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Fable is the character-driven and compelling narrative that Young made herself known for in Sky, and she again captured it with the first book in this duology. With a heroine forced to reshape, discover, and rebuild herself after a life-changing event, Fable’s journey became as quietly addictive as it was painful. The world provided her no favors and she wasn’t searching for one, showcasing the exact reason why this author is one of the best in her genre.

When Young strips her characters of their identities, the true potential of her writing shines through in the journey of rediscovery. Fable was an incredibly unassuming character, but full of a heart and compassion that presented itself in her soul-deep gumption and fight for family. The supporting players created the world; their personalities and motives shaping the environment to conform around them. She was nothing without their contention and aggression to her imposition to their lives, but she was everything to where their stories were headed. The romanticism to her finding where she belonged was a constant, pulsating beat that stuck in your gut as it twisted—for there was never a give without a take. The slow, unobtrusive love story was breathtaking and I will always admire the effortless and subtle way Young manages to capture romance.

The high hopes and expectations for this novel were either surpassed or matched as it consistently crafted a story—one full of action and silently heavy moments—worth falling into. I fell deeply for how easy Young’s characters are to find yourself in, as if she finds the essence of a person and crafts a character around it. And I’m absolutely bereft at knowing I have to wait for what’s to come.

I have no words, other than OMFG!! That was such a great read and I devoured it and I really really need Namesake now!! This was the perfect book and Adrienne has a way with her words that just suck you in an immerse you into the characters.

Fable is alone! For four years now, ever since her mother died in a sinking ship and her father dumped off on the island of Javel, she’s had to fend for herself. She’s a dreadger, who dig in the ocean for pyre that is bought and sold in merchant shops. Four years she’s kept her father words to heart of finding her own way off and that opportunity happens when she barters for passage on The Marigold, a ship run by a rag tag group and one handsome captain named West. There’s mottos pirates live by and one is to never trust anyone, even with those you love the most. But as events happen and the group start to lean on one another, Fable and West break that rule of falling for each other.

This story is so woven in magic and love and so many emotions, I just didn’t want it to end. Of course it ends with a gasp of a cliffhanger. And I love the dynamic of Fable and her struggle to prove she belongs in a world that she really doesn’t belong in. And the complexity of the characters and all they’ve been through to make them who they are... gahhhh seriously Adrienne is a word wizard! And I love West!! #swoon He’s strong but super faulty and it makes him so perfect in ways.

All else I have to say is... I need NAMESAKE right now!!!

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fable got off the island her father marooned her on years before with the help of West, helmsman of the ship the Marigold. Now she is in search of the inheritance her father promised her.

I just have to say the cover is gorgeous. It would make me stop and want to pick up that book and take a peek at what it was about.

The entire time I was reading this book I kept getting Pirates of the Caribbean meets Waterworld vibes. I loved it so much. The world building was exquisite. It was like stepping into another time and setting sail before diving deep into the ocean and watching the fish swim by as I dredged for gemstones.

I did not buy the romance. Maybe if the two characters had interacted more in front of the reader it would have been believable. Instead was instalove. I think they would be cute together, they just need time to grow and form an actual, more believable relationship.

I enjoyed this book greatly. I highly recommend Fable. I can’t wait for book two.

Over all, I give this book a 4.5/5

Fable's father, Saint, abandoned her on the island of Jeval, home to pirates and thieves, leaving a scar and an explanation: Fable does not belong in his world; prove him wrong by getting off the island. Over the course of her years hoofing it on her own, set on finding her father again, Fable becomes self-sufficient and strong, earning a place aboard "The Marigold" with the young helmsman, West. She travels with his small crew to find her father, encountering baddies and conflict along the way.

This story, while not altogether unique, is one that I haven't read often. Sure there were your fair share of tropes (especially surrounding the romantic subplots), but the overall plot line seemed fresh for me (although admittedly, the "pirate" genre is not one I often seek out). Fable herself is a well-developed character with clear motivations and goals. However, the other characters (until the last 10% of the book) fell a little flat for me. In the beginning, I struggled to maintain interest in the book because of this, combined with the world building. As I said, I'm definitely not well-versed in boat, nor pirate, terminology, so following the action and conflict in the opening scenes was difficult for me. Since most of the world building relies on that, I found that I wasn't wholly into the story until we were safely aboard a boat (and even then the more action-packed scenes fell on deaf ears because I couldn't imagine what was happening).

