I was recently given the opportunity to read and review Fable by NetGalley and publisher, St. Martin’s Press – Wednesday Books. It was one of those books that I could not help but speed right through!

The setting and world building of this book is unique. Throughout the entire book, Fable is either in the sea, on a ship, or in a potentially dangerous small town. The author does a nice job in creating the imagery of diving into the ocean and it made me long to be at the beach. There is something so mystifying and thrilling to live your life and survive by diving into the great blue. It was clear that the ocean was not only Fable’s occupation (diving for items to trade), but a place that she is extremely comfortable in visiting and diving deep into.

Fable is a well-developed and three-dimensional character. Her emotions range from sad and lonely to fierce and angry. She shows cleverness, and yet can show some naivety at the same time. We learn how she came to be, what her mission is, and what happens when things don’t go according to her plan. Resourcefulness, bravery, and standing up for what she wants are other great characteristics that make Fable a very likable character. At the same time, some of the secondary characters did fall a little flat and at times it was hard to distinguish one versus the other.

The plot kept me entranced throughout most of the book. Though there were times when I questioned where the suspense was, which slowed down the plot, but there were also moments where I couldn’t put the book down. I did appreciate the seamless flow of Fable remembering her traumatizing past and floating back to the present. It’s something the author did very well and created a more enjoyable read.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Fable, despite some of its slower plot points and some underdeveloped secondary characters, and I look forward to continuing Fable’s story in the book’s sequel! I would highly recommend this read to those who enjoy young adult books that features a young woman, who lives at and around the sea, and is trying to obtain what she deserves.

First of all, thank you to the publishers for the early digital copy.
I requested this galley because I figured I would like it, but I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I read it in two days but could've easily had it done it one. It's a fun read. The action doesn't seem to stop, and it's not the same kind of action scenes over and over again. The characters, especially Fable, really fit with the plot. Right away I was invested in Fable. She's a strong young woman, but still fallible and a little naïve at times. I love side characters. The author wrote compelling minor characters that I also cared about. They were built up with subtle back story and actions that allowed for their mysteriousness to be a prominent fixture as the story went along. There's also a strong plot. That's usually the most important part of a novel, but with how the author wrote the other elements I think I would've enjoyed any plot she came up with. I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel. I also recommend this book to everyone, especially to those who like an action packed adventure.

3.5 stars

Fable tells the story of Fable, a girl who has been abandoned by her father on an island of thieves and we follow her journey in getting off the island and hunting down her father by joining the crew of the Marigold with a mysterious trader.

What I liked:
-I really enjoyed the setting of this book, i always love books set around the sea/on ships and it really came across like the author knew what she was talking about. The descriptions of a thunderstorm felt so real and atmospheric (that is a very specific example!)
-I liked watching Fable grow as a character and discover her own agency. I also liked watching her grow to be part of the crew and feel like she belonged.
-the plot was interesting and I couldn't see which direction it was going, which kept me engaged and intriugued.

What I didn't like:
-THE COMPLETELY UNECCESSARY ROMANCE, i usually don't mind romance in books but this one seriously came out of nowhere with no buildup and it felt like it was there because the main characters in a YA book just HAVE to be together. I was honestly more invested in the relationship between two of the side characters. And the male love interest after one kiss randomly pronounced he had loved her from the beginning??? WHYYYY
-at least give me some buildup/chemistry
-I struggled to connect to the characters and I think this was my main issue (aside from the romance) they just felt like very generic characters and didn't have a lot of personality, the side characters didn't feel very fleshed out - they honestly felt interchangable (especially the crew of the marigold).

In conclusion if you like books set around the sea with a typical YA feisty heroine you will probably love this book!!

Oh my god. This book, y’all. THIS BOOK. It’s almost midnight and I’ve been sitting here all night reading because I just couldn’t stop. I loved everything about Fable. The plot, characters (West ♥️), villains, everything. Plus, who can resist pirates? After that cliff hanger ending, I need Namesake now!!

**Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader's copy of Fable by Adrienne Young through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity!

Fable by Adrienne Young is the first of two books in the Namesake duology. It is a young adult fantasy novel set in a seafaring world, and tells the story of a teenage girl named Fable who is just trying to survive and get by. Fable is set to be published on September 1st, 2020. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.


Here's the summary from Goodreads:

Filled with all of the action, emotion, and lyrical writing that brought readers to Sky in the Deep, New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with Fable, the first book in this new captivating duology.
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.
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. 
Fable takes you on a spectacular journey filled with romance, intrigue and adventure.

Kari was the one who alerted me to the existence of this book. Adrienne Young is one of her autobuy authors after all. However, I read the summary and found myself intrigued. I knew I was going to have to pick up this book for myself to read and that's why I requested it. I was super excited when I got approved for the title.

Fable had a really interesting concept. I liked the premise of a girl left behind in dangerous territory and being forced to fend for herself and having to fight for what she's owed. Fable really stood out as a main character. I really admired her and what she achieved over the course of the novel. I was also really intrigued by her history and her abilities. I really wanted her to succeed and I very much sympathized with her as a character.

Outside of Fable, I felt that most of the cast of side characters were well developed. You learn a lot about her father and how he is a flawed person but also not someone completely without emotions. He's an interesting figure and I'm curious about how he'll play into the sequel. You also learn a lot about West, who is definitely a fascinating character. He has a lot of depth, only some of which has been explored, and I feel like a lot of people will be calling him their book boyfriend.

The setting in this book was amazing. You could really picture the various areas that the book took place. There were areas of the city that when described made me crinkle my nose. Then later when they encountered a dangerous patch of the sea, I was nervous for the characters and their ability to safely traverse it. Adrienne Young did a really good job at world building, but based on what I've read before, I think world building is a particular strength of hers.

There was a romance in this book, and while I won't spoil it too much. I loved how it complemented the story. It didn't take over or derail the plot; it accentuated it. I also loved how slow burn it was. There was really good development of it over the course of the novel.

The weird thing about Fable was how it seemed like not much happened in the book, but a lot did happen. It swept you along like a current, and through each event at a good pace. By the end, I had to take some time to process that there were moments of action and excitement. I know this kind of sounds like a bad thing, but honestly I really enjoyed how this book was written.
In the end, it ended with a cliffhanger and so now I desperately need the second one.

For all these reasons and more, I highly suggest that you pick up Fable, when it comes out on September 1st.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication September 1, 2020.***

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Oh, the feels for this book. I loved the characters, the locations, even the bit of family drama. Can't wait for Namesake! 🥰

Firstly a huge thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review an e-arc of Fable by Adrienne Young.

I love a book about the sea, there’s something about sea based tales that just calls to me and this book hit all those sweet notes.
At the start we meet Fable, her father is one of the most infamous traders in the Narrows and had deserted her after the sudden death of her mother 4 years earlier.

Left alone to fend for herself on Jesal, Fable survives through her skill as a dredger, living by her wits to build a purse that will buy her escape from the island and help her find her way back to her father and to a place with him.

From this inauspicious start we follow Fable’s tale and encounter the crew of the Marigold. The crew are a disparate but united bunch who initially reject Fable and all her baggage, but as the tale progresses so does their relationship. I really love the characters and their inter-relationships. All were fully formed and could stand alone in their own right, not just as foils for Fable’s story.

Obviously there’s a villain and one hell of a cliffhanger at the end for this series...I kept saying to myself at around chapter 36 that it was all going far too well! And yes, there is but I didn’t object. I am really looking forward to book 2 and I highly recommend you pick this book up if you’re looking for a good story about the sea that doesn’t follow the usual pirate trope.

I couldn't put this one down and finished it in one sitting.

