🦌🌲🌫️🗡️🍂🧭

“She grows like ivy on the insides of my eyelids. The roots of her in my rib cage, winding around my heart.”

Thank you to Harper Collin’s for the arc copy!

The premise was so intriguing …a sapphic Hunger Games style live stream cat and mouse game. The “angels” are bionic beautiful humans trained to kill. The “lambs” are family members of people in deep debt sent to the slaughter to repay what they owe. It’s part commentary on unfettered capitalism and environmental destruction and part forbidden love story. But ultimately it fell flat for me. The relationship was very sweet but felt rushed. I would’ve appreciated a few more deep conversations or trials that brought them together before declarations of love.

This book also lacked the beautiful prose I’m used to from Ava Reid. The ending is not satisfying although maybe it’s left open for the possibility of a sequel. There were quite a few plot holes that I was hoping would be resolved. It wasn’t bad by any means but just a bit underwhelming.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fable for the End of the World is basically Hunger Games with a bit of The Uglies and a dash of Fallout. It's set in a dystopian world where you are hunted down for owing debt by bot-like humans designed to fight. 🗡️

I was captivated by the world that was built and I got very video game feels from the atmosphere and dynamics.🌲 I enjoyed the relationship and enemies to lovers situation, even though I knew how they were going to turn out. I liked the two main characters, especially Melinoe, and seeing her growth and struggles with her humanity. 🤖

I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys dystopian type novels.

4.5⭐️

Thank you so much to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book!

I want to start off this review by saying that dystopia is a really tricky genre for me. There are so many ways to mess up stories like this, either by making them too hopeful or too gut wrenching. Basically, I’ve had issues with this genre before, but this book was a beautiful mix of what I’ve seen called “cli-fi” (climate related sci-fi), romance, hope, and the unfortunate knowledge that hope and love doesn’t always persevere.

In a world devastated by climate change, rising oceans, and nuclear fallout, there exists of a world of debt. Everyone owes everyone and as debt numbers tick lower and lower, Caerus comes to collect. Of the most unfortunate ways to repay debt to the capitalistic government is the Gauntlet. Elect someone to be chased down by Caerus’ beautiful and genetically modified Angel’s. When Inesa is put up for the Gauntlet, all she has is her brother and her missing father’s fairytale stories of a land outside of the reaches of Caerus. Despite the Angel’s pursuit, she decides that a life of freedom is one worth fighting for.

This story is perfect in so many ways. I was nervous in the beginning given its length and what I had heard about the content of it, but it worked perfectly. The near distant future and climate issues are real enough to not need extreme world building and explanation and the action is fast paced and deeply emotional.

The characters themselves are also incredibly. Inesa is driven by a compassion that most other people wouldn’t dare acknowledge and would never act on in a world controlled by debt. Luka (her brother), is a driving force behind Inesa’s actions and their relationship is a beautiful one.

Then we have Melinoë. Oh Mel. She is the Angel, taken as a child and raised to be less than human and more than human at the same time. She knows that her body is a killing machine and when she is sent on a Gauntlet, she will win. That is, until she realizes that those living outside the city aren’t the animals she once believed them to be. Her emotions and storyline are so intriguing and uplifting in a way that makes her just as much of a victim of this sadistic world as Inesa is. I loved watching both of them steadily realize that they aren’t all that different.

Their romance was obviously very fast paced, but I feel like it was done well given the circumstances of their relationship. I wish we would’ve gotten more of their hope plainly stated. It was definitely there but it took a back seat and I would’ve liked to see it as a stronger driving force in this story.

Overall, this book was absolutely amazing and probably one of my favorites of Ava Reid. She creates such a unique atmosphere with every single one of her books and this one is no different.

Young adult dystopia is so back! I loved the setup at the beginning and I love the ties to actual politics. The plot was engaging and I was hooked to keep reading. I was anxious for both of the characters and their situations. The romance was a bit rushed but I didn't mind it, and it was a true enemies to lovers arc. I love the conversation on how marginalized groups are pitted against each other and it was a good reminder that Mel wasn't the bad guy but rather the system making her do it. The ending was rushed and I wish Reid would commit to writing a series. I found the ending emotional and I can't wait for more.

Thank you harper Collin’s for the gifted eARC!