Despite having barely a clue what was happening in some scenes, I found this book enjoyable and a speedy read. I enjoyed these characters and their complexities, and I'm hoping that more of book two will be spent on developing them. The outlines are definitely there, but Young has only just begun uncovering them in this first book of the series. I can predict what road the series will take in future novels (I think), and I think this book will nicely prepare readers for an even better, more complex book two.

Adrienne Young knows how to tell a story. After being abandoned by her father, Fable tries to seek him out and prove to herself that he loves her, but she learns that sometimes family can be found in unlikely places.
I absolutely loved all of the characters of this story (except Zola). Saint pretty much breaks my heart every time he comes into the scene, and I just want to give him a tight hug (SPOILER can we just all agree that we exclaimed amens and shed tears when Fable actually does give him the hug we all want to give him?). Each character has a backstory and stands out among the others, which is something I really appreciate. I do hope Paj and Auster are delved into a bit more in Namesake since they sometimes felt a little in the background because each person on the Marigold is someone I want to get to know more of.
The worldbuilding in this story was perfect. I felt like I could clearly picture each place Fable was at. I felt like I was submerged in water with her whenever she was dredging. Adrienne Young just does such an excellent job at description and truly submerging her readers into the story. I'd definitely recommend this for fellow YA fantasy lovers. You won't be disappointed!

Adrienne Young is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors what with the excellent two novels Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back already under her belt. Her newest series opener Fable is a great new addition. Young's world-building is as usual outstanding. I could practically feel the sea spray on my face and the deck of the ship beneath my feet. The characters are also quite intriguing, particularly Fable herself. My only complaint is that at times I felt a little too far removed from some of the cast when I really shouldn't have. Either way, I'm really looking forward to seeing more of the characters and their world in the upcoming sequel, Namesake.

I think I might have overhyped this book for myself. It was a good read. I finished it in two sittings, so the fluidity of Young's writing was present, but the scenes just didn't mesh well together. Separately, they were okay, but together, it seemed a little choppy. A possibly remedy would be to elaborate the scenes a little further and incorporate suspense between each development. Furthermore, the writing was very predictable, and I'm guessing this book falls under the younger end of the YA spectrum despite the somewhat gore and murder associated with the book. (Edit: Jokes on me, wrote this as I was reading, maybe mid-spectrum based on Chapter 40?)

As for relationships, the connections between Fable and her father and then with the crew were rushed and, as said earlier, choppy. They didn't progress as naturally as I had expected and seemed somewhat forced, especially in regards to Fable and her father.

That being said, Fable had good premise. A young adult novel illustrating a female character at sea amongst pirates is rare, and Fable is a decent example of one. I'm excited to see what will happen in the next installment, especially with the inclusion of Clove.

"Fable" tells the story of this girl called Fable, who's stuck in Jeval until she can have enough money to get out of there. Four years ago, her father left her behind in this island, and now Fable is determined to go to Ceros and prove herself to her father. When she's attacked by Koy, she sees herself without a choice but to embark on West's ship and finally flee that island. Well, if the Marigold's crew will take her in.

I think "Fable" can be considered a great adventure of this girl through the seas, gaining knowledge and making new friends, but the adventure part, to me, was kind of plain. A lot of things happened in this book, but they feel like a repetition of one another, it felt like nothing was really happening, the whole time I was expecting the story to really get interesting, what doesn't happen. However, I still enjoyed reading it for most part, Fable is an interesting and well developed character; West was good as well, but I need to say that the secondary characters felt kind of plain to me (except Willa, maybe, because I liked her).

For most of the book we follow Fable and the ship's crew going after things to trade for coins, but basically that's all that happens. The fantasy bit of the story is kind of important, but it's so small that it felt irrelevant. I missed more action and higher stakes in this book, but the ending promises a more exciting sequel.

As a young girl, Fable watched the tragic drowning of her mother.

The very next day, her father Saint, a legendary trader, deserted her on an island inhabited primarily by crooks. Before leaving Fable to fend for herself as a dredger – a living of diving for precious stones – Saint forced a promise from her.

