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Given Duet #2
Given to the Earth
Duty, fate, desire, and destiny collide in this intricately wrought tale, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.
Although she was born to save the kingdom by sacrificing herself to the rising sea, Khosa's marriage to King Vincent has redeemed her. As the Queen of Stille, she's untouchable. But being Queen hasn't stopped her heart from longing for the King's stepbrother, Donil. And it hasn't stopped her body from longing for the sea itself, which still calls for her.
While Khosa is made to choose between loyalty and love, Dara is on a mission for vengeance. Years ago, the Pietra slaughtered the entire Indiri race, leaving only Dara and her twin, Donil, alive. Now, spurned by King Vincent, Dara has embarked on a mission to spill the blood of Pietra's leader, Witt, and will stop at nothing to show his people the wrath of the last Indiri.
As the waves crash ever closer to Stille, secrets are revealed, hearts are won and lost, and allegiances change like the shifting sand.
Although she was born to save the kingdom by sacrificing herself to the rising sea, Khosa's marriage to King Vincent has redeemed her. As the Queen of Stille, she's untouchable. But being Queen hasn't stopped her heart from longing for the King's stepbrother, Donil. And it hasn't stopped her body from longing for the sea itself, which still calls for her.
While Khosa is made to choose between loyalty and love, Dara is on a mission for vengeance. Years ago, the Pietra slaughtered the entire Indiri race, leaving only Dara and her twin, Donil, alive. Now, spurned by King Vincent, Dara has embarked on a mission to spill the blood of Pietra's leader, Witt, and will stop at nothing to show his people the wrath of the last Indiri.
As the waves crash ever closer to Stille, secrets are revealed, hearts are won and lost, and allegiances change like the shifting sand.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
28 people are currently reading
2490 people want to read
About the author
Mindy McGinnis
29 books4,264 followersMindy McGinnis is an Edgar Award-winning novelist who writes across multiple genres, including post-apocalyptic, historical, thriller, contemporary, mystery, and fantasy.
While her settings may change, you can always count on Mindy’s books to deliver grit, truth, and an unflinching look at humanity and the world around us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
October 16, 2018
Good and brutal ending. Some things I didn't enjoy in book 1 were either absent or much less in this book. I really like Mindy's worldbuilding, especially the language. The curse words the characters use all reflect their world - it's a world where the ocean is threatening to swallow their land so their curses are like 'filthy fathoms!' or 'tides!' There are other phrases that are unique to this world and such a small detail as the language really made it feel real.
Potential triggers: cheating, mention of abortion, brief mentions of rape.
Potential triggers: cheating, mention of abortion, brief mentions of rape.
June 15, 2018
Ah Mindy. How you screw with my head and heart! Seriously, this woman is a beast at writing. I have nothing but respect for her and her talent (I’m also a little bit scared of her).
Oh Dara and Donil. Sweet Vincent…and Witt. Even Ank and Khosa.
Every time anything Dara came up I would immediately think of that line in Pride and Prejudice: “I never saw such a woman. She would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.” I mean really, when you think of a strong female character, there are none stronger than the ones Mindy creates in her writings and of all her characters I find Dara to be the most fearsome of them all.
Then there’s Donil. And Khosa. My heart does indeed go out to them but not as much as my sweet honorable Vincent. He is my Darcy. His strength of character is as admirable as Darcy himself. The selflessness and self-sacrificing nature of the boy who never wanted to be king is most certainly something noteworthy and worth mentioning. My heart went out for him and I honestly had a hard with the things he struggled with.
And Witt! Where to begin? He’s hard as granite and infallible and yet we end up seeing his humanness. I loved getting to see his heart open slowly and will forever carry the unraveling of him with me.
Beautiful characters! All of them. I can’t say enough about this book. I truly love Mindys work and will continue to be a loyal devoted fan of hers. High five Mindy! You rock!
Oh Dara and Donil. Sweet Vincent…and Witt. Even Ank and Khosa.
Every time anything Dara came up I would immediately think of that line in Pride and Prejudice: “I never saw such a woman. She would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.” I mean really, when you think of a strong female character, there are none stronger than the ones Mindy creates in her writings and of all her characters I find Dara to be the most fearsome of them all.
Then there’s Donil. And Khosa. My heart does indeed go out to them but not as much as my sweet honorable Vincent. He is my Darcy. His strength of character is as admirable as Darcy himself. The selflessness and self-sacrificing nature of the boy who never wanted to be king is most certainly something noteworthy and worth mentioning. My heart went out for him and I honestly had a hard with the things he struggled with.
And Witt! Where to begin? He’s hard as granite and infallible and yet we end up seeing his humanness. I loved getting to see his heart open slowly and will forever carry the unraveling of him with me.
Beautiful characters! All of them. I can’t say enough about this book. I truly love Mindys work and will continue to be a loyal devoted fan of hers. High five Mindy! You rock!
April 10, 2018
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.
June 27, 2019
Given to the Earth by Mindy McGinnis is a pretty fantastically dark conclusion to this duology. I definitely preferred it to the first book in the series. We get more and some different perspective characters, but the addition of Dara was hands down my favorite aspect. I also particularly enjoyed that we got to see more of the wider world that we did the first time around. Mindy McGinnis is one of my favorite authors and if you're at all a fan of her work, you'll need to try her fantasy novels.
