*This review is based on an uncorrected proof copy provided by the publisher.*

4/5 stars

Following the events of Fable, Namesake finds us on the deck of the Luna. Fable has been kidnapped by Zola, an enemy of her father and her crew, the crew of the Marigold. Separated from her new family, Fable vows to do everything in her power to escape. Fable is forced to dredge the ocean for an impossible amount of gems. Zola is seeking a deal with Holland, the fiercest gem trader on the Unnamed Sea. What Fable finds when they make port in Bastian will change her life, and the lives of West and the Marigold crew, forever.

The conclusion to Adrienne Young's duology puts readers through a different sort of adventure than the first book, Fable. While dredging, ships, and swashbuckling are still part of the story, Fable and her family are now thrust into the world of trading politics. They are forced into the middle of an ongoing dispute between the Trade Councils of the Unnamed Sea and the Narrows, and the fate of both lie in the balance.

Young continues to impress with her character development and evocative writing. The imagery and setting of the story are only broadened in this second book, expanding on what worked best in Fable. We are able to get further into Fable's head and understand what makes her tick, what scares her, and what motivates her. Readers will enjoy the dynamics between the different trading factions, and root for Fable and her crew to find a solution that saves them all.

While Namesake is an excellent book, I did feel that it was a little anticlimactic from the action and pacing of Fable. The introduction of more elaborate politics does seem to slow the book down in the middle, and I found myself missing the interactions between Fable and the Marigold crew. I did enjoy the expansion of the lore and mythos of the world, but.I found myself wanting more. The final political twist does not seem wholly earned, and I would be interested to read a final copy of this book to see if the plot is fleshed out a bit more in that section.

Readers of the first book will be excited to conclude Fable's adventures so soon. Young appears to leave herself room to return to the world of the Narrows, and I would be excited to read more stories set in this world. Overall, a fun duology with a fast pace, enthralling characters, and a world worth coming back to.

This book picks up exactly where Fable left us, on the deck of a boat with someone we thought was dead and in the hands of someone we are sure is going to kill Fable when he has a chance.

It was a racing adventure filled with twists and unexpected revelations. I loved the continuation of Fable’s story and more details on her past and the past of those closest to her.

I throughly enjoyed this book!

A satisfying end to a duology that makes me wonder why both books were released as arcs so early.

“Namesake” picks up where book one left off with Fable in the hands of those who wish to bring about the downfall of her father and control the seas but with someone from her mother’s past as the front runner, Fable must decide where her loyalties lie and just how far she’s willing to go to protect what she wants most.

While I think Fable was stronger with developing the dynamics of the sea and those who call it home giving us the fun pirate like adventure story, this book does a good job of expanding on the world of the traders themselves and providing answers to all the secrets that Isolde has left behind with her passing. Seeing the layers to her story as each new secret is revealed only makes the pay off that much better.

That being said I wish we had more time with those we met in book one. While I understand that they needed to shift focus in order to build up the threat it was sad to spend so little time with the characters I had fallen in love with in favor of the chess game like politics.

I think this is a strong duology that managed to tie up the lose ends without feeling cheated and the overall message of family whether it is found or made is a powerful one.

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

This duology is in a league of its own.

Once again, AY's writing has transported me straight into my fantasy of living a stolen life on the open seas with the salty wind in my hair and a map in my hand, with a loyal crew by my side and the unknown on the horizon.

This sequel is just as daring, just as adventurous, and just as swashbuckling. I do kind of wish this second half was just combined with the first book - I think it would have balanced out nicely to just have been one longer story, as I noticed there isn't as much world-building or character development in this sequel (specifically the side characters). It's very plot focused, but it's so fast-paced that it's easy to overlook everything else.

But I absolutely love how this story is resolved. It has a perfect beginning with ‘Fable’ and ‘Namesake’ gives it a perfect ending.

A satisfying conclusion to the duology! Adrienne Young wows with her lyrical writing and multifaceted characters.

This book was so so good !! I really enjoyed it! So thank you NetGalley and the publisher for ARC! It was so nice to be back with Fable and the crew!

The nice thing about this book is that it picks up right where the first left over. SO there is no lose ends and you are not question what happened to the characters in between the books. This book deals with a different aspect of the Pirating… well Merchant traders, which was intriguing for sure. The thing I liked a lot about this series is that is gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes through both books and I really enjoyed that!

