I don’t know if this book is going to have a second book or not, but still…

There is a lot of time jumping, which I normally like in books. However, I found it to be very difficult to keep track of what was a time jump and what wasn’t. I do think the time jumps added to the overall story and gave us a really good understanding of the characters-even if they were a bit flat.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back comes out on September 3, 2019.

<b>“There will always be war, Halvard. War is easy. It comes again and again, like waves to a shore.”</b>
I was super excited to read this book. I have never read anything based on Scandinavian culture. I haven’t read the first book that this takes place after, but I will definitely pick it up after reading this one.

The book follows a Truthtongue named Tova. When she was a young child, she was found by the Svell clan. All her live she has been feared and hated by the Svell people, being kept at a distance solely for the reason she can cast the rune stones and see into the future. One night she casts the stones and she ends up starting a series of events that could spell the end of the Svell.

The other character we follow is Halvard, he is a member of the newly formed Nadhir clan. The Nadhir is made up of the Riki and Aska after their blood feud ended ten years earlier.

The book started out slow, I didn’t get grabbed until about chapter five, but once the story grabbed me I was hooked till the end. I wanted more at the end, the ending was lacking but was left open for a sequel which I would love.

It was very nice to find a book with very little romance. There was some in the book but it was very minimal and it focused more on the character development and the struggles they were going through.

I would love another book in this series.

<b>Sometimes fate was a tangled knot. Sometimes it was a noose. Or a net.
But sometimes it was the rope that pulled you from the sinking deep. </b>

So, I'm trying to decide if I give this a 3 or 3.5. I really enjoyed being back in the world of Sky in the Deep (this book is set 10 years after Sky in the Deep) but this book wasn't quite as fierce and gritty. Tova, the main character wasn't as strong as Eelyn and that's something I really loved about Sky in the Deep. Tova is a little bland but there's still something interesting about her that kept me hooked. We also follow Halvard (Fiske's little brother) and I enjoyed following him more so than Tova. I loved getting to know his character more and hearing of old characters.

There was a bunch of time jumping and it wasn't too confusing to me as Adrienne notes the time jump and location at the beginning.

I think the biggest issue I had with this book was in the beginning, keeping track of characters/clans. Since its been a bit since I read Sky in the Deep I could of used a quick character guide.

Overall I didn't hate the book but I definitely enjoyed Sky in the Deep more. I have this book pre-ordered and look forward to seeing any edits that come with it.

This book is a companion novel of the “Sky In The Deep” and I do recommend picking up that novel before this one to avoid spoilers, but it can be read as a standalone. The Girl The Sea Gave Back happens to take place 10 years later featuring a minor character from Sky In The Deep and Tova a brand new female POV.

I was so excited for this book, but I have to be honest in saying it fell really flat for me. Tova who should of been this really interesting character hardly did anything the whole entire novel. She was very lack luster and I had a hard time connecting to her storyline. Halvard happens to be the second character POV and he was my favorite, but still nothing hardly happened.

It was almost a repeat of book one, but with no excitment and a pointless plot that the end had little to no consequences. I really enjoyed Sky in the Deep, but I struggled hard with this and I think it really needed to be more of it’s own story.

I will say though it has a gorgeous cover, possibly my favorite of the year. I do recommend fans of the first book to still pick this one up and give it a try as we all have different opinions. It wasn’t a terrible book, but it definitely has second book syndrome to me.

This book is a companion novel of the “Sky In The Deep” and I do recommend picking up that novel before this one to avoid spoilers, but it can be read as a standalone. The Girl The Sea Gave Back happens to take place 10 years later featuring a minor character from Sky In The Deep and Tova a brand new female POV.

I was so excited for this book, but I have to be honest in saying it fell really flat for me. Tova who should of been this really interesting character hardly did anything the whole entire novel. She was very lack luster and I had a hard time connecting to her storyline. Halvard happens to be the second character POV and he was my favorite, but still nothing hardly happened.

It was almost a repeat of book one, but with no excitment and a pointless plot that the end had little to no consequences. I really enjoyed Sky in the Deep, but I struggled hard with this and I think it really needed to be more of it’s own story.

I will say though it has a gorgeous cover, possibly my favorite of the year. I do recommend fans of the first book to still pick this one up and give it a try as we all have different opinions. It wasn’t a terrible book, but it definitely has second book syndrome to me.

Firstly, I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book to review.

Secondly, this book is supposedly a companion novel to Adrienne Young's previous novel Sky in the Deep. I don't particularly feel that it is adequately promoted as such. I personally didn't realise until I was halfway through the novel and reached out to a fellow bookstagrammer who informed me that it revolves around characters and ideas that were set up in Sky in the Deep.

