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shannon_reidwheat's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 At times a bit hard to follow, especially if I didn't pay attention whose POV I was reading. Storyline is good, author (Mindy McGinnis, a favorite of mine) has created an interesting world!
moocowimpi's review against another edition
4.0
I really thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was less YA and more Adult in nature but that's what I enjoyed about it. It had a really good story, characters you could feel for and a nice flow to the writing.
Good read. Now I have to wait for the next one.
Good read. Now I have to wait for the next one.
npolidoro24's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 ish Really interesting concept. The love interest “octagon” was very fun too. I listened to the audiobook and found myself losing focus a lot, so I do not remember many of the little details and don’t feel very attached to any of the characters.
I prefer physical reads because I do lose focus a lot when listening to the book, and I think I get more connect when physically reading, so it is nothing against the book. I still thought it was a really fun read.
I prefer physical reads because I do lose focus a lot when listening to the book, and I think I get more connect when physically reading, so it is nothing against the book. I still thought it was a really fun read.
90sinmyheart's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the world-building. I like how she addressed sexuality.
The parts about seemed especially timely.
The parts about
Spoiler
re-writing historyannaper's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this, i loved the indiri and their stories.
The whole world was amazing, can't wait to read the next!
The whole world was amazing, can't wait to read the next!
jasmine_elizabeth's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed my reread of this book and look forward to finishing this duology with Given to the Earth
The Good:
>Vincent and his unrequited love for Khosa (I really enjoyed this, Vincent is a sweet guy.)
>The plot as a whole was really good.
>I like the short chapters.
The Bad:
>Khosa and how whenever someone touches her she vomits (don't get me wrong I get it she doen't like the touch of another, but to vomit. I don't understand why Vincent keeps trying I really don't)
>WHY CAN'T KHOSA JUST GENTLY LET VINCENT DOWN INSTEAD OF LEADING HIM ON
>Dara, a badass Indiri Fierce as they come, becomes broken after rejection, after being like I must only mate with an Indiri her whole life.
The Good:
>Vincent and his unrequited love for Khosa (I really enjoyed this, Vincent is a sweet guy.)
>The plot as a whole was really good.
>I like the short chapters.
The Bad:
>Khosa and how whenever someone touches her she vomits (don't get me wrong I get it she doen't like the touch of another, but to vomit. I don't understand why Vincent keeps trying I really don't)
>WHY CAN'T KHOSA JUST GENTLY LET VINCENT DOWN INSTEAD OF LEADING HIM ON
>Dara, a badass Indiri Fierce as they come, becomes broken after rejection, after being like I must only mate with an Indiri her whole life.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
****SPOILERS*****
Sooooooooo I liked the story . . . but there was A LOT I didn't like.
I don't like how it seemed Vincent forced himself on Kosa. She liked him enough to be his friend, but if she can't stand anyone's touch but Donald and Dara, none but those 2 should attempt to touch her unless to save her life. I hate that Vincent basically ignored his feelings and attraction to Dara all because a shiny new toy (Kosa - who didn't even want him that close) was in front of him. He was like a spoiled child that is used to getting his own way and throws a fit if he doesn't. Correction: Vincent is a prince, so he IS a spoiled child that is used to getting his own way and throws a fit if he doesn't *rolls eyes*. But in the ends Vincents spoiled ass is happy and Kosa indifferent. Ugh!
I hate that Vincent doesn't think to be more with Dara only because of her race. Why can't he be the example. I understand why Dara is so angry but hate that she uses her anger as a crutch. I hate that she sought to be rid of Kosa despite the consequences. Like, she just didn't think. She let her anger rule her. I hate that she was propositioned by Vincents' DISGUSTING father. And I hate that in the end she is still alone and still pining for Vincent (and his spoiled ass).
I hate that Donald denied Kosa because of Dara. Dara was like a pro black female who takes being pro black too damn far. Donald wanted Kosa just as much as she wanted him. It seems wrong that they aren't allowed to be together in the end.
I know it's hard to tell but I did like this book . . . I just feel so strongly about everything that went wrong in the story.
Sooooooooo I liked the story . . . but there was A LOT I didn't like.
