I've read all of Ava Reid's books, and Fable for the End of the World is by far my favourite! I loved the two main characters, Inessa and Melinoë, and I liked how they complemented each other, as they were very much each other's opposites. The book's plot was extremely fast-paced from the get-go, and I couldn't put this book down! I liked the light romance, and the character development for both Inessa and Melinoë was very well done. I also liked the somewhat ambiguous ending. I would love to read more from Ava Reid in this world, and I'm excited to read what she writes next! I completely recommend this book :)

I can’t quite reconcile the writing in this book coming from the same mind that wrote Juniper and Thorn and The Wolf and the Woodsman. I know not every book can be a banger. I know not every book is going to match a reader’s tastes (after all, I wasn’t a fan of Lady Macbeth but I could still appreciate the lovely writing style, world building, deliberately bleak narrative, and poetic prose); however, I didn’t think a book about five books in to an impressive and lauded catalog could feel like an underwhelming and underdeveloped YA debut novel.

I almost DNFd this book several times, but I stuck with it because I liked the plot. I liked the story it seemed to keep trying to tell. I kept hoping it would get better or something would happen and I would be wowed. Instead, this book came in mild and left just as mild.

From a first act that takes entirely too much time setting events up and fails to engage the reader in the story, to a sapphic romance that made no sense to me (and that was one of the parts I was looking forward to most), to dialogue so cringey I actually physically cringed, this book just didn’t hit.

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or lower will not appear on my social media. Thank you.

I really enjoyed A Study in Drowning and recently finished a Hunger Games reread. So I was SUPER hype when I discovered Fable was a sapphic, dystopian YA romance! And maybe that is part of the reason it just didn't hit home.

Reid's writing is as beautiful and atmospheric as ever and I really enjoyed the beginning of the book. The plot and world are interesting and Inesa and Mel are compelling.

But once the Gauntlet started, it all kind of fell apart for me. Mel didn't feel like the killing machine she was made out to be and the romance just didn't...do much for me, I guess?

I enjoyed unraveling Mel's memories, but the rest of the book was kind of lackluster and the ending didn't feel earned. If the book itself has been more compelling and I'd cared more about the romance it could have been really powerful. But it just wasn't for me.

All this to say: it's not a bad book but I was hoping for so much more.

Maybe I need to reread Catching Fire to make myself feel better 😅

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this e-arc!

I had very high hopes for this book based on the synopsis and all the amazing things I've heard about other Ava Reid novels, but unfortunately this book just wasn't for me.

I found that the pacing felt rushed in all the places that mattered and I just couldn't seem to form a connection with the main characters.

The story itself had great potential, but in the end my inability to enjoy the characters made the story feel flat and in the end overall unenjoyable. The writing also felt very direct and plain, despite some of the wording and quotes being beautiful.

I'll definitely give Ava Reid another chance, but ultimately this book felt flat and rushed and I'm the end, emotionless.

Fable for the End of the World is one of those books that immediately throws you into the world of its characters. With a premise like this one it can seem daunting, but Ava Reid does it seamlessly. She peels back the layers of the world just enough, adding more details as the story progresses and drawing you in deeper. The world feels lived in and complex and morally grey. There's a lot going on and not all of it is explained at once, but I liked that we learn and grow alongside the characters.
Speaking of the characters, Melinoë and Inesa (and Luka) are great. I loved seeing the layers peeling back on Melinoë as she regains her memory and her agency. I love the anger in these girls and how it fuels them in different ways.
However, what I really wanted out of this book was more. More of the world and the effects of the Gauntlet. More of the angels. More of Luka. I dislike that so much of the story seems to be revealed through extras. On Reid's Instagram there was art of the other Angels, but we barely met them in the story at all. Even Lethe who is part of the story is barely a character at all. It's also disappointing that Luka and Lethe's story is part of a special edition only novella when I feel like it could have really benefitted the story and shed more light on Caerus.
I will say despite the feeling that it arrived too quickly I did really like the ending. I'd be happy with this book as a standalone, but just as happy to see more stories set in this world even if they are told through other characters.

*Actual rating is 4.5 stars*

Fable for the End of the World is described as a sapphic tribute to the Hunger Games, and that is honestly a really good description of the book. The similarities to YA dystopia that essentially kick-started an entire genre are there, but more in a lovable way that encapsulated many of the things I loved with THG without being a thinly-veiled copy.

The characters are honestly what made this story, which is good since the book is told through the first person POVs of the two main characters Inesa and Melinoë. I’m typically not a big fan of multiple first person POVs, but I didn’t have any problem following what chapters were from which person since they had distinct differences between them. It was actually nice to get insight into each girl's thoughts and actions, especially since they are in a cat-and-mouse chase turned uneasy truce turned blossoming romance. I was all for the enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes in this book. Also, the sibling relationship between Inesa and her brother Luka was so well written that it made me sad that we didn’t get that much of it.

