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pinkpeach's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
5c_sami's review against another edition
3.0
Context, I listened to the audiobook. I feel I need to give this a second chance and read the book because that might fix the couple issues I did have, but I can't speak to that since I have just listened to it.
The good: the story is great. I love the Viking vibes and bringing back some great characters from the first book. I love Tova and Halvard both as separate characters on their own and as two people being drawn together. The conflict between all the tribes and the characters within keeps everything interesting. And, as props to the audiobook, the narrators were pleasant and not overdramatic (although Iri's voice may have been a little too throaty and deep) the rest was very good.
I also think that this could easily be read as a stand-alone. Sky in the Deep is a great story and if you read the series in order, all the better, but I think enough context was given and enough time had passed that it could easily stand alone or Sky in the Deep could be read second as somewhat of a prequel. Props to that.
The bad: I just feel like there were a few too many names to keep track of who was who. This is where I think the audiobook format doesn't shine in a story with this many people, but there are a couple names that I kept forgetting who they were or mismatching who I thought they were and then getting confused when it was not that person. It might be easier to track in a written form and then listening wouldn't be an issue, but doing a cold-listen it was kind of rough to track.
The flashbacks also created a little confusion. I didn't notice any audible clues of when a flashback was happening and there might be more visual clues while reading, but it always took way too long for me to figure out where it fit in the story, especially since there are 2 narrators (which I love) but when both narrate flashbacks and their present situations, without some more noticeable clue, it was hard to track and I feel I disconnected each time someone flashed back.
If I get around to reading the book instead of just listening, I'm guessing the cons wouldn't be as big of a hit on the experience, but both noted just made it hard to stay engaged because being confused about which characters were which and what time frame was being told was frequently jarring.
The good: the story is great. I love the Viking vibes and bringing back some great characters from the first book. I love Tova and Halvard both as separate characters on their own and as two people being drawn together. The conflict between all the tribes and the characters within keeps everything interesting. And, as props to the audiobook, the narrators were pleasant and not overdramatic (although Iri's voice may have been a little too throaty and deep) the rest was very good.
I also think that this could easily be read as a stand-alone. Sky in the Deep is a great story and if you read the series in order, all the better, but I think enough context was given and enough time had passed that it could easily stand alone or Sky in the Deep could be read second as somewhat of a prequel. Props to that.
The bad: I just feel like there were a few too many names to keep track of who was who. This is where I think the audiobook format doesn't shine in a story with this many people, but there are a couple names that I kept forgetting who they were or mismatching who I thought they were and then getting confused when it was not that person. It might be easier to track in a written form and then listening wouldn't be an issue, but doing a cold-listen it was kind of rough to track.
The flashbacks also created a little confusion. I didn't notice any audible clues of when a flashback was happening and there might be more visual clues while reading, but it always took way too long for me to figure out where it fit in the story, especially since there are 2 narrators (which I love) but when both narrate flashbacks and their present situations, without some more noticeable clue, it was hard to track and I feel I disconnected each time someone flashed back.
If I get around to reading the book instead of just listening, I'm guessing the cons wouldn't be as big of a hit on the experience, but both noted just made it hard to stay engaged because being confused about which characters were which and what time frame was being told was frequently jarring.
anotherstoryreader's review against another edition
3.0
**Edited to add a few more thoughts.**
As much as I loved book 1 I didn't really enjoy book 2.
First of all, I should say that these books COULD be stand alone. The friends and family we meet in book 1 don't make much of an appearance till the end of the second book and they only have minor roles.
I felt like this book had pacing issues. Although things do happen in the first 80% of the book it sort of feels like nothing happens. (Does that make sense? Probably not.) There is hardly any interaction between Halvard and Tova until probably 70% though and then it's probably a 4-word conversation. There are some intense looks and feelings of connection between them tough. So there's that...
Another thing I found distracting was the flashbacks That seemed to have no purpose besides adding personal history to the characters. They didn't really move the story along. There were also "rewinds' of scenes to view them from the opposites' perspective. While sometimes interesting it made things drag for me.
On the plus side, I felt a lot of sympathy for Tova, what a miserable existence she had. Constant threat that someone would kill her, constantly told she was a scourge and shouldn't be allowed to live. I am surprised she seemed to hold any feeling other than hate to anyone in the Svell clan.
