I love finding a good pirate-esque book. Though these characters aren’t pirates, I still got slight vibes of Pirates of the Caribbean and Sinbad (the Dreamworks movie).

What makes a good book to me are well-rounded, fleshed-out characters, and concrete world-building and setting. So first, the characters. I would not mind being part of West’s crew. They’re like family to eachother, even though they act like they’re not. I love that they look out for eachother, especially West. He says he doesn’t care for people, but through his actions you can see that he really does.

Living as a trader on the sea is risky business, and this crew knows it. They know the risk of taking Fable on their ship (or at least part of it, since she’s keeping secrets), but they’re still willing to give her a chance.

Fable is a strong-willed girl. I loved seeing her not give up, doing whatever it takes to find her father. And oof, her father. He’s a hard man. Guys, this book had me almost tearing up at times!

The other characters of West’s crew were all quickly endeared to me. I want them all to have their happy endings.

Now for the world-building and setting. The first word I thought of to describe these aspects is “lush.” I just felt like I was immersed in this world of cutthroat traders, where every person is out for themselves. Don’t let people know what you care about, keep your dagger and coin close to you, because you’ll need them at every turn. This world is gritty, dangerous, unforgiving, but, it’s also so beautiful.

Beautiful because of the descriptions of the water and ships. Fable is a dredger, so she searches the bottom of the ocean for prolonged periods of time to dredge things of value. This is how she makes her living. But under the sea is where she feels most at home. And I can feel that. The depths of the ocean is glorious and pure beauty. The sea life, the sunken treasures, the separation from the dreary, hard life above.

Oh, and when West and Fable dove together. My favorite part of the novel! Their romance is fairly slow-burn, and it’s delicious and smile/sigh-inducing.

And the ending! Gah, I need the sequel right now! It ties up some unresolved issues Fable has, but then, THEN! Ugh, these people just can’t catch a break. I’m so excited for their next adventure, and to see some happy endings! Please 🙏🏻

𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑊𝑒𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛 𝑒-𝑎𝑟𝑐! (𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑!)

I went with a 4 instead of a 5 because it took so freaking long for this story to grab me. I mean, the only reason I stuck with it in truth is that I love me a sea story, especially one that promises some high adventure. And this one delivered that eventually in large quantities. I also really like that I have a great vision of each and every character, from West and Fable to the villain Zola to the bookkeeper, Hamish. I can see each of them individually and with clarity due to the descriptive prose. Also, the settings. So well-written. So vivid.

A great read once it got rolling. Can’t believe I gotta wait for the second half of the duology. Sigh. Worth it. 💜📚

Adrienne Young does it again with FABLE. I was stunned at how impressed I was with her lyrical styled writing and her attention to small details that really make up the entire storytelling experience. I loved the characters in this book, especially the dynamic with the found family trope—one of my favorites!!

"Never, under any circumstances, reveal who or what matters to you."


Wow. Wow. Wow. That was amazing. I cannot wait for the second book.

Fable is a gripping adventure novel set amongst a world of cutthroat sailors and traders. Left alone on an island full of thieves by her father, after the death of her mother in the sinking of their ship, to fend for herself, the novel follows Fable on her journey to get back home and hold her father to his promises. After spending four years surviving by diving for gems, she escapes the island by paying for passage from a small trading vessel, with West at the helm.

The crew doesn't trust Fable, but she tries to prove her worth as her journey to hold her father, Saint, to his promises, puts them all in danger. The journey, however is just beginning.

A touch of magic, a pinch of romance, and a whole heap of ocean loving adventure makes this a quick and amazing read.


Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel.