March 31, 2018
In Given to the Sea, readers were introduced to five tragic characters. Vincent, the reluctant heir to the throne of Stille. Khosa, a young woman raised to be sacrificed. Indiri twins Donil and Dara, the last of their race. And Witt, the leader of the Pietra, a young man who must pretend to be heartless to keep his people safe. Given to the Earth follows them to the end of their journeys. As the earth beneath them crumbles, so do their loyalties, their fates becoming entangled in ways that are often unexpected yet feel inevitable. Together, they must search for lands beyond the only one they’ve ever known before their island sinks into the sea.
McGinnis’s characters are complex and fascinating; they feel much more like real people than crafted protagonists: making choices they know will destroy them, following paths that can only end in heartbreak and devastation. The finale is beautifully tragic (in ways that are reminiscent of George R.R. Martin at his best), yet still realistic and satisfying. This story will haunt you long after you finish the final page.
McGinnis’s characters are complex and fascinating; they feel much more like real people than crafted protagonists: making choices they know will destroy them, following paths that can only end in heartbreak and devastation. The finale is beautifully tragic (in ways that are reminiscent of George R.R. Martin at his best), yet still realistic and satisfying. This story will haunt you long after you finish the final page.
April 10, 2018
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.
August 31, 2019
Not going to lie, I skim read this one. Mainly because I just wanted to know how it ended. The first book was okay, great concept, but not exactly what I wanted. This one was the same. In the end I didn't particularly care for a lot of the characters.
This may be due, in part, to the fact that each chapter is a different character and it is constantly changing. There were five different peoples stories I was seeing and it would get complicated trying to keep track. And most of the people I didn't care about. I almost completely skipped anything about Wit. He just didn't hold any interest for me.
SPOILERS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
One thing that did really surprise me about the book was the ending. I never expected them to leave on ships. It reminded me a lot of Moana.
I mean a girl and her people who are afraid of the sea. No one ever leaves or comes back and no one knows how to make ships. Then there is a secret village that has ships and they learn that people in the past actually did sail away and there can be more than the island. They leave and find a safe place to live. The whole time the main girl is being called by the sea, led to that special place. I mean it does have a lot of similarities, but I wanted something darker from this and I didn't get it.
If it is even possible, I hate Dara even more in this one. She is so selfish and annoying. I am so glad she ended up dying. I have no sympathy for boring characters. And then the marriage with wit. What was even the point.
Also, I did not see things ending the way I did. I expected Prince Vincent to die and not end up with Khosa. I do not like the fact that she cheated on her husband. However, I am glad they ended up together and it looks like she overcame her aversion to touch. I just feel like she had nothing in common with Donil. They never had any moments where they just talked. The relationship just wasn't there for me. I liked the ending, but at that point I was kind of over it and just wanted to see what happens and move on.
Once again, great concept, but I wanted something different. The writing was good and although there were a lot of characters, I liked how short the chapters were. You could get into the rhythm of switching characters. And it wasn't so bad because you didn't have to listen to characters you disliked for too long. I just wanted something specific from this book, that wasn't there. Mindy McGinnis did a great job, but it just wasn't my style.
This may be due, in part, to the fact that each chapter is a different character and it is constantly changing. There were five different peoples stories I was seeing and it would get complicated trying to keep track. And most of the people I didn't care about. I almost completely skipped anything about Wit. He just didn't hold any interest for me.
SPOILERS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
One thing that did really surprise me about the book was the ending. I never expected them to leave on ships. It reminded me a lot of Moana.
I mean a girl and her people who are afraid of the sea. No one ever leaves or comes back and no one knows how to make ships. Then there is a secret village that has ships and they learn that people in the past actually did sail away and there can be more than the island. They leave and find a safe place to live. The whole time the main girl is being called by the sea, led to that special place. I mean it does have a lot of similarities, but I wanted something darker from this and I didn't get it.
If it is even possible, I hate Dara even more in this one. She is so selfish and annoying. I am so glad she ended up dying. I have no sympathy for boring characters. And then the marriage with wit. What was even the point.
Also, I did not see things ending the way I did. I expected Prince Vincent to die and not end up with Khosa. I do not like the fact that she cheated on her husband. However, I am glad they ended up together and it looks like she overcame her aversion to touch. I just feel like she had nothing in common with Donil. They never had any moments where they just talked. The relationship just wasn't there for me. I liked the ending, but at that point I was kind of over it and just wanted to see what happens and move on.
Once again, great concept, but I wanted something different. The writing was good and although there were a lot of characters, I liked how short the chapters were. You could get into the rhythm of switching characters. And it wasn't so bad because you didn't have to listen to characters you disliked for too long. I just wanted something specific from this book, that wasn't there. Mindy McGinnis did a great job, but it just wasn't my style.
April 20, 2018
This book had such a sad ending, which I won't talk about too much to avoid spoilers.
What I liked: The great and varying cast of characters, with many people on different sides of a conflict where neither party is right or wrong. There were two characters I absolutely didn't expect to even like each other who got together, and I liked that development. It didn't come out of nothing, in a way they made sense together.
What I didn't like: In the beginning, the chapters varied a bit too much. We have a few pages from Dara, then Witt, Vincent, Khosa, Donil and Ank, and it was constantly switching back and forth between different storylines, which made it difficult to get into the book. This gets better later in the book, where we have several chapters after each other following the same storylines (perhaps from different characters, which occasionally confused me, but it was better than the beginning.
The world building of this book was another problem. There was a full, rich world inside of Mindy McGinnis' head, but it doesn't always translate well into the books. It was a bit vague, especially in the first book, but here too. I had to figure out so much on my own and I think there should have been a map and a better explanation of the different people and creatures living on the island, because I was confused a lot.
