Wow! This was such a great read. was so gripped by both parts of this story that I feel empty knowing the story is complete. The emotional rollercoaster was amazing in its range. The visuals were breathtaking. The plot thickens, twisty, turning, like rough waters. But these characters. I'm going to miss them with my whole heart. They came to life in a truly spectacular fashion. Fable. She's such the perfect heroine in her real nature. Everyone of the characters had that realness and they all stood out as unique voices. I really look forward to reading more from his author and highly recommend this series.

Finishing the Fable duology left me with dueling emotions churning inside like a choppy sea. I'm captivated by this fantastic story, amazing world and dynamic characters. And yet, I hated reading the last page knowing it was The End. Now I'm mourning the loss of Fable, West, Willow, Saint and the rest of the motley crew I've come to love. Young does an incredible job of weaving everything together and bringing plot lines to a satisfying closure in Namesake. I'm just not ready to give these characters up, and I don't think you'll be either. You MUST read Fable, book one first and avoid all spoilers for both books. If you do, this story will sweep you away like a riptide.

The Fable duology is hands down one of the best young adult fantasy stories I've ever read - that includes both books! Like a siren's song, this tale lured me in with rich, expressive sights, sounds, smells, and oh so many feels. Namesake continues where Fable left off. If you've read Fable, you know that Fable (the protagonist) is blindsided at the end of book one by a notorious foe using her as a pawn in a complex power game. Stormy seas are ahead for Fable as she calls upon her strength and special talents to persevere and survive against all odds. And just when she and readers think she's worked her way through all the deceit and betrayals, a storm of secrets unravel inundating her with more shocking truths. What will Fable have to sacrifice to protect loved ones? Will she lose everything?

Namesake is a majestic tale of courage, power, betrayal, sacrifice, secrets and risking it all for love. The characters are bigger than life - potent and colorful and flawed and real. I want more stories about this heart-stealing cast. The setting and world building are unbelievably good - magnificent, overwhelming, unexpected and ever changing like the sea. Fast paced action drives the story and readers forward as plot lines tangle and twist. I planned to read Namesake over the long weekend . . . talk about famous last words. I started reading page one Friday night and finished the book in the wee hours of Saturday morn. There's no stopping once you begin, my friends. Beware and set some time aside because you won't be able to put this one down. Namesake is an epic tale of survival, sacrifice, and the search for truth - the search for "home". I highly recommend both books - Fable & Namesake to readers everywhere. This is a journey you don't want to miss, my friends.

Hopefully you checked my above disclaimer before reading this review, and if you are here you have already read and LOVED Fable like I did. I didn’t expect to get this eARC for a few more months at least as Namesake comes out in March of 2021. Imagine my pleasant surprise when this beauty popped up on my approved list on Netgalley!

There is something that Adrienne Young and Tricia Levenseller will always have in common for me – their books are ALWAYS one sitting reads. In fact, it is almost five in the morning for me, yet here I sit having devoured Namesake over the course of the last few hours. Something about Adrienne Young’s writing sucks me in and keeps me so captivated that little else matters. She has a gift for writing books that are both beautiful and easy to read.

I was beyond thrilled to see the world expanded upon in this second installment of Young’s newest duology. I was curious about the world established in Fable and am so glad that we as readers get to experience more of it in Namesake. I was also extremely curious about the relationship between Saint and Isolde and feel as though I got much needed information about their tragic love story in this book. We also got the opportunity to study more of Fable’s family ties, including her relationship with Saint. I loved seeing them together and also adored the inclusion of someone else from her past (you’ll see who I mean)

There were a few things that kept this from being a 5 star read for me like Fable was. The main thing that bothered me was the return of a character I HATED in the first book. Not only was this character returned in Namesake, they were redeemed in a way that I felt was a bit too easy. While I’m never opposed to a good redemption arc, I feel that this particular character should’ve had to work harder to receive theirs.

I also found myself annoyed with West throughout the majority of the second half of Namesake. While I understood why he was acting the way he was…for the most part, I wanted to push him into the ocean in the middle of a storm. He somehow went from being one of my newest book boyfriends, to an ex I wasn’t sure I wanted to see again. While he did get better before the book ended, those chapters where he annoyed me will definitely stick in my head.

Overall, while I felt that Fable was the stronger book int his duology, I did end up devouring and really enjoying Namesake. I feel like there is so much more world for Adrienne Young to explore here and genuinely hope that she writes more books set in this universe. Spin offs are always welcome, just saying.

THE NAMESAKE, second and final installment in Adrienne Young's Fable duology, is a nicely-paced, thoughtful, soul-satisfying conclusion to the story begun in FABLE. The story opens with titular heroine Fable in enemy hands, where she is forced to confront the specters of her past as they come to life in real and sometimes mystifying ways. From there, it's a whirlwind of loyalties tested, secrets revealed, and dives attempted -- all against a background of lush, evocative world-building and nuanced character development.