This book is a fast-paced YA dystopian that balances a bleak future and sadness with a sense of hopefulness and romance. Like, the ending was a bit of a gut-punch, but I appreciate the story ending on a hopeful note.

FABLE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD is definitely going to be one of my top reads for March. Sapphic romance, the end of the world, capitalism, political unrest, climate change, and so much more collide in this fantastic story of a dystopian world on the brink of collapse, thanks to all of the above. Eerily mirroring so many things happening in our own world, it’s not hard to imagine this is how the world ends.

Unsurprisingly, this book is dark. There are assassination games, which give a bit of The Hunger Games feel, there’s a nuclear wasteland that reminds me of LIFEL1K3, and there’s several other elements that remind me of several more of my favorite dystopian books. Even with having so many familiar and often used tropes, this book still feels very original in a world of dystopian sameness.

Despite the darkness of the overall themes in this book, this one also offers hope in the midst of all the hopeless. I adored Inesa and Melinoë’s enemies-to-lovers relationship and just like everything else in this book, it’s starts off wrapped in darkness and trauma. Their relationship is one of revelations and they have to work hard in order to understand and ultimately accept the other. These two may go down as one of my favorite fictional couples, I loved them that much. All told, a great addition to the YA dystopian fiction world. Pick this one up if you enjoy:

➼ Realistic themes that mirror today’s world
➼ Sapphic romance
➼ Enemies-to-lovers
➼ Feminine rage
➼ Dark, dystopian world
➼ Survival games
➼ Science-y bits and futuristic elements

A soft tribute to The Hunger Games. It was a very quick read for me. Once I picked it up, I was immediately engaged and read it all the way though. This was a dystopian, sapphic romance with some sci-fi themes. I really liked this plot, themes (sensationalised violence, climate change, fascism, and the objectification of women) and world. The characters were well written and for the first time, in very many Ava books that I’ve picked up, not frustratingly limited; it was refreshing. The pacing was noticeably uneven throughout and things lulled in the middle, but I wasn’t too upset about it because the time was used for some relationship development between the characters - although there still wasn’t enough development to fully sell me on their love. The ending was very rushed and jarring, but I do think this left wiggle room for a book two. I would definitely pick it up if it’s written. Overall, a solid story, albeit trying to cover too many topics to be as explosive as it could’ve been, but absolutely worth the read.

Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC provided via NetGalley!

I did like the book and loved that it was a dystopian world. I love Ava Reid’s writing she always writes so beautifully. And the world building is very unique my biggest pet peeve would be how much it reminded me of the hunger games it’s all that was running through my mind. If it wasn’t for that it would of been a five star review

It's not news that Ava Reid is a gloriously talented writer. I have loved all of her books, and FABLE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD is no exception. What I have really come to appreciate about Reid's work is how different all of her books are. She is talented enough to switch between genres and subgenres and mix them up if she wants to. LADY MACBETH was as much historical fiction as it was fantasy. A STUDY IN DROWNING was a stellar mix of fantasy and horror. FABLE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD is, as she has explained herself, an homage to the dystopian YA books of her youth, like HUNGER GAMES. I see what she means, but I personally preferred FABLE to anything Suzanne Collins has written! Blasphemy, perhaps, but it's true: I was so invested in Mel and Inesa's story and was lovingly horrified by the world they lived in. It was gruesome and invasive, and it made me feel like I needed to take a shower after reading it a few of the gauntlet chapters. Mel and Inesa's romance was sweet, and I like that Reid generally opts for an open ending. Given that hope is the overall theme of the book, I can only have faith that things will work out for everyone involved long after we've all closed our books.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this lovely book in exchange for my honest review. It's one of my top reads of 2025, that's for sure.

I am a disciple of Ava Reid's writing, and she remains an auto-buy author for me. With Fable for the End of the World, I found myself torn between my love for Reid’s immersive storytelling and a lingering sense of missed potential.

As expected, Reid's writing is captivating, with world-building that feels dark, angry, saturated, and constantly damp. The imagery of a world slowly drowning was both vivid and haunting. The inclusion of sharp social commentary on capitalism, AI, socioeconomics, and climate change felt relevant and timely, adding layers of depth to the story.

The family dynamics in this novel were a standout element. The relationship between Inesa and her brother, Luke, was tender and authentic. Luke’s devotion added warmth and stability to the story, making their bond one of the most engaging aspects of the narrative. In contrast, the dynamic between Inesa and her mother was heartbreaking. The palpable narcissism and the mother’s heinous choices created an intense and visceral portrayal of betrayal and emotional abuse. I truly felt the raw heartbreak of Inesa as she navigated the complexities of love and devastation within her own family.