At seventeen-years-old, Fable has kept that promise, but cannot wait any longer to go in search of her father.
Her ship comes in when she gains passage on the Marigold, a ship captained by the young, stony-faced West. Fable finds adventure, treachery, and peril as together with West and his diverse crew, they cross the sketchy Narrows.

I read through Fable in a snap. It is a cleverly created piratical, seafaring world where a young woman like Fable holds her own alongside thieving pirates and pointed daggers.

I look forward to the second exciting installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the read of Adrienne Young’s, Fable.

2.5/5

Yeah, uh...I don’t really get the hype for this one. I mean, looking at Goodreads apparently I must be missing something here, because the average rating is quite high, and there are dozens and dozens of four and five star reviews.

But in my opinion, everything about this was just so mediocre.

Fable, our protagonist, was alright. I liked her well enough. The rest of the characters were just kind of there and didn’t do much. They all blended into one another and none stood out. The crew dynamics could have been played with a bit more too, because it was trying to paint them as a kind of family, but it never felt that way for me.

The romance in this was pretty pathetic and unneeded. There is absolutely zero chemistry between the two of them, and they hardly even interact enough for it to be believable.

The world building was okay. I think it definitely helped that most of the book is spent on water. I LOVE the ocean, and so anything that spends a lot of time with it will generally get a bit more love from me.

The plot however.... It was hanging on to a *very* thin thread for its dear life. Practically nonexistent, the book just kind of rambled on and on and I wondered for most of it: “What’s the point?” It’s almost directionless, but not quite at the same time because we have a set course. However, that course is ended halfway through the book, and the second half moves along without much purpose or sense of urgency until the very end, which leaves room for a sequel while leaving it completely unclear what the plot of that sequel might be. Yikes, right?

It’s a shame I didn’t love this because I hoped I would. Alas, my disappointments of 2020 continue, and I should stop being surprised by my feelings on books at this point.

Fable is a character-driven fantasy novel, and the characters are delightful with their intricate layers created by the repressive world in which they live. When love is dangerous, and lies are the only way to protect anything and everything that matters to you, it will have interesting effects on the psyche. You never know what is real and what is false or believe simply that everything is fake. The pool of people you can trust is tiny, and that creates characters who do not even know who they are, who are scared to be themselves, or who relish in the deception.

Fable is left on an island at a young age by her father, Saint, who is afraid that others will try to use her in order to get to him. He feels the only way to protect himself from this inevitability is to make sure no one ever knows that he has a daughter while taking care of her in secret and from a great distance. He also protects his heart from seeing the resemblance to his late wife daily is something that he would never admit to himself or others. Saint is no saint, just as Fable is no fable, or at least not yet. She is a flesh and blood child who needs her father's love, not a moral tale.

The character names in Fable fascinate me. They are straightforward and even direct. But there is no apparent connection between the character and their name. Names such as Fable, Saint, West, and Clove feel like they hold a tale that remains to be told. No one has a surname or at least not one that is ever spoken, just a first name, which helps keep those dangerous family connections hidden and speaks volumes about the world in which they live.

The world-building is also kept very deceptively simple. Fable's world is not a colorful one of opulence or natural beauty. Instead, it is dark and seedy, full of dangers both hidden and out in the open. I love the whole guild and trade system, which controls everything about this world. It is a corrupt system that uses violence to keep control. One must watch their back always. There is no magic, except for the rare ability of Fable's as a gem sage. Gems make sounds only she can hear. This ability, like everything else, is one she must keep secret for her protection.

Fable holds most of its actual and metaphorical gems hidden below the surface, and this is what left me in awe of this fantasy tale. I love that the intricacies and truth slowly reveal themselves to me but not in any discernible way. There is so much to contemplate and discuss. It is not just a fantasy tale to enjoy and put aside. It will stick with you for a while as the nuances start to unravel into profound truths.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Clinging to me as the sea clings to this auburn haired protagonist, I can’t help but be moved by Adrienne Young’s beautifully woven story, even weeks after finishing it. As Fable travelled from cutthroat islands, busy trading ports, and ocean depths, I sought for her the belonging that she sought, yearning for her place and home amidst the Narrows: a land of treacherous shoals and sweeping sails.

