I just finished devouring this book, which I so gratefully got from NetGalley and I AM OBSESSED! I neeeeeed the next book pronto and am in love with the world that Adrienne built and the characters we get to know. Once you get into the book you won’t want to leave. Some parts were maybe predictable but not in a bad way. I loved every second and I am going to read anything else this author has written in the meantime

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press
For an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
What can I say? This book is EVERYTHING! I loved everything about it. Pirates, high stakes adventure, Romance, and rags to riches crew.
Fable is everything I want in my female protagonist. She’s had a tough life and lost much but she stays strong and survives. She is still compassionate, loyal, and even able to trust again.
The writing is beautiful and I really felt emotionally engaged with all of the characters. I really wanted to hate Fable’s dad, Saint, on her behalf but like Fable and West, I had a hard time truly hating him.
This story had my heart racing with excitement and my head swooning for a slow burn romance.
Since my shelf space is limited I try not to but books unless I KNOW I’ll be reading them again. I will be pre-ordering this ASAP! It’s that good.

A wonderful tale from an amazing author. I’m not gonna lie when I heard Adrienne Young was coming out with a novel about pirates I was immediately hooked. A slow burn of a story that pays off with a wonderful ending.

Initial Thoughts

I was SOOOOOO excited to be approved for this title on NetGalley. I love Adrienne Young’s writing, love books about pirate / scoundrel characters, and have yet to read a book published by Wednesday Books that I didn’t obsess over.

Some Things I Liked

Pirates, thieves, and liars. I loved the characters in this story. I thought the sea-centric world was fascinating and is definitely a place I’d like to visit. I really loved that the characters were all a version of untrustworthy. They all made the secrets and plot twists that much better.
Dark themes. There are some pretty dark themes in this story. Abuse, abandonment, death, etc. But, they were all handled so well. They were relevant and necessary to the story.
The romance. It was so swoon-worthy. I loved West and Fable and the enemies portion of their enemies to lovers arc was perfect!
First person narration. There’s no character that was better suited to narrate this journey than Fable and I was so happy that we got to see her inner monologues as events played out.

Series Value

I have already sent my request to Wednesday Books desperately begging for an ARC of Namesake. I NEED the next book in this series. It’s not if I read it, it’s when.

Furthermore, I have read all of Adrienne Young’s books and I don’t plan on stopping now. I’m a fan, Adrienne. Please keep doing what you’re doing!

Final Thoughts

I absolutely loved this story. The ending destroyed me, but it also left me desperate for the sequel. I can’t wait to see more about these characters as well as more from Adrienne Young.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

Namesake by Adrienne Young – no, I have not read it yet. But, I have no doubt that the next book in this series will impress.
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young – if you liked the writing style and the fierce main character, try Adrienne Young’s other series. Bonus note, this one is really good as an audiobook.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller – like Adrienne Young, Tricia Levenseller writes epic pirate and viking stories. If you liked the style and themes here, try Tricia Levenseller’s books.

As a general rule I really don't read a lot of books based around the sea but I kept hearing about this book so I decided to take a gamble on it and I'm glad I did. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It was a very fast read and I loved all the characters except for the jerks who lived on Jeval, they can all rot in hell. Zola can rot in hell too. This book ends on a cliffhanger that makes me want to get my hands on Namesake when it's released next year unless the NetGalley gods are kind and approve me to read the next one sooner. Lol, I'm just joking. Or am I? 😉 Regardless this is a great book and I highly recommend reading it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Adrienne Young does a great job of developing characters that are mysterious but also compelling. I felt just as compelled to know more about Willa, Paj, and Auster as I was with West and Fable.

Things that I didn't like:
The book started off slowly. It ended up definitely worth the read but I do wish that things would have started quicker.

Things that I liked:
The character development of all the characters.
The mirror image that is Fable and Saint -- this was probably one of my favorite parts. Watching Fable and her father interact but also seeing throughout the book the similarities between their two lives.
The romance between West and Fable -- seeing it develop as well as the inner struggle between West and Fable (I constantly found myself wishing that there were chapters from West's point of view so that I could see from his perceptive important moments)

This was a great book that I will definitely be recommending and I am somewhat mad that I read this early because now that means I have even longer to wait to see what happens to Fable and the crew of the Marigold.

Adrienne Young has yet to write a book I haven't liked. Strong female characters and an exciting plot-amazing.

4.5 / 5 stars, rounded up to 5.

I was hooked on this story from the first chapter, which I was lucky enough to hear Adrienne read on her Instagram a couple of months ago. The cover and description made me want to read the book, and then the excerpt that Adrienne read confirmed that this was going to be high up on my TBR.