This started off SO strong for me, but the last quarter just threw me 😭 but it’s sapphic, dystopian, and enemies to lovers which was iconic 🤌

The world building was extremely well done and so unique! I feel like it’s hard to do a dystopian book like this without basically copying the hunger games, but Ava Reid managed to make something unique!! Also, eat the rich besties.

Inesa is so badass, especially given the life she has! I love that she isn’t especially brave or talented, but she does the absolute best she can and gives her all for her loved ones. I literally felt so bad for her bc she has the shittiest parents ever 😭

Melinoë is such an amazing character!! I loved seeing her thoughts as the “bad guy” and how vulnerable she was on the inside. I do wish her growth had been a bit more gradual rather than a sudden switch!

I really loved the tension between these two! I loved watching them try to ignore the spark 🤭 I do wish we had more development and a bit more gradual of a build up! The ending was very unsatisfying for me!

“So here we are, hating each other, repulsed by each other, both standing to gain from the other’s demise. And yet—I owe her my life. And she owes me hers.”

In dystopian New Amsterdam, a debt to Caerus can be deadly. If you rack up half a million debt credits, you’ll have to sacrifice yourself—or someone you love—to the Gauntlet. Inesa and her younger brother, Luka, have taken care of their hypochondriac mother ever since their father left without a trace. Although they have hardly scraped by in the impoverished county of Esopus Creek, their one unspoken rule is to never rack up debt, which they follow by running a taxidermy shop. Little did they know, their mother had already sponsored Inesa as collateral for her unnecessary medical debts. When Inesa is marked as the Lamb and her televised Gauntlet begins, she must not only survive being hunted by a genetically modified human “Angel” designed to kill but also escape the chemistry between them.

Fable for the End of the World began with a curiously unique storyline that unraveled into an intricate tale of love and survival. In the best possible way, this novel reminded me of The Hunger Games with its high-stakes plot and dystopian setting. Although there are moments and details where it may seem a bit too similar to Suzanne Collins’ series, I didn’t find it to be unoriginal. Reid did a wonderful job of slowly introducing the reader to the New Amsterdam society and incorporating the overwhelming power of Caerus while seamlessly moving the story along. There are many powerful themes within the pages of Fable for the End of the World, and the intricate enemies-to-lovers trope between Inesa and Melinoё made this book impactful to me. Throughout the novel, Melinoё’s internal battle between living with human emotion versus surviving as a man-made weapon is quickly made apparent to the reader, and the way that Reid uses the chemistry between her and Inesa to bring out her humanity is extremely powerful for the overall message of the story. Not only did I find the emotional connections in Fable for the End of the World to be complex and enlightening, but I also found that the unique setting and well-explained intricacies of Caerus, as well as the apparent power struggles in New Amsterdam, make this story an absolute must-read.

This book seems like it was a good Dystopian novel, but I have found this is not MY genre.

I used to like them a lot, but I think since having kids, it has changed my perception of things.

The idea that parents would give up their children to this deadly game of cat and mouse is absolutely HORRIFIC. This felt like a story that was written to showcase the worst of society, yet even hope and love can come in a world destroyed.

I do feel like this was a very believable dystopian though because it shows how hard it would be to survive and to teach yourself what to do. Inesa taught herself taxidermy while her brother mostly taught himself how to hunt. And when the Gauntlet starts, I feel like they were so unprepared and it was such a real thing.

The romance that bloomed was quick, but sweet. It's YA, so while they allude to things happening behind closed doors, nothing was on page.

Read if you like:
-Queer romance
-Dystopian society
-Deadly games

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for an eARC of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Finish date: 2/27/25, Release date: 3/4/25

Fable for the End of the World is a sapphic dystopian YA novel and, in some ways, is reminiscent of The Hunger Games. I think Reid did a good job with the world building in this book, but the best part was introducing the Lamb’s Gauntlet, and putting our FMCs through so many rigorous activities to survive in this complex world. The story had some heart wrenching moments, but the ending was "wow." I don't want to give spoilers, so I'll just say that this was a really good book overall.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am not well. I devoured this in two sittings. It’s the first book in a long time that has drawn me in and that I’ve had trouble putting down. I am still processing that ending.

If you’re looking for a sapphic dystopian YA fantasy that has enough action and tension to keep you engaged while also dealing with so much emotion, then you absolutely need to read this one. It gave vague Hunger Games vibes but was completely its own story. I would absolutely read a whole series on this.