Well. I'm just real mad at myself right now. I tried my absolute best to pace myself through Fable, knowing it's an ARC and knowing from reviews that it ends on a cliffhanger, and that I would have a real issue with waiting to see what happens next. Did I listen to myself? NO. So I'm mad. REALLY MAD. WHYYYY!? March 2021 cannot get here fast enough...I need an ARC of Namesake, STAT.
•
Since I read House of Salt and Sorrows last year, I've been looking for a YA that has that same delicious mixture of the vast unpredictability of the sea and the possibility of catastrophe at every turn. And I FOUND IT. Fable is everything I wanted and more. This will definitely be my favorite YA of the year! I could read this book again and again. One thing I really loved about this one was the lack of "girly" details about the heroine. Not one description of her clothes, no introspection about what a man thinks of how she looks and thank you - no irritatingly predictable scenes with her being attacked by men in any sexual way. As breathtaking as the cover is, Fable really could be a dude for the majority of this story and you'd never really know the difference. It was refreshing to have a story like this without all the usual gender-specific details that oftentimes are distracting.
•
Fable gets five stars from me. THIS was the YA I was waiting for! Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC. Now please send me the ARC for Namesake so that I do not lose my ever-loving mind! 🤣😘

I love stories featuring the sea, strong heroines, and lyrical writing so I was thrilled to receive this ARC!! Fable is a stunningly beautiful story and one of my new favorites. I knew going in that Adrienne Young’s writing is always filled with brilliant imagery and prose. Each word was a carefully chosen gem, leaving me to marvel at the vibrant descriptions and plot twists. Following the adventures of our heroine, Fable, it often felt like more than a regular story. Fable grabbed my hand, took me on an adventure, and completely stole my heart when I wasn’t looking.

One of the cornerstones of Fable is how every single word is chosen with intense care and love. The writing is very multi-sensory: colors, sounds, smells, all paint a vivid picture of Fable’s world. Our heroine encounters a broad cast of characters with complex backgrounds and ulterior motives. This is a story that gives you the exhilarating feeling of diving deep into the sea, adventuring in a cutthroat world where the price of a mistake is death, and searching for family.

This is a story that will stay in your heart and mind long after you reach the last page. I can’t wait to return to Fable’s world and see what happens next!! I finished Fable and immediately pre-ordered Namesake, book 2. Read Fable if you love a fierce heroine, enchanting world-building, and an irresistibly captivating adventure. Fable releases September 1, 2020. Thank you so incredibly much to Adrienne Young, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC of Fable in exchange for an honest review.

Ahhhhh another Adrienne Young masterpiece. In all my years of reading YA Fantasy I’m not sure if I’ve come across another author who can write action scenes like she can!

I’m so excited to report that Fable didn’t disappoint. It had such a level, of what I can only describe as epicness on every single page. This book was pure action and the sailing/ship scenes that were understandable and had my heart racing! Add to the mix amazing writing, characters you wanted to learn more about and you have yourself another soon-to-be-fav-YA-read!

Some highlights:
• badass pirates (called traders but I couldn’t see them as anything other than pirates)
• a heroine you can get behind and cheer for because she’s real and her scars (both emotional and physical) make her who she is
• a cutthroat crew of misfits and dregs
• a well fleshed out world that entertained and added to the overall plot/character arcs
• a cast of characters that were so well fleshed out I actually felt like I was on the decks amongst them
• actions scenes written with sheer brilliance
• a story that I couldn’t put down (first book I’ve read in one day IN THE LONGEST TIME)
• probably the most amazing first kiss scene I’ve ever read *chefs kiss*

While I desperately wanted to give Fable 5 stars, I had some issues with the overall romance (I can’t believe I’m about to say it... I live for YA romance - but this book didn’t need any) and the overly predictable ending (saw it coming from a mile away). The plot is largely similar to DotPK (by quiet similar I mean they have massive similarities) but done in a way I could leave the other book (even though Fable and Alosa were incredibly similar down to their red hair) behind and dive straight into Fable’s picturesque seas (pun intended).

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the ARC. Thoughts and review is my own.

Fable is a book so beautifully written that you can’t stop thinking about it!

Fable is a girl who was left to fend for herself on a island after their ship was wrecked and her father left her behind. For four years she has been trying to save up enough coin to buy passage off the island and find her father so that he can give her what she is owed.

During the journey, Fable becomes entangled with West and his crew aboard the Marigold as they sail across the sea trading goods and bringing Fable closer to her father.

