I loved loved loved Sky in the Deep as it was a one-sitting read for me, but for me, this sequel took me a little bit longer to read and it didn't capture me as much as Sky in the Deep. Did I still enjoy it, yes, but I wasn't raving about it.

I absolutely loved Sky in the Deep with its viking edge, but I couldn’t connect with story. The prose is very beautiful and rich. I would have enjoyed more viking elements and stronger romantic tension.

I am absolutely enamored by this book and the world created in it!

This was one of those books that I picked up and absolutely couldn't put down, and in between periods of reading it, I found myself thinking of the story and the characters. It was beautifully written, and I actually haven't read Sky in the Deep yet, but I have a feeling based on writing style alone that I will love it!

I do think it was partially that I was just in the right mood for this kind of book, but I just let it wash over me rather than trying to get too bogged down in the details. Granted this did lead to me getting confused by characters and who was fighting whom, but Tova's journey was so captivating you can't help but be immersed in everything! There were just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat, and the flashbacks were such a nice touch and a great way to break up the battling.

This is one of those books that while I understand why it's a standalone, I wish it wasn't! Absolutely recommend this for anyone looking for a beautiful escape during an afternoon read!

The second Novel to Sky in The Deep that moves us to the future of the clans. The book was atmospheric and well-written with moments that'll make you root for the main character.

I did not read Sky in the Deep, but this can be read as a stand alone. This is my first book by Adrienne Young. There are several positive things and several not so positive things. I felt the writing was very beautiful and descriptive. The issues I had with this book stemmed from the fact the plot was just not that interesting. The plot takes place over a few battles of a war following two characters from warring sides. I just wasn't that interested in the characters or the plot. The romance was very rushed. I will give this author another try in the future, because I did like her writing style.

Great story and loved the romance. Loved the cast of characters and how the story came to be. Great story and I would read this author again. Loved this book .

I really enjoyed everything about this book. Adrienne Young creates a masterful world you want to sit and just breathe in.

I went into this book not knowing anything about it. I was caught off guard with the Viking side of the story but quickly became immersed in the mystical side of it. I loved that she was an outsider who came into themselves and their true power and purpose. I am usually someone who needs a story wrapped up but the open ending in this novel fit the rest of the story perfectly. It actually sets up the potential for another story some where down the line.

The POV change and adjustment is a little difficult. At first you have a hard time differentiating who is speaking which is kind of awkward since it is a male-female change. The tone of the characters could definitely have been better. However, I don't think it took too much away from the overall story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Viking or Norse lore or enjoys a good "finding yourself" story.

I give up. Here is my official DNF. This was just dull. The writing was dry and difficult to focus on. I found myself not caring about any of the characters, the plot, the stakes...this just wasn't the book for me. If you like early 2000s feeling YA fantasy then this book might be for you.

I had a hard time trying to get immersed in this book. I didn't know it was a loose follow up to Sky in The Deep, either. I didn't read the first book, but it was very hyped and featured on Bookstagram. The cover of The Girl the Sea Gave Back is incredible and I may have based my request heavily on that fact. Oops. I am not well versed in all things Nordic/Scandinavian, and even though Adrienne Young has her own spin on those elements, I think at least a passing knowledge would have greatly helped. I am all for world-building and character development ( 2 things Adrienne Young is very good at ) but I just wasn't invested enough for those things to pay off. People who loved the first book will likely find much to love in this one as well. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
2.75 stars

*I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley.*

I’m thinking this writer isn’t for me. I just can’t stand the writing style and don’t care about the characters she writes about. Plus, she frequently leave out things I would love to know more about while giving info on things that I personally think don’t matter

When it comes to Adrienne Young, I cannot get enough of her work. Her style is everything that I love and her characters are always so fascinating. The worlds that she creates are so intriguing and hit all of the points that I desire. I love how she's taken from Norse mythology and made her own set of gods and mythology for her world. Unfortunately, The Girl the Sea Gave Back really fell flat for me.

When it comes to TGTSGB, I was incredibly disappointed. I had attempted to immerse myself into this book three or four times before finally sitting down and listening/reading to it this go around because I was just tired of not knowing how I felt about it. (Also, Alex has been waiting forever for me to finish it. It was time.) Unfortunately, it was just hard to continue after putting down. I found the characters to be incredibly boring and lacking and had the hardest connecting with their stories and trials. I also found that the intense and emotional parts that pertain to the ending just fell flat for me. I feel like because of the disconnect that I was feeling throughout the entire book, that I had just lost the last of my interest in how the book would conclude.

To me, I felt like the book lacked the urgent pacing that one would expect of a story that took place over a couple of days. The story is so action-packed and there is so much information thrown at you, but you don't get any sort of semblance of the setting and the characters just lacked depth for you to care about the events surrounding them and happening to them. Also! There was romance in this book, but their chemistry was practically nonexistent? I honestly didn't expect them to shack up? I thought they were just friends connected by fate or something, but I guess that was the romance? That was just hardcore lacking. I was so sad.

Overall, this book lacked the depth and intensity that Sky in the Deep had. This book felt more like a debut that Sky in the Deep did. I adored Sky. It's probably one of my all-time favorites, but Sea was just not it for me.

DNF.

I did not realize this was the second in a series when I requested it., so I ended up not reading it.

I really enjoyed the concept of this story. I wasn’t sure that I would like it at first, I chose it based solely on the cover art. And I was not disappointed. I won’t post spoilers but will say that it is definitely worth the read! I first saw this book pop up on Instagram and followed it. Glad I did.

Adrienne Young once again writes a beautiful, engaging book. THE GIRL THE SEA GAVE BACK was a wonderful continuation of the world of SKY IN THE DEEP, and it didn’t disappoint.

The further expansion on the world was magnificent. An atmospheric novel, I was immediately transported to their world. Tova was an amazing character and the perfect protagonist for this story!

Overall, I rated this a 5/5 stars. I was not disappointed and couldn’t put the book down!

I enjoyed this book quite thoroughly! I wish I'd realized *Sky in the Deep* was the first book in this series, but I think they're only loosely related.

Adrienne Young is a sea queen. When I read her books, I am entirely immersed. Her writing style is so wonderful. Tie that together with vikings, and I'm all in. ALL IN. While the pacing did have me struggling a bit, I can still see the beauty in this book.

So there was a lot of hype surrounding this book and I didn't understand it. I enjoyed it but wasn't as good as I was expecting.

I am in absolute love with this authors work and super sorry it took so long to even post the review. When life gives you lemons you definitely aren’t making much lemonade unfortunately.

This author has a way of wooing the reader and nestling them in a swaddle bundle of care. I’m loving she’s sorta standalones cause both this and her previous story can be read together but mostly separate. And we all I know I love standalones between all the series that keep coming out. The characters are easy to read and journey with along with the pace being well matched. Perfect for historical fantasy readers.

Adrienne Young is an author who's writing style I very much enjoy. Vikings are a topic I very much enjoy reading about and therefore I did enjoy this book. Sadly it was not as strong as her last book. The world building was lacking a bit and it was slow in the beginning but the ending felt rushed. I am giving it 4 stars, but it would be 3.5 if I could give half points.

Adrienne Young is a hit or miss for me. This was a hit. I never knew I needed a companion novel for Sky in the Deep but here we are. It is vibrantly written and all around beautiful.