Rating 5

Loved. Loved. Loved this book. “Fable” by Adrienne Young is a must read. I recommend going into this book with little information as it will keep you guessing even more. From the first few pages I became obsessed with this story. I needed more and could not put it down. This book consumed me. Whenever I wasn’t reading “Fable” I was thinking about it. My problem was not wanting it to be over but craving to know what was going to happen. The main character Fable was perfect. She was forced to grow up early due to the situation she was dropped into and it made her independent. What I liked was she was independent but still showed she was vulnerable by the way she expressed herself. I found her emotions to be realistic and not once did she ever whine or complain which I liked. The character relationships felt easy and not forced. The characters who came across standoffish or uninterested added to the story and made you wonder why they were that way. Overall, this book was amazing. Truly one of my favorites and a book I will definitely reread when the next one gets released. This book was a first from this author for me but I have already ordered two other books she has written and am looking forward to reading those as well!

Should you read “Fable”?
Heck yes! This book was action packed, fast paced, and had phenomenal world building. The reader feels as though they are right beside Fable and every decision she makes will affect them too.

**Received an advanced copy through NetGalley in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

I was SUPER excited when I was approved for this ebook. Because PIRATES (sort of)! I have NOT read Adrienne Young's first two books yet, because... ~never-ending tbr problems~

Fable was, in one word, dull. Nothing happens in this book... like, quite literally, nothing. There are a handful of moments that I assume are meant to be heart-pounding but the stakes never seem high enough. The characters are flat as a board. Fable is the only character with any depth, but she's also the POV character.

The other main characters are members of a ship crew. There are two that are from the slums... but that's most of what we learn about them. There are two that are from a distant (more financially secure land). The only other detail we know about them is that they are an interracial gay couple. Which is VERY COOL but... tell me more? There's also another dude... don't even remember his name. We know nothing about him except he likes to count supplies (both his job and his ~passion~). I can't help but feel like he's set for imminent death in book two, but I digress.

This book is for you if you love to read tedious passages about sailing. I can't remember the last time I had to use my kindle dictionary so many times... There is a LOT about the mechanics of sailing, the parts of the ship, the roles of various crew members, etc. I'm sure that's someones cup of tea, but I found it dull.

I can't help but feel like I just read a Part One of a book... There was basically no action and basically no romance until the very end. And I mean, the END. We are talking 90% finished with the book, people. I wasn't even intrigued by the dimensionless characters and flat dialogue. (I can get through ANYTHING if there's witty dialogue or I have a ~ship~)

The only reason I am giving this book 3 stars versus 2 is BECAUSE, I suspect book two might salvage this. Nothing happened in this book, so it's all going to happen in book two, right? RIGHT??

This novel is marketed for a YA audience but has the appeal to cross over into adult. The characters face tremendous odds and pull themselves out of horrible situations in order to make their own way in the world, making them much more mature in how they approach life. The heroine is quirky, independent and fierce. The hero can be secretive, is full of morals, loyal and a person you definitely want in your corner. Ms. Young's writing style is accessible and delightful, allowing the reader to jump into the story and keep going page after page - I couldn't put it down. The rest of the cast hits all the buttons of what you might be searching for in relatable characters and the author describes the setting as beautifully or darkly as needed to create a picture in the reader's mind. As a scuba diver I loved the underwater descriptions done by the author, they rang true to what I have personally seen, except for the treasures of course! I have read Sky in the Deep, and now want to read The Girl the Sea Gave Back, but I will be waiting excitedly for the sequel to Fable! The cliffhanger at the end has me wanting the next book now!

This was such an interesting and unique concept for me, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set almost entirely at sea/on a boat before and I absolutely loved it!
I really enjoyed how angsty it was, I loved the characters and the dynamics of the crew of the Marigold.
But my gosh, that ending. What am I going to do with myself until book 2?

In this thrilling adventure by Adrienne Young we follow a girl named Fable. She is dropped off on a sketchy island by her father and has to fight to survive in hopes to make it back to him to get what she is owed. Through many turns and twists of fate we see her on her adventure and the potential she holds.

*Review on my blog to come*

For fans of pirates, the ocean, and action this is the book for you! It started off with a bang and never really stopped! I cannot wait for the next installment!
Fable is left abandoned on a island of cut-throats 4 years ago by the one person should should be able to trust and left to fend for herself. After a mix up with some thrives and an attempt to steal her small collection of coppers she joins a small trading boat to take her back to her father’s home so she can prove her worthiness to join his trading operation.
I loved her ability to identify real gems from fakes, I hope this takes on a bigger role in the second installment.
I feel like her free diving skills are realistic, and I liked the descriptions of what it is like to be underwater.

