Rating: 4.5 full-sail stars rounded up to 5 stars

Ahoy there matey! Are you ready for a full-fledged adventure that mixes a fictional time and place with a tale of survival and pirate treasure? If so, open the pages of “Fable”. It will sweep you away. This stirring story of courage, fast-thinking, cold-hearts and fighting for survival kept me upping my reading pace. This is the first entry into a new YA Fantasy series by Adrienne Young. I have not read this author before, but I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in the series.

We meet 18-year-old Fable on the dog-eat-dog island of Jeval. Her emotionally distant father, Saint, marooned her there four years ago. He told her that if she survived and found her way back to him, she would receive her inheritance. She has been plugging away on Jeval as a dredger (diver) hunting for gems on local reefs. She has toughened up since her days aboard Saint’s ship. She has learned how to survive against all odds. Fable is cunning and trusts no one. She is also intelligent and determined to get off the island and find Saint. She has a few things to discuss with him, like why did he carve up the inside of her arm the day he abandoned her. The scars still haunt her and cause undue attention from others when her sleeves slip up her arm.

I do not know how much more of the actual plotline to reveal. Let me just leave it with some broad brushstrokes of an outline. There is an enemies-to-lovers element. Fable struggles to find her place and assuage her continual aloneness. Will the small crew of the trading vessel Marigold accept her? Will this become her safe place? There is a MM romance/relationship that is very well written. No explicit sex scenes here. Adventures and narrow escapes abound. Villains, cutthroats and seemingly cold-hearted fathers also figure prominently.

The deeper I got into the tale, the faster the pages turned. This is an engrossing tale about a strong female lead who is resourceful and proud. This would be a fun read for readers who like seafaring tales; and well-written characters including; a smart heroine, and a swoon-worthy hero. I wanted to deduct half a point from my review because of the cliffhanger ending. I hate cliffhangers. However, I just couldn’t do it. I can’t believe that I have to wait until the next book (currently titled, “Namesake”) is released in March, 2021 to find out what happens next. I’ll be at the front of the line to buy the next book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

I've heard great things about Adrienne Young, but Fable is the first book I've read of hers. The synopsis had all the things I love in a story, fierce heroine, the open sea, treasure, and of course romance! And Fable being a wild-haired redhead (like me) was just the icing on the cake! But unfortunately, the delivery fell a little flat.

When we first meet Fable, she is just barely scraping by while trying to earn enough money to leave the island her father left her on and go find him. In a desperate run to leave she makes a deal for passage on the Marigold with West and his crew. West seems to want nothing to do with her, and the crew isn't happy to have her aboard. 

I'm a sucker for "found family", so I loved that Fable found a home of her own on the Marigold. I would've loved to see more romantic tension, or even just communication from Fable and West. Their relationship and the eventual romance felt very forced to me. And his confession that he'd loved her since the day he met her came out of the blue.

Another confusing relationship was Fable and her father. Saint left her, seemingly to die, with nothing but the words "You weren't made for this world Fable". After being marooned, Fable still works tirelessly to find him, not for revenge as you would expect. But to work on his crew? Then she is rejected by him and in the same sentence given a massive inheritance. I can't figure out if he cares about her or not.

The part of the story that got me the most excited was the idea of going on a hunt for shipwrecked treasure, on a treacherous path, using a scar to navigate. But this entire trek lasted maybe one chapter of the whole book.

In general, I'm interested enough to read the sequel when it is released. But I was disappointed in my first Adrienne Young novel. I seem to be in the minority with this opinion though, so if the premise in interesting to you in the least I would still recommend giving it a shot! I give it a 4/5 stars overall.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I must be in a pirate mood because this book gave me so many pirate vibes. I loved this book so much. It was so refreshing!

Adrienne did such an amazing job creating this world and amazing characters. What I really appreciated the most was the slow burn romance. I really wasn’t sure if there was going to be a romance until much later in the book. I sometimes just really like a book that isn’t all about a romance.

I was rooting for Fable so hard in this book. She’s lost her mother and her father abandons her on an island. He just leaves her there alone without anything and tells her to find her way to him. I don’t really know if he’s expecting her to or not. Years later, she’s struggling and barely surviving but she does not give up. She is so brave and courageous! She’s constantly knocked down but keeps on getting right back up.

