Hi Guys!!
Today I am reviewing ‘The a Girl the Sea Gave Back’ by Adrienne Young, sent to me by Titan Books!
I haven’t read many books like this, most of the books are either super fantasy, victorian or contemporary! So when I got the email asking if I wanted to review a book about Vikings I was SO down! But it was definitely the blurb that pulled me right in!
“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.”
I simply adored this book. It had me gripped from the first chapter and I loved all the characters. There were quite a few little twists in this book, and a few little subplots amongst the main clan feud plot. One thing I didn’t know about before reading this books was about the split perspective, and I feel like this actually helped to keep how the reader feels about both clans reasonably neutral.
The first perspective was Tova. Tova is the main character in the books and is the ‘Truthtongue’ of the Svell tribe. She was found washed ashore, and the taken in by a member of the Svell people so that they can use her gift to help them win battles and predicts the future of their people. I really felt connected to Tova’s story and I enjoyed being able see what she was thinking and feeling about all the different things that were unfolding before her.
The second perspective was of a boy from the opposing clan. I don’t want to say too much about him as I don’t want to write any spoilers but I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold from his perspective too. It was so interesting to see a battle happen from both sides of the battlefield. It definitely humanised everyone as both sides had friend and family they were worried about, and so it almost made it so there wasn’t really a ‘bad’ side, just two sides fighting because they didn’t seem to have any other choice.
I loved the ending of this book, it felt like such a natural and satisfying end to everything, and although I kind of saw it coming, it definitely didn’t happen exactly the way that I expected and I still loved to read it. Tova is a character that I love, her personality is so likeable and I’m obsessed with the idea of her being covered in tattoos too!
This book is Adrienne Young’s second novel, and it was truly amazing! It was written so well I felt like I was there most of the time, I could almost see and hear what was going on, and thanks to the candle I had lit it actually smelt like I was in the mountains!
I haven’t read her first book, but I definitely will now because this books was just amazing! I will also definitely be reading as many viking books as possible, I have definitely discovered a new genre to dive in to!
I rate this book 4.5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Have you read this book?
See you next time!
Elizabeth
Dainty Beth Blog 