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cgreaderbee's review
3.0
If you liked Sky in the Deep, I think it’s safe to say you’ll like this book too. And if you didn’t, well, I’d argue you’ll have the same hang ups with this novel.
I feel that Young writes in a way that is slow and steady, but still carries forth and builds a subtle intensity to it, the way the conflicts of life itself can do while you’re in the midst of them.
I enjoyed the addition of Tova, her insight and hardships; her trials as an outsider, fearing for her life, while trying to make sense of herself and her place in all this.
I like the world-building, which feels deep and resonant and real, even though it’s fantasy.
This book delves into the nature of mankind, his follies and weaknesses, his strengths and compassions - again, not in a blatant way, but just enough that it stirs the thoughts of something more - that something that makes even a fantasy novel relevant and meaningful despite its distance from the real world.
We all feel, think, want, fear; we are loyal and protective of our own, often to a fault. We fight and we bleed (often figuratively, mind you), and then we get back up and do it all over again, in the name of pride, honor, and family. We all seek for that driving purpose.
And that’s what Adrienne’s books have spoken to me.
I feel that Young writes in a way that is slow and steady, but still carries forth and builds a subtle intensity to it, the way the conflicts of life itself can do while you’re in the midst of them.
I enjoyed the addition of Tova, her insight and hardships; her trials as an outsider, fearing for her life, while trying to make sense of herself and her place in all this.
I like the world-building, which feels deep and resonant and real, even though it’s fantasy.
This book delves into the nature of mankind, his follies and weaknesses, his strengths and compassions - again, not in a blatant way, but just enough that it stirs the thoughts of something more - that something that makes even a fantasy novel relevant and meaningful despite its distance from the real world.
We all feel, think, want, fear; we are loyal and protective of our own, often to a fault. We fight and we bleed (often figuratively, mind you), and then we get back up and do it all over again, in the name of pride, honor, and family. We all seek for that driving purpose.
And that’s what Adrienne’s books have spoken to me.
emmrose's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
narteest's review
5.0
Many thanks netgalley for the ARC, this review is my honest opinion.
There's really not much to say, but that:
1) This is as good and powerful as Young's first book, Sky In The Deep. Tova's voice and Halvard is just as strong, just as wanting as Eelyn's.
2) I loved seeing my old favourites back in this one, even ten years later. It's wonderful to see an older Halvard as well!
3) The world is just as interesting, a fantasy historical based on a Viking setting.
4) There's more on the deities, on the fates, and mystic in this one. But it all pulls well together.
5) Good pacing - there's always something happening, but also a good balance of character building.
I find that this is an overall easy, heartfelt, simple little standalone that just feels in all the places that want the feels as much as the action.
There's really not much to say, but that:
1) This is as good and powerful as Young's first book, Sky In The Deep. Tova's voice and Halvard is just as strong, just as wanting as Eelyn's.
2) I loved seeing my old favourites back in this one, even ten years later. It's wonderful to see an older Halvard as well!
3) The world is just as interesting, a fantasy historical based on a Viking setting.
4) There's more on the deities, on the fates, and mystic in this one. But it all pulls well together.
5) Good pacing - there's always something happening, but also a good balance of character building.
I find that this is an overall easy, heartfelt, simple little standalone that just feels in all the places that want the feels as much as the action.
pages_oflau's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you so much to Titan Books for sending me a free proof of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read and absolutely loved Sky In The Deep last year, so when I heard that Titan were publishing this book you better believe I emailed them the fastest I've ever emailed a publisher. I knew I had to read this.
The Girl The Sea Gave Back takes place 10 years after the events of Sky In The Deep, where the clans are trying to rebuild and just as things seem to be going their way it all goes to crap and there happens to be another war on the horizon.
The Girl The Sea Gave Back has beautiful writing, lush description and is written in two POV's, Halvard and Tova. If you've read Sky In The Deep then you will know who Halvard is. Tova is a new character to this world, along with so many others.
So why am I only giving this 3⭐️ you might be asking...well...let me tell you!
- I found, personally, that the two different POVs didn't have their own voice. You know when you read a book with multiple POVs you can tell who's chapter you're reading from the way it's written? Yeah...there was no difference and several times I had to check who's chapter I was reading.
- There are so many characters introduced I just got completely confused and ended up skipping most of the dialogue because there were just too many people.
- I didn't feel connected with the characters at all, I didn't care about them. I didn't get the romance, and it was a bit insta-lovey.
- Whilst this book has amazing battle scenes and lush descriptions, I felt like this was what a debut book should be like, it was a serious step down from Sky In The Deep.
This book had such a great premise, and I could totally see where Adrienne was trying to go with this storyline but I just didn't get it. I felt like this book had so much hype, and after loving Sky In The Deep so much this just felt like a bit of a disappointment to me. The pacing felt a bit all over the place, the ending just sort of happened and I didn't understand it.
If you read and loved Sky In The Deep then definitely pick this up, you see some characters we all loved from SITD. That's probably the best thing about this book.
I read and absolutely loved Sky In The Deep last year, so when I heard that Titan were publishing this book you better believe I emailed them the fastest I've ever emailed a publisher. I knew I had to read this.
The Girl The Sea Gave Back takes place 10 years after the events of Sky In The Deep, where the clans are trying to rebuild and just as things seem to be going their way it all goes to crap and there happens to be another war on the horizon.
The Girl The Sea Gave Back has beautiful writing, lush description and is written in two POV's, Halvard and Tova. If you've read Sky In The Deep then you will know who Halvard is. Tova is a new character to this world, along with so many others.
So why am I only giving this 3⭐️ you might be asking...well...let me tell you!
- I found, personally, that the two different POVs didn't have their own voice. You know when you read a book with multiple POVs you can tell who's chapter you're reading from the way it's written? Yeah...there was no difference and several times I had to check who's chapter I was reading.
- There are so many characters introduced I just got completely confused and ended up skipping most of the dialogue because there were just too many people.
- I didn't feel connected with the characters at all, I didn't care about them. I didn't get the romance, and it was a bit insta-lovey.
- Whilst this book has amazing battle scenes and lush descriptions, I felt like this was what a debut book should be like, it was a serious step down from Sky In The Deep.
This book had such a great premise, and I could totally see where Adrienne was trying to go with this storyline but I just didn't get it. I felt like this book had so much hype, and after loving Sky In The Deep so much this just felt like a bit of a disappointment to me. The pacing felt a bit all over the place, the ending just sort of happened and I didn't understand it.
If you read and loved Sky In The Deep then definitely pick this up, you see some characters we all loved from SITD. That's probably the best thing about this book.
ashezbookz's review
4.0
Okay, now definitely NOT as good as book 1 - I didn't realize this was a part of a series - the cover is absolutely STUNNING and it was definitely full of action and adventure. I loved the magical elements to this one, and the twists and turns of every character, I was a bit confused by the end though I'm not mad at it. I think this is going to be one of my auto-buy authors!
sarah_puschel's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
coutures1513's review
2.0
This felt meh. C'était correct de revoir les personnages du tome précédent et de voir l'évolution des clans. Par contre, je n'avais aucun intérêt pour les personnages et ce qui leur arrivait.