Beautifully written in both prose and plot, brokenness and belonging are skillfully balanced themes that permeate throughout the narrative - enthralling to the point that I read in all in a day! Even now, vestiges of the story swirl through my mind: the guarded West & his motley crew, the glimmering (and singing) sea gems, and the mysterious & infamous Saint... This gorgeous fable has stuck with me, and I am eager to read more!

Review Posted at https://www.instagram.com/p/CD_5IPSgXrc/?igshid=1ded4hs9e14hu

Before we get into the review, can we talk about how gorgeous this book cover is? I am obsessed with everything about it- gorgeous coppery red mane, eye-visual of the ship, freckles- I mean come on! With a cover this beautiful, my hopes for an amazing read were super high and Adrienne did not disappoint at all!!!!

Having never read anything from Adrienne Young I was skeptical, as with all new authors who enter my life via their written world. I must confess not only has Adrienne taken over my life with Fable, but she has also converted me into a staunch follower/ pseudo stalker desperate for more.

I love what she did with the MC-Fable who possesses all the usual traits of courage, strength, cunning, amazingly independent, hunger to succeed in a male driven world, determination to exact revenge on those who have wronged her etc etc. But perhaps the most impressive traits are those that shadow her bravado- the quiet vulnerability in those brief flashes of her tumultuous past, that empty feeling of a little girl being abandoned, the quiet whispers in her dreams and her hope of finding a family and a place to belong.

Fable has so many interesting layers to her personality, the expression of her emotions and the dimensions of her inner thoughts were so relatable. I felt like a naughty voyageur privy to her story and I am so happy Adrienne took me on this journey.

We meet young Fable in Javel, where she was stranded with not a coin or tool to her name and only her skills to survive, as she bides her time to make her return to Cerros where she must face the demons of her past. While I will not delve too much into the actual plot, as I believe you should take my word and buy the book, I will say Fable is unlike any other YA fiction right now which is cause enough.

“It was as beautiful as it was deadly….. A world poised on the tip of a knife .Cerros was like the coral on the reefs, except for the noise. Living things were stuck into every crack and crevice, but underwater, there was only a deep silence that vibrated in your bones.”

Adrienne has created a wickedly, enticing world of piracy and booty that enthralled me from the first page. Her masterful ability to weave such realistic and diverse characters appealed to not only my head but my heart.

And the ending……Oh mother mercy…. the ending…. Normally I am extremely annoyed when authors leaves a cliffhanger ending and I have to wait an obscenely long time for the next installment of the series but Fable was so amazing that I don’t mind one bit that I am chomping my nails and stalking Adrienne’s social media for updates.

While I won’t compare Fable to Disney favorite “Pirates of the Caribbean” as the plot-lines are distinctive and the characters are seemingly from a different age and time, I believe Fable has the potential carve out its own place in the hearts of pirate lovers everywhere

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an arc, all views expressed above are my own.

Check out my review here on my blog: https://jessicareadsit.wordpress.com/2020/08/17/fable-by-adrienne-young/

This may seriously be my favorite read of 2020.

I loved Sky in the Deep so much and instantly fell in love with Young's writing. To say I was excited to read more of her work is an understatement.

Fable was a high seas adventure with an amazing female protagonist and crew of characters. From the moment I was introduced to Fable, I was invested in her journey, and adding on the rest of the cast was the icing on top. I loved them all, even the villains.

Fable follows a young girl named, well, Fable, as she tries to survive and get off the island of Jeval where her father left her to fend for herself. Making coin as a dredger, diving for the gems of the sea, she'll do whatever it takes to get off the island and prove her father wrong. Enter the crew of the Marigold who begrudgingly take her on as a passenger to ferry her across the seas to the island where her father waits. Through a series of tests and trials, Fable begins to earn their trust, and their friendship. But, these are dangerous waters to be treading, and Fable wades in the middle of it all.

The world Young created is beautifully written and detailed, I felt like I was standing onboard with Fable and the crew. I felt the danger, I weathered the storms. If you're a fan of other high sea adventures, you definitely can't go wrong with this one.

Fable is a fantastic protagonist, one you want to root for. And don't get me started on West. He may be a book character, but let me tell you--I swoon every time he comes onto the page.

Here's to book two, because there's no way I'm letting more Fable, West, and the crew get away from me!

The perfect YA pirate story!

Fable must fight to survive in a world dominated by men. And the journey along the way will be filled with danger, darkness, and at times despair.

