Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc!
4.5 stars

FABLE introduces readers to a high-stakes world where everything depends on the sea. The secret daughter of a powerful trader, Fable has been scraping a living by diving for precious natural resources. When an opportunity presents itself to get off of the island of thieves, she desperately seizes it and meets a rather enigmatic ship crew led by the mysterious West. They set sail to find her father, but the journey won't be as straightforward as Fable had hoped.

I loved, loved, loved this book so much! I had no idea I needed a romance on the high seas, but this book was so much more. The worldbuilding was perfect, depicting a very cutthroat world where survival is difficult unless you're ruthless. Fable was also a very lovable character, a girl who wants to be kind in a world where that's discouraged. She was extremely capable, and didn't need others to rescue her. Her romance with West was an exquisitely written slow burn and I was definitely rooting for them the entire time.

The side characters could have been a bit more fleshed out, as they were introduced all at once and it was a bit confusing, but that's my only critique!

I'm eagerly awaiting the second book. (That cliffhanger was just plain rude)

Unfortunately, I didn't feel connected to the world or the characters in a way that I know Young is capable of (thanks to Sky in the Deep). We got the barest hints of a wider world, but not enough for it to feel real. And we don't get a lot of description because we spend most of the story on a ship, so Young doesn't get to flex in that regard either. The writing was strongest in the two cities, where we get to see Fable walk the streets (if only briefly).

And Fable spends so much time pointedly not thinking about things that have wounded her in the past and talking about how tough she's had to be, but when actually presented with challenges, she's very naive. I couldn't believe that this girl had so little street smarts despite the hard life she lived.

I feel like this book set us up very well for an exciting and action-packed sequel but we didn't really get much of either this time around.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for letting me read Fable early! I was able to jump on the opportunity to read/review Fable when Wednesday Books was doing that incredible Read Now deal on Netgalley earlier in the summer when they had like 5 amazing upcoming titles turned to Read Now and while I wasn’t the biggest fan of Sky in the Deep and I haven’t been able to finish the Girl the Sea Gave Back yet, I absolutely devoured Fable. It’s definitely my favorite Adrienne Young book by far!
Fable 5/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads: As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.
But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive.
Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.
Oh man y’all, Fable broke me and then remade me and then broke me again with that ending. I absolutely LOVED everything about this book, from the characters to the plot to the setting. I freaking love books about the sea/merchants/pirates who aren’t really pirates. Fable was such a strong main character and the way she interacted with her father and West and the rest of West’s crew was great. I love the crew of the Marigold- West is incredible and I love him. Willa is so strong and I can’t wait to read more about her. I really liked Paj and Auster. Gah can the second book be out already??? The plot moved so fast (in the best way possible) and I had the hardest time putting this book down as soon as I got into it. Y’all should 100% pick it up- you won’t regret it! This is probably my favorite line in the whole book “‘I’m not saying I don’t want you to love him. I’m only saying that if you get him killed, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep myself from cutting your throat.’” (This is the last line of Chapter 38 in the e-ARC - I don’t know if it’s going to make it to the final copy of the book, but I reallllllyyyyy hope it does!)

I received a review copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It obviously needs a little bit of editing but that will come in the final copy.

I’ve come to really like Adrienne Young’s writing style from her books. She has a way of putting the picture in your mind, letting you feel the same weather elements that the character feels. I may have gotten a nice tan and a smattering of freckles from reading this book. It was a delight. You can tell a lot of research was done to really make this book pop.

My only qualm with it is that it didn’t really feel like much of a climax? I suppose this is less of an adventure novel with a huge fight or climax and more of characters exploring themselves and coming to terms with who they are and what they want. Which with that in mind, then this is a satisfying read. That cliff hanger ending though, that speaks to how I assume the sequel is going to be more adventure and I can’t wait to read it!

Superb storytelling! Young's writing style is dynamic and heartfelt in such a way that pulls you into the story. I'm very invested to see how the story continues in the sequel.

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


I loved everything about this book. It was a struggle to not stay up all night and read it in one sitting. The adventure is compelling, the characters are intriguing, the romance isn't sappy, and the cliffhanger was emotional but not heartbreaking. I will most definitely be reading the sequel! I've read all of Adrienne Young's other books and enjoyed them well enough. However, "Fable" is my absolute favorite. Everything from the gorgeous cover to the tantalizing synopsis had me right away. Fable is such an unusual heroine - she's brash but kind, loyal but independent. Her thoughts and feelings were relatable, almost as if I was experiencing them myself. I'm so proud of my amazing dredger queen and I can't wait for her to get the happy ending she deserves!