The descriptions Adrienne uses immediately pulled me into the story. From the first chapter, I was drawn to Fable, simultaneously exploring the world through her eyes and being enveloped in the story. Fable is a character that I wish existed when I was growing up; she's strong, determined, and witty. From the first pages, she's been placed in dire situations, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what she would do next. I enjoyed the secondary cast of characters and Fable's developing relationships with them, particularly the crew of The Marigold. Those relationships, romantic and friendship, are all slow to develop, but for me, that depth and delay made them all the more satisfying when characters found trust with each other.

My major complaint was that the story wasn't longer! I wasn't ready for the book to end when I got to the last page. I can't wait for the sequel to see where things go next for Fable, especially with the cliffhanger ending! I'll be eagerly waiting to get my hands on the next book.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was so fucking good omg. I started this on a whim last night and I was thoroughly hooked from the first page. It was a character-driven, pirate-like adventure on the high seas, and I loved every moment of it. And I loved this small crew, this found family, that understood the cost of caring for one another but did it anyway because how could they not? They were all mistrustful, secretive people but they had each other, and this kind of bond won't be broken. That ending killed me, and I NEED the sequel RIGHT NOW.

“The bastard was leaving me again” - how much better of a first line do you get than that? Have you ever been reading a book and you can't wait to see what happens but you keep putting it down because you just don't want it to end? That was how I felt about Fable. (Unfortunately, it has ended. I cannot wait for the sequel to be released!).

The story here is really wonderful. I think this book stands out partly because There is a little something for everyone here - romance, adventure, friendship, dysfunctional family relationships, shipwrecks; and because the characters and settings also feel very real. As Fable and her friends sale into the tempest snare, I feel like I am there with them on the boat. When she runs from an attacker near the beginning of the book, I am nervous for her, as if I can actually see her struggling to stay alive. Adrienne knows how to spin language so beautifully - I just couldn’t stop reading.

Honestly, I do not have a single negative thing to say about this book, other than that it is a duology and now everyone has to wait for the sequel to be released in 2021!

Four years ago after a shipwreck destroyed everything she knew and loved, Fable was abandoned on the island Jeval and left to fend for herself. She survives by becoming a dredger, free diving in search of gems and precious stones that she trades with merchant ships. Her life is a never-ending fight against the elements and the other dredgers on the island, and fueled by her consuming desire to get off Jeval and back to the person who left her there--her father. In a moment of desperation, Fable barters for passage from a crew that has its own secrets, and sets sail on a crash course with her past. Heart-pounding action, a simmering romance, and twists and turns around every corner will keep readers turning the pages until the end. Adrienne Young's latest novel sings with gorgeous descriptions of the ocean, a scrappy heroine who tugs at your heart strings, and a story that keeps you guessing. This is an adventure-at-sea perfect for fans of Seafire by Natalie C. Parker, woven together with a complicated family drama that questions why we hurt those we love most. I picked this one up on the hauntingly beautiful cover alone, but was hooked by the story in just a few pages. Five stars!

First off, thank you to Wednesday Books, Adrienne Young, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read Fable early. I'm incredibly grateful.

Secondly, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ENDING?!

Honestly, I kept scrolling to the next pages because there was no way Young would've done us dirty like that, but she did. Alas, I'm adding her to my list of cliffhanger queens like Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J. Maas.

From the beginning Fable captured my attention and I found myself dreading when I would have to stop reading (thus led to many late nights). I'm such a sucker for a band of misfits coming together to form. a family. Add that on top of a pirate-esque backdrop and you have me completely sold.

The story begins when Fable is abandoned on Jeval by her father and notorious trader, Saint. Before leaving her behind, he cuts into her arm leaving behind a scar that stretches from her elbow until her wrist (that comes into play later). During the four years on Jeval, Fable is left to fend for herself and try to survive on her own. In order to do that, Fable dives for gems and sells them to West, a helmsman for a small ship.

Fable eventually saves enough money to buy passage from West to find her father and to take back what she is owed. Along the way she has to prove herself to West's crew and gain their trust (or they'll probably throw her over the boat). On top of that she has to navigate her growing feelings for West while hiding her biggest secret - that she is Saint's daughter.

This book had everything from complex side characters - truly loved every character (even Saint). I'm excited to see what's in store for everyone in the sequel.

There’s no animals or moral story in this fable. Fable is actually the name of the main character. 4 years ago, her mother died and her father carved his knife in her arm and left her on an island. Fable is determined to get off the island and get back to her father and demand what he promised her. But the world she lives in is dangerous and love might be the most deadly thing of all.

A fast, compelling sail of a read with complex characters and fantastic world-building. Readers will definitely want to post passage on Fable’s next adventure.