I don't like how it seemed Vincent forced himself on Kosa. She liked him enough to be his friend, but if she can't stand anyone's touch but Donald and Dara, none but those 2 should attempt to touch her unless to save her life. I hate that Vincent basically ignored his feelings and attraction to Dara all because a shiny new toy (Kosa - who didn't even want him that close) was in front of him. He was like a spoiled child that is used to getting his own way and throws a fit if he doesn't. Correction: Vincent is a prince, so he IS a spoiled child that is used to getting his own way and throws a fit if he doesn't *rolls eyes*. But in the ends Vincents spoiled ass is happy and Kosa indifferent. Ugh!
I hate that Vincent doesn't think to be more with Dara only because of her race. Why can't he be the example. I understand why Dara is so angry but hate that she uses her anger as a crutch. I hate that she sought to be rid of Kosa despite the consequences. Like, she just didn't think. She let her anger rule her. I hate that she was propositioned by Vincents' DISGUSTING father. And I hate that in the end she is still alone and still pining for Vincent (and his spoiled ass).
I hate that Donald denied Kosa because of Dara. Dara was like a pro black female who takes being pro black too damn far. Donald wanted Kosa just as much as she wanted him. It seems wrong that they aren't allowed to be together in the end.
I know it's hard to tell but I did like this book . . . I just feel so strongly about everything that went wrong in the story.
jadeyrae's review against another edition
1.0
Not worth the time of day. This was a pain to get through, I wanted to DNF so many times, but I needed to finish just to justify my strong feelings against this book.
I felt nothing. The characters were nothing, the world nothing. I had no emotion in this read at all.
Do we want to get started on the love octagon? Yeah, not a triangle, so much worse. I can't even describe the frustration at how poorly it was executed.
Big thumbs down from me. Don't bother.
I felt nothing. The characters were nothing, the world nothing. I had no emotion in this read at all.
Do we want to get started on the love octagon? Yeah, not a triangle, so much worse. I can't even describe the frustration at how poorly it was executed.
Big thumbs down from me. Don't bother.
velmawiththadrip's review against another edition
3.0
This book was bizarre. The world building could use some fleshing out as well, and I’ve come across several stories about girls who’re given to the sea in one format or the other lately so I’m not sure how unique this trope is. Overall though it was an enjoyable read and I’ll probably read book two in the duet at one point just to see how the story is resolved.
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
2.0
Mindy McGinnis seems rather edgy. she's one of those authors that takes chances, pushes tropes, talks about race, class, and one's purpose in the world. While that worked for me in A Madness So Discreet, it absolutely did NOT work here. First of all you've got 4 different perspectives- one of which is the titular character, named Khosa,- and another who is the Lithos (King) of a neigboring kingdom. Another is a girl of a dying race who possesses ancestral magic and is in love with Prince Vincent, who is the last viewpoint. It was jarring jumping between all of these characters, and even moreso when we jumped to Witt, the Lithos- as it seemed that he had nothing to do with the rest of the story. (He ended up being my favorite character, but we'll save that for later.) His narrative and the other three only come together at the very end of the novel, and even then it's not a true meeting, or very satisfying. Vincent is third in line for the crown and doesn't want to be. Dara, the girl with the ancestral magic, is in love with Vincent- but he makes it plain early on that nothing is going to happen between them, since she comes from a dying race that is seen as lowly to the kingdom of Still.
Then we have "The Given." She annoys me more than anyone else in the book, and I dislike Dara quite a bit. Khosa is from a long line of sacrificial females: her one purpose is to choose a mate, birth a child, and then dance to and drown herself in the ocean to placate the monsters that live within it- otherwise the monsters and the sea will destroy the land of Stihl. So here's the thing. If it was merely tradition, with no hard facts to back it up, I'd be all about forgoing it to save Khosa's life and the lives of her future kin. However. Three times during the book, magic takes over her body and tries to dance her into the ocean. The ocean wants her, and she wants to go. So if this part is true, chances are, the rest of it is true as well- otherwise, why would she be magically compelled to go when no one else is? So, she should be doing this thing that she was born to do, this ONE job she has, to protect her kindgom and her people. But she refuses to do it. Part of the reason is she cannot be touched by another person without having immense pain and nausea. No touch, no sex, no child. Despite this, Vincent falls in love with her, and Khosa falls in love with Donil. However, she still refuses to be touched or have sex with either of them to produce a child. I understand why she doesn't want to- as soon as she gives birth, she needs to dance into the waves and sacrifice herself. But sweetie, this is your job. This is what you were born for. You have the lives of the entire kingdom on your shoulders.
