I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This book was just amazing. I just lost myself in this story and didn’t want it to end. It was really well written and just drew in you into these characters lives. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

Between the setting, characters, style, and pacing, Adrienne Young's Fable is a work of nautical art. Fable is exactly the kind of seafaring experience I adore, and Adrienne Young perfectly captures everything both romantic and terrifying about a life at sea. I am already dying to get my hands on the second half of this duology.

Let me get this out of the way before I dive (pun intended) into all the praise I have for this book: I desperately hope we get a map in the official version because, as skilled as Young is with painting her worlds for us, the Narrows and it's port cities are exactly the kind of setting that would benefit from a bit of visual bearings on where all of these locations sit in relation to each other (and I'm just plain certain it would make for a gorgeous piece of cartographic art).

I started out my review notes as a list of pros and cons, and I am happy to admit that the "cons" section was completely empty outside of the fact that Fable is told in the first-person and that's never my preference. And honestly, I found myself forgetting why I even feel that way about first-person POVs because there was absolutely no dragging or "pausing" for our heroine to have an inner monologue in the midst of everything. Young's poetic writing and extremely well-researched grasp on the details of nautical life couple perfectly to put the reader right into Fable's boots (or lack thereof) and paints a vivid picture of everything both above the ocean's surface and below. There is absolutely no mincing of terms or dumbing down for the sake of base accessibility and it does wonders for the immersion.

That said, for all the detail and accuracy, there is no infodumping or tedious exposition to be found in Fable. None. Young excels at Show Don't Tell, giving us what we need, when we need it, and giving enough to keep the imagery alive without falling into a trap of rambling detail vomit. The pacing is incredibly well balanced. She had me on the edge of my seat with action flows smoothly from beginning to cliffhanger end (view spoiler). Like the deep diving she writes about, Young only lets us come up for a quick breathe of air when we need it most before she pulls us back under and into the action, mystery, and high stakes. Her storytelling momentum will leave you breathless and longing for more before you even know what hit you.

All the foreshadowing is so seamlessly woven in that it's available without being blatant or in-your-face, while simultaneously being easy enough to miss (like Fable herself does, in some cases) while you're swept up in the tide of this story.

I read five books the week that I read Fable, and this was by FAR my favorite book. The pacing was perfect. The romance was swoony. I loved Fable and her story so much that now I want to go back and read ALL of Adrienne Young's books. And that cover? C'mon. It's FANTASTIC.

I really loved Sky in the Deep so much! One of my favorite books ever! While the writing in Fable was beautiful and flowed well, I just couldn't get into the stories or the characters. Yet I do love the ship aspects!

This was one of my most anticipated releases and I was so excited to get to read it early.

This book was way outside of my comfort zone for reading but I loved every moment of it. This book left me wanting to read every pirate book I could get my hands on.
The cast of characters is lively and the writing makes you forget where you are in the real world.

Fable is the heroine we all need and should learn from she fights to survive and will do whatever it takes to get what she's owed

West will leaving you wishing you had your own pirate man and wanting more of his sassy hard a** attitude.

The ending was a massive cliffhanger and I can't believe I have to wait till next spring for this! I'm going to have to go read Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back just to hold me over.

If you want a book that will make you swoon with romance, leave you breathless with close calls, and leaving you desperate for a sequel grab Fable the moment it comes out.

I literally can't wait to have this on my shelf and read it again and again.

Love love love this book it was so good and now I have a reading hangover which I haven't had in years.

An utterly beautiful and unputdownable adventure from start to finish!

This book was the perfect escape from all of the horrible events currently happening in the world. It was like a fantasy come to life right before my eyes on the pages as I was read. I found myself utterly enchanted and plopped right into an adventure! I found myself amongst pirates traveling upon ships across vast unchartered seas, and exploring different islands.

This was a wonderfully woven story filled with excitement and danger, and there was certainly never a dull moment. This story was about survival, love, friendship, exploration, adventure, love, and trust. So many wonderful things packed into one amazing tale. Talk about epic!

And the best part? The main character, Fable! She’s a strong, fierce, kick ass female lead that will have you rooting and cheering her on throughout the entirety of the story. Her fiery heart and determined spirit is definitely something to be admired, and I immediately wanted to befriend her as soon as being introduced to her in the story.

The story starts off with an introduction to Fable and her current situation. We are given a glimpse into the world in which she is living and trying to survive, and the way in which the author brings this world to life is incredible. The world is mysterious, and I found myself eager to explore more of it with each flip of the page and unlock all of its secrets.

We are also introduced to Fable’s friend West, and other characters, the more the story moves along. All of the characters are each fascinating and unique in their own right, and it was interesting learning about each and every one of them.