What seems will be a typical YA fantasy novel turns into a book filled with compelling and interesting characters, a beautifully written setting, and a story that draws the reader in to the experience.
Fable, a young dredger, is left to fend for herself and faces hardship, builds a family, and attempts to claim what is rightfully hers. What more could one want from a strong female led fantasy novel? How about pirates, traders, the open waters of the sea, risk, love, and mystery. This book has it all, and it is written well, which isn't always a given with YA fiction. I cannot wait to get my physical copy to read again, and the next book next year (I need to know how the story continues)! I have already started recommending this book to everyone I know.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the DARC of this work in exchange for my honest review

I went into this book having never heard of it or knowing what to expect, and it was a delightful surprise. Aside from a few mistakes I spotted that could do with one extra fine comb of editing (but it is an ARC so that's to be expected), I enjoyed it quite a bit!

Firstly, I'd like to appreciate the author for not peppering in sexual violence against women despite the setting. I know this has more to do with the genre than anything else, but I still thought that was nice and refreshing, especially in a story about pirates.

For the most part this book was a quick read tht kept me interested, though I will say it took me a while to properly get into it. I think it ended in a way that gave me enough questions to want to know more and be expectant of the second one.

That said, I do think that the main romance could've been a little bit more built up - I wouldn't say it came out of nowhere, but I'd have liked to see more of their interactions before his feelings were revealed. It happened 2/3s into the book and it just felt like there weren't enough scenes between them before then for me to have been like "sure this makes sense beyond a strictly physical attraction". Also, we don't know how old anyone else is even if it is implied they are young, and young has a wide array, so I couldn't help but wonder about the age difference.

Barring that, however, I enjoyed the writing and found the narrative compelling enough to wish for book #2 in the hopes that I don't have to wait thag long to find out what happens next. I hope Namesake will delve into all the other characters' stories a bit more beyond the bits of exposition dialogue we got throughout this book, as I am very interested in learning more about the Marigold's crew and Fable's mother especially. It is definitely something I'd recommend to people if asked, though!

First off, I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an advanced copy to review.

Wow. That's really the only thing I can say. Fable was a whirlwind right from page one, and it did not let up for the duration of the story. It has everything, from complex characters that the reader can't help but love, to an intriguing world that is both similar to our own and different at the same time. I have to commend Adrienne Young on her world-building for this novel, because it truly felt like a real place that I could jump through the pages to visit.

Fable, the novel's namesake, proves herself to be a tough, formidable heroine that the reader will fall in love with. Her strength and determination was clear from page one as we see her dive (or dredge) for valuables to later sell for coin. She manages to barter her way onto a ship that she will use to sail back to the place where her father is and prove that she has earned a spot on his crew. As one may expect, the story does not end there. Fable encounters a crew that is at first hesitant to let her on, but as the story progresses the characters learn more about each other and a slow-burn respect is developed. It felt so realistic and believable that it truly was a joy to read. The characters' relationships with each other did not feel forced or as though it developed way too quickly, which was a nice change of pace. It also fit with the overall tone of the story, which had a darker element than I expected from a young adult novel, but was a very welcome change of pace!

Fans of young adult, fantasy, sea-faring adventures, and great worlds that readers will want to spend as much time as possible in will devour this book! It was a pleasure to read and this reader cannot wait for book two!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the very beginning it catches your attention. I was never bored with it and never felt like I was trogging along. I couldn’t wait to finish it and didn’t want it to end at the same time. I am excited to read Namesake and see where the story ends.

I wish there was a map.
I wish I knew how West looked. At first I thought he was older, but he’s 18-20. Tan, muscular, has scars, sun bleached blonde longish hair, green eyes.
I don’t entirely think Fable would’ve actually lasted those 4 years on Jeval, after reading all about her after and how no one had given her anything in those 4 years. I’ll accept it, but find it very unlikely.
I don’t like cliffhangers.

I love water and ships.
Crews are nice.

I received an ARC copy from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.