Fable is such a powerful and strong female protagonist that I fell in love with and was rooting for her and got to see how she became the way she is and her motivations behind her actions.

The crew of the Marigold also add in a balance between different types of characters and gives the reader the opportunity to see more of the world within the book and how others operate outside of Fable’s worldview. This book was packed with action and adventures that make it a must-read for any fan of fantasy, pirates, or Adrienne Young’s previous books.

I am so excited to see what Young has planned for the sequel Namesake after that massive cliffhanger!!

*Huge thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book!

My love for Adrienne Young’s writing grows with each and every book and right now this is my absolute favorite.

“Fable” dives into a world where a young woman has learned to survive just long enough to buy her passage and find the father who abandoned her but with the stormy seas and rival crews hunting the ship she now calls home she finds that there is not always happy endings on the horizon.

I could not read this book fast enough!

Fable is such a strong character as we follow her on this journey to find her way home and what she has had to do to make it to the point where family was within reach even if her dreams of a reunion don’t pan out in the way she’d hoped. With stories like this there tends to be a large group background who play their role in navigating the ship and the plot itself so I was pleasantly surprised to see that number cut down to a handful allowing each member to have their own part of the story that added to the overall arc of the story and not have it weigh anything down.

The plot itself was great I liked how we were given bits and pieces of the antagonist as little whispers by those characters at the ports as well as the casual yet biting conversations when are cast did come face to face but the real threat didn’t reveal itself until the cliffhanger leaving me all but begging the publishers for a chance to skip ahead and start book two as soon as possible. There was not one moment where I wasn’t fully invested in the characters and the story and I’m very excited to see what will happen now that another layer to the sinking of The Lark May mean for Fable and her father.

After a couple weeks of nothing but dull reads I am beyond thrilled that this book turned out to be something special and I can’t wait for you all to read it!

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Ahhh! Goodness! Thank you to the publisher for making this e-arc available to read! I loved the story. Fable was strong and self sufficient but it was West who stole the show for me. I’m definitely picking up the other two books by Young because her writing drew me in. In fact, the first line was definitely something to make me laugh. I’m anxious to see what happens next. How will Fable handle learning about everything that she’s missed the last four years after being left behind?

Thank you thank you to Wednesday Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Fable was abandoned four years ago by her father on Jeval after a horrible storm wrecked her father's ship and drowned her mother. Her father, the most powerful trader, promises what is owed to her if she can make her own way off Jeval. Forced to find her own way off the island, Fable has become a dredger, free driving in the Narrows, a series of coral reefs, scraping by until she can earn enough coin to book passage on a ship back to her father.

Kept on constant alert by the thieves that surround her on Jeval, Fable is forced to flee after trading pyre for coin from West, the younger trader of the Marigold. When everything goes wrong, and she's attacked, Fable flees, pleading for passage on the Marigold. West accepts, and though not an official part of the crew, Fable has never felt more at home with a crew. But of course, nothing ever goes the way Fable hopes.

Adrienne Young has a way with words. Everything she writes comes alive to me. I'm a fan of pirates and sea adventures, and when she announced the premise of "Fable", I knew I'd love it. And I did! I know Adrienne's writing is lyrical and descriptive, and the pacing can be slow, but Adrienne is a master of the art! Her pacing gives me more, and everytime I catch sight of a new intent, a new description, I just can't stop. I finished this book in just two sittings, and if I didn't have such a horrible back, I probably could have finished it in one.

I read an early copy (like, this is the plain white manuscript cover that came out BEFORE the Goodreads manuscript, and before the ARCs) so I have no doubt there will be a few changes. I cannot wait to read the finished copy, and I am desperately awaiting book 2!

Without any spoilers:
-There is romance, but it starts much later in the book
-All the characters have strong personalities and come to life on the page, even from brief glances
-And I have to wonder if Adrienne was once a pirate in the past life.

So if you need to know whether or not Fable deserves a spot on your long, never-ending TBR, then yes, Yes it does.