Overall, I liked the Given Duet, but I think these two where my least favourites of Mindy McGinnis' books.
What I liked: The great and varying cast of characters, with many people on different sides of a conflict where neither party is right or wrong. There were two characters I absolutely didn't expect to even like each other who got together, and I liked that development. It didn't come out of nothing, in a way they made sense together.
What I didn't like: In the beginning, the chapters varied a bit too much. We have a few pages from Dara, then Witt, Vincent, Khosa, Donil and Ank, and it was constantly switching back and forth between different storylines, which made it difficult to get into the book. This gets better later in the book, where we have several chapters after each other following the same storylines (perhaps from different characters, which occasionally confused me, but it was better than the beginning.
The world building of this book was another problem. There was a full, rich world inside of Mindy McGinnis' head, but it doesn't always translate well into the books. It was a bit vague, especially in the first book, but here too. I had to figure out so much on my own and I think there should have been a map and a better explanation of the different people and creatures living on the island, because I was confused a lot.
Overall, I liked the Given Duet, but I think these two where my least favourites of Mindy McGinnis' books.
January 25, 2019
Ugh. Why do I have to be a finisher and need closure!? Given to the Sea's ending bothered me some. Given to the Earth bothered me a million times more. First, Khosa didn't have to marry Vincent. He was her friend and they could have gotten past his feelings. Dara was sulking and brought her own fate upon herself. It was too convenient that she fell in love with Witt. Donil and Khosa - so annoying. Adding Ank as a POV was weird and then finding out Madda is his mother AND Vincent's was forced. Ank is old so how did it work out that Verrick is his father when Vincent is only 17-18? Timelines don't fit. Donil abandons his love and lovechild to go save his sister who is killed by the keeper!? Seriously!? And then Donil is killed!? The way the first book ends is all happy and the 2nd just doesn't fit. Too much drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2018
Title: Given to the Earth
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Given to the Sea, book two
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
The author gave me an advance reader copy of this book at a library visit in August—she even signed it for me—thank you so much, Mindy, it means so much to me!
When I heard that Mindy McGinnis, one of my favorite Ohio-based authors, was coming to my local library to discuss the book club book, Not a Drop to Drink, I was so excited. I’d never been to an author meeting before, much less a local one! Plus, she was an author, just like me, and I was looking forward to picking her brain about our shared profession. I’d just finished her new book, Given to the Sea, right before she came to the library and I was excited to discuss it with her. As soon as she came into the room, I spoke to her about Given to the Sea, and how sad I was that I couldn’t afford to buy a book for her to sign for me. She thanked me and told me that since I was the first person to ask about her brand new book, she’d give me the sequel and sign it for me! It’s been sitting on my shelf since the summer, and since it was almost time for the advance reviews to come out, I figured I’d push it to the top of my stack and read it! Given to the Earth was a meaty, exciting sequel, full of political intrigue, secret, shifting alliances, heart-melting romance, and twists and turns that had me gasping, cheering, and screaming! I feel so very lucky to have had the chance to read it early, and I can’t wait until the rest of the world gets their hands on it!
Given to the Earth picks up where Given to the Sea left off, a few months after the first book ended. I don’t want to give any spoilers, as the book comes out in April, so I’m going to say as little about the plot and its happenings as possible. I can’t give away all the crazy surprises that Mindy put in here! But I will say that as far as sequels go, this one was incredibly satisfying. All the loose ends were tied up neatly, and the book had me endlessly turning pages, desperate to know what was going to happen. The pacing was breakneck, though it took me a little bit to remember everything that had happened in the first book. I was immediately drawn into Mindy’s beautifully wrought, dangerous world, rife with political intrigue, betrayal, secrets and lies, heart-pounding action, and bittersweet romance. I adored every painful moment of it, even though there were several times that I had to walk away to spare my feelings and recuperate. All I can say is that this sequel satisfied me totally, and I loved it; I simply can’t wait to hear what others think about Given to the Earth! The bottom line: A treasured gift from one of my favorite Ohio authors, I loved Given to the Earth, and it’s left an indelible tattoo upon my heart that will never go away! Next on deck: Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman!
literatureobsessed.blogspot.com
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Age Group: Teen/Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Given to the Sea, book two
Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
The author gave me an advance reader copy of this book at a library visit in August—she even signed it for me—thank you so much, Mindy, it means so much to me!
When I heard that Mindy McGinnis, one of my favorite Ohio-based authors, was coming to my local library to discuss the book club book, Not a Drop to Drink, I was so excited. I’d never been to an author meeting before, much less a local one! Plus, she was an author, just like me, and I was looking forward to picking her brain about our shared profession. I’d just finished her new book, Given to the Sea, right before she came to the library and I was excited to discuss it with her. As soon as she came into the room, I spoke to her about Given to the Sea, and how sad I was that I couldn’t afford to buy a book for her to sign for me. She thanked me and told me that since I was the first person to ask about her brand new book, she’d give me the sequel and sign it for me! It’s been sitting on my shelf since the summer, and since it was almost time for the advance reviews to come out, I figured I’d push it to the top of my stack and read it! Given to the Earth was a meaty, exciting sequel, full of political intrigue, secret, shifting alliances, heart-melting romance, and twists and turns that had me gasping, cheering, and screaming! I feel so very lucky to have had the chance to read it early, and I can’t wait until the rest of the world gets their hands on it!