Unfortunately, while the family relationships were richly developed, the romance between Inesa and Mel fell short. What should have been a spectacular, slow-burn love story instead felt rushed, underdeveloped, and, at times, confusing. The abrupt transition from a hunter/hunted dynamic to a "devoted for life" relationship left me struggling to connect the dots. There was so much potential for a powerful romantic arc, but it ultimately missed the mark.

Additionally, while I appreciated Reid's acknowledgment of The Hunger Games as an influence, I often found myself comparing the two stories. Instead of enhancing my experience, these comparisons repeatedly pulled me out of the narrative, preventing me from fully immersing myself in Reid’s world. I desperately wanted to lose myself in this story, but the constant comparisons made it difficult to stay in the moment.

If you're a die-hard Ava Reid fan, love The Hunger Games, and are prepared to overlook some of the book’s shortcomings, you may still enjoy this read. For me, while I continue to adore Reid's voice and vision, this novel ultimately felt like a missed opportunity for a truly remarkable story.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for allowing me to enjoy this advanced copy. The opinions expressed here are a representation of my experience with this read.

This made me love Ava again/as much as I did after A Study in Drowning!!!

Mainly YA Dystopian, it does still have a sapphic romance sub plot but I hesitate to say that the whole book classifies as romance. I really love the way the world is presented and described. I was able to visualize it perfectly and how it would just be wet and dreary with weirdo animals. The comparison to Hungary Games is appropriate but I also think it is important to say that it is definitely different. When a person is put forth as the "Lamb" in the "Gauntlet" it is just them versus the "Angel" hunting them. It isn't a large group every year, rather one person at a time whenever the evil corporate overlords demand. I enjoyed the way it talked about capitalism and debt, environmental decline, war, and family.

The only thing that didn't vibe with me was the ending but I understand why it had to be left kind of open ended. These are two young girls who have a lot ahead of them and we as the reader can imagine what that might be.

This book made me both anxious (I could definitely see this dystopia happening in real life) and also strangely hopeful? I enjoyed the writing and definitely hated what happens to the main characters, but ultimately I couldn't finish this book because it felt too bleak to me and I just, I am not in the right headspace to finish this book with all that's going on.

Dystopian genre is back and done right! 😭
I knew I loved Ava Reid's writing for a reason and this book only solidified my belief.
What a haunting tale and how frighteningly close it is to reality; I am still not over the grave words the author put on paper and how much they resemble the fears and views I have for our current state of the world.
What a sick and twisted world these characters live in, how ugly its creation done by a single "mind", a corporation, Caerus, that controls every aspect of their lives.
I knew Inesa would be part of the "hunt", but seeing the way that happened, how her mother behaved, made me so very angry; luckily, Inesa's brother did understand the importance of family, I loved reading their interaction ❤️
The themes included in the book, the worldbuilding and storytelling are beautifully done, but what kept me intrigued was the relationship between Inesa and Melinoë. Both of them hurting and enveloped in traumatic experiences, both of them eager to know what awaits them beyond their "accepted" world 🖤
I loved the goodness of Inesa and her ideals, how she wished and hoped even though she felt helpless at times. Melinoë, ah sweet child of dreadful memories and cold moments, how I loved her POVs and the insights offered on her heart and mind 🥹
If you love a fast paced narrative, a dytopian world with a sapphic enemies to lovers story where you can get inside the head and heart of two beautifully written characters, this is the book for you.

RATING: 2.75/5 STARS

Have I... outgrown the classic dystopian YA novel? Because Fable for the End of the World had the elements of a hit but didn't grab me like its predecessors The Hunger Games and Divergent did.

This book gave me such Hunger Games vibes! I was feeling the same type of excitement reading Fable for the End of the World. The biggest difference is that it’s more sci-fi and features a sapphic romance.

I think this book works as a standalone but I definitely would not have minded if it was drawn out a little more into a duology-- this dystopian world is really interesting!

I liked the dual first person POV -- I don't think the love story would work if it was only told from one perspective. But with that being said, I don't understand how Inesa and Melinoe fell in love with each other so quickly.

Stars 4

I’m still reeling.

This beginning was a little slow. It took me 10-20% to get hooked, and that’s fine. I was a little turned off initially because the MC is a taxidermist, and the opening scene is her being asked to taxidermy someone’s dead child… who they killed.

I pushed past that.

The obvious one: it makes no sense that you can donate your child to pay for your debts. I figured you just have to suspend disbelief sometimes, so that’s okay.

The timeline was weird. How long had it been since the last gauntlet? The opening scene made it seem like it had only been two days, but it had clearly been a month or more. And then later, it was unclear how many nights were spent where. I forgave that.

The two MCs were too closely matched. There should have been no competition… there was competition.

Without going too far into spoiler territory, there was complaint after complaint that I GLEEFULLY ignored because I was having so much fun in the story… and then the ending.

Ooo boy.

