
Member Reviews

Adrienne Young writes absolutely gorgeous books. Compelling characters and beautiful plots. Her debut book is my favorite but this series is amazing as well!

This book was so good. Reminded me how much I love books with pirates! 🏴☠️ I love reading about strong female characters who fight for themselves.

This is one of those books that you fall into and don’t want to leave, there is so many wonderfully articulated layers to this story I devoured them all in one sitting. Fable is such a dynamic character, every aspect of her personality laid bare before readers in a way you can feel every emotion she has alongside her. The plot is so well balanced you’re never not engaged in all the intricate developments between the characters and the challenges they face they weave together the most exciting adventure. The treasure is in the perfectly visualized world the author created, delivering on all things pirate it immerses you into a life on the open seas. I didn’t want this adventure to end, so thankful for more to come of Fable’s story.

Before I get into the review can we take a moment to appreciate how INCREDIBLE that cover is?! I was already in love with this book before I even read the synopsis. Anyways *sighs to collect herself* we’re here for my review, not my obsession with that gorgeous cover, so on to the story!
This book is full of pirates, cutthroats, epic high seas adventures and the dark fantasy backdrop reminiscent of a show like Black Sails. This book is slow, it’s not a fast paced goofy pirate tale akin to Pirates of the Caribbean, no this story lingers with the characters and gives us a look into Fable’s life and her struggles after being abandoned. I love Fable, she is tough and scrappy and she fights for her place and I love to see that in a female character. I also liked that the book was just from her POV, which is odd because usually I am the first to say every book should have a dual POV. I just think that the point of this book was to see the world through Fable’s eyes, to feel her struggles and her relationship with her life at sea, and that was perfectly captured.
Another thing I liked about this book, which is going to sound really weird, is that this was a fantasy book without really any magic. I know that sounds kind of like an oxymoron but I think fantasy doesn’t need to be magical, and somewhere along the line we forgot that and every fantasy became centred around characters with magical powers. I really liked that the fantasy elements of this story worked to weave the dark world which allowed the story to feel more grounded.
My only complaint, and this is incredibly minor, is that I felt the book was like maybe a chapter too short. I think certain things at the very end felt a little rushed (hence the 4 star rating) but honestly this did not detract from the story and I think (especially considering that cliffhanger) the second book will give more depth to any sections that felt a little rushed.
I highly recommend this book to any fans of fantasy, pirates or dark adventure stories, this is definitely a must read! I actually think this book reminds be a little of six of crows, only more grounded with less characters to keep track of. I think the fact that the magic in this story isn’t as flashy and in your face allows you to focus on the characters themselves and their relationships in a way that similar books do not.

"Fable" by Adrienne Young is a captivating adventure that pulls you into its world of treasure, betrayal, and fierce survival. The story follows Fable, a young girl stranded on a dangerous island, as she navigates a treacherous path to reunite with her father and claim her birthright. Young’s world-building is rich and immersive, with a perfect mix of high stakes and emotional depth. Fable herself is a strong, determined protagonist, making her journey both compelling and relatable. The pacing is tight, though at times it feels like it could dive even deeper into the world’s intricacies. Still, it’s an engaging read that leaves you eager for more. Definitely worth a read for fans of adventure and coming-of-age stories!

Fable by Adrienne Young is an intense, gritty story that throws you right into a world of ruthless seas, sunken treasure, and survival. The main character, Fable, has been abandoned by her father on a dangerous island, forced to fend for herself by dredging (essentially diving for valuable gems). When she finally gets the chance to leave, she makes her way back to confront her father, but her journey is full of twists and peril.
Fable is a great character—tough and resourceful but still vulnerable and haunted by her past. She’s been through a lot, and her survival instincts are well-earned. The crew of the Marigold, the ship she joins, adds a lot to the story too. Each member has their own distinct personality, and they feel like real, flawed people rather than just background characters. The chemistry between Fable and West, the ship's mysterious helmsman, is slow-burn and subtle, making their relationship feel natural and engaging.
Young’s writing shines when it comes to world-building. The descriptions of the sea, the islands, and the gritty trade world are vivid and immersive, making you feel like you’re right there with Fable. The harsh realities of life at sea, where survival often trumps loyalty, add a sense of realism and tension that keeps you hooked.
If there’s a downside, it’s that the pacing can feel slow in places, especially as Fable is making her way to find her father. But the tension ramps up in the second half, making it worth the wait.
Overall, Fable is a gripping adventure with strong characters, lush world-building, and enough twists to keep you on your toes. It’s a great pick for readers who love an ocean-set fantasy with grit, heart, and a touch of romance.