At first, I didn't care for everyone on the Marigold's crew. Willa seemed paranoid, but I grew to like her over time. Now I can't imagine the ship without her! Honestly, without her, the men on board would've been dead long ago. I can't believe Willa and Fable went from "don't talk to me because I'm the only other girl on this ship" to Willa voting for Fable to stay on board! I can't wait to see more of their friendship in the next book. Finally, a novel where the female characters work together instead of competing over the same boy. Speaking of romance, I love how romantic relationships didn't oversaturate the story. This novel is first and foremost an adventure story and I'm glad the female characters didn't spend all their time chasing after boys! Auster and Paj are definitely being added to my list of the best LGBTQ+ book couples. They are adorable!


I have hardly any critiques for this novel. West's eventual confession to *spoiler* was wonderful but confusing. I wish there was a chapter or two from West's POV because he hides his emotions so well. I had no idea he was in love at all! I never would've guessed that in a million years. I don't mind West being elusive, but I wish there were a few clues earlier in the story that West was going to end up in a relationship; only the last couple chapters alluded to this. I'm hoping we get to see more of West's thoughts and feelings in the sequel.

I was so thrilled to receive an ARC of Fable, as I have enjoyed Adrienne Young's previous books. This one did not disappoint. I loved everything about it-- the characters, the setting, the world, the tension. Fable is beautifully written, full of complicated relationships, a fantastic slow-burn romance, and adventure galore. I was amazed at how Adrienne captured the feel of being aboard a trading ship and at her technical descriptions of sailing and dredging. I cannot wait for Namesake!

Fable by Adrienne Young was such a fun pirate adventure at sea! It's about a girl named Fable, daughter of the famous sea trader Saint. After her mother is killed in a shipwreck, Saint abandons Fable on a dangerous island, leaving her to fend for herself and find her way home. After years of struggling to survive, Fable gets off the island on the ship of a mysterious young man named West with the goal of finding her father and earning back her rightful place on his ship.

I was not sure what to think about this book for the first couple of chapters. It took me a little bit to become accustomed to this world of ships, sailing, dredgers and traders. But soon I was completely immersed in the world and in the lives of these characters. I ended up enjoying this story quite a bit! Fable was a great character, and I also really enjoyed her shipmates on West's ship. The comaraderie between them all was fun to read, and I look forward to learning even more about these characters in future books.

I wish the book would have been a bit longer, because I liked it so much that I wanted MORE to happen! I suppose that I will just have to wait for the next book. It looks like the sequel (Namesake) is slated to be released in early 2021. I will be eagerly waiting for that book. And in the meantime, I'm going to check out more of Adrienne Young's work!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available on September 1!

This was so good!! Good is probably not enough to describe how I feel about this book but it's the only one that comes to mind right now. If you're looking for a YA story happening mostly on sea, look no further because this is the one.

Our main character Fable has been left by her father on an island full of thieves and criminals because apparently she "wasn't made for this world". She's had to learn how to survive alone in order to find a way out of this island. Four years of scrapping by and finally, the end is near... But then, when she almost has the amount needed to buy passage, she has no other choice but to flee for her life and hope that West, the man that has been buying her Pyre all this time when no one else would, is going to accept her on his ship. There, she'll meet the rest of the crew: Willa, Auster, Paj and Hamish. And this is only the beginning.

The romance with West was subtle and perfect. I was rooting for them even though it wasn't obvious at first that they would love each other. It matched perfectly with this brutal world where you can't show your hands or your feelings unless you want to get hurt.

Fable is everything you can possible want for a YA Fantasy story with pirates. It's a new favorite book and I'll happily re-read it before the release of the sequel. I would probably do anything to get my hands on a copy. That's how much I want to keep reading. The author chose to leave us on a cliffhanger and it's brilliant but also painful for us readers who have to wait a long time to see these characters again.

Adrienne Young is not a new-to-me author as I already read her previous books. At first, I was hesitant to request this book since I didn't really enjoy [book:The Girl the Sea Gave Back|42867937] but then I remembered how much I loved her debut novel [book:Sky in the Deep|34726469] and I knew I had to read her newest release. And I'm so glad I did because it was amazing.

The world, the ambiance, the characters, the plot and even the romance, I loved every single thing and I don't have anything negative to talk about which is very rare coming from me. Especially with young adult books.