I really enjoyed how fast paced this was. There was so much action and it was dark and intense at times. This book is definitely more character driven than plot driven. It’s a good thing that I really enjoyed all the characters.

Even though, I really liked the world created, I wish there was more world building. I have so many questions and there are a lot of things that are not explained. I’m hoping that we get more of that in the next book.

I didn’t realize this was a series until I hit a massive cliff hanger! I am so sad because I have to wait so long to find out what happens next! I really enjoyed this pirate adventure and I can’t wait for more.

I want to thank Netgalley & Wednesday Books for an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Looking for a fun adventure book? Read this. It's just the type of story to draw you into another world even if it's just for a short while. Come on. It has pirates. Who doesn't want to read about pirates? It's just a good story though so don't pass it up and check it out. You won't regret it. Happy reading!

I knew nothing about Fable going in, and I was surprised to find out it is a pirate book since I don’t read many books set at sea. I ended up loving this book, it has exceptional characters and an amazing world-building.

Fable was intriguing and fast-paced from the beginning. There was a lot of world-building, but it never felt info-dumpy; instead, it made everything more atmospheric and fun to read about. Her writing style was concise, and I was able to get into the book immediately. There were also some beautiful quotes throughout the book.

What I loved the most about this book were the characters. Adrienne Young really makes you feel for her characters, and it’s almost like you personally know them. There are six main characters in this book, Fable, West, Willa, Paj, Auster, and Hamish. Fable, our main character, is well rounded and had a lot of depth to her. Her background was explored, and we get to see how she became the person she is. While I loved the other characters, I feel we didn’t get to learn enough about them, except for a few details on their backgrounds. I hope the characters are more prominent in the next book and we get to learn more about their pasts.

I always love found families in books, and this was no exception. The relationships and friendships between these characters were very special and I loved any scene where they interacted. Fable doesn’t seem to fit in with the group at first, but there is some friendship development between her and some of the characters.

The one thing I personally did not like was the main romance, it felt forced. It was hinted at throughout the book, but I saw no chemistry between Fable and West. I don’t hate it, but I don’t think the romance was necessary. Maybe it will be further developed in the next book.

Overall, this was a great book. It did have a pretty big cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

**eARC provided by NetGalley** WOWOWOWOW. One of my favorite things about this author, Adrienne Young, is her writing style and the way I find myself immersed in her words and worlds. She creates such relatable characters and stunning world building. Fable was a fun read, and it was action packed from the first page. My absolute favorite scene was in the middle/end of Chapter 37. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone but it was beautifully written and I also loved what was happening on the page. The main character, Fable, was so compelling and I loved her fierceness and determination. The crew of the Marigold was also awesome, and I can’t wait to see more of them in Namesake (Book 2 of this duology). If you’re a fan of this author’s previous works, then you’ll definitely love Fable. I can’t believe Young ended it they way she did though!!! I’m glad the next book is out in only 6 months rather than a year - I need answers NOW. I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of this world and these characters in Namesake..

Fable
A Novel
by Adrienne Young
St. Martin’s Press
Wednesday Books



Filled with all of the action, emotion, and lyrical writing that brought readers to Sky in the Deep, New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with a new captivating duology.

Fable takes you on a spectacular journey filled with romance, intrigue and adventure.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is one of Adrienne Young’s best work.
Fable is an adventurous first book in this new captivating duology.

A fast paced, nail biting, high seas adventure you don’t want to miss!
I can’t wait for the sequel, Namesake, coming in 2021.

“We both know that surviving means sometimes doing things that haunt you."

Fable has spent years trying to survive on a dangerous island of thieves. An island that her pirate father abandoned her to. She has taken up the harsh life of a dredger, someone who dives underwater & finds pyre that she can sell to traders.
Every block she brings back to the surface, is getting her close to her ultimate goal of getting off the island & back to her father.
In a series of events she makes an early exit from the isle of thieves. She seeks refuge aboard a somewhat friend of hers. West, is a helmsman who has purchased her pyre in the past . She has a little trust in him, but under her the harsh realities of her life she is faced with A particular situation that forces her to make bargain with West

This is faced paced read, one with great atmospheric world building and a powerful female protagonist. I was completely hooked from the beginning and I read this book in one sitting. Adrienne Young, newest novel is filled with brilliant imagery and vibrant prose. Along with a strong resistant female, that is completely adaptable in dire situations. This is by far one of the best books with pirate/ high seas adventures I have ever read.

