So, last year, a friend of mine BEGGED me to read “Sky in the Deep.” YOU WILL LOVE IT. I PROMISE! IT’S SO GOOD! Well, I didn’t. I actually ended up with a DNF @ around 45%. I just could not connect with this book….. so imagine my surprise when I absolutely adored The Girl the Sea Gave Back!
★ ★ ★ ★
Author: Adrienne Young
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Format/Source: eGalley
GoodReads, Amazon, Indiebound
From GoodReads: For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.
For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.
The Book Dragon breaks down….
…the plot…
I’m going to be straight forward, if you are looking for a book that keeps you guessing to the very end, this is probably not the novel for you. The plot is fairly predictable, with a slower pace through out the story, even with the action happening around them. While not boring, it is not a guessing game. I actually found the predictability to be enjoyable, as it made the book a very fun, easy read.
…the characters…
Let’s just start right off with Tova. CAN I LOVE HER ANYMORE? I know this is not a popular opinion, when reading GR the poor book is completely trashed, but I really loved the characters and development in the novel. Tova is stubborn, willful, and completely capable, though so much of her life she has been forced to beleive otherwise. Her willingness to question things around her, to connect the dots before anyone else has, drew me to her even more.
Then there is Halvard, and oh gods, he is a piece of work. I mean that in the best of ways. I loved his relationships with his friends, clansmembers and even how he was so drawn to Tova, when he had no clue why. I was really pleased with the subdued romance, I felt like it added to the story.
…the writing…
Young’s writing is truly beautiful. There are SO many quote worthy lines, I swear my galley is highlighted on every page. LOL While the pacing was quite slow, and some scenes seemed to lack the depth needed to really be immersed in the scene, it was magical in it’s own way. The words flowed in an ebb and flow manner, creating almost a poetry at times within itself. I highly recommend this book for the writing along.
tl;dr
While I did not enjoy or finish the previous novel set in this world, TGTSGB was beautifully written, character driven and hard to put down. Young had a great way to trasnforming the world around you, even when a scene is lacking the depth desired. Over all, I ended up giving this novel a 4/5 stars. Book Dragon approved!
About the Author:
Adrienne Young is a born and bred Texan turned California girl. She is a foodie with a deep love of history and travel and a shameless addiction to coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, scouring antique fairs for old books, sipping wine over long dinners, or disappearing into her favorite art museums. She lives with her documentary filmmaker husband and their four little wildlings beneath the West Coast sun.
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