The Girl the Sea Gave Back is a novel beautifully written by Adrienne Young. This epic young adult fantasy novel, published by Wednesday Books, is set to be released on September 3, 2019. 

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start by saying that this is the first time that I’ve ever pestered a publisher so much to receive a book. And I’m not ashamed of it. I’ve been obsessed with this book since the moment I saw the cover reveal.

Sky in the Deep, the author’s first book, took me by surprise in the best way imaginable. This book offers so much: adventure, romance, battle, mystical belief, and a great storyline. Putting down this book was impossible, so when I found out about The Girl the Sea Gave Back, I simply had to read it. 

This story is set in the same world as Sky in the Deep and takes place a decade later. I love how this book even offers glimpses into the lives of my favorite characters from Sky in the Deep. 

This review is spoiler free.

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Synopsis

The new gut-wrenching epic from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep.

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.

• Author: Adrienne Young
• Publisher: Wednesday Books
• Publication Date: September 3, 2019
• Book Length: 336 pages
• Genre: YA Fantasy

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Review

The Girl the Sea Gave Back is the story of Tova, a Truthtongue. Tova is blessed at birth by the Kyrrs’ god to foresee the future using runes. She is found at age six by a rival tribe and raised among them. Unfortunately, Truthtongues are perceived as a bad omen, so she is tolerated as long as she keeps her distance.

A little more than a decade later, some of the tribe members become thirsty for power and use her abilities to decide on the path to take. When reading the runes, Tova accidentally sets in motion a series of events that will lead to bloodshed. Torn between guilt and loneliness, she is forced to take part in a blood feud with another tribe. As the story goes, she will find herself by believing and embracing her fate.

This book has a dual point of view (POV) with another character who is in Sky in the Deep. And I loved this character! I was so happy (and also very surprised, as it’s not mentioned in the synopsis) when I realized who this second POV was from. I found this POV at times even more interesting to read than Tova’s simply because I was already familiar with this character and could relate a little more.

Tova has an interesting story, and her journey was fascinating to me, but at times, it was hard for me to understand her choices. It made more sense at the end though. Overall, the character’s arc is well thought out. The storyline takes an unexpected turn at the beginning. Some may argue that the romance is lacking in this book, and they might be right. Though, I might add that this did not bother me. I enjoyed reading every single page, and the ending truly left me wanting more.

This book is a fast read. The pacing kept me going, and the world created amazed me. If you enjoyed reading Sky in the Deep, this book won’t disappoint. I would say to just keep in mind that the romance is not as prominent as it was in the first book. I highly recommend this book, and it gets all the stars from me.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

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