Fable is a young woman trying to survive on a cut throat island. She made a promise to the man who left her on the beach and she plans to keep it. In the four years since, she has learned to survive, how to hunt her own dinner, dredging for pyre to trade for coin, and how to watch her back. So close to earning what she needs to pay for her trip across the sea to Ceros and Saint, the man who left her behind. Fable finds herself aboard the <i>Marigold<i> with a ragtag crew who don’t know what to make of her. Fable earns their trust, becoming a part of their family, but not everything is as it seems. Fable has her own demons but now she finds herself in the center of the Marigold’s demons as well.

The first installment of Adrienne Young’s, Fable, was a exciting. Young has created a storyline I have not seen before. Fable is a character with depth. Due to her life struggles she has learned to be strong but underneath that tough exterior she just wants to be a part of something bigger. The crew of the Marigold share a similar back story. They all came from nothing but have banded together to form a tight knit family. I am excited to see where this series will go and can’t wait for the next installment.

As a reader, we read to fall in love. We read to escape and we turn the next page searching for adventure.

Fable has all of this and more. All of the characters feel real enough to step off the page and you cannot help but have some sort of reaction to them. Adrienne Young's writing is so fluid and sleek that even while her world feels gritty and raw, it has its own beauty in the way it is written.

The world building is flakes I and even though I could see some of the twists, I still needed to know more, wanted to have more.. Fable isn't out until September and I'm already greedy to get my hands on book two.

Whether or not you think pirate books are your thing, this is a must read!

I was wary upon starting this book because as much as the description was cool, pirate type books (they’re not actually pirates, but pretty close) have never really been my thing. However, I have to say that this book blew my expectations out of the park. It was truly a masterfully written book that any adventure lover would eat up.

This book was almost electric with this undercurrent that anything could happen. It was never predictable and kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time with equal parts worry and excitement for what could happen next. This was the kind of book that really took me on an adventure from scene to scene all the while making me feel like I was right there with them.

This book was also such a great found family story. Each of the characters were unique and interesting and the way the relationships developed or were revealed throughout the story was so authentic. I don’t want to spoil anything, but honestly, this was done so well.

Last but not least, this book was easy to read. I like fantasy, but I always worry that I’ll stumble upon a book that is just impossible to keep track of because of the different words, names, characters, places, actions, etc. And while this book had those in spades, it was done so well that I was never confused about what they were referring to, who they were talking about, or what was happening. The writing was so well done that I could be immersed in this amazing and interesting new world and stay there without something pulling me out of it.

This was an amazing book from start to finish. It had action, found family, love, interesting characters, and all the adventure one could want.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Seventeen-year-old Fable has only known one home: the sea. As the daughter of a notorious and powerful trader, she grew up on ships-- being lulled to sleep by the waves, diving for treasures with her mother. However, four years ago, a storm destroyed her father's ship the Lark, killing her mother, and forcing her father to abandon her on a remote island full of cutthroats and thieves. Fable had to quickly learn that the only person she could count on was herself. For four years, she's only had one goal: get off the island, find her father and demand that he gives her her rightful spot by his side. To fulfill this plan, Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West and his reluctant crew.

Fable soon discovers just how far her father's reach has grown, and how dangerous it is to be associated with him and his enterprise. She also learns that West isn't exactly who he seems to be. If the pair hope to survive not just the storms that plague the Narrow sea, they'll both need to learn to trust one another with secrets that every other trader would kill to know.

I really enjoyed Young's other novel, Sky in the Deep, so I was hoping to be immediately sucked into this story and world. While I did enjoy this, it fell slightly short for me. I did like Fable and admired how strong and self-sufficient she was. I thought the whole crew of the Marigold was fun and each brought something interesting to the table. The relationship between Fable and West was fine, but nothing to write home about. The merchant politics and trading was intriguing with just how cutthroat it all is. The story had many good parts to it, yet I just felt like something was missing. It just didn't grab me as much as I was expecting it to. Despite that, I'm still interested to see where the story goes from here.

5⭐️.

YA Fantasy Lit. with Romantic Elements.