This answered a lot of my initial issues with the story. It felt mildly underdeveloped at the start and there was little exposition to the characters or descriptions of the world. Now, as a companion novel that makes sense. Everything has already been developed in the previous novel.

However, as I continued to read, determined to preserve through - I was actually able to piece together a lot of the missing parts of the story. You begin to understand what exactly has previously happened to these characters and how they reached where they are.

As the novel continued and the actual story of The Girl the Sea Gave Back began to build, I actually began to really enjoy the novel as a whole. The characters grew on and me and while I didn't completely understand the story behind Halvard and his clan, the story of Tova would have been brand new to any reader - and the mystery of her as a character became enthralling.

By the end of the novel, I was actually a little disappointed it wasn't a fully developed, full-length novel. I wanted to know more about these characters and their lives. I wanted to be more engrossed in the romantic development of their relationship and the tension between their clans. Because the novel was so short, we missed out on a lot that I think would contribute to a very well received standalone story set within the universe of Sky in the Deep.

Overall, I rated the book 3/5 stars - simply because without the content of the first novel, there were certain elements I missed out on. As well as the fact that these characters would have benefitted from a full length novel that was able to go into much more detail and development.

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is a novel beautifully written by Adrienne Young. This epic young adult fantasy novel, published by Wednesday Books, is set to be released on September 3, 2019.

Sky in the Deep, the author’s first book, took me by surprise in the best way imaginable. This book offers so much: adventure, romance, battle, mystical belief, and a great storyline. Putting down this book was impossible, so when I found out about The Girl the Sea Gave Back, I simply had to read it.

This story is set in the same world as Sky in the Deep and takes place a decade later. I love how this book even offers glimpses into the lives of my favorite characters from Sky in the Deep.

Now about the book:

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is the story of Tova, a Truthtongue. Tova is blessed at birth by the Kyrrs’ god to foresee the future using runes. She is found at age six by a rival tribe and raised among them. Unfortunately, Truthtongues are perceived as a bad omen, so she is tolerated as long as she keeps her distance.

A little more than a decade later, some of the tribe members become thirsty for power and use her abilities to decide on the path to take. 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. As the story goes, she will find herself by believing and embracing her fate.

This book has a dual point of view (POV) with another character who is in Sky in the Deep. And I loved this character! I was so happy (and also very surprised, as it’s not mentioned in the synopsis) when I realized who this second POV was from. I found this POV at times even more interesting to read than Tova’s simply because I was already familiar with this character and could relate a little more.

Tova has an interesting story, and her journey was fascinating to me, but at times, it was hard for me to understand her choices. It made more sense at the end though. Overall, the character’s arc is well thought out. The storyline takes an unexpected turn at the beginning. 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. I enjoyed reading every single page, and the ending truly left me wanting more.

This book is a fast read. The pacing kept me going, and the world created amazed me. If you enjoyed reading Sky in the Deep, this book won’t disappoint. I would say to just keep in mind that the romance is not as prominent as it was in the first book.

I highly recommend this book.

I still can’t believe I got an e-arc for The Girl the Sea Gave Back. One of my most anticipated releases of 2019! Sky in the Deep was one of the few 5 star reads of 2018 so I was really excited to dive into this one! And oh boy did I dive... I dove so deep I kinda didn’t want to do anything but read. I might have ordered a pizza because I can’t cook and read at one time. Ok I totally did.

Adrienne Young dives back into this wonderful Viking resembling world and it is glorious. The writing is so addictive and the world is described very vividly with flowing sentences.

We follow Halvard, who was an adorable little boy in Sky in the Deep, but it’s ten years later and he’s grown up into this awesome man. A man who is determined to let peace and love win and not to repeat the mistakes of his ancestors, who is very self concious and constantly wondering if he is good enough and makes the right choices. A man who truly is kind.

Then there’s this girl, Tova, on the other side, who was washed ashore and is only alive because of her ability to tell the future with rune stones. Her life is a struggle for freedom to make her own choices (and basically: not dying), yet she’s stuck with her fate. But that might just change...

The plot is gripping, there are a lot of action scenes but also a lot of feels. So many feels... The characters are very real and fleshed out and both have their own internal struggle. There were many plot twists and I love how it all came together.

If you loved Sky in the Deep, you’ll love this book! There is more magic and the world has grown a bit, but the story has the same feeling. We also meet the characters from Sky in the Deep 10 years later and I fangirled HARD. But don’t be afraid if you haven’t read it: this is a standalone and can very well be read without any knowledge of Sky in the Deep!

All in all, The Girl The Sea Gave Back is another book by Adrienne Young that easily deserves five stars.

I’ve got a free ebook in exchange for my honest review!