This story is wonderfully well written, the visuals are absolutely captivating. And though Fable is only 14 years old, the Hell she has lived through is evident in her strength and intelligence.

A dark and gritty story about a young girl just trying to find the place she belongs.

Fable was an action packed story I could not read fast enough. Fable was a ruthless female lead who was tough as nails. She fought for survival, and exhibited bravery at ever turn. This book is one of my favorite reads from 2020, and I do not know how I will be able to wait for the sequel to release.

Fable was exactly what I didnt even know that I needed. I've been struggling to connect with YA for awhile now. I think I was just missing the right kind of YA. The kind that isn't defined or constrained by it. This was escapism at its finest. Young's writing has a way of sweeping you away right along with the characters. You feel as though you are deep diving side by side with Fable the whole wild journey. And what a turbulent journey this is!

Not only was this story incredibly atmospheric but the characters were very well written too. This ragtag crew of Waterside strays aboard the Marigold became the family you choose, which sometimes means even more than the one you're given. I feel like we've only scraped the surface of their uncharted depth and I look forward to discovering more hidden treasures there. The ending was quite explosive. I already knew I'd want more of this exquisite world, but those last few pages made me hurt for it. Marvelous beginning to an epic tale!

The unique story drew me in. The more Fable was around the crew and we got to know them the more I liked them. With so many against Fable it was hard to pick out the big bad. Romance is on the back burner for this one. It is there but faintly. Fable was a strong character. Story was steady paced for the majority of the book. It does end on a cliffhanger.

You know those books you start right before bed to get a taste of it before you go to sleep. I tried it with this book, I honestly did. I thought I would read a few chapters and head to bed. I did NOT. I started reading and once I did I started reading at 11 o'clock then when I finished the book it was 3 in the morning. The chapters literally flew by while I was engrossed in the book it was that good! I havent read a book like this in a long time!
This book was phenomenal, what an adventure!!!
Fable is the daughter of one of the major traders, although after Fables mother drowns her father abandoned her on a island to basically find for herself. Fable works hard on the island to survive and try to save coppers to buy her way off the Island. When things start really turning sour shes able to buy passage off the island in hopes to make it back to her father in hopes he will let her join him on his ships. However like most things her plan didnt work out, but along the way she makes new friends and even finds love!! That ending thou was a cliffhanger!!!
If you need a good adventure, this one is it! An adventure, the sea, pirates and a splash of love!

I am probably not in the right emotional state to be writing a review right now… But here we are because it’s five in the morning and I can’t sleep after finishing this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows 17-year-old Fabel Who has been trapped on a legendary island (By her father) and forced to fend for herself. She saves up enough coin to pay for passage back to her father and take her rightful place among his crew. She pays a trader named West, who she has traded with before, and soon finds out he has a lot of secrets. She quickly learns that fending for herself on the island was easier than the things that she has to face on the Narrow Sea.

This summary honestly does not begin to scrape the surface of this book. The world is absolutely fascinating, and you can truly tell that Adrienne Young did her research. The description of the tools and the language used is fascinating and it really draws you into the story.

The characters are phenomenal. Fable as a female trying to pave the way for herself in a male dominant world is well done, you can’t help but love her. However, she is still Has many vulnerable moments which really Makes her real. It makes her come alive.

West is your broody character that you can’t help but love and want to know all about. He keeps his secrets close to his chest to protect himself and The people closest to him. He honestly reminds me a lot like Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle, just less happy and more broody. The other characters that we were introduced to are just as fascinating and unique. You slowly begin to fall in love with each and everyone of them. And you want to start learning more about them.

The biggest thing about this book is at the end of every chapter, it’s like a mini cliffhanger. Something is revealed something happens and you just immediately want to read the next chapter. This is why I am currently writing this review at five in the morning… I had no control in putting a 😆.

This book was pure entertainment. Somethings were easy to predict however it did not make it any less enjoyable. I was screaming I was throwing my Kindle across the room I was giggling I was kicking my feet around. I went through a lot of emotions with this book and I am DYING for the next one!!

I went into this book expecting to enjoy it because I have really enjoyed Adrienne Young’s other books. I did not expect to love it as much as I did. Even before finishing the book I pre-ordered it. She truly has outdone her self and I cannot wait for the next book. I have no idea where it’s going to go!!