This book was so entertaining. It was paced perfectly in my opinion. The characters were likable and the plot was good.

bad bad bad I don't know what was worse if the first or the second one it was just bad please erase this out of my brain

Adrienne Young can do no wrong. I'm convinced. This was an interesting and unique take on a pirate-like trope made wholly its own. I devoured it.

Fable's father left her behind with the knowledge that she would some day seek him out for her inheritance as long as she never told anyone that they are related. A fast paced pirate book is what you're looking for this is it! I love Fable. I love the crew of the Marigold. Action, adventure, loyalty, enemies, high stakes- this has it all. I can't wait to start Namesake after the cliff hanger ending of Fable.

I loved the story of Fable and the character herself. Mature for her age, but still knows how to get in trouble enough to get the plot going, West and the gang are also favorites of mine in this story. I liked seeing how loyal they were to each other and kept looking out for one another. Obviously I am dying for the next one.

Andrienne Young always stuns with her books! I was so excited to read this book after reading her debut, and it did not disappoint. Young is great at creating beautiful, immersive worlds that have characters that are easy to love.

Adrienne Young is one of my favorite authors and I will read every one of her books. Fable was such a pleasure and delight once I got into the story. The world-building in the beginning was a little tough to understand, but once I got into the story, everything made perfect sense. I loved Fable's character, her relationship with her estranged father, and the crew she finds herself befriending along the way.
Definitely check out this book if you love found families, seafaring adventures, mysteries, and a good old fashioned love story.

I was super excited to read this book. I didn't know much about it going in, and really enjoyed reading it.
I would say that the first few chapters are a bit slow, and the ending is a bit predictable, but the story and the characters were so well thought out and written that I ended up really loving this book.
To me, it wasn't perfect, but it was a book that I could not stop reading.
I really loved Fable and West and all of the other crew members.
I thought that Adrienne Young did a great job of creating super dimensional characters that the reader instantly falls in love with. I also really loved the world.
The second I finished this book, I knew that I needed the sequel!!

Writing is lovely, but characterisations and plotting left much to be desired. That said, I can see other readers enjoying this one and I would definitely look out for more of the author's works in the future.

There are no words that can describe my love for this book! The characters and the plot were engaging and kept me wanting more! The ending left me on the edge of my seat and I want to read it for the first time all over again! I'm definitely going to continue this series!

Oh my goodness I loved this one!!
I had seen so much talk of this before it came out. And jumped on the chance to get to read and review.
It was such a nice change of pace. And I enjoyed every page.
The characters had this depth to them that is hard for me to explain. But yet resonated with me too.
I honestly flew thought his one. And cannot wait until the next book is here

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an eARC of Fabel by Adrienne Young! I was really excited to pick up this book after seeing everyone talk about it. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one as much as I thought I would. The story was fast-paced and action-packed but the plot was predictable. It was not anything special for me, and I do not think I will be continuing the series.

I loved how this book fully immersed me in the world! Adrienne Young has a way of really gripping you with her stories.

I truly enjoyed this book. Fable was such an amazing character that I found myself rooting for from the beginning. I was also shipping her with Wes from the start. Those two had a lot of chemistry. This was a fun read although also a bit predictable at times especially the ending. I’m excited to read Namesake and see what happens next!!