There is a romance in the story, but it doesn’t take away from the action or plot of the story. It is not extremely heavy on the romance, so if you are looking for more adventure and less romance, then this is the perfect read for you.

There was just so much to love about this book! I loved journeying with Fable during each and every heart stopping moment of this book. This story is filled with action, humor, mystery, secrets, and so much more.

I highly recommend this book to any and all readers in need of an adventurous read and an escape from the world for a while. Look no further because this is the perfect book for you!

I have always wanted to travel the High Seas, to live life as a pirate and explore more of the island worlds; and in this story I got to live out my dream. This is a wonderful tale of survival, friendship, love, trust and adventure. The characters are memorable and Fable is a strong female lead that will leave the reader cheering her one at every turn.

The opening of the story introduces the reader to Fable, her current situation, the world in which she is living and surviving in, and it all comes to life in beautiful detail and breathtaking scenes. I immediately found myself attached to Fable and wanting not only to be her friend but to help her along the way. West and other characters that she meets along the way are interesting and unique. I love learning about the secrets in this mysterious world; secrets after all, keep you safe. There is a tiny bit of romance in this story (and I am sure more in book two) but this story really is about Fable and her coming of age on the high seas. Fable learning life ad people are not always what they seem. The author takes the time to really develop these characters and this world to the point where I was lost inside the pages. I couldn’t get enough of any aspect.

There is action, mystery, secrets, humor, heart stopping moments and so much more. Get ready for the ride of your life and grab this story now! This is book one in a duet so be aware that you will become addicted and need the next book soon, LOL. I highly recommend this story to all readers looking for the ultimate adventure. I was blessed to receive an ARC via NetGalley, Wednesday Books and St. Martin’s Press and this is my honest review. This is an instant one click author and a “don’t want to miss” story!

***** (I have also pre-ordered the hardback for my collection)*****

I will be positing this review on release day (September 1st, 2020), on the following sites as well as recommending this story in many Facebook groups. My posts will consist of my review and/or option of the book, the links to buy and any graphics I can find to share:
Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads, Kobo, BN, Google books and any other retailer website it is available on.
My blog/bookstagram page: https://www.instagram.com/elysian_fields_reader/
My twitter book focused page: https://mobile.twitter.com/ElysianFieldsRe
My personal Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/elysian.fields.520
In Facebook groups that are YA focused or with readers who enjoy YA stories.
I have already posted on the sites that have allowed early posting: Goodreads, Bookbub, BN, and Google Books

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This book follows the titular character, Fable, who is the secret daughter of a prominent trader stranded on an island of thieves, and her adventures when she joins/crashes a young group of traders.

I was completely wrapped up in this world! This setting of pirate-like, seafaring traders and deep diving dredgers was masterfully done, as I felt the slight danger creeping in around the edges and the uncertainty formed by such intense secrecy. The suspense and furtiveness of the characters permeated the story and helped to create a convincing atmosphere.

While I enjoyed the characters, I was less convinced of the different relationships between them. However, I would read the next book to learn more about them.

An exciting novel that really drew me in because I am a sucker for an adventure on the high seas. And the world building did not disappoint! I am hoping for greater character development in the next book.

Well, I'm bummed. I love the other books I've read by this author. Sky in the Deep is still one of my favorite books, the character relationships. While there is a romance the book, for me, was more about family relationships, and understanding that the two tribes weren't all that different. The characters were my favorite part, even though I loved the Viking setting of it. And that's why I'm sad. I didn't care about these characters. I didn't care what their motives were, I didn't care what their pasts were, I just didn't care. None of them were really all that interesting to me, and I didn't feel much of a connection to any of them at all.

The setting was, fine, but not as interesting as it could have been. But the romance is where I just couldn't get on board. They had absolutely no chemistry. I don't even know how old he's supposed to be.

This book just lacked something to keep me invested in much of the plot and most of the characters.

A gritty adventure story story about the family you are born to and the family that you make, Fable kept me entertained and anxious to see what would happen. I wanted more information on the connection Fable has with the gemstones because I found it to be interesting.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for my uncorrected ARC

Adrienne Young takes us on this adventurous ride over the seas where the world is very dangerous, truths are to be kept to yourself , trust is a risky thing that might have your life at stakes. The story follows Fable the MC who is abandoned as a young girl from her ship which is her home and her entire life. She sets off journey to escape the island and face the one person who she knew has all the answers to her questions.