<b>Fable is going to be published on September 1st and I suggest you grab yourself a copy <3</b>

<i>(Thank you so much for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

Ahhh this book was SO SO GOOD! I loved this high-seas adventure story along with all the lively crew of characters! Fable was a smart girl and knew what to do to survive. I also loved the diving/"dredging" and thought the gem trading aspect was so fascinating. This is the first sea adventure book I've really enjoyed and I'd recommend it to anyone! Book 2 can't come soon enough!!

This book is among the best young adult novels I've read this year. The gorgeous cover caught my attention immediately, and I'm glad the content didn't disappoint.

Fable is such a fabulous character, and I found myself rooting for her from the beginning - she's so determined, and she's so willing to see the good in others and do the right thing by them, even though she has no reason to trust people. I though this book did a great job of highlighting both Fable's strengths, and her vulnerabilities and weaknesses. I also loved the romance; it was there from the beginning, but at no point did it veer into insta-love territory or overwhelm Fable's personal journey. Watching West's icy exterior slowly crack open was worth the wait.

I also though the world-building was fantastic - this book really captured the atmosphere of being on the high seas, and I could also feel the wind and taste the salt water in the air. I'm also incredibly curious about Isolde's gem magic and the role that plays in the story; I really hope we get to learn more about this aspect of the culture in the sequel.

Finally, the pacing and tension were excellent. Every time something good happened, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and well... we got there in the end.

I binged the last half of this book in an evening, and am already on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel.

Review posted on GoodReads (August 13, 2020)
Review Linked.

4/5 Stars!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sending me an E-ARC for an honest review!

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 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 and I really cannot wait to see where this series goes in the future.


Thanks for reading!
Caden

I'm not sure if it's because Young's books so far have been standalones or if I was totally oblivious? But Fable is the first in a duology, which for some reason I didn't actually realise until I was on the last page of this book!!! So therefore I'm putting it out there for everyone. <b>FIRST IN A DUOLOGY</b>.

ANYWAYS! THIS BOOK. This is the sort of sea-faring, pirate-y, swashbuckling adventure I never knew I wanted!

Fable, the main and titular character was the sort of character that really drew me into a story, and her past, her experiences and her personality both despite her past but also <i>because</b> of it, made her someone I could both root for and admire.

The world building and story telling I found completely immersive; I could FEEL the boat moving under my feet, I could SMELL the salt and I was holding my breath every time there was a tense moment.

I enjoyed all of the characters and wanted to know so much more about everyone - even the supporting cast! Found family is always a soft spot of mine and the crew of the <i>Marigold</i> is definitely found family.

My only gripe with the book was the romance. Unfortunately I've never been a big fan of Young's romances and to be honest the book didn't need romance. Strong friendships and a sense of belonging were all I ever needed to fall for this one. I guess we'll see where the arc goes in the second book?

Anyone looking for a dark and gritty adventure on the high seas should definitely put this one on the TBR.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for letting me read and review this interesting story. I have only read one or two other of Adrienne Young's books and they all seem to be written in the same way although they have different stories told in each one, of course.
I liked this one alright, but it was a bit of a letdown for me in comparison to all the hype, which seems to be a common occurrence for me with books that have a lot of hype. After reading and finishing the story, thinking about it for a little while, and letting it speak for itself, I liked it more than when I had been interested because of the hype.
This is a pirate story with adventure, intrigue, some romance, and troubled relationships with family and such. There's a lot of great and exciting journey while figuring out how to find their way in the cutthroat world of pirates, slavery, and such. Fable finds a way to get back to her father after having been left by him on an island after her mother died 4 years earlier because she wants to be on the crew and sail with her father, who is the most powerful trader in the Narrows. She recruits and becomes friends with a trader, West, and his crew to help her to get back to her father so she can claim her rightful spot on her father's ship as his crew member.
But there's more that Fable doesn't know about West and who he is and about the rivalries and dangers of the trading business that her father runs so they have to survive through worse than the Narrows to beat all the things that come up in their path.
If you like Adrienne Young's writing and other books, or pirate books with intrigue, secrets, treachery, and romance with a strong female MC that goes through a lot and still keeps on going no matter what then you'll enjoy this one too!

I managed to snag a copy of FABLE during a limited-time Read Now listing from Wednesday Books, and I am so endlessly happy that I did. After loving SKY IN THE DEEP and now FABLE, I really have to call myself an Adrienne Young fan. NAMESAKE cannot come soon enough.