Q: what’s some of your fave YA fantasy lit.? Drop them below and help a woman out!

Wow. I’m going to start with some of the typical words I see in fantasy reviews but honestly, Adrienne Young’s Fable *is immersive. I did feel transported. And a little awed, tbh.

Like the other books of Young’s I’ve read, Fable features a strong young woman (major understatement) who has to fight for herself. Her food. Her shelter. Her life.

Years before, after her mother died, the man that no one knows is Fable’s father dropped her off on a thieves’s island & never came back. Now she’s a dredger, someone who dives underwater & finds pyre that she can sell to traders. Every block she brings back to the surface is working toward her ticket off the island & back to her father.

When things go pear-shaped Fable makes an earlier exit than she planned—on the ship of West, a helmsman who regularly purchased her pyre & the closest thing she has to someone she can trust (but that’s still a long way off). He & his crew want nothing to do with Fable. But they’re all drawn together in ways they probably don’t want to be.

Some fantasy books have the worldbuilding down beautifully but they lack the emotional component that makes a book really stick for me. But Fable has both & her story grabbed at my heart.

I love love love that Fable is a female character who makes her own way, even as my heartstrings were pulled at what she’s gone through & how visceral those images are. Her life’s been all about strategy & survival since her father left her but she’s still soft in some ways. Still able to be shocked. Still able to care.

The only aspect of this book that feels a little thin to me is her relationship with West. I watched it develop rapaciously & gobbled up every little sign but I’d love to see more emotional intimacy between them. Hopefully that will come in the second book!

Fable is far from a lighthearted read. It’s sometimes violent & sad & scary, but it also made my heart happy.

Fable is out on 09/01. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Fable was such a fun read. If you like Sea Fire and Dark Shores then you will love this sea adventure. Pirates and the sea, oh my! I love the character development in Fable. The world building I think was spot on since it focused on the areas that were relevant to Fable's journey. I liked the build the relationship between West and Fable. He may have always liked her but that does not make him oblivious to everything. He has goals and is driven. The ending will definitely leave you wanting to dive right into the sequel Namesake. The great thing is the release dates are about 6 months apart. So, you will not have to wait long.

Now a side note. I love the cover and title but I think they do not fit the book. I think that Fable makes you think of a fairy tale and the cover does not scream sea adventure. I think this may miss the mark marketing wise. I hope people will fall in love with it though. This will be a book I will be recommending.

I downloaded this on a spur of the moment upon seeing it as read now on Netgalley and I've never been so glad for my impulsiveness. Going into this book, I had no idea what it was about, yet it had me hooked from page one.

Fable was dumped and left on an island by her father the day after a storm took her mother. She was left with nothing, she starved, she was lost and she was alone. But Fable was determined to prove her father wrong when he said "you're not made for this world, Fable"; so she teaches herself how to dredge, and she sells the items she finds, and *finally* after years on the island, she gets away.

What follows this is a journey on a ship where she learns the true price of family and what it will cost her to stay alive. Fable learns just how deep deceit and lies can run, and how family is chosen, not always the one you were born into. After an intense journey through storms, islands and a couple of near-death experiences, Fable finally makes it to the island and back to her father.

There was so much about this story that I loved. The characters were all so well-written and I felt like I really knew them, and the plot was never predictable and had me hooked the whole way through. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book, because the ending of this one was BRUTAL!!!

Young does a wonderful job at keeping your attention from page one to the end. The characters are relatable and grow throughout the story. This captivating story gives a fresh take on coming of age!

This book was amazing. I loved the world building, the characters, and all the action. Fable has been left on an island to fend for herself after a shipwreck. Her only way to survive is to dive for treasures and sell them to the merchants that come to the island for trade. West has always bought her gems. When Fable takes the chance to seek passage back to her homeland with West, it set in motion more than Fable can imagine. Such an amazing book. I can not wait for the next book to come out. Thank you for the ARC NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. 5 stars for this one.