Given to the Earth picks up where Given to the Sea left off, a few months after the first book ended. I don’t want to give any spoilers, as the book comes out in April, so I’m going to say as little about the plot and its happenings as possible. I can’t give away all the crazy surprises that Mindy put in here! But I will say that as far as sequels go, this one was incredibly satisfying. All the loose ends were tied up neatly, and the book had me endlessly turning pages, desperate to know what was going to happen. The pacing was breakneck, though it took me a little bit to remember everything that had happened in the first book. I was immediately drawn into Mindy’s beautifully wrought, dangerous world, rife with political intrigue, betrayal, secrets and lies, heart-pounding action, and bittersweet romance. I adored every painful moment of it, even though there were several times that I had to walk away to spare my feelings and recuperate. All I can say is that this sequel satisfied me totally, and I loved it; I simply can’t wait to hear what others think about Given to the Earth! The bottom line: A treasured gift from one of my favorite Ohio authors, I loved Given to the Earth, and it’s left an indelible tattoo upon my heart that will never go away! Next on deck: Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman!
literatureobsessed.blogspot.com
May 10, 2018
True rating; an incalculable amount of negative stars, whose collapse would cause enough supermassive black holes that the universe would cease to exist
At some points this book is actually offensive - there are a colony of rejects who are completely stigmatized and ostracized, but surprising are more accepted than the indigenous population. Go figure.
At other points it is ridiculously stupid - I could not tell you why some character perspectives are in third person perspective and other are in first person, or begin to speculate if it's meant to serve a purpose to make us like the first person characters more (if so it doesn't work).
The rest of the book is inexcusably dull and I'm surprised I survived it to be honest.
At some points this book is actually offensive - there are a colony of rejects who are completely stigmatized and ostracized, but surprising are more accepted than the indigenous population. Go figure.
At other points it is ridiculously stupid - I could not tell you why some character perspectives are in third person perspective and other are in first person, or begin to speculate if it's meant to serve a purpose to make us like the first person characters more (if so it doesn't work).
The rest of the book is inexcusably dull and I'm surprised I survived it to be honest.
Want to read
September 14, 2017Tbh I'm only really putting this on my to-read shelf because I want to know how things turn out. Can't leave the story unfinished lol
September 9, 2021
Wow. This book had soooo many twists and suprises. The ending was unexpected and brutal and amazing and heartbreaking and wonderful and tragic and hopeful and really really well done. I can't say I didn't wish some things had gone differently, but at the same time, it was also well resolved and things put to peace and with closure. This second book also let me see more of the things I really enjoyed-- the softer Witt, the further buildup of Khosa being drawn to the sea more and more violently, budding relationships. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the different relationships among the several main characters.
I also loved how Mindy further expanded the mythology/history/depth of The Given in this one, and the very land they all live on, by Khosa questioning what really called her to the sea. For her to die? Or for her to find something beyond it. After finishing this book, I actually went back and reread the last few pages of the first one, and realized she had laid the groundwork for the direction book 2 would take already. She had already mentioned this in those last few sentences:
"I am drawn to the water, yet I know that is not what calls me. It is inside Donil, and I go to it. It was in Dara for a moment, after she drained life from the earth, and I felt it. I do not dance into the sea mindlessly, for it is not what I yearn for, but something beyond.
I have become the queen of a dying land.
It is not the water that I am given to, but life."
...These last few sentences encompassed the entire energy of book 2. Their land is dying. What do they do? What can they do? Will Khosa's dancing ever end? Does she dance towards the sea for a purpose other than dying? Is there hope? Mindy creates incredibly and deeply structured worlds. That's what I truly truly enjoy about this series. She gives it such depth. The magnitude and breadth of details, history, landscapes, plants, and so on is amazing.
It's a brutal world, with pain and hardships not unknown to the characters, and a future with much to worry about. I guess I shouldn't have expected the end to be all happily ever after. But despite the shock I felt at some major events in the last chapters, I have to say I'm thankful for how well done they were. The style of writing with the 1 paragraph chapters was beautiful. And how even though so much was lost, there was so much beauty and hope and peace left after all.
Also, Dara's plotline in this second book was surprisingly awesome. Like I really, really enjoyed the path she took in this one. As well as the goodness of Donil. And the true softness of Witt. And the determination of Khosa. And the pure and absolutely heartbreakingly kindness and goodness of Vincent.
I think the only thing I struggled with with this series was that it was in Third Person Multiple POV, I believe. I couldn't put my finger on it while reading, but I think that's what made it a little harder for me to completely fall into and speed through the book with. Following multiple pov's though can also be hard, but I really liked how they were done, and that all of the chapters were short. I always find that easier to read, and it helped that all of their pov's were interesting. :)
After finishing the last book, I now really appreciate how the storyline was shaped and unraveled over these 2 books. It was well done. And I really really loved that last chapter. It made me happy. :)
I also loved how Mindy further expanded the mythology/history/depth of The Given in this one, and the very land they all live on, by Khosa questioning what really called her to the sea. For her to die? Or for her to find something beyond it. After finishing this book, I actually went back and reread the last few pages of the first one, and realized she had laid the groundwork for the direction book 2 would take already. She had already mentioned this in those last few sentences:
"I am drawn to the water, yet I know that is not what calls me. It is inside Donil, and I go to it. It was in Dara for a moment, after she drained life from the earth, and I felt it. I do not dance into the sea mindlessly, for it is not what I yearn for, but something beyond.
