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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
skcobb's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Adrienne Young and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I gave this book 3 stars. I really really REALLY wanted to give it more, but unfortunately many areas of The Girl the Sea Gave Back fell flat for me. I loved Sky In the Deep, and because of that, I had really high expectations for TGTSGB. I've consistently listed it as one of my most anticipated releases for the fall, so I think part of my issue may have been unfounded expectations.
There are some things I really DID enjoy about this book: Young's writing style is gorgeous and she does a beautiful job of describing situations. She is also masterful at fight scenes and these epic battles she likes to incorporate. I also enjoyed the cameos we see from Eelyn, Fiske, Iri and other characters from Sky In the Deep.
Unfortunately these items didn't completely make up for the fact that I had a very difficult time connecting with any of the characters. There was very little differentiation between Tova's voice and Halvard's voice, which made the flow difficult to follow, since chapters alternated between the two. There was also surprisingly little action throughout the book, with only one or two big scenes throughout to draw you in. We spend a large portion of the book wondering about Tova's origins, and while we do get some answers, many items are just glossed over, or dumped on the reader at once. There was very little interaction between Tova and Halvard. Their relationship could be great be we get very few scenes with both characters on the page.
Overall, I do think that this is a good novel as a companion to Sky in the Deep, but just did not connect with it the way I hoped to. If you are a fan of character driven books, mystic characters, or books with a historical or viking vibe, this may be a good book for you to pick up.
Overall, I gave this book 3 stars. I really really REALLY wanted to give it more, but unfortunately many areas of The Girl the Sea Gave Back fell flat for me. I loved Sky In the Deep, and because of that, I had really high expectations for TGTSGB. I've consistently listed it as one of my most anticipated releases for the fall, so I think part of my issue may have been unfounded expectations.
There are some things I really DID enjoy about this book: Young's writing style is gorgeous and she does a beautiful job of describing situations. She is also masterful at fight scenes and these epic battles she likes to incorporate. I also enjoyed the cameos we see from Eelyn, Fiske, Iri and other characters from Sky In the Deep.
Unfortunately these items didn't completely make up for the fact that I had a very difficult time connecting with any of the characters. There was very little differentiation between Tova's voice and Halvard's voice, which made the flow difficult to follow, since chapters alternated between the two. There was also surprisingly little action throughout the book, with only one or two big scenes throughout to draw you in. We spend a large portion of the book wondering about Tova's origins, and while we do get some answers, many items are just glossed over, or dumped on the reader at once. There was very little interaction between Tova and Halvard. Their relationship could be great be we get very few scenes with both characters on the page.
Overall, I do think that this is a good novel as a companion to Sky in the Deep, but just did not connect with it the way I hoped to. If you are a fan of character driven books, mystic characters, or books with a historical or viking vibe, this may be a good book for you to pick up.
zellti's review against another edition
4.0
At first, I was having a difficult time getting into this book. It was a slow start, and I was having trouble connecting to the characters. I didn't realize this was a companion book to Sky in the Deep, which I haven't read. I'm sure if I read it and was familiar with the world, it would have been a much easier read. With that said, about halfway through the book, I was hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Both main characters brought something real and authentic to the story. Although the story wrapped up nicely, I would have liked an epilogue to provide more closure. I'm hoping this means there will be another book :)
c_harb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
3.5
keishamae85's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Book 2 was better than book 1. Even though the beginning was kind of confusing it see how it was connected to book 1 it quickly remedied that issue.
mannybeen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
michely66's review against another edition
4.0
In my opinion, I felt as if this book wasn’t as good as the first one, but I enjoyed the second half of it. I just couldn’t get into the first half, but I loved how it all came together and ended!
sunshine169's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this book without having read Sky in the Deep. So I went to try it and it just didn't grab me.
The Girl the Sea Gave Back struggled to get my attention for a little more than half the book but kept me entertained afterwards. I would love to read more about Tova and Halvard. Their interactions and connection is what made his book interesting.
Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Girl the Sea Gave Back struggled to get my attention for a little more than half the book but kept me entertained afterwards. I would love to read more about Tova and Halvard. Their interactions and connection is what made his book interesting.
Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
thelibraryofklee's review against another edition
5.0
"They weren’t afraid of battle. They were afraid of losing what they loved. And that’s what made them brave in battle."
I am OBSESSED! Please tell me there are more stories in this Vikingish-universe to tell?!? I NEED more. I was absolutely enamoured with Sky in the Deep so it was a no brainer to buy this book, which sits in the same amazing world and is a fantabulous companion novel.
Tova is found, just 6 years old, by a Svell Tala, alone on a half burnt boat. The Svell use her for her ability to foresee the future, while treating her beyond dreadfully. Tova casts her runes to guide the people who fear her, with little other options, as her memories of life before the boat are a foggy mystery. Her runes foretell disaster, but is it set in stone? This novel delves into what it means to belong and the complexity of fate.
I don't want to give too much away because I really want people to enjoy the link between these books without spoilers. The primary characters are divine (it is very character driven); the POV swapping between two protagonists is one of my favourite styles. It might be a bit slow paced for some, but I found it perfectly timed. The violence is brutal and unforgiving - the battle scene at the end is an edge-of-your-seat experience.
Highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of mysterious, historical, mythological tales.
I am OBSESSED! Please tell me there are more stories in this Vikingish-universe to tell?!? I NEED more. I was absolutely enamoured with Sky in the Deep so it was a no brainer to buy this book, which sits in the same amazing world and is a fantabulous companion novel.
Tova is found, just 6 years old, by a Svell Tala, alone on a half burnt boat. The Svell use her for her ability to foresee the future, while treating her beyond dreadfully. Tova casts her runes to guide the people who fear her, with little other options, as her memories of life before the boat are a foggy mystery. Her runes foretell disaster, but is it set in stone? This novel delves into what it means to belong and the complexity of fate.
I don't want to give too much away because I really want people to enjoy the link between these books without spoilers. The primary characters are divine (it is very character driven); the POV swapping between two protagonists is one of my favourite styles. It might be a bit slow paced for some, but I found it perfectly timed. The violence is brutal and unforgiving - the battle scene at the end is an edge-of-your-seat experience.
Highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of mysterious, historical, mythological tales.