One of the things I admire most about Young's writing is her refusal to cheapen the emotional development of her characters who, while technically teenagers, are living decidedly adult lives. No spoilers here, but the romance between Fable and her partner becomes a study in self-reflection and forgiveness as much as subtle touches and frissons of heat; the message that we cannot hope to love others in pieces, or without first welcoming all our own disparate and sometimes ugly parts, is perhaps the book's biggest takeaway.

FABLE + NAMESAKE is perfect for fans of The Song of the Lioness quartet, the Grisha Trilogy, The Wicked Deep, and of course Young's Sky in the Deep duology.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

❝That first day on the Marigold came rushing back to me, standing in the passageway with my hand pressed to the crest on the door. I had been a stranger in that place , but I’d come to belong there. And now everything within me ached for it. A flash of heat lit beneath my skin, the sting of tears gathering in my eyes. Because I’d been a fool. I’d let myself believe, even if it was just for a moment, that I was safe. That I’d found a home and a family. And in the time it took to draw a single breath, it was all torn away.❞

We begin where 'Fable' leaves off—our daring heroine being taken by Zola and Clove, a previous Lark mate whose ‘betrayal’ was unfathomable, and forced to become a dredger to the Luna where the crew is journeying to the Unnamed Sea empty handed. That freedom that she once experienced when the Marigold was free of her father, Saint, is short-lived when she becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems. Barreling through betrayal, deception, and the secrets that her mother, Isolde, kept well guarded years prior to her death, Fable must risk everything including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

As we follow Fable through the emotional journey back home I have come to realize that the first appearances can deceive many and when the story unfolds, as the reader we get a better understanding and insight of the prominent standout characters that include Saint, Zola, Clove and Koy. And that could’ve only happened with the remarkable writing style of the author who, like I stated in my ‘Fable’ review, improved drastically since 'The Girl the Sea Gave Back'. She was able to shed light upon our crew, make the characters so perfectly crafted and authentically vivid—aiding the story to latch on to you and never let you go.

Now keep in mind as much as I rant and rave about this brilliant followup, there is another other side of the coin. There was a lot of build up with Zola and Luna heading to the Unnamed Seas to make amends with Holland. It was short and abrupt when they landed, and left a lot of questions unanswered in regards to the relations to Zola, the bounty on his head and Fable’s mother. I would have loved to have had more insight on his relationship with Isolde and what led her to leave his ship prior to meeting Saint.

Be that as it may, the high expectations I had for 'Namesake' were formed, met and thoroughly exceeded. From the absolutely stunning cover (she’s a beauty!) to the epic conclusion of this YA fantasy, the novel's impact resonates long after you finish it and will be an instant re-read in the very near future.

This was a perfect conclusion to this duology. I am in awe of the character development Adrienne Young was able to achieve in two short books. I’m sad to leave this cast of characters for sure. I know readers will be on the edge of their seats while reading this conclusion while simultaneously swooning and wishing they were on the crew of The Marigold,

OK, y'all! She has done it again! I can't tell you enough how much I have LOVED Fable and her story!! It just has everything, and is so well written! In this second installment, you have more pirate adventures, twists and turns that will leave your jaw wide open, and a good dose of romance!

The ending wrapped it all up perfectly, but man will I miss these characters and their adventures! Is it fair to ask Young to never stop writing about Fable and her gloriously, grungy world?

The first book was better, but I still enjoyed the sequel to this story. Young has a way to enrapture us and make us feel the feelings of her characters, sometimes acutely.

I really loved fable and was excited to be able to read the sequel so soon. I loved a lot of the same things about this book that I loved about Fable: compelling characters, beautiful writing, complex relationships. I will say that some things bothered me a little in this part of the story.

SPOILERS>>>

I felt like Saint's explanation for why he abandoned Fable and left her to barely survive on her own just didn't cut it. I'm fine with them making peace and I get that a child's love for a parent can survive a lot of terrible treatment, but him saying he left her because he was terrified by his love for her just didn't sit right. And in a similar way, West's behavior and the way fable responds to it made me uncomfortable at times. In both of those relationships, I started to feel like Fable was making excuses for their bad treatment of her and inability to communicate and to rationalize and compensate for the imbalances in those relationships in ways that aren't emotionally healthy. I would have liked to see her demand more from the men in her life.

"That first day on the Marigold came rushing back to me, standing in the passageway with my hand pressed to the crest on the door. I had been a stranger in that place, but I'd come to belong there. And now everything within me ached for it." ~ "Namesake"


This sequel did not disappoint! I love every moment of this adventure. Adrienne Young really surpassed herself in terms of plot structure, creation of suspense, and character development. In only the span of two books, the characters in this world have matured so much! I can't believe Fable went from being a young girl trapped on Jeval to a sailing entrepreneur!


Fable is still one of my favorite heroines. She acknowledges her flaws in this book and does her best to overcome them. While most female characters would panic about being captured and hope their boyfriends would save them, Fable uses this time to get to know her captor. I'm glad the kidnapping storyline ended rather quickly - I was ready for Fable to escape like a badass! Clove making an appearance was a wonderful surprise and I liked that Fable had to come to terms with their new relationship. Also, what West did to try and find Fable, oh my gosh!


