The Girl the Sea Gave Back

A Novel

By: Adrienne Young

Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly, Dan Bittner

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Both narrators add depth and resonance to Young's rich prose.... Those who enjoy epic fantasy novels should definitely give this a listen!" (AudioFile Magazine)

From Adrienne Young, New York Times best-selling author of Sky in the Deep, comes her new gut-wrenching epic The Girl the Sea Gave Back.

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. 

"Gripping and exquisitely written. The Girl the Sea Gave Back tore at my heart strings until I was completely unraveled." (Stephanie Garber, New York Times best-selling author of Caravel)

©2019 Adrienne Young (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

weary vs wary

I originally gave this book 2 stars. Few things bug me more than mispronounced words in an audiobook! ie pronouncing wary as weary. Also, this book is narrated by 2 people who seemed to have no communication/direction on how they were going to pronounce proper nouns and words that are unique to the text, such as the name of currency used in the story. Super annoying. I decided to returned it after a few chapters, thinking I would check the text book out from my library.
But I have a boring commute and went ahead and finished listening. I did enjoy the story very much. I like the author. I f you have some free credits, then I would suggest the series. BUT I would not pay for this audio. There are better choices out there. Changing my review to 3 stars.

Not half as good as first book

I enjoyed the first book from this author, this one seemed like she was trying too hard to add mystery and magic and it was too much. I can sum this entire book up in about 3 sentences, not much happens other then immediate romance and lots of second guessing and inner monologue. Didn’t enjoy!

Soo good!!

Had me gasping and awwing!! Such a great book! The readers fit the story well!!

great story!

I loved the first book way more, but it was still good! love these kinds of stories!

She never lets me down!

Both of Adrienne Young’s books I have devoured both audio and reading! This story is so weaved so perfectly together.

Loved!

Narrators were amazing, this story was so easy to get into and I really enjoyed everything about it!

First half too long

Decent story line. The first half of the book felt very detailed and had great character build up. The second half felt very rushed. The story should’ve been broken into two books, a longer novel, or less details and character development in the first half. It made the book feel very off balance.

Also, since the second half was so rushed, the romance between the two main characters was very confusing to me. It felt like a romance from a cheesy movie: eyes meet, fall in love, the end.

It was okay

Maybe less than okay. I couldn't finish. While the narrators poured their hearts and souls into their performance, it felt too "whiney" for me.

I was irked by the storytelling. The author always seemed to pick up the story AFTER an important event or decision made by the clan elders. There was too much description when it came to physical/emotional discomfort, like the author was trying too hard.

I couldn't finish. Was disappointed. It could have been a good story.

Definitely worth reading (or listening to)

I LOVE the world in this book. The gods and the feuds, the battles and the runes, the marks and their meanings... all of it. This world is fantastic.
And Tova is freaking wonderful. Her view of herself and the blame she heaps on herself is heartbreaking, but it makes her completely relatable. And her mysterious past adds depth and intrigue.
Halvard was a welcome change from the cocky, reckless, hot-tempered male MCs that show up so often. He actually considers the responsibilities before him, and it's very refreshing.
Enemy to love isn't normally a thing I go for, nor is the whole fated thing, but it was done well.
I highly recommend this book.
Btw, I listened to the audiobook and loved the dual narration.

Captivating

Love this writer
Beautiful story
Loved how it played into different tribes we didn’t consider in the first book and brought a whole new layer to the original story