Let me tell you that I went in thinking that it’s a fantasy(totally on me), so it took me by surprise that it’s YA fiction that has an interesting concept overall. I guess the title Fable might be the why I mistook the entire thing not that it matters but I was expecting magical elements to pop up. There are mention of sea demons here and there which further confused me and I still have questions which I am hopeful will be answered in the next part

Coming to the actual plot line, it’s unmistakably a very captivating premise but it does have some flaws in my opinion, somethings as you read doesn’t make sense or very vaguely justified. It’s hard to explain without giving away spoilers but like I said I am hopeful that we will find more about that in the next book

The write is something I really enjoyed, I even felt bad that I wasn’t well aware of Navel terminology and how navel traces operated in general. The story flows effortlessly without any hitches and I had no idea what was going to happen until the very end, the author did a great job in maintaining a steady tempo that makes you anxious waiting for the story to unfold

Now coming to the characters I wasn’t blown away by the MC’s in all honesty, the Ship- Marigold’s crew has decent characters but none of them memorable. However I was very intrigued by Saint’s character, I feel like there is a lot more to him than what we saw in this book and I wanted to know more of his story.

The story is fast paced, adventurous and is totally a binge read kind of plot with slow burn romance. Overall it’s an enjoyable read and I will surely continue the duology

3.75 stars

Adrienne Young has done it again! Fable is an amazing read. Pirates, adventures and family drama, what more could you want? Oh, and did I mention major cliffhanger? I cannot wait to get my hands on Namesake.

Can we all take a moment to applaud Adrienne Young’s ability to write books that connect with you on a deeper level? She did it with Sky in the Deep, and now she has done it again with Fable. Young’s characters feel real. Their struggles become your struggles; their pain is your pain. When I read Sky and the Deep, Eelyn’s love for her brother and her pain at losing him resonated with me. In Fable, Fable’s complicated relationship with her dad tugged on my heartstrings. I don’t know how Young manages to write books that resonate with me so deeply, but she does. It must be magic.

One of my favorite things about Fable is how atmospheric it is. The details in Fable are incredible. You truly feel as if you’re diving in the ocean with Fable, seeing all of the beautiful, vast depths of the sea. You’ll feel as if you’re on a ship sailing out on the sea, wind in her hair, salt in the air, long after you close the book.

I could go on and on about the setting and the characters (don’t tempt me), but instead, I encourage you to pick this book up yourself and read it. Fable is a story full of adventure, grit, bravery, healing, and found family. It’s about survival. If you’re a fan of pirates, tough heroines, and the found family trope, then you’ll love this book.

This book was a book that I didn't realize I needed. I absolutely loved the characters, the storyline, even the cliffhanger....and I hate cliffhangers. I stayed up way past my bedtime to devour the last half of the book.

Fable is left on Jeval, by her father, as young girl. She has to learn to survive on her own and vows to get off the island to go find her father to get what is rightly hers. In the process, she ends up on Marigold, and the crew seems to be carrying their own secrets.

This book is action packed and full of characters you will fall in love with.

Wow. This book was absolutely incredible. The world was well developed and intense with a touch of magic. Fable is such an excellent character who relied on her wit and brain to survive. West - swoon. The crew stole my heart and did not let go. I was hooked from the opening line and had a hard time not reading until the wee hours of the morning every night. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Full review coming on my blog closer to pub date.

When I saw that Netgalley had Fable available to read for seventy-two hours I immediately snatched it up! I had heard good things about it and the cover is stunning! So I was dying to read it! I am super happy to report that I absolutely LOVED Fable !

MASSIVE thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fable is an action-packed, fun-filled, exciting adventure set on the high seas! There’s traders, rivalry, treasure, and seafaring exploits! Fable follows the titular character four years after she was abandoned on an island by her successful trader father. This island is not paradise . . . Fable is left on a dangerous island full of men who will attack and steal from her whenever the chance arrives. Fable spends four years fighting against the odds and using her resourcefulness to survive. After working hard as a dredger (basically someone who dives for gems and treasure) she finally saves up enough coin to pay for passage off the island. But of course, nothing is ever easy for Fable and she must run for her life. To escape the island, Fable joins up with the crew of the Marigold. West, Willa, Hamish, Paj, and Auster are less than welcoming and there’s definitely more going on than meets the eye.

Fable is one of my new favorite characters. She is so strong, resourceful, and independent. No matter what life throws her way, Fable always gets back up. She is a fighter. I love how courageous and strong she is. This story is all about Fable finding herself and I loved being a part of her journey.

I also loved the entire crew of the Marigold. They are not the nicest to Fable when she arrives, but I totally understand it. Every single one of them (including Fable) is guarding and hiding something. They all have a reason to keep their secrets close. I love how the relationships develop. The dynamic between each of them is so well done. The crew of the Marigold is already family, but I love seeing Fable become a part of this. They are such a great found family for her! The romance is a little insta-lovey and totally obvious from the beginning, but it didn’t bother me. I actually loved it!! I can’t wait for the relationship to be explored more in the next book.

