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.

This book is such a toughie for me and honestly, I plan on re-reading it when it comes out in print, which means that my rating MAY change. At this point, however, I feel that while the plot, characters, and relationships presented in this book should have been on par with the first book, it felt a little flat and Tova never really came alive for me.

So, here's the story. Her mother gave her to the sea as demanded by the spinners, but it gave her back to a foreign village that sees her as cursed. Tova is a truthtongue. This means she can foretell the future by throwing a set of stone runes. Her adopted clan, the Svell, use this skill to their advantage and determine their next moves and decision based on what the stones reveal. When the clan leaders become divided on whether they should go to war or keep the peace, Tova casts the stones and inadvertently causes a clan war. The Svell meet with the neighboring clan, the Nādhir, and the brother, Vigdis, of the Svell chieftain, decides to take matters into his own hands and assassinates the Nādir leader, Espen. At this point, Halvard, who was the annoying but lovable younger brother in Young's previous novel, and Tova see each other for the first time. He also kills the Svell leader, Bekan.

This as I said causes a clan war between the Svell and Nādir, which drags Tova and Halvard along into the chaotic mess. Since Halvard killed Vigdis' brother, he decides to take revenge and forces Tova to find out, where Halvard is located by using the dice. On the other hand, Halvard wounded needs to make it home so he can become the next chieftain, something that weighs heavy on him, as he struggles to find his way home and warn his people. This is complicated by Tova's reoccurring feeling that is somehow bound to Halvard and must find a way to help him. Tova's life is even more complicated by the fact that she was raised by the Tala, Jorround, who continuously reminds her that her family sacrificed her to the gods, and he was the one, who took her in and raised her.

The ending was a bit ambiguous but I have no problem with that. However, I felt like the entire plot and characters seemed very contrived and forced. I wanted to love Tova but I felt like I never really had the chance to know her and this was mostly impeded by including Halvard's perspective and the need to get the events rolling in the book. However, the biggest issue with this book is it's just one book. The plot, foreshadowing, conflicts, characters, and relationships felt substantial enough for an entire series but it was delivered in a perfunctory manner. All of the conflicts, Tova's dilemma about her identity, Halvard's crisis about being a leader and their own flashbacks were neatly compiled into one book that also dealt with a clan war. Everything happened immediately and resolved too quickly without allowing us to really dive into the story and characters.

While I really enjoyed Adrienne Young's first book, Sky in the Deep, I can't say that about The Girl the Sea Gave Back. I found the the characters were hard to care about because you really dont get to know them very well. I also didn't like the alternating POV of Halvard and Tova. The story didn't hold my attention very well. I found myself more skimming the pages than reading then, All in all, I was quite disappointed. I expected better.

DNF @ 54%

I truly hate to do this for an arc, but I don't think I can finish this one. I remembered that the first book in this world took me a few chapters to get acclimated, but after reading over half of this one, I don't think it's going to happen. I even set it down for a few days and tried to get back into it later, still with no luck. I had a difficult time grasping where the plot was going and the flashbacks are formatted in a way that confused me. I couldn't explain any of the relationship dynamics if someone asked me. I just could not get invested in a way that made me pay full attention, and as a result I had a hard time figuring out what was going on. It's truly a bummer because I loved the title, it has a gorgeous cover, and I am so down for a juicy viking premise. I thought that the summary sounded incredible, but when I actually dug into it, it felt like just another forgettable war story that just couldn't hook me or establish any stakes. I hope that fans that love Sky in the Deep are not deterred by my review, another round in this world is going to be really fun for them. But for a lukewarm fan, you are probably better off skipping this one for another title.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the e-ARC!

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is an epic tale woven with intricate detail by Adrienne Young. I'm not much into fantasy and odd names usually end up turning me away but Young's writing is vivid and fresh. The characters come alive as you read and there are no unwarranted details. Tova is a strong female lead. Fans of Sky in the Deep will devour this one! Great job on the cover!

I have come to realize in the past little bit that fantasy novels have to have a very specific thing to them for me to enjoy them and unfortunately I think this series just doesn't have it for me.

I have recently discovered this author and i was blown away by her first book so i was so excited for this one. It did not disappoint and was full of twists! I really loved this book!

Adrienne Young fans and Neil Gaian fans will love this book. While it isn’t part of a series, it does thrust us back into the ancient ways of the Viking clans. Told in alternating points of view between Tova and Havalard. It begins very slowly and I think that might confuse readers. I had a little bit of trouble keeping up with who was who. I think less experienced readers would have trouble following the story along. Not only does it alternate points of view, it goes back and forth in time, and it is hard to tell between which faction is at war with the others. It is supposed to be a time of peace. Tova is the main character and we know she is the dead girl sent out to sea. But the sea has other plans for her, and she has a destiny that she knows is much bigger than her.

I didn't quite enjoy this book as much as I did Sky in the Deep but it was still an enjoyable read. My main issue was with typos and the fact that it took me way too long to remember who and what everyone and everything was.

Received and ARC from NetGalley for review. Wonderfully told stand-alone tale.....but I could use so much more! Fantastic world building, magic, strategy, friendships, betrayal, and more make this an enjoyable read.

Last week I read A LOT of fantasy YA fiction BUT this was so REFRESHING. It was well written and the author skilfully writes from two points of view and blends both halves of the story perfectly. Reading this was an immersive experience from the very first page, heavily steeped in mythology and conflict this is the best YA fantasy book I've read this year.