I have become the queen of a dying land.
It is not the water that I am given to, but life."
...These last few sentences encompassed the entire energy of book 2. Their land is dying. What do they do? What can they do? Will Khosa's dancing ever end? Does she dance towards the sea for a purpose other than dying? Is there hope? Mindy creates incredibly and deeply structured worlds. That's what I truly truly enjoy about this series. She gives it such depth. The magnitude and breadth of details, history, landscapes, plants, and so on is amazing.
It's a brutal world, with pain and hardships not unknown to the characters, and a future with much to worry about. I guess I shouldn't have expected the end to be all happily ever after. But despite the shock I felt at some major events in the last chapters, I have to say I'm thankful for how well done they were. The style of writing with the 1 paragraph chapters was beautiful. And how even though so much was lost, there was so much beauty and hope and peace left after all.
Also, Dara's plotline in this second book was surprisingly awesome. Like I really, really enjoyed the path she took in this one. As well as the goodness of Donil. And the true softness of Witt. And the determination of Khosa. And the pure and absolutely heartbreakingly kindness and goodness of Vincent.
I think the only thing I struggled with with this series was that it was in Third Person Multiple POV, I believe. I couldn't put my finger on it while reading, but I think that's what made it a little harder for me to completely fall into and speed through the book with. Following multiple pov's though can also be hard, but I really liked how they were done, and that all of the chapters were short. I always find that easier to read, and it helped that all of their pov's were interesting. :)
After finishing the last book, I now really appreciate how the storyline was shaped and unraveled over these 2 books. It was well done. And I really really loved that last chapter. It made me happy. :)
March 24, 2019
This is another one I think I would've benefited from reading instead of listening. The full cast production helped a little but only after I got used to who was speaking for whom. I wasn't crazy about Given to the Sea when I read it in 2017 but I wanted to complete this duet. I also think this would've benefited from being a trilogy instead of a a duet. This is another duet that has SO MUCH GOING ON! I was confused, there are so many different tribes of people in this book! I forgot who was fighting whom and why so that took awhile to get into.
I really liked Dara and Donil in this one. I think I liked them in the first one too. The Indiri are just such an interesting people. The Stilleans vs Pietrans was confusing and I didn't really get it or care for it in the first book. I also didn't like the ending of this book/the finale of the duet. I still didn't care about Khosa and the whole "given" thing.
I really liked Dara and Donil in this one. I think I liked them in the first one too. The Indiri are just such an interesting people. The Stilleans vs Pietrans was confusing and I didn't really get it or care for it in the first book. I also didn't like the ending of this book/the finale of the duet. I still didn't care about Khosa and the whole "given" thing.
August 31, 2023
Loved reading this book, it was a great end to this duology, I had such a great time reading it!
April 21, 2018
Although this book took me a while to get into at first, I was not disappointed! About halfway through I didn't want to put it down! I hope she makes a third book to this series but the ending was sufficient.
April 10, 2018
Given to the Earth follows a few months after the captivating ending of Given to the Sea. Also, told in multiple points-of-view like its fantasy duo, this book focuses on how Khosa’s thought-to-be tragic sacrifice to the sea has now turned into a chance to live and be queen. But with these new changes in motion, the Earth begins to literally crumble beneath them and the loyalties among the characters are challenged. Love becomes a triangle of complexities–trust and forgiveness are tested. McGinnis writes a beautiful epic story, where lives at social and cultural classes are pushed to survive. She takes each of her flawed characters, and gives them a chance to save themselves, their family and friends, and in some cases, their own people and kingdom.
What I loved about this book the most was the many shocking secrets that are revealed. We delve into an action-packed book that is filled with tragic traditions, political gain, and secretive histories. In Given to the Earth, we are thrown into layers of political intrigue, betrayal, heartbreak, and some tragic endings. And in the end, I loved the last chapter, which brilliantly and beautifully provides a heartfelt conclusion.
What I loved about this book the most was the many shocking secrets that are revealed. We delve into an action-packed book that is filled with tragic traditions, political gain, and secretive histories. In Given to the Earth, we are thrown into layers of political intrigue, betrayal, heartbreak, and some tragic endings. And in the end, I loved the last chapter, which brilliantly and beautifully provides a heartfelt conclusion.
May 6, 2018
For me? The way i know i loved a series is when i want more.
So even though im unhappy and gosh darn pissed 😠 about more then a few events in this last book. Ultimately... i confess im head over feet in love. 😍
i think what it really is. Is the writing?
Nothings repetitive. Everythings described in a way where it's detailed without.... details? Hmm🤔yup that sounds weird. I dont rally know what im trying to say. Except this book got me. The love triangle or quadrangle whatever was shit. And a whole heap other dumbshit happens. But i blasted through this Duet like a cat that saw a cucumber.
So even though im unhappy and gosh darn pissed 😠 about more then a few events in this last book. Ultimately... i confess im head over feet in love. 😍
i think what it really is. Is the writing?
Nothings repetitive. Everythings described in a way where it's detailed without.... details? Hmm🤔yup that sounds weird. I dont rally know what im trying to say. Except this book got me. The love triangle or quadrangle whatever was shit. And a whole heap other dumbshit happens. But i blasted through this Duet like a cat that saw a cucumber.