The characters created here are complex and involve so many different layers that you cannot classify them as black or white. The author does a really good job with her characters and she definitely changed my opinion on one or two them as the story progressed, which doesn’t usually happen, so I applauded her for that!! I really loved that Fables main focus was not just falling in love, but it was about truly finding a place that she can call home, and having that home be a safe place where she can thrive and grow as a person.

The ending of this series was beautiful!! When the twist happen , I was shocked! And I was excited !! It was just so beautifully crafted and it made me so happy as a reader! Although I always want more story , I am happy to let go of the characters! Such a great book ! Highly recommend it to anyone!

#Namesake
First let me say that Adrienne Young has such a unique writing voice for her characters. I get so swept away in her novels. I adore the writing so much versus other young adult fantasy writers. I have read Fable and I must say Namesake is my favorite of the duology. It has a epic feel that pulls you in and doesn't let go. I believe there are some gaps from book to book, but not enough to keep the reader at bay.

I requested this book on Netgalley immediately after finishing FABLE and knowing I needed more of this story. Fortunately my request was quickly approved, and I then dropped everything so I could read NAMESAKE.

This book flowed effortlessly as a continuation on FABLE, picking up right where the first book left off, and continuing to provide the beautiful imagery and exciting adventure that I originally fell in love with. NAMESAKE really expands on the characters we originally met, and we dive deeper (haha ocean pun) into their backstories and motivations. There were some twists I did not see coming and I stayed up until 2am to see how things would turn out.

I absolutely adored this book from the very first page until the very last. It had even more high stakes adventure, more mystery, more pirates, more ocean, more betrayals, and more love.

And although we do get closure in this book, I would absolutely love to read more stories that take place in this world.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this eARC!!!! It was amazing to be able to read it right after Fable which I loved!
Adrienne Young is so talented and I look forward to reading more of her books.

I think my students will love this book and will not hesitate to recommend this series. Fable is such a strong protagonist and I think readers will really connect to her and her story. I loved the secondary character relationships and the overall setting and plotline were excellent. I was enamored with this book and can't wait to share it with students.

I enjoyed this book so much. The adventure and story telling was done beautiful. I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t wait to have the book in my store, and add it to my endcap display!

Thank you so much Net-galley for this ARC!!!! I have to start by saying that Adrienne Young is so stinking reliable AND I love it.

Let me explain. I KNOW that if I put one of her books in the hands of a patron, they are going to enjoy it period. She is THAT good at writing AND story telling.

This book is no exception to her talent. Fable is such a great main character that I just can't say enough about her. But you throw in the relationships with those around her, ie. West, Paj, Hamish, etc... you just have such a great STORY.

I loved everything about this seafaring adventure. I was engrossed and in love!

Namesake is a beautiful conclusion to Fable. In Namesake you get to see all the characters grow is such a perfect way. The descriptions again are beautiful and I loved diving below the sea with Fable again. In this book we follow Fable as she tries to find her way back to the Marigold through knew alliances, old and new enemies, all while we don’t know who will come through to help her. I didn’t want this book to end.

I love love loved this book!! I could not wait to continue on with this series and it did not disappoint. I read it in one night because it was that good. I highly recommend this series and author you will not be disappointed.

The second novel of this duology is as good as the first. Namesake offers a visual, sweeping tale that builds upon this cutthroat world of trade and custom to which readers were introduced. Intricate schemes and plots to secure power and monopolize trading are the main driving forces sustaining this tale. The main characters find themselves thrown into the midst, needing to form and strategize their own plan, as well as forge alliances with potential foes in order to stay afloat. Everyone plays their cards well; some readers might find themselves guessing outcomes to the very end. Readers may also enjoy the final trump card at the story’s conclusion…the promise of a boon that might offer the main characters an advantage, if faced with a potential challenge, threat, or other such eventuality. This addition helps create a strong and fulfilling conclusion to the series.

With the new adventures and plots introduced in Namesake, Adrienne Young doesn’t forget to support and develop the themes she introduced in Fable. Underlying all of the artful designs is the continued theme of seeking a sense of belonging that’s long been lost. Young explores this theme across her broad cast of characters in varying ways, allowing readers to recognize the characters’ attempts in working towards finding a sense of peace and acceptance—however it comes.

This series was well done. I look forward to reading future works by this author.