Now, that being said. Most people take issue with the fact that the king offers a large reward to anyone who can bed and impregnate The Given. I'll pause for a moment to give you time to be all up in arms about it. Are you thoroughly triggered? I'll go one step further: I don't blame him. Think about it. If you are the King of this land, and you completely believe that this one girl stands between your Kingdom's happiness and your destruction, and she is refusing to do the thing she was born to do... wouldn't you take similar action? I don't support rape, folks, but come on.
My other gripe with this book is there's too much vomiting, and in strange circumstances. Those of you who've read this book, you know what I'm talking about.
The one character I did like was Witt. At first, I wasn't sure where his character fit in the narrative. I'm still not sure it does- but it provided us with a person who actually had an interesting personality. He was forced into the role he was in by tradition- the Pietra culture is violent and without mercy- and he is the one who must dole it all out. He is lonely, and in constant pain from making decisions he is at odds with. By the end of the novel, my heart ached for him. Honestly, I hope he shows up in the next novel, and there's more of him. Yes, I'm planning on reading the next book. I've heard it's much better.
Having said all this, I can completely understand why some people have DNF'd this book. I really did want to at one point, but listening to it on audiobook made it easier to push through.
Then we have "The Given." She annoys me more than anyone else in the book, and I dislike Dara quite a bit. Khosa is from a long line of sacrificial females: her one purpose is to choose a mate, birth a child, and then dance to and drown herself in the ocean to placate the monsters that live within it- otherwise the monsters and the sea will destroy the land of Stihl. So here's the thing. If it was merely tradition, with no hard facts to back it up, I'd be all about forgoing it to save Khosa's life and the lives of her future kin. However. Three times during the book, magic takes over her body and tries to dance her into the ocean. The ocean wants her, and she wants to go. So if this part is true, chances are, the rest of it is true as well- otherwise, why would she be magically compelled to go when no one else is? So, she should be doing this thing that she was born to do, this ONE job she has, to protect her kindgom and her people. But she refuses to do it. Part of the reason is she cannot be touched by another person without having immense pain and nausea. No touch, no sex, no child. Despite this, Vincent falls in love with her, and Khosa falls in love with Donil. However, she still refuses to be touched or have sex with either of them to produce a child. I understand why she doesn't want to- as soon as she gives birth, she needs to dance into the waves and sacrifice herself. But sweetie, this is your job. This is what you were born for. You have the lives of the entire kingdom on your shoulders.
Now, that being said. Most people take issue with the fact that the king offers a large reward to anyone who can bed and impregnate The Given. I'll pause for a moment to give you time to be all up in arms about it. Are you thoroughly triggered? I'll go one step further: I don't blame him. Think about it. If you are the King of this land, and you completely believe that this one girl stands between your Kingdom's happiness and your destruction, and she is refusing to do the thing she was born to do... wouldn't you take similar action? I don't support rape, folks, but come on.
My other gripe with this book is there's too much vomiting, and in strange circumstances. Those of you who've read this book, you know what I'm talking about.
The one character I did like was Witt. At first, I wasn't sure where his character fit in the narrative. I'm still not sure it does- but it provided us with a person who actually had an interesting personality. He was forced into the role he was in by tradition- the Pietra culture is violent and without mercy- and he is the one who must dole it all out. He is lonely, and in constant pain from making decisions he is at odds with. By the end of the novel, my heart ached for him. Honestly, I hope he shows up in the next novel, and there's more of him. Yes, I'm planning on reading the next book. I've heard it's much better.
Having said all this, I can completely understand why some people have DNF'd this book. I really did want to at one point, but listening to it on audiobook made it easier to push through.