It’s the perfect read for fans of DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING by Tricia Levenseller.

I had low expectations because I didn't enjoy Sky In the Deep, but Fable WOWed me. Young's writing has grown a lot; what was once a weed is now a flower. The story was great but sometimes predictable. The world building and character development were fantastic. Still overly dedescriptive at parts but it didn't drag down the pace that much. I must read book 2, especially after that cliffhanger!! A solid 4 stars and a favorite of the year.

Thank you to #netgalley for providing a copy to review.
@Iheartya311 on Instagram

I think I physically ached when I finished this book. Each bit of personal information revealed about the characters had you putting the pieces together just as vehemently as the protagonist. While the author perfectly crafted the plot revealing key timelines, there is still so much left unsaid that I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in the series to come out.

Fable completely captured my attention as one of the best protagonists I have come across this year. Each characters’ intricacies are spun to have the audience intrigued at every point of dialogue and introduction.

Once again, Adrienne Young strikes hard. If you thought nothing could top Sky In The Deep, think again! It’s no secret that I’ve been in love with her stories since Sky In The Deep, and this book is only there to prove me right. Fable is a young adult fantasy duology that is about to rock your boat.

What is Fable about? The story is about a girl, Fable, who was left stranded on an island by her own father, a powerful trader. The island is full of thieves, and morality and compassion are words that bear no meaning there. To free herself from the island and find her father, she enlists the help of West, a young trader, who also has secrets of his own. In her quest, she may find her father, but she will certainly meet his enemies.

Gaaah! Where do I start? I read this book in less than a day. This is a fast-paced story, a book close to impossible to put down. The author definitely has her ways with words. She gives us just the right amount of information. There are so many foes, opportunities, and mysteries, that guessing the ending is truly hard, but it is also nothing short of spectacular. I want to read the next book so badly now. :)

The world-building is well done. I could easily project myself in these places. The characters are also well crafted. Fable is a fierce protagonist with hopes and dreams. Life hardened her and she doesn’t back out when things get hard. She is relatable, which made me root for her since the very first pages. West is also an interesting character whose heart is too big for his own good. The crew is simply amazing. I loved every single one of the characters.

What I really enjoyed in this book is how strongly I felt for the characters. I could feel the tension seeping out of the pages as the stakes increased. I rooted for all of them, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book. I might have a major book hangover after this series. I highly recommend - This is one of Adrienne Young’s best work.

Fable tells the story of Fable, a girl who's been abandoned by her father in an island full of thieves and she makes tradings and diving hunts for a living. Four years later she embarks on a journey to search for his father aboard the Marigold, a trader ship full of misfits.

The book would've worked better as a larger book rather than a duology cause not much is going on and the author keeps on dragging on the plot with huge chapters of pretty much nothing. The characters end up being flat and the romance is unnecesary and out of the blue (sure, the characters have known each other for over two years but they really don't know a thing about them until they get stuck together on the Marigold). I'm not a big fan of romance but I do like it if it's logical and has a slow burn. This wasn't the case.

The plot itself is rather slow although it becames quick and enjoyable once you dive in the story halfway through. I know Adrienne is a popular author on bookstagram but this is my first time reading her books and I don't know if it makes a good impression for me to keep reading her stories.
I also got to point out that the cover and the title give the impression of being a fractured-fairytale-kind-of-story and maybe that's why I was drawn into it more than I should've.

So, if you like books set around the sea with a typical YA heroine you will probably love this book.

If you’ve read Adrienne Young’s books then you’ll know what kind of worlds she creates. With her words she transforms you into the scenes and you feel like you’re experiencing everything right along with them. I fell in love with the cover and I knew I would love the story. Honestly, I didn’t read the blurb til I finished the book.

Fable was abandoned by her father four years ago. She makes it her goal to somehow escape the island he left her at and find him in order to get what she’s owed. What she didn’t plan on was falling into a crew of throwaways and eventually becoming one of them.

I adored this book and couldn’t put it down. It’s been a long time since I felt like this while reading. There’s a very slow burn romance, which was written perfectly, which I was hoping for. There’s a sense of family, which made this story magnificent. To see these guys working together and willing to risk their lives for each other, it’s a beautiful thing.

I can’t wait to read book two!!

From the moment I started the first chapter of this book I was immediately drawn into Fable's world. The author does a great job building the world and depth of the characters. I enjoyed every minute spent reading this book and I cannot wait for part 2!

This was an enjoyable beautifully written story with an action-packed adventure set around the sea. I loved Fable, she is a strong, fierce, and determined character despite the hardships she faces. I also loved the crew of the Marigold, especially West! This story ends with a huge cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read Namesake to see what happens next!