March 31, 2018
Wow! Excellent sequel to the amazing Given to the Sea. McGinnis writes books that you have to slow down and savor; these are the most literary fantasy books I've ever read, very different and memorable. The stories of Khosa, the Given who is now The Redeemed, King Vincent, the Lithos Witt, and Dara and Donil the Indiri, continue in this volume to be as intertwined and interdependent on each other as the land and sea of the kingdoms of Stille and Pietra where they live. There are loves found and lost, family secrets revealed, pride at stake, and looming over everything the urgent rush of the sea that may doom them all--oh, and there are giant killer cats, did I mention the giant cats?! So. Cool.
My only quibble is with the changing POV, that two characters' chapters are in first person and the other two are third person and so you're always switching back and forth; that just bugs me for some reason. But it's soooo minor, and I suppose I just don't have sophisticated enough tastes, I do tend to read fast and so it's easier to go through a book that's all written the same way. I can appreciate just how much work it must be to write this way, my goodness.
I read an advance copy of this book.
My only quibble is with the changing POV, that two characters' chapters are in first person and the other two are third person and so you're always switching back and forth; that just bugs me for some reason. But it's soooo minor, and I suppose I just don't have sophisticated enough tastes, I do tend to read fast and so it's easier to go through a book that's all written the same way. I can appreciate just how much work it must be to write this way, my goodness.
I read an advance copy of this book.
June 10, 2019
Mixed feelings about this book. Might write a full review once I’m done raging.
This book was the “LET’S SHIT ON VINCENT” book and I was mad, because I really like Vincent and he didn’t deserve the shit he got. Fuck you COSA (thing in Spanish, it fits her) you cheating lying piece of shit. She should have died painfully, just like the manwhore she cheated Vincent with. She doesn’t deserve him and I like to think that he dumped her and went on with his life with a woman that would deserve him and love him, as he is not with COSA in the Epilogue. Let me be happy in my ignorance pls.
Cheating, specially when people like COSA and Manwhoril (wife and brother to Vincent) do it on a good person like Vincent, triggers the fuck out of me.
Oddly, this book had me liking Witt loads (unlike the first one) and also Dara, her story becoming more interesting than in the first part. I never expected to ship these fuckers, but I did. I wished the author would have given them a chance, their characters, romance and personal stories much more interesting than cringe-worthy COSA and Manwhoril.
I’m really sad that the last Indiri blood wasn’t hers and Witt’s. They deserved much better than what they got.
This book was better than the first one in the duology. But my rating is lower because it really left me wanton and with a bad taste in my mouth, bitter with lost potential.
This book was the “LET’S SHIT ON VINCENT” book and I was mad, because I really like Vincent and he didn’t deserve the shit he got. Fuck you COSA (thing in Spanish, it fits her) you cheating lying piece of shit. She should have died painfully, just like the manwhore she cheated Vincent with. She doesn’t deserve him and I like to think that he dumped her and went on with his life with a woman that would deserve him and love him, as he is not with COSA in the Epilogue. Let me be happy in my ignorance pls.
Cheating, specially when people like COSA and Manwhoril (wife and brother to Vincent) do it on a good person like Vincent, triggers the fuck out of me.
Oddly, this book had me liking Witt loads (unlike the first one) and also Dara, her story becoming more interesting than in the first part. I never expected to ship these fuckers, but I did. I wished the author would have given them a chance, their characters, romance and personal stories much more interesting than cringe-worthy COSA and Manwhoril.
I’m really sad that the last Indiri blood wasn’t hers and Witt’s. They deserved much better than what they got.
This book was better than the first one in the duology. But my rating is lower because it really left me wanton and with a bad taste in my mouth, bitter with lost potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2018
Well, I wasn't expecting to like this more than its predecessor, but it took away the dislike for that god awful love triangle! I am pleasantly surprised by whom is "given to the earth". It does make sense in the end. And I found myself liking Khosa more in this sequel.
Together, these two books are good fantasy for your fodder. Okay, that sounds totally dirty. LOL! Seriously, if Given To The Earth was just a standalone, I'd have probably given it 5 stars. But, it's a damn solid sequel that I think readers, who didn't like Given To The Sea, should definitely read. I had some reservations myself, but this is Mindy McGinnis here. I'll read any book she writes.
Together, these two books are good fantasy for your fodder. Okay, that sounds totally dirty. LOL! Seriously, if Given To The Earth was just a standalone, I'd have probably given it 5 stars. But, it's a damn solid sequel that I think readers, who didn't like Given To The Sea, should definitely read. I had some reservations myself, but this is Mindy McGinnis here. I'll read any book she writes.
August 23, 2018
Bored to death reading this book and skipped 60% just so i can finish and be done with it.
The only thing I liked in this book was Vincent, who is a good friend, loyal brother, martyr husband and responsible king.
The only thing I liked in this book was Vincent, who is a good friend, loyal brother, martyr husband and responsible king.
October 31, 2018
The fact that the book has only 196 ratings is the reason why the overal rating isn't much lower. Only the people who liked the first part of the Given Duet, decided to read the next as well. And it wasn't as good as the frist one.
I liked "Given to the Sea" much more than "Given to the Earth". In fact, I struggled to finish the later.
Pluses of "Given to the Earth":
+ characters from book one are more developed and we have a better perspective from more points of view (it wasn't chaotic for me, because I got to know them before);
Minuses of "Given to the Earth":
- a "Bold and Beautiful" plot -> adultery, betrayal, pregnancies and more...
- too much action happening to fast, especially in the end of the book;
- many characters act in a complete opposition to their old selves, it doesn't seem realistic;
- characters change their minds quite often.