50% of the way in, 75% of the way in, 95% of the way in, I was writing my review in my head. Each time it started out with some variant of “I didn’t think I would love this book, but it gets an easy five stars…”

And then I turn the page, and the acknowledgments pop up, and I realize that was the end, and suddenly all my complaints have a lot more weight.

Because the ending sucked. It felt cheap and empty. As another review said, it’s unclear whether she’s going for tragic uncertainty or setting up for a sequel… and I just felt disappointment.

Reflecting on the book, it feels rushed. The plot points weren’t well crafted. The world wasn’t fleshed out. The ending was the “obvious” ending.

This is it for Ava Reid. I felt like I hadn’t given her a real chance before this, and I was excited to give her a real unbiased chance. I went into this book very excited, and I wanted to like it, and I did… until the end and it all fell apart. The whole book felt rushed. Not that the events were rush, but the author didn’t spend enough time planning and drafting and editing. I’m not interested in another one.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and HarperCollins Children's Books for this advanced copy! You can pick up Fable for the End of the World on March 4, 2025.

I didn't expect to get immediately sucked into this all-too-real dystopian story (though I should've known better given Ava Reid's excellent writing). But both Inesa and Melinoë were compelling, viscerally real, and relatable characters. Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, both girls struggled with feelings of powerlessness, lack of control, and helplessness in the face of a greater authority. Caerus (and its Angel program director, Azrael) were scarily accurate antagonists. Often, even when you know whose boot is on your neck, it's easy to believe their lies and platitudes that at least they cleaned their boots before stomping on you.

I also found myself really moved by Reid's themes of community and isolation. So many times Inesa hammers home how uncommon it is to thank people or express gratitude because you're in their debt now. To us, that idea sounds outrageous, but that's how governments and corporations like Caerus overtake the common people. They divide us and create social norms that encourage isolation and "every man for himself."

But I digress. Overall, the story moved really well, and I was just as intrigued by the Gauntlet as the millions of subscribers and live streamers (how easy it is to view blood sport as entertainment). Reid did an excellent job depicting their hunter/hunted dynamic and flipping it on its head. My one issue is that the transition from enemies to lovers happened a bit too quickly, and I really wish their romance had been a bit more slowburn and built up over another book.

And that leads to my only other complaint: the ending. I understand how open-ended stories can send a message, but given all the things that happened up until the last page, I needed some kind of reassurance that everything would turn out alright for our protagonists. I even would have been fine with it if I KNEW that Reid would pursue the storyline they set up at the very end. But leaving us dangling like that just felt cruel and incomplete, so I had to lower my rating a tad.

All in all though, this is a beautiful ode to the Hunger Games but with a unique, relatable world and sapphic romance. I'd really recommend it!

Ava Reid created a bleak dystopian world reminiscent of the hunger games, and the last of us, with the post apocalyptic vibes of the maze runner series, and mortal engines. In a world where everything costs you and all debt belongs to the corporation running their world. The gauntlet is a way to pay off your debt, at the cost of a life, a human vs the enhanced cyborg-esque Angels. Is it possible to beat the system.
The story was everything I’ve loved about the YA dystopians I grew up in, with a sapphic twist, and shadows of warning that echo our current world. The dystopian feelings that hope just might be the most powerfully and most terrifying thing to possess if you want to do more than just survive.

I genuinely adored this book so much, my only complaint is I felt the ending was a little rushed and didn’t do justice to the characters story ARCs.

I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

Thank you to the publisher Harper and Netgalley for the digital arc. This did not affect my review in anyway!

4.5 stars! -- We follow Inesa, a girl living in a small, drowning town who is picked to undergo a televised fight to the death to clear off a debt. Her opponent in the Gauntlet, Melinoë, has been lethally trained and artificially crafted to become an Angel, or the Caerus corporation's assassin. But what happens when this Lamb meets this Angel?

This book is incredibly timely. I felt the influences from other YA dystopian book series like The Hunger Games and cherished those thematic elements. Ava Reid is one of my favorite authors for a reason: she pushes the envelope with her fiction to reveal something about our society and behaviors, just packaged in a fantasy or dystopian setting. I personally saw this as a love letter to The Hunger Games during a time when dystopian fiction is once again on the rise (for obvious reasons).

The tone of this book is bleak, yet hopeful. Inesa has agency, even though her situation is dire. Melinoë has the appearance of agency, yet is now struggling to ensure her life is on her own terms after being treated like an automaton. The theme of the two feeling like they can achieve more together is evident in Reid's prose and quotes. I loved that this world was partially made the dystopian nightmare it is by climate change and debt-collection, because these parallels are evident in the world as I know it. The cultural impact of YA dystopian literature cannot be overstated and I think this book is quite a fine addition to it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and think that it will shape young readers like The Hunger Games did. It is out now in the world now and I recommend giving it a read if you're into female rage, queer love, and taking down dystopian governments.