Fable was brilliant! I haven’t been that drawn into and completely absorbed by a YA/fantasy book in sometime! Fantastic action and characters, beautiful writing, what more could you ask for! It was painful for me to put it down in order for me to finish essential things, like my job and household chores. I had been dying to get my hands on Fable, as it’s one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did not disappoint! I really cannot wait for the second book, Namesake, to come out. I don’t know if I can make it to 2021 without finding out what happens to Fable and the crew of the Marigold.

Having read the Pearl Diver in high school, I was unsure how exciting and interesting I would find free diving in a novel, despite the very real danger associated with it. However, I was on the edge of my seat anytime Fable dove into the water in search of pyre. Adrienne Young’s writing was beautiful and lyrical, I felt transported to Jeval and the Narrows. The world she created was rich and fascinating, and felt entirely real. My only frustration is that I am dying to know about the rest of the world having only been given a small sliver of it. I am eagerly awaiting Namesake, and hope Young gives us a larger insight into the world, and also the magic. I want to learn more about the gem sages, how it works, if there are other types of magic in this world, the gem trader Holland and the area she’s from.

I would have liked to have seen more development of the relationship between Fable and West, because it didn’t seem like they actually spent any time together or got to know each other at all. That would probably be my biggest/only issue with the book, other than just being obsessed with the world and wanting more of it.

I plan on diving into Adrienne Young’s previous books later this week, I’m hooked on her writing and there’s no going back.

I will post a longer review of Fable on my blog, fleawithadegree.tumblr.com, closer to publication date.

I fell in love with Adrienne Young after reading her novel The Girl the Sea Gave Back and now reading Fable, I’m glad to say I was not disappointed! She blew me away yet again! Beautiful world building, but the characters tend to fall flat a little bit. Overall, I am excited to read namesake when it comes out!

I was provided an arc by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book that I've read of Adrienne Young. I must say, she is a brilliant author. Her writing style, the story setting, and the characters are very engaging.

Fable, a young girl of 14 years was abandoned by her infamous pirate father on the island of Jeval, which was filled with thieves with no scruples. For four years, she has been scrounging for every last bit of copper to earn passage on a ship to leave to Ceros. I liked that Fable made the best out of worst situation with grim determination. Due to an unforeseen incident, she has to leave the island early. She gets passage on West's ship, who used to buy the pyre she dredged for the past two years.

Most of the story is set on the high seas where the characters have to weather the storms and stay alive to reach their destination. It was full of smuggling, trading, betrayals and in short a harsh world with tough rules. Though the story was unique, with likable characters I found it difficult to love. The writing was addictive, so I could move forward but I found many aspects that troubled me as a reader.

The first thing was, there was no map depicting the world and the places mentioned. I found it little difficult to imagine. And second, this is my first book where the whole story was set in the high seas and boats. I'm not familiar with all the terminology regarding sailing so I found it little uninteresting. And I would have loved to read a more about the Trade council and the workings.

Lastly, I wish this book was a bit longer so it wouldn't have finished sooner :( . I was able to finish this book in just 5 hrs, it was that good. Overall, it was a good read but I didn't love it. I will definitely read her other books many have raved about. Can't wait to have the second book of this series to know how the story progresses. Hoping for a little bit more in every aspect in the next book.

This is a story about bravery, heroism & swashbuckling. Our heroine is strong, but good hearted, and flawed in ways that foster resilience. I loved that her initial determination to prove herself shifted in favor of chasing her own adventure. I additionally found her relationships to be touching, and the author described her interactions with loved ones in a way that felt reverent. I definitely didn’t go into this expecting an emotional read, but there were scenes where the emotion was so well crafted that I felt myself being swept into her grief, excitement & longing.

This is such a delightful adventure!

Thanks Netgalley for the e-arc!

Star Rating: 4.25

I am still absolutely over the moon that I got to read this early. Fable was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I'm so happy to not have been disappointed!

Fable is a new world from the author, and leagues above her previous book in terms of cohesive pacing and storytelling. The Narrows are a dangerous, gritty world that was wonderful to sink into, a place where survival of the fittest truly reigns. Nothing is free. Everything is earned through blood, sweat, and the tears you cannot show. I would say a good comparison would be if Tricia Levenseller's Daughter of the Pirate King duology and the Grishaverse's Ketterdam had a love child, that is what the world in Fable is!