The last chapter or two did somewhat redeem this book from 2 stars to 3 for me. Overall it's not one I will reread. But I still stand by my Adriana Young obsession.
As much as I loved book 1 I didn't really enjoy book 2.
First of all, I should say that these books COULD be stand alone. The friends and family we meet in book 1 don't make much of an appearance till the end of the second book and they only have minor roles.
I felt like this book had pacing issues. Although things do happen in the first 80% of the book it sort of feels like nothing happens. (Does that make sense? Probably not.) There is hardly any interaction between Halvard and Tova until probably 70% though and then it's probably a 4-word conversation. There are some intense looks and feelings of connection between them tough. So there's that...
Another thing I found distracting was the flashbacks That seemed to have no purpose besides adding personal history to the characters. They didn't really move the story along. There were also "rewinds' of scenes to view them from the opposites' perspective. While sometimes interesting it made things drag for me.
On the plus side, I felt a lot of sympathy for Tova, what a miserable existence she had. Constant threat that someone would kill her, constantly told she was a scourge and shouldn't be allowed to live. I am surprised she seemed to hold any feeling other than hate to anyone in the Svell clan.
The last chapter or two did somewhat redeem this book from 2 stars to 3 for me. Overall it's not one I will reread. But I still stand by my Adriana Young obsession.
melanie_books's review against another edition
4.0
On a cold night, a young child washed ashore in a charred boat. Tattoos covering her from head to toe, she is clearly not from the Svell land she now finds herself in. Thirteen years later, Tova serves her captors by helping them divine the future, which many Svell clansman hope includes conquering nearby tribes. Not far away, Halvard lives and works amongst his people, knowing that one day he will lead the tribe that once met every five years in battle. When war once again comes to them, Halvard finds himself fighting not only to preserve his future, but that of his family, tribe, and the mysterious marked woman on the other side of the battlefield.
It was fun to return to the characters I loved in Sky in the Deep and to be introduced to new characters as well. I enjoyed seeing how Halvard and the others continued the work of unifying their people - even to the point where he calls Aghi "father." Tova's story was sad - sacrificed by her own people and raised amongst those who hated her. But she was tender where she could have been bitter. I loved how the two characters were brought together throughout the story. My one complaint is that you don't actually see them together often enough. But other than that, Adrienne Young delivers another solid story!
It was fun to return to the characters I loved in Sky in the Deep and to be introduced to new characters as well. I enjoyed seeing how Halvard and the others continued the work of unifying their people - even to the point where he calls Aghi "father." Tova's story was sad - sacrificed by her own people and raised amongst those who hated her. But she was tender where she could have been bitter. I loved how the two characters were brought together throughout the story. My one complaint is that you don't actually see them together often enough. But other than that, Adrienne Young delivers another solid story!
spark_of_madness's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
riri_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2 ⭐️
I'm a surprised but not in the good way ... this book was not what I expected. I loved the first one so much so my expectations were high but this one feels more like a debut comparing to her actual debut novel.
The world building was minimal, the characters development was lacking I feel like I didn't know them at all which made me not care about the story. Also the plot was predictable and felt lacking in purpose. I think the idea had potential but the execution was poorly done in my opinion. Unfortunately this one just fell flat for me. It was a meh read.
I'm a surprised but not in the good way ... this book was not what I expected. I loved the first one so much so my expectations were high but this one feels more like a debut comparing to her actual debut novel.
The world building was minimal, the characters development was lacking I feel like I didn't know them at all which made me not care about the story. Also the plot was predictable and felt lacking in purpose. I think the idea had potential but the execution was poorly done in my opinion. Unfortunately this one just fell flat for me. It was a meh read.
curlymariareads's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to read this, I have been reading books by Adrienne Young lately and have enjoyed them. Sky In The Deep was SO good, this is a sequel of sorts. And it was a let down. The first 2/3 of the book felt jumbled, I struggled to get into the story honestly. The last 1/3, until the ending, was really good. Came to a fight scene with all the clans and learning Tova's true background. Then it ends.
chloeamcmahon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0