The book begins with a funeral and ends with many more, but the middle is a delicate tale woven from the lives of two young protagonists, Tova and Halvard. As a child Tova died. Later in life Tova is told she was cast out by her family and Kyrr clan, she was found as a baby by the Svell's spiritual leader. The markings on her skin leave her as a seer like figure for the clans. Destined to throw the stones and read their destiny yet untrusted and unloved, she seeks for another life.

Halvard has been designated the next leader for his clan. The fate and well being of many lay heavily on his young shoulders. With betrayal and bloodshed on the horizon the Spinners of Fate know how the conflict between Tova and Halvard's clans will end, but little is made clear to them. Will the spinning threads of fate ever lead Tova home? Will the stones lead Halvard or the Svell to victory? Nothing happens by chance any more now the future is seen in the Truthtongue's stones.

This book is furiously fast paced, packed full of emotion, heart and adventure. It's perfect if you enjoyed reading Viper by Bex Hogan or Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean.

https://booksandnuggets.wordpress.com/2019/04/22/weekly-reads-8-0/

<i>Sky In The Deep</i> is one of my favorite books EVER! I was so excited to learn there was going to be another book set in the same world, and <i>The Girl the Sea Gave Back</i> didn't disappoint.

<b>What I Liked:</b> Fast-paced and action packed, the story is told in alternating POVs (Halvard, Fiske's little brother, and Tova) and takes place roughly a decade after <i>Sky In The Deep</i> ends. It was fun to see Halvard all grown up (at the ripe old age of eighteen, but still), and Tova was an interesting character. And of course I loved the cameo's from the first book--I'm looking at you, Fiske.

<b>What Left Me Wanting More:</b> The time jumps, though confusing at times, were a creative way to tell the story and to show how everything pieced together. This lacks the intense romantic element I enjoyed in the first book, and could best be described as a <i>really</i> slow-burn. The ending was more abrupt than I would have liked it to be. <spoiler>Halvard and Tova spend most of the book apart, only catching glimpses of each other, until near the end. And then the book is over. Their romance relies heavily on how their lives have interwoven before they ever meet, but we don't get to see them became a couple or experience life together the way Eelyn and Fiske did in the first book.</spoiler>Maybe that's because there is another book coming? I hope so! I would love to read more about Tova's family.

<b>Final Verdict:</b> Fans of <i>Sky In the Deep</i>, Norse mythology, and readers who prefer action over romance will enjoy this one.

<i>Thank you to the publisher for proving an ARC in exchange for an honest review.<i>

I received an ARC copy of this text from St. Maarten's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fantasy, treachery, magic, and alternating narrative view abound in this novel.

What I liked:
This stand-alone YA fantasy novel is like a nice dessert; it’s the perfect reading to end a day. The pacing of the plot begins slowly, but it picks up after a few chapters and maintains the quick pace until the conclusion. The flashbacks within the story allow for space and time for the main characters, Tova and Halvard, to develop more fully.

This is my first experience with Young’s writing, and I found the plot engaging. It took me about 8 chapters to keep all the characters organized in my head, but eventually they all head clear narrative voices.

What was a struggle:
I did not read the Sky in the Deep, so I was completely unfamiliar with the world and characters, but as this was marketed as a stand-alone novel, it shouldn’t have been necessary for me to read the original text. Having said that, I enjoyed the style of writing and the universe, so I am adding The Sky In the Deep novel to my “to-read” list.

I found the ending of the text a little unsatisfying in that it resolves the conflict, and abruptly ends (it seems as it might be setting itself up for a sequel?), which is why I compare it to dessert rather than a 5-course meal. The plot and characters are strong, but there are times, especially with the ending and the connection between the two narrators, where I would have liked more development.

Overall thoughts:
Would I recommend this to my students? Yes.

Do I want to read more by Adrienne Young? Yes – The world building is excellent, and I enjoyed the characters.

I will post this review on August 03 (30 days prior to the release of the novel on September 03) via Goodreads.

This book was received as an ARC from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was really interesting with a modern spin that throughout the book I could not help to think, modern Little Mermaid but what I loved about The Girl The Sea Gave Back is the theme associated with this book in how important it is to not only have a physical place call home but a family and a sense of belonging. Also, from the rivalry and the separation of class this book invoked, I got a sense of Red Queen which made my interest more invested than when I started reading this book.

We will consider adding this title to our YFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars..

This was a somewhat satisfying sequel to Sky in the Deep. We get to check in with where some of my favorite characters were. I was very invested in the main characters from Sky in the Deep but was disappointed the story deviated from them and focused on Halvard and newer characters 12 years after the Sky in the Deep concluded. I wasn't as invested with Tova. I couldn't connect with the character and it just seemed like a foregone conclusion that she and Halvard would end up together. The plot and action could be anticipated and I like a little surprise in stories. Something that keeps me guessing and that was lacking here. Still an enjoyable read and would recommend to YA readers.

Definitely one of the best written and crafted stories I've read so far this year. Unfortunately, the grim tone just couldn't keep my attention. I need a little more heart in my stories. Probably a me thing so if you were a fan of Young's earlier work, this should make your soul sing.

Overall, this was a really strong story. The writing was solid and enjoyable. The dual POVs serve the story well, especially as that helps us get to know the characters individually before we see them together. I will say I would have preferred a bit more of our characters from the first story, but I do understand that this is more of a companion story than a straight sequel. If you like the first book, you'll enjoy this one too.

Adrienne Young spins a colourful, action packed tale, set in the land of the Vikings, about the uncompromising nature of fate, the grimness and brutality of war, and finding one’s place in a land that’s not your own. Fans of Veronica Roth’s The Fates Divide will love The Girl the Sea Gave Back. I would have liked to see more character development, especially for Tova, which is why I’m giving it only four stars.