I liked "Given to the Sea" much more than "Given to the Earth". In fact, I struggled to finish the later.
Pluses of "Given to the Earth":
+ characters from book one are more developed and we have a better perspective from more points of view (it wasn't chaotic for me, because I got to know them before);
Minuses of "Given to the Earth":
- a "Bold and Beautiful" plot -> adultery, betrayal, pregnancies and more...
- too much action happening to fast, especially in the end of the book;
- many characters act in a complete opposition to their old selves, it doesn't seem realistic;
- characters change their minds quite often.
February 6, 2018
This actually a high 3.5 for me. So... 3.6, I guess?
The story started out slow and I was a little bored at first. I kind of felt the same way about the first book, though. However, the ending really picked up and tore my heart out.
Also- I'm going to need more information in this epilogue. I have questions! Lots and lots of questions that remain unanswered!!! (Ok, it's really just 3 questions, but they're big questions!)
Anyway, this book is beautifully written. It's not a high action story (until the end, anyway), but the writing is absolutely wonderful.
The story started out slow and I was a little bored at first. I kind of felt the same way about the first book, though. However, the ending really picked up and tore my heart out.
Also- I'm going to need more information in this epilogue. I have questions! Lots and lots of questions that remain unanswered!!! (Ok, it's really just 3 questions, but they're big questions!)
Anyway, this book is beautifully written. It's not a high action story (until the end, anyway), but the writing is absolutely wonderful.
August 17, 2018
OK BUT THIS IS HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE BOOK AND I READ A LOT OF BOOKS EVERYTHING WITH DARA AND DONIL DYING TOGETHER AND KHOSA HAVING DONILS KID AND THE LAST INDIRI DYING WITH HER TANGATA CAT BESIDE HER AND VINCENT KILLING HIS MOTHER AND NOT KNOWING ABOUT IT AND DARA AND WITT GETTING MARRIED AND KHOSA WEARING A CROWN TO REMIND HER OD HER MISERY HAD ME IN TEARS. THIS BOOK DUO AND A MADNESS SO DISCREET ARE THE ONLY THINGS I CARE ABOUT THANKS AND I WISH IT WASNT OVER I AM CRYING THANK YOU MINDY THIS WAS GREAT I LOVE YOU DARA AND DONIL REST IN PIECE MY LOVE
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2021
1.5/5 Still pretty boring. I did not like how whiny Khosa was. I also didnt like how selfish Dara was. The whole thing was just ugh I don't even know why I read it. I didnt like how in the end, Khosa cheated on Vincent, but then went back to Vincent because he was the only one left. It was just a mess. It was an unexpected ending, which I did like. It was a pretty cool ending. But overall, it was just boring. Was hoping for a bit more out of these two books. I absolutely loved the covers. They were stunning but the book was just not what i wanted to be. I tried so hard to like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 23, 20183.5 Stars. A huge thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2019
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.
August 29, 2018
Given to the Earth is a continuation of the events in Given to the Earth. I’ll refrain from describing the plot in this review because I’m not sure I can do so without spoilers or copying too much for the blurb.
On the sentence level, the writing was lovely. I never had trouble picturing anything, and felt every time the writer stopped to describe something in detail, it was relevant and layered with meaning. However, that wasn’t enough for me to be drawn in the book like I expected to be.
As much as I loved the cast of the Given Duet, I had a hard time getting into Given to the Earth. I wanted to spend more time with the characters and to find out what happened to them, but the short chapters quickly jumping from one character to the next made it hard for to settle into a rhythm and engage with the story.
I also found I had a hard time keeping track of who was narrating when and found myself flipping back to the beginning of chapters (at least with the first half of the book) to remind myself who was narrating. I always knew when Khosa or Dara was narrating, but there were a few instances where I thought I was reading Vincent but after a couple paragraphs, realized it was Donil when he said Vincent’s name or thought about his sister, Dara.
However, when I was a little over half-way through the book, that problem stopped. I found the rhythm of each characters voice and the rapid fire switching from one narrator to the next became a good thing because I wanted to know how everyone’s narratives fit together and how a string of good and bad decisions were going to play out in the end. I was engaged with the narrative that couldn’t fall asleep and got up to finish the book.
As I got closer to the end, I realized that this book was doing something that I love and hate: showing how dozens of decisions each characters make turn into mistakes because of their timing and a lack of communication, bring the characters so close to what could’ve been a peaceful or happy ending (for most of them) only to have it completely turned over by one thing that they overlooked.
There were a few surprises along the way, mostly, the narrative ended exactly how I knew it would and hoped it wouldn’t. It became too familiar. There were a few moments where I was thinking things like “ok I guess ___ had to ___ in order for ___ and ___ to have a happy ending” but after a good night's sleep and reflection on how this compared to the book I read before it, I realized it didn’t have to end that way. The author could’ve broken the trope and come up with a more creative ending were more people live happily with each other. I know this is vague, but being any more specific would mean spoilers, which I don’t want to include.
Given to the Earth may not be the best sequel I’ve ever read, but if you read Given to the Sea and enjoyed it, this is still worth reading. It’s well written and well paced once you get into the rhythm of the narrators and their voices. And if you’re okay with teary traditional endings to fantasy novels with almost Arthurian love triangles, them maybe you won’t have the same problem with this that I did.
On the sentence level, the writing was lovely. I never had trouble picturing anything, and felt every time the writer stopped to describe something in detail, it was relevant and layered with meaning. However, that wasn’t enough for me to be drawn in the book like I expected to be.