The world, setting, and adventures at sea were also amazing. It was all so immersive. I loved visiting the different port cities and exploring different parts of the sea. Even just the day to day life on the ship was exciting. One of my favorite parts is the scenes where Fable is diving. The imagery and scenery is beautiful and the way Fable senses the gemstones is so cool! And *that* scene where she dives in Tempest Snare is the best!

Fable ends with a giant cliffhanger that has me dying for more! I did see part of the cliffhanger coming, but there was more than I expected and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Fable will be released September 1st, 2020 by Wednesday Books!

Fable took me under and I'm still trying to break the surface to catch my breath.

Fable is a fantastic lead character. She's smart, head strong, determined, fierce, and tough, but at the end of the day she just wants a place to belong which is very easy to relate to. She was an absolute force that drove this story and I loved being inside her head!

West. I can't even think his name without wanting to sigh in a big, dumb, dreamy way like I'm a Disney princess or something. West is steadfast, challenging, stubborn, conflicted (oh, sweet confliction!) and deliciously frustrating. He keeps Fable at arm's length for a reason and when that reveal hits, it just blows the story wide open and changes their dynamic moving forward. My need for chapters in his POV makes me want to ugly cry!

Fable and West are amazing on their own, but together?! Holy potatoes! That heart-racing, pulse-pounding, palm sweating, emotional give and take that tip toes the line of indifference and simmers with just the right amount of heat and angst that I truly live for when reading. Their first significant moment happened in such a way that I was delirious with how right it felt. I literally got goosebumps while reading it. Heck! I'm getting goosebumps right now just writing about it. There is a line in there from West that foreshadows this big moment and after reading that one line I remember thinking, "Oh! He needs to do it this way!" and he FREAKING! DOES! Nobody touch me! I'm dizzy with anticipation for what comes next!

Just like West who runs a tight ship, as does Adrienne herself with stellar character development, story telling, and pacing. The story unfolded seamlessly and vividly. I was never lost. The characters - big or small, main or secondary, good or bad - were fleshed out with purpose and no one was there for the sake of being one-dimensional to fill in the gaps. It was never bogged down with too much of one thing - the balance was perfect. I couldn't read fast enough, but tried to savor every lyrical word all the same.

The sequel titled Namesake will be out 5 days before my birthday on March 16, 2021. It could not be a better early birthday present at this point. Have you ever read a book and instantly thought "this was meant for me"? It happens very few and far between. Sure, you enjoyed it, but did you live it? Did you feel it? That is Fable for me.

I can not wait for this book to be out in the world. If you read anything this year, make it this one and be prepared for a new obsession!

A wonderful tale of intrigue, mystery, feats of derring-do, friendship, and just the barest touch of romance. I could not have loved this book more.

Fable is left at a young age by her father to fend for herself on a rough patch of land surrounded by seas and inhabited by the roughest of men, and women. His ship had perished in a storm, her mother along with it, and he leaves her there 'for her own good'. She manages to survive, if not exactly thrive, with one goal; to save enough money from diving for gems to pay for passage back to the shores where her father lives.

Along the way she encounters friends, foes, learns she inherited an 'ability' from her mother, and adventures galore. But it all comes at a final cost, as this novel ends on a wild cliffhanger meant to entice you to read the next novel in the series.

It worked. I am waiting on tenterhooks for the next installment, and you will too!

ALL THE STARS

You know that feeling you get when you see a cover or read the synopsis of a book and you just know you are going to love it. It has been so long since I have experienced that feeling, but Fable did just that. I knew the moment I saw that cover, I was going to love this book so much. And guess what, I did love it. 10/10 would recommend.

Speaking of cover, HOLY HECK it is beautiful! I just can’t stop staring at it. I can already tell, I am going to need several copies of this book. If anyone gets any news of special editions of this book, let me know. I need them all.

Fable has absolutely been one of the best books of 2020 for me. One of the things I love most about Adrienne Young’s books is that she is so good at telling a story. From start to finish, I am instantly invested in the storyline and characters and Fable was no different. I found myself caring for Fable and West instantly, but also the rest of the Marigold crew. Each crew member was interesting and I loved getting little snippets of their backstories. I look forward to learning more in Namesake.

If I had an actual issue with this book, its that I wish it was longer. I suddenly found myself 75% into the book and I was sad it was almost over. I had to stop reading a few times after that to get myself ready for the end. Because I don’t have Namesake to read after this. (hint hint) And with the way Fable ended, I need it asap! So fingers crossed the publishing gods love me because this wait will surely kill me.

Do yourselves a favor and read this book! Adrienne Young has created a magical book and I need everyone to feel what I feel.

Thank you, publishers, for an e-arc!