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danielled75's review against another edition
4.0
The slow decay of magic in the book was pivotal in the book, Khosa is still having fits and being called to the sea, the earth is growing quieter and quieter. Khosa finds a possible way to save the people of Stille, but would they agree knowing that what is proposed has never been done before?
This book did not suffer from the “Sophomore Syndrome” when it comes to books in a series, I found this book to be better than the first one to be honest, it may be because the pace was already set by the end of the first book and it was easy to get back into, Khosa was not really the main focus in this one, I saw this as more of Dara’s story and her quest for vengeance on the Pietra and the Lithos.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Khosa in this book, yes she married Vincent to save herself by marrying, but her mental state in the book just bothered me. She did not seem happy with her choice and how she felt that she needed to wear her crown everywhere as a constant reminder of her choice. She couldn’t allow herself to be happy, despite her situation. Khosa spent most of the book back in the library going over the histories of the kingdom, and she finds out quite a few well kept secrets about the people around her, which makes her question her own choices.
It was interesting to see how Witt has changed between the 2 books, he seems to question himself as the Litohs and if he really is meant for the role along with slowly chipping away at that stone facade he was showing his people and internally. Should he remain as the Lithos despite some of his people questioning his choice, should he step aside and let someone who is more vengeful and blood-thirsty lead the Pietra?
Dara the most interesting part of the book, her quest for vengeance was so focused. Her emotions felt so raw at this point, seeing the man she loved but knew she could never be with marry the woman she tried to kill. Her drive to survive, knowing that her and her brother are possibly the last 2 Indri alive and wanting to keep the bloodline alive somehow. Accepting the choice to leave the kingdom and her brother behind even though he was her equal and balanced her earth skills out, pushing herself beyond her normal limits, and finding peace at last in the least likely place she ever expected.
I was not ready for the end of the book, it was not what I expected, but it was well worth having my heart ripped out for. Even for a duology I felt that there was a great story here with multiple points of view that wrapped up in a clean way.
This book did not suffer from the “Sophomore Syndrome” when it comes to books in a series, I found this book to be better than the first one to be honest, it may be because the pace was already set by the end of the first book and it was easy to get back into, Khosa was not really the main focus in this one, I saw this as more of Dara’s story and her quest for vengeance on the Pietra and the Lithos.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Khosa in this book, yes she married Vincent to save herself by marrying, but her mental state in the book just bothered me. She did not seem happy with her choice and how she felt that she needed to wear her crown everywhere as a constant reminder of her choice. She couldn’t allow herself to be happy, despite her situation. Khosa spent most of the book back in the library going over the histories of the kingdom, and she finds out quite a few well kept secrets about the people around her, which makes her question her own choices.
It was interesting to see how Witt has changed between the 2 books, he seems to question himself as the Litohs and if he really is meant for the role along with slowly chipping away at that stone facade he was showing his people and internally. Should he remain as the Lithos despite some of his people questioning his choice, should he step aside and let someone who is more vengeful and blood-thirsty lead the Pietra?
Dara the most interesting part of the book, her quest for vengeance was so focused. Her emotions felt so raw at this point, seeing the man she loved but knew she could never be with marry the woman she tried to kill. Her drive to survive, knowing that her and her brother are possibly the last 2 Indri alive and wanting to keep the bloodline alive somehow. Accepting the choice to leave the kingdom and her brother behind even though he was her equal and balanced her earth skills out, pushing herself beyond her normal limits, and finding peace at last in the least likely place she ever expected.
I was not ready for the end of the book, it was not what I expected, but it was well worth having my heart ripped out for. Even for a duology I felt that there was a great story here with multiple points of view that wrapped up in a clean way.
jthobe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.25
sydneybeth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
shannon_reidwheat's review against another edition
4.0
A fine finish to this duology. Packed with characters and points of view, the story flows much smoother than in Given To The Sea. I enjoyed the interesting world and different kingdoms.
littlewhiterabbitreads's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
jasmine_elizabeth's review against another edition
3.0
To be honest this was very disappointing
I was disappointed in the ending, in the way that the Khosa/Vincent and Donil love triangle was handled. I didn't like Khosa and Donil much in this book.
The Good points are the Witt and Dara chapters and the very brief moments when they are happy.
Vincent's chapters were great, and I liked that we got Ank's POV as well as Donil.
I was disappointed in the ending, in the way that the Khosa/Vincent and Donil love triangle was handled. I didn't like Khosa and Donil much in this book.
The Good points are the Witt and Dara chapters and the very brief moments when they are happy.
Vincent's chapters were great, and I liked that we got Ank's POV as well as Donil.
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
3.0
The second in the Given Duet is miles better than the first, Given to the Sea, but that's not saying much. It seems Given to the Earth is the book McGinnis was aiming for. It was her end goal for her characters, and the story she really wanted to tell. Unfortunately, I don't think many will read it due to the fact that the first is so difficult to get through. It feels as though there's so much character growth in this book that there really should have been some of it in the first, and the second half of this one is so rushed that we miss important moments and details that the author really owes the reader for getting through it all. The epilogue gives too little and is too abrupt. We want more than we are given (pun intended). Also, there are way too many voices to keep track of. Ank's and Donil's were unnecessary. I got tired of Vincent's constant whining as well. It's like he's constantly shocked about what happens when you marry someone who's in love with someone else. Khosa is still annoying, but not nearly as much as the first novel where I wanted to assist her in giving herself to the sea so the book could be over.
There are some good things here. I thoroughly enjoyed the evolution of the characters Dara, Witt, and even Khosa. I like how all of the players come together near the end. I found it very interesting how the life of the land was tied to the Indiri- something that was discovered too late to fix.
Without giving away too much, I will say I did NOT like how part of the ending played out. I struggle to give a high score to a book who offs my favorite character, or impedes their happiness in some fashion. I understand why McGinnis did it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. It's sad, but probably realistic. I'm just happy to be done with this dualogy so I can move on.
There are some good things here. I thoroughly enjoyed the evolution of the characters Dara, Witt, and even Khosa. I like how all of the players come together near the end. I found it very interesting how the life of the land was tied to the Indiri- something that was discovered too late to fix.
Without giving away too much, I will say I did NOT like how part of the ending played out. I struggle to give a high score to a book who offs my favorite character, or impedes their happiness in some fashion. I understand why McGinnis did it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. It's sad, but probably realistic. I'm just happy to be done with this dualogy so I can move on.
brans84's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Because of the constant character switches it can be hard to follow
bookwife's review against another edition
1.0
I hated how this ended. I hated how the stupid romance came together.. if you can even call it that. I finished this early this morning and I have had time to calm down but still hate it. Im just not upset enough to rant out a review.