As much as I loved the cast of the Given Duet, I had a hard time getting into Given to the Earth. I wanted to spend more time with the characters and to find out what happened to them, but the short chapters quickly jumping from one character to the next made it hard for to settle into a rhythm and engage with the story.
I also found I had a hard time keeping track of who was narrating when and found myself flipping back to the beginning of chapters (at least with the first half of the book) to remind myself who was narrating. I always knew when Khosa or Dara was narrating, but there were a few instances where I thought I was reading Vincent but after a couple paragraphs, realized it was Donil when he said Vincent’s name or thought about his sister, Dara.
However, when I was a little over half-way through the book, that problem stopped. I found the rhythm of each characters voice and the rapid fire switching from one narrator to the next became a good thing because I wanted to know how everyone’s narratives fit together and how a string of good and bad decisions were going to play out in the end. I was engaged with the narrative that couldn’t fall asleep and got up to finish the book.
As I got closer to the end, I realized that this book was doing something that I love and hate: showing how dozens of decisions each characters make turn into mistakes because of their timing and a lack of communication, bring the characters so close to what could’ve been a peaceful or happy ending (for most of them) only to have it completely turned over by one thing that they overlooked.
There were a few surprises along the way, mostly, the narrative ended exactly how I knew it would and hoped it wouldn’t. It became too familiar. There were a few moments where I was thinking things like “ok I guess ___ had to ___ in order for ___ and ___ to have a happy ending” but after a good night's sleep and reflection on how this compared to the book I read before it, I realized it didn’t have to end that way. The author could’ve broken the trope and come up with a more creative ending were more people live happily with each other. I know this is vague, but being any more specific would mean spoilers, which I don’t want to include.
Given to the Earth may not be the best sequel I’ve ever read, but if you read Given to the Sea and enjoyed it, this is still worth reading. It’s well written and well paced once you get into the rhythm of the narrators and their voices. And if you’re okay with teary traditional endings to fantasy novels with almost Arthurian love triangles, them maybe you won’t have the same problem with this that I did.
May 7, 2019
Wow. What an ending. I can’t decide if it was good or not. Hmmmmmm
Also, sex is referenced nearly every second page. Either jesting from soldiers, husbands wanting wives, talk of rape. Honestly, every couple of pages. I started taking photos of every reference and I have a whole folder full. It was ridiculous.
Having half of the POV’s in first person and half in third person is still a little odd. Not to the point of annoyance but still weird to read.
The fight scene was so quick. In fact the entire ending was so quick. Nothing happened for the majority of this book and I felt like I was reading forever. Then the conclusion was so fast. Maybe because the chapters were half a page long each and constantly switching POV’s it just read quicker but it all felt so rushed. And the ending felt like a cop out. An easy obvious ending. No surprise at all. And all the death that occurred was kind of unnecessary and felt like it was merely for shock value. The death that triggered the ‘main event’ had no description or reasoning at all. It just happened. In three lines of text. And then BOOM! Major event happens because of it. It didn’t feel natural.
The characters were all described as nice and good people (except Dara) yet all did some seriously questionable things. Adultery, matricide, torture. How are these good people? Trying to push on us how nice all of these characters are and than have them do horrendous things like that felt wrong. Are we still supposed to respect these ‘kind’ people after all of their actions?
Donil and Dara remained my favourite characters in this book. Although their chapters weren’t.....I don’t know how to phrase it. They didn’t feel right. The things they were doing and how they were talking. Their reasoning behind their actions just felt, off. I honestly can’t describe it. There was a weird disconnect between what they were thinking and what they were actually doing. I didn’t feel connected to them in this book like I did in the first one.
All these points seem negative but I still enjoyed reading this. I still wanted to know what happened. I still liked the characters. My feelings are conflicted about this book.
Also, sex is referenced nearly every second page. Either jesting from soldiers, husbands wanting wives, talk of rape. Honestly, every couple of pages. I started taking photos of every reference and I have a whole folder full. It was ridiculous.
Having half of the POV’s in first person and half in third person is still a little odd. Not to the point of annoyance but still weird to read.
The fight scene was so quick. In fact the entire ending was so quick. Nothing happened for the majority of this book and I felt like I was reading forever. Then the conclusion was so fast. Maybe because the chapters were half a page long each and constantly switching POV’s it just read quicker but it all felt so rushed. And the ending felt like a cop out. An easy obvious ending. No surprise at all. And all the death that occurred was kind of unnecessary and felt like it was merely for shock value. The death that triggered the ‘main event’ had no description or reasoning at all. It just happened. In three lines of text. And then BOOM! Major event happens because of it. It didn’t feel natural.
The characters were all described as nice and good people (except Dara) yet all did some seriously questionable things. Adultery, matricide, torture. How are these good people? Trying to push on us how nice all of these characters are and than have them do horrendous things like that felt wrong. Are we still supposed to respect these ‘kind’ people after all of their actions?
Donil and Dara remained my favourite characters in this book. Although their chapters weren’t.....I don’t know how to phrase it. They didn’t feel right. The things they were doing and how they were talking. Their reasoning behind their actions just felt, off. I honestly can’t describe it. There was a weird disconnect between what they were thinking and what they were actually doing. I didn’t feel connected to them in this book like I did in the first one.
All these points seem negative but I still enjoyed reading this. I still wanted to know what happened. I still liked the characters. My feelings are conflicted about this book.
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