Fable is an outstanding start to a new YA duology from the author of Sky in the Deep. There is romance, adventure, pirates, and plenty of action. The writing is lyrical and the world-building is strong. The plot moves at a fast pace that will keep readers hooked and dying to read the sequel. Highly recommended to those who enjoy YA fantasy and are looking for something fresh. Be sure to check out Fable today!

*I received a free digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review*
This book made me feel like I was in The Pirates of the Caribbean. I had some trouble getting into it but once I did, boy I set sail. That's why I'm giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone. Can't wait for the sequel!

“It was a world poised on the tip of a knife.”

Fable lives by five simple rules her father, the infamous pirate captain, Saint told her before abandoning her on Jeval, an island on the edge of the world inhabited by thieving mercenaries. The five rules are:

1. Keep your knife where you can reach it.
2. Never, ever owe anyone anything.
3. Nothing is free.
4. Always construct a lie from a truth.
5. Never, under any circumstances, reveal what or who matters to you.

Following these rules is what helped to keep Fable alive. But when she escapes Jeval with the crew of the Marigold, a small rag-tag group of traders, in search of her father (who has promised to give her what’s owed to her if she can return to him), she finds her world-view may need some adjusting. And going against Saint’s rules – the ones which dutifully kept her alive for so long – might be exactly what she needs to do to survive.

This book was amazing! What an exciting read!

It’s been a while since I sped through a novel the way I sped through Fable. But I couldn’t help myself. The book was just so good; I couldn’t dare put it down. The world-building! The characters! The romance! THAT CLIFFHANGER ENDING! Everything about it was over-the-top incredible. I adored every single second of reading this story, and I cannot wait to get my hands on its sequel, Namesake, to see what happens next.

The world Adrienne Young creates in Fable is breathtakingly beautiful and bracingly cut-throat. So much lore is captured within its pages. I sincerely hope we get to explore even more of it in the upcoming sequel.

Fable, for her part, is a spit-fire protagonist and a refreshingly strong-willed lead, who knows what she wants and how to procure it. I loved her! The crew of the Marigold easily grow on you, and perfectly fulfill the found family vibes that feel quintessential for a story set in this sort of environment. I sincerely look forward to learning more about each crew members’ histories and the secrets they hold close to their hearts.

“We weren’t supposed to owe anyone anything, but that was just a lie we told to make ourselves feel safe. Really, we’d never been safe.”

If you’re looking for your next great YA read, filled with adventure, intrigue and a whole lot of heart, I can’t recommend Fable highly enough.

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

GIMME GIMME GIMME THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW! This book was MAGNIFICIENT, JUST PERFECT! I haven't read a book set in a world like this one in years, and Young wrote this novel eloquently. I fell in love with Fable from the first page, and all the other characters fit just right into the storyline. I have a review coming soon on the blog!

The newest book from Adrienne Young is a beautiful adventure. While I thought the book could have ended quite a number of times to give us an exciting sequel, the true ending is an absolute jaw dropper and I will be scratching my eyes out for the sequel next year.
4.5/5 stars.

I would like to thank Wednesday Books for providing a digital galley thru Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fable by Adrienne Young welcomes readers to a cruel world full of dangerous sea adventures where a young girl strives to survive and find her father.

The story follows Fable who was abandoned by her successful trader father after losing the Lark and her mother. She worked as a dredger, people who finds precious stones and ore under the sea. To get off the island filled with criminals, she saved every copper she had from selling pyre. When she paid a young trader named West for a passage off the island, she realized that treacherous storms were not the only things she had to conquer to survive.

Describing how good this book was a little difficult for me because there were really good things that I like and there were also things I wish there were more. Plotwise, the story doesn't have much intense and heart stopping scenes. It did not revolve around being the chosen hero, magic, or saving the world. It was focused on the life and struggles of a young girl in a world of cruelty and rivalries in power. That being said, the plot was slow-paces. Despite all that, I just could not stop myself from turning another page. The writing was brilliant. The author did a great job telling a story that evoked fear and sympathy for the main character.

The world building and fantasy elements were very little. I was not even sure if this book was supposed to be fantasy since the only magic, if it were even really one, was Fable's affinity to gemstones. For the characters, the main character was the only one who was really fleshed out. Fable's greatest strength was her courage. I also like how she used her wits to survive. However, other characters felt a little bland. Maybe we could see more of their developments on the second book.