I really loved this book! i enjoy books when they are told from different perspectives and interesting characters. I'm definitely recommending this book to anyone who would listen! Thanks for letting me look at it before it was released!

THAT ENDING!!! I already need book two!!! This was an amazing book! I absolutely adored Fable and the crew of the Marigold. Fable was a strong protagonist and I couldn’t get enough of her. The story was exciting and I found myself so engrossed in every turn. It was so beautifully weaved and I couldn’t recommend this book more. The relationship between Fable and Saint was interesting and I really hope there’s more of it in the sequel. Also the romance story? Yes please. This is a great sea adventure book with romance, survival, and bonding. A five star read from me.
*thank you netgalley for sending me an arc*

Determined. Indomitable. Fable.

Adrienne Young delights readers with yet another powerfully written narrative featuring a strong female protagonist. Both refreshing and tantalizing, Fable successfully walks a knife's edge, creating dynamic characters and a plot that doesn't quit! Whether you're a pirate at heart or prefer to watch the waters for your ship to come in, Fable promises to stir your sense of adventure.

Fable grew up on the Lark -- her father's trading ship -- until it sank, leaving her motherless. When her father abandons thirteen-year-old Fable alone on an island with one command -- find a way off this island -- Fable is consumed with more than survival. Free diving for years and repeating her father's "rules" relentlessly, Fable survives to earn enough for passage to find her father and claim what is hers. However, she soon finds more than she bargained for -- adversity, adventure and family.

Fable is an amazing tale about a young girl trying to prove herself to her father, and along the way, realising that maybe her father is the one that must prove himself, not her.

I enjoyed this immensely, although at parts it became a bit boring.

Fable feels so deliciously YA to me. We have a girl seeking to find her place in the world and we are pulled into the adventure along the way. What more is there to a coming of age tale?

I think my favorite thing about Adrienne's writing is the atmosphere she invokes. I felt taken away to this world of oceans and sea ports. However it was the characters that sell this story to me.

The relationships are atypical. The crew of the Marigold all are developed pieces of a puzzle. I loved untangling their relationships, and if I'm honest, I had expected there to be a bit more drama between them all, instead I found myself with a true found family situation. At least for now.

I also appreciate that this story seems aware of the readers intelligence. A few of the things I had expected to be revealed were revealed, but much quicker than I expected and then pushed further. I appreciated that in the plot very much. It is what ultimately kept me reading and able to finish this book in one day.

I would recommend this for fans of Makiia Lucier's atmospheric fantasies, or those who enjoy heroines ala Marie Lu and Merissa Meyer.

Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this arc.
"You weren't made for this world, Fable"
First, this cover is absolutely gorgeous and I'm usually not keen on faces on a cover.
I liked the author's writing, she seems to master storytelling and it made me want to read another book from her, and the main plot was well-constructed. I really enjoy a good seafaring story and this one had a neat sea atmosphere, and was well-paced ! I loved every time Fable mentioned the love between her father and her mother, I was really invested in that. However, I felt like the characters lacked development throughout the book, and it seems that despite their rules they trusted each other way too fast, and the romance, well I felt it coming but still it was not necessary, at least not in the way it was brought up. I hope they will have more depths in the second book. Also, I felt like nothing was really unexpected and I wished I feared more for them since there is always a danger everywhere.
Nevertheless, I had a good time and I'd definitely recommend it. I honestly can't wait for the second book thanks to (or maybe because of ;) ) the ending !

This was an excellent novel and I look forward to the sequel. This YA fantasy is about traders (who have the qualities of pirates) in a world that values trading companies and where they are licensed and controlled but given the option to treat their crews as they see fit. Life on the Narrows is very much a pirating society endorsed by local government.

I enjoyed the writing style, and the vivid descriptions and characters helped me imagine the scene. I loved that you can't be entirely sure who the villain is (or if there are many), and found the cliffhanger maddening (in a great way, but I wish I could start the next book).

I would recommend this to students my grade 6-9 class. The language is mostly appropriate (none of the four-letter words that I avoid when recommending things), and the content is interesting and will definitely appeal to many youth. The main character is about 17-18 years old, so that worried me a little, but was very personable and easy to like. Any inappropriate romantic scenes (for teens) were very glossed over and clearly not the focus of the story, which I found refreshing.

5/5 stars.