Fable will probably become one of my favorite YA heroines. She's tough and a survivor, yet still caring and open to letting people in. I knew I'd love her from the first chapter, and once I'd cracked the first 20% of the ARC, I was sucked into the story like a riptide. I didn't put it down until I was done.

It combines the romance of the high seas with the dynamic of a ragtag found family, an enthralling bit of magic, and a budding romance that warmed my heart. I cannot wait to see where NAMESAKE takes Fable and the Marigold crew in the next book!

Fable is the daughter of a powerful trader and gem sage. On the night her mother died in a disastrous ship wreck, her father abandoned her on a island full of criminals and thugs. Fable learned to survive, and now, four years later, she is determined to find her way off the island and back to her father. She enlists the help of a trader named West, and sets off with his crew of misfits.

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. To be honest, nothing much *happens.* The sail, they dodge storms, they walk around shady towns, they trade, they sail, the dodge thugs....but like....why? I just wasn't invested in Fable's search for her father. And the love with West just happened *too* quickly. I wasn't emotionally invested in that either. I liked the variety of the crew, but I wish I had gotten to know them more.

I do think the story was beautifully written; so even though I wasn't excited, I still enjoyed the task of reading it. And, I am very intrigued about book two because this one ended on a stunning cliffhanger. I am hoping the story picks up after all of the groundwork set in this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

**edit. I originally rated this 3 stars for the above reasons but I've been thinking about Fable and the crew of the Marigold a lot the past few days so I think that deserves a bump in stars. This book and these characters really stay with you.

So I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did! But I really did end up getting swept up into the world and falling in love with the story! Fable is brilliant vibrant story that you can’t help but appreciate it and want to be apart of ! There is a danger , romance and of course my favourite part: PIRACY! It is so beautifully described that you can easily reach out and touch the elements themselves!

I will say that I did struggle to get into the story, so word of advice is that you need to give it at least five chapter and than you are good to go! I am so glad that I didn’t give up on this amazing story ! I am equally glad that I have the ARC for the second one because man that cliffhanger isn’t something I would want to be dealing with !

Read this book ! Fall in love with Fable and the Marigold crew ! Trust me you won’t regret it ! Big thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!!

wow this book was fantastic. Holy crap. I did not expect to love it as much as I did. Fable is now on my list as favorite female characters. She’s strong and independent and everything I wish I was. I loved the side characters and just the entire world building. I didn’t want to put the book down.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Wednesday books for my arc!

I enjoyed reading Fable, and enjoyed following Fable's (the title character) adventures across the ocean. Fable bootstraps herself from the ground up, to leave an island where her father left her after the death of her mother. Occasional flashbacks fill in Fable's background as she finalizes her plans to leave Jeval and move on with her life. As part of her plan, Fable pays a shipmaster to take her from Jeval to Ceros, where she intends to enact the rest of her plan for her future. When her plans don't go the way she expects, she has to change them abruptly. Fable then follows her new plan with the intent of completing her original, but now modified, plan. The only part I disliked at all was that the novel ends on a cliffhanger that is a lead-in to what I can only assume is the next novel - a plot device that I have no problem with in established series, but one that I dislike in the first book by a relatively new author.

There’s something about Adrienne Young’s writing that makes me fly through the pages and pulls me headlong into the story. Fable is a non-stop seafaring novel full of action, found family, and high seas adventures.

I’m always impressed by this author’s writing, and Fable was no exception. The vivid descriptions and atmospheric setting transports the readers into the story. I could almost feel the wind in my hair as we travelled across the sea, smell the salt, hear the seagulls. The worldbuilding was strong and easy to imagine. Once I dived into this, it was difficult to pull myself away from the pages.

Fable, our heroine, really shined throughout the book. She’s strong, determined, and resourceful; she’s a survivor. Abandoned on an island by her father when she was younger, she will do anything to escape and win back a place in her father’s crew. I absolutely loved reading about her and following along on her journey.

One of the themes in Fable is found family. Fable managers to barter her way off the island via the Marigold. I really loved the dynamics that emerge once Fable is aboard. It’s clear the crew is a very young, tight-knit group, but Fable eventually becomes a part of them. All of the side characters were so fun to read about and I cannot wait for more of their adventures in the sequel!

Fable easily captivated me with it’s powerful imagery, strong heroine, and seafaring adventures. The writing will draw the reader into the story, but the wonderful characters and intriguing plot will keep them there. I’m really thankful Namesake is releasing soon; I’m not sure how I would stand to wait an entire year for the sequel!