Fable herself is a wonderfully human blend of someone who hardened to survive in her world, but protects the soft parts still in her heart, even if she sometimes laments them. But her rough edges are not a facade; they are not a mask. She carries her strength even as her past and her grief and her disappointments gnaw at her. It is a conscious choice, and the duality of character was greatly appreciated in her and in many of the supporting characters!

I will warn that you should be prepared to widen your vocabulary with this read! The lexicon used for seafaring and sailing goes far beyond what is typically used in YA. This is not your typical Captain, Bow, Stern type of sailing, but very specific and technical to the types of boats and sailing used through the book. While it was originally confusing, you did get used to it as you dive in further!

Those who have read the author's previous books will also be happy for the environmental connection and focus. The weather and sea are very much prominent players in the book, giving the whole atmosphere an extra oomph and each moment more prominence.

After the first couple chapters, I was fully immersed in Fable and not only am I excited for it's release into the world, but for its sequel, Namesake!

I have been an Adrienne Young fan for a bit, and Fable is another solid book on her roster. While the characters weren't my favorite, Fable herself least among them, the adventure and worldbuilding were nicely done. I'm a bit peeved that its a cliffhanger ending.

As I said, the characters are the weakest part. Fable never felt three-dimensional to me, and West wasn't much better. Willa was the flippin best. That being said, Fable was *good enough,* but Sky in the Deep had such a good protagonist, this was a bit of a let down.

The adventure, as benefits a pirate story, zips along. Sometimes a little too fast for me, but the action scenes were all so well written, I'll forgive the pacing. The worldbuilding was well done as well. I hope the finished book has a map...that would help, but even without it, the waters and cities of the world Young creates are richly imagined.

Ooooh, the blurb hooked me and I had to read it ASAP! Breathtaking adventure, engaging romantic arc, and well-paced. Looking forward to recommend this!

I kept seeing this cover floating around and yes it a very stunning cover. Especially with that ship floating in her eye. What sold it is the reading the author did on instagram of chapter one. A tease that sold it, in fact i sent in an email that day asking for a advanced reader copy. Now this does not come out tell September so i knew i be waiting a while when low and behold it drops on Netgalley as a read now. I snatched it up right then. I read this book in two days probably would of been one day but life happens.

The main tag line that stands out through the whole novel is a line from Fable Farther that echoes around her. “Fable you were not meant for this world”. That statement can simply mean he wants more his daughter then being on a ship her whole life as you read you see this statement unfold in so many levels. Fable is a Gem Sage something that is in her blood, something she is born with, and something that can mean so much for her future if her cards are played right.

Fable was left by her Farther with a promise to survive and come find him and he give what is hers. What she thinks and what she gets when she comes back to him are two different things. Along the way she might just find love and a family.

If you love descriptive books, details about places you may never see with your own eyes, and a slow burn romance then this book might just fill the bill. Adrienne Young makes this book the perfect escape from reality as long you like water, ships and some magic hidden in a girl who lost her mother and was abandoned by her farther. I loved every minute of the adventure and think you will to. Pick up Fable in September and it sequel Namesake next year in March. Enjoy the ride.

Arghh, this was so good!! I love Young's writing, it's so evocative without being flowery. Her sparse writing and airtight plotting hurtle you through this book at break-neck speed. I couldn't put it down. The world was gritty and savage full of vicious, unscrupulous characters. (Some scenes were downright Dickensian - so vivid!)

Fable is a great character: tenacious and clever and loyal; I especially love the tender places she carves out in her heart and how ferociously she protects them.

My only complaint/regret is that I've read the book this early and now have to wait until next March for the sequel.

*This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. However, I fully intend on ordering a finished copy as soon as they become available if only to communicate to Ms. Young, in the most important of ways ($$), that I'm a big fan of what she's putting out in the universe and encourage her to keep them coming.