So, sooo good! I could not put this book down. Fable has been abandoned on the island of Jeval - an island of thieves. She has one goal: save enough coppers to buy passage off the island and find Saint and become a member of his crew. As a dredger, she dives down to the ocean floor searching for valuables, like pyre, to trade. When the time comes, she enlists the help of West, a faithful buyer of her pyre for years, to escape the island seek out Satin and the town of Ceros.

This was such a fun read and I am so pumped to read the next book! Loved the characters, loved the unfolding plot. Well written and a super fun adventure novel.

For clarification, this is a SOLID 4.5 / 5
(I will return to write a more thought out review, but here were some immediate thoughts)
+ Great characterization
+ Again, I loved the characters. Adrienne is a master at this kind of stuff. She built amazing characters on a thrilling adventure.
+ I loved the settings - from the boats, to the port cities, to being underwater
+ The tension was done really well, I was holding my breath through some parts
+ I don't know how I feel about the romantic aspect of this yet. It was almost an after thought thrown in. I was enjoying the direction it was going RIGHT UNTIL the big romantic moment. It wasn't believable? I'll elaborate on this later. I'm very on the fence about this haha
+ I'm just gonna say it - the ending was off. Not bad, just off. I thought it was a little predictable - and I didn't knock this story too much for this because I'm seeing this 'ending' pattern so much lately with plotting. I'll also elaborate on this later.
+ We know this is the first book and will have a second, so there is obviously a cliff hanger. And book two won't be a companion, like Adrienne's other books, I am hoping it will immediately follow events of the first book.
+ Please PLEASE let there be an epilogue in the finished book. This needed one last - something.
+ I have so many other thoughts but I need to stop now so I can process - but seriously this was an excellent book and I'm thrilled to have received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Well done to the author on this story - while I loved Sky in the Deep Adrienne has found her stride writing about this type of setting.

“And now this storm was going to make us pay for it.”

This was the first book I’ve ever read by this author and all I keep thinking is WHY AM I SO LATE TO THE PARTY? And this cover is absolutely beautiful!

Not only was the writing incredible but the world building was brilliantly done. I actually felt as if I was sailing the Sea’s.

I loved Fable and I’m so glad I did. Usually when there’s a strong, bad ass MC I find things I don’t quite like about them(like their constant need to remind us they don’t need anyone) but nope. I loved her!

This book had plenty of intense moments, and was raw and brutal in the best way if you ask me. (Nothing bad, this book is YA)

My next book haul order will definitely include other books from this author and I highly recommend everyone read this book upon release!
5/5 🌟’s

5 stars. I absolutely adored this book.

It was the high stakes sea adventure I didn't know I needed. Adrienne Young weaves together story and character so intricately every twist and turn has you reeling and begging for more.

Fable is a young girl who has been marooned on an island by her father, a notorious trader named Saint, after a shipwreck claims the life of he mother. Saint makes a deal with his daughter, survive long enough to get off this island and make your way back to me and I will give you what you are owed. Four years pass and her father's parting words are all that fuel Fable's vengeful desire. When Fable runs into trouble with a local islander, she is forced to make a deal with a ragtag group of sailors for safe passage to The Narrows port city, to finally reunite with her father. But this crew of misfits is not what they seem and on their journey, Fable begins to unravel their stories as they begin to unravel hers, forming a bond that neither expected.

Thank you so much to netgalley for granting my wish to read fable!

Y’all, I started and finished this book in one day. It was fan-freaking-tastic! I usually go after stories with more romance, but the amount of romance in this book was perfect! I’ve read and loved all of Adrienne Young’s books and this one is the best to date! I cannot wait until the sequel so I can dive back into the world of Fable and her seafaring mates!

*I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review*
This book was just not to my taste at all. I expected it to be a little more interesting given the previous books by this author but was sadly disappointed.

Wow, this book truly blew me away. From the first chapter, I was drawn into Fable's story and her world. As a character, she is both compelling and flawed, and her character arc is clear and believable. I appreciate how real she is, in not only the backstory created, but also her inner thoughts and her decisions. All of these worked together to make her a character I wanted to spend time with and root for, even when all hope seemed lost. Additionally, the other characters represented in this story are wonderfully developed, as well as unique and diverse.

The writing is vivid, imaginative, and a perfect balance of descriptive and briskly paced. Throughout the story, the plot was full of twists and turns, with the stakes rising in every chapter. This made me stay up late to keep reading, waiting for what would happen next.

I appreciate the care I can see the author had for this book. On every page, there is a sense of honesty, intentionality, and creativity wrapped up together into a beautiful and heartbreakingly true story.

This is a story for lovers of YA fantasy, but even more, for anyone who has had to fight to be seen and valued.