Fable and West's relationship grows even stronger in "Namesake." At first, it was annoying that they were separated, but that separation only seemed to bring them closer together. I love the practicality of their relationship; they always look after each other and it's an equal partnership. He trusts her instincts and only helps her when she needs it. West is a formidable character in his own right, but I like that he's a constant figure in Fable's life.


As for my critiques, only one aspect of the novel frustrated me. Willa, one of my favorite characters, had a minor role in the plot. I wished we could have seen more of her! She was more present in the previous book. Since she has such a strong and willful personality, her absence was felt. Her background status would have made sense if she hadn't been on board the Marigold, but she was. However, I am very happy with Willa's ending! It feels perfect for her character.


A few more aspects of the book that I enjoyed: the moment West said, "set course for Yuri's Constellation," my heart stopped. That is one committed guy! I love it. Also, when Paj made the joke, "Is there a bastard from here to the Narrows you're not related to?" I almost snorted my coffee. The humor in this novel was on point! Finally, I was shocked at the turn Saint's character takes. Before I saw him as the villain, but now he seems more like an anti-hero.


I'm sad that this epic duology is over now, but I absolutely loved it. It's going up on my list as one of my favorite series of all time. I now have a major book hangover. My heart still resides on the Marigold!

Sometimes you read a book or duology or series that you really just want to live in and this world, the one where Fable lives, is one that I want to visit! I loved the first book and this was exactly what I was hoping for in a sequel; adventure, the seas, high stakes, mystery, intrigue, friendship and passion. I devoured this book and I reread Fable prior to reading Namesake and I"m glad I did because it was fresh in my mind. Fable quickly has become one of my favorite female protagonists. She is fierce and brave and unapologetic. Reading this story was a joy and it went to quickly. I tried to slow down halfway through the book to absorb it even more but the beautiful writing just carries the reader along for the ride with the crew of the Marigold. I hope that Young revisits this world in the future! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Namesake is everything I want in a sequel - higher stakes, expanded world-building, a deeper understanding of characters, and a satisfying ending. I couldn't put Fable down and Namesake was the same. I loved seeing Fable navigate new spaces and untangle new mysteries. It was so satisfying to watch her finally take control of her own life and mold it into something she wanted it to be. I loved the found family aspect of her crew and the way that everyone gets the ending they deserved. This series is one of the best I've read this year and I can't wait to recommend it to my teens!

Why did it have to end!?! I don’t want to give anything away in my review because you really need to experience “Namesake” as you read it but I just have to say that Fable is FIERCE! I absolutely love her! She really can’t catch a break; she’s always having to try and out-strategize everyone and it’s really starting to take its toll. There’s some tension between the crew of the Marigold but everyone’s still along for the ride. We finally get to learn more about Auster and Paj, Willa, and Hamish too!

Lots of questions are answered and the story wraps up perfectly! But seriously, I was actually a little sad when I finished reading because I wasn’t ready to let the characters go!

Adrienne Young concludes the Fable duology with Namesake, another caper on the high seas. Fable thought she had finally found a home with the crew of the Marigold, but before she can let her guard down she is kidnapped by Zola, an unscrupulous trader looking to gain leverage over his competition. His ship is home to more than one unwelcome face from Fable’s past and she must watch her back while unwillingly complying with his demands. Does she dare to involve herself with even more dangerous and powerful traders to escape Zola’s grasp?

I was eager to get my hands on Namesake after reading Fable. What would happen to the scrappy dredger after she was kidnapped by a man determined to destroy the Marigold and her father’s trading empire? Would she be able to reunite with West and the crew of the Marigold? Young doesn’t disappoint, delivering another plot full of danger and surprise twists. Fable must outsmart Zola and her other enemies in an attempt to win the freedom of those she loves. In doing so, she must also learn about her mother’s mysterious past and their shared talent as gem sages. While the first book in this duology introduced us to the world Fable inhabits, Namesake pushes those boundaries further, into the Unnamed Sea.

Finally free of her father and her past, Fable is ready to set sail with the crew of the Marigold when it all falls apart. Fable finds herself aboard Zola's ship, the Luna, quickly sailing away from the man she loves and family she finally found among its crew. Fable quickly discovers she is a pawn in a much bigger scheme involving a partnership with Holland, a powerful gym trader. As more of her families secrets are revealed, she finds herself plunged deeper into betrayal and deceit. Fable will have to follow her heart and risk everything to save the ones she loves.

All the stars!!! This has been one of my favorite series this year and I am so sad that this duology has ended. Namesake is the second novel, and the epic ending, in the Fable saga. Fable discovers more about her families past and the connections that place her as a pawn in a dangerous game. I absolutely love the characters in this novel and I can't believe it's over. I was completely drawn to Fable's character as she is a spirited young woman who has survived more than most and yet still chooses compassion. In this novel we get to see the return of several characters from the first novel as well as the introduction of a new character-Holland. The Fable saga is an epic fantasy you won’t want to miss as a cast of unlikely characters set sail among the high seas to face danger both above and below the ocean's surface...a must read!

*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.