It was also worth to mention that there were some LGBT rep included. The slow-burn romance did not feel forced and it was also in the latter part of the book.

Overall, Fable is a gripping story. I cannot wait for the sequel, and I know a lot of unanswered questions would be given satisfying answers.

4/5 stars!

I loved Fable, both the book and the character. I'm so excited it's a duology and both books will be released closer together than most sequels usually are.

I wanted to like this so much, truly. A novel about pirates - basically - should be easier to like, but everything moves so slowly that it's difficult to engage with from the beginning. I had higher hopes - I loved Sky in the Deep - but this was a bit of a disappointment.

Fable takes a reader on such a great adventure it reminds me a of bit trying to prove oneself such as in the Daughter of the Pirate King mixed with crew as family of the Six of Crows. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book.

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Fable, by author Adrienne Young, is the beginning of a new series by the author. 4 years ago, after a storm wrecked her former ship called the Lark, killing all but three of the crew, Fable was left on Jeval by her father Saint to find her own way. The Island of Jeval is an infamous Island of thieves and cut throats who are forced to scrap hulls and dive the sea to find gems to exchange for food. Fable was trained by her own mother to be a dredger; a diver who searches for precious stones in the sea. She has a bit of a secret as well which I'm not spoiling. All she wants is to escape Jeval and find her father to prove that she's worthy.


Fable has learned valuable lessons along the way. Keep your knife where you can reach it. Never, ever owe anyone anything. Nothing is free. Always construct lies from a truth. And, never, under any circumstances reveal what or who matters to you. Over the past several years, there has been one constant in Fable's life. Captain West and the crew of the Marigold which include Hamish, Willa, Paj, and Auster. She could always count on West to pay a fair price for the gems that she's collected even with everyone watching her closely.


When Fable gets in a bit of trouble with a very dangerous man, she runs straight for West hoping that he will take her aboard as they travel to their next destination. What Fable ends up finding is more than just passage. With the help of a motley crew with trust issues and enemies galore, Fable gains a family willing to take murderous risks, all the while not sure of her own raw emotions. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. Young weaves secrets, darkness, haunting moments, romance, dangerous seas, and essentially glorified pirates all in one.


Be warned, the book ends on a cliff-hanger. But, since this is a duology, readers can, if they want, wait until both books have been released and therefore you can immediately find out what happens to Fable, West, Saint, and the rest of the Marigold crew. I think one of the most interesting questions is what is going to happen between Saint and Fable since she basically did exactly what he asked of her before all hell breaks loose in the end.

Wow! I loved this. FABLE has made its way on to my favorites-list for the year. It gripped me from page one. To be completely transparent it had me from the cover. I absolutely love Young’s writing style. It just flows so easily and makes the story that much more enjoyable. In Fable, just as in her other books, she has created such a bad-ass and strong female main character, as well some other amazing characters that just swept me away. My favorite aspect of this book was the scenery and descriptions of the sea. I love a book that has the sea as it’s setting and this one just takes the cake. And that ending! Really looking forward to book 2.

A huge thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Oh. My. Gosh. This was such a good book! Young just has such a way with world-building, you really feel like you’re there alongside the character experiencing what they are. There were times I could so vividly picture the scenes in this book.

This wasn’t super action-packed, but I loved the pacing of the book. The story flowed nicely and the world was so brutal, it was crazy to watch everything unfold.

I can’t wait to read the next book and I’m so glad it’s not a long wait!

Fable is the newest book from Adrienne Young, and I think she's getting better with each book. Although I loved her first two books, this one is even better.

Fable is a young woman who lives alone on a harsh island in the Narrows. Abandoned there by her father four years earlier, she eakes out an existence by diving for gems in coral reefs. She's fighting to get off the brutal island, and when she has a chance, she takes it, joining the crew of a young man named West. Fable wants to find her father, the most successful (and feared) trader in the Narrows, and demand her inheritance from him.

This book is so gripping and absorbing. I really felt like I was in the story. Young's writing evokes the island, the sea, life on a ship. The setting felt so real, and I was completely caught up in the story. Fable is a great character. She's really well drawn. She's equal parts tough, desperate, and smart, and her story is captivating.

It's great to see a writer getting better with each book, and I can't wait to read the sequel.