I still have so many questions. What happened to the dad? Does the Drowned County actually exist? Will Nesa find Mel again?

I really hope something catastrophically awful happens to the mother. Good gods, what an awful woman.

I loved this book and absolutely recommend picking it up.

Thank you to Harper for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

4/5 stars
0/5 spice

Fable for the End of the World gave exactly what I needed it to. A dystopian queer love story with a Hunger Games vibe was an easy sell for me, and the execution didn't let me down! I loved both of our main characters but particularly enjoyed peeling back the layers and seeing the growth of Melinoe. Ava Reid has been a hit or miss author for me but this one is an easy hit! Very excited to see it hit the shelves and get the hype it deserves.

Fable for the End of the World is a dystopian YA story focusing on Caerus and Melinoë told through each of their POVs. Caerus is forced to enter the Gauntlet which feels very Hunger Games esque but more Sci-Fi while Melinoë is forced to hunt her down. The Gauntlet is a one-on-one bounty hunt where the person who has been nominated has a set amount of time to survive in which case their debt would be wiped out. There’s so many emotions wrapped up in Caerus trying to survive before being sent in as well as the circumstances that lead to her being suggested. I really enjoyed the strong bond between Caerus and her brother. I also appreciated how it continued to grow and evolve. While I originally thought her backstory was heartbreaking, itt had nothing on Melinoë and what the Angels go through to become Angels. Reid created a beautiful relationship between Caerus and Melinoe that grew out of truly devastating circumstances. Also, those wends and evolved animals are going to star in my nightmares for some time to come. This book also has one of those heartbreaking endings that will leave you thinking for some time to come. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from Reid in the future.

This book was so amazing. I felt so nostalgic while reading this. Fable for the end of the world made me feel like I was back to the days of the dystopian YA days. This really gave me all of the same feelings as the hunger games! If you’re a fan of the last of us and the hunger games then this book is for you. The world is flooding and Inesa is working in her families taxidermist shop. Her mother believes she is ill and takes out so much money that she enters Inesa into the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is where a lamb or the person selected has to fight for their lives to survive and win. Most often they are eliminated by an angel. An angel is a modified person who is essentially a killing machine. This is all broadcasted to everyone. The suspense was so well written. I found the romance to be very compelling. I wish there was more to the world and story.
Thank you to NetGalley for an arc

The 2010 dystopian era was a a memorable time for readers and Fable for the End of the World brought me right back. Although this was inspired by The Hunger Games, Ava still managed to set us up with a unique dystopian world set in a half-sunken town. Parents that accrue an unpayable debt begin sacrificing their children to The Lamb's Gauntlet, a livestreamed assassination spectacle. It is controlled by Caerus, a corporation that encourages massive accumulations of debt.

When it comes to the gauntlet I would have liked the stakes to be higher and for it to have lasted longer. The MCs brother came along to help her and their separation felt abrupt. In general, the side characters could have been more fleshed out. When it came to the romance the chemistry was lacking and I wished it would have slowed down. I did enjoy the dual POV from both sides, when it came to the romance and the gauntlet though.

Real life issues were flawlessly woven into the story and is one of the things I've always loved about their novels. Unfortunately it was missing Ava's normal charm, prose, horror elements, and overall atmosphere that I've come to love and expect. In spite of all of that I still enjoyed this book, it just wasn't my favorite when compared to past novels. Overall it felt rushed, especially the ending. I'm hoping for a sequel to answer lingering questions.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for a complimentary early release copy of Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid.

Fable for the End of the World is a nice enjoyable queer fantasy story! The gauntlets and angels were both interesting aspects to read about, I like that we got to see each angels background story as it really made me feel for each of them. Even though the angels aside from Melinoë are background/side characters they feel fleshed out really good to the point they could each have their own book! I’m happy that this book switches between the two main characters perspectives, I liked seeing how the both of the reacted and what they thought during different scenes. Inesa and Melonoë were both sweet and entertaining characters, I enjoyed reading from both of them however while their romance is sweet I wish we would have gotten just a little more with the two of them.

The sibling bond between Inesa and Luka is heartfelt, I really felt for the both of them during their gauntlet experience, aside from that I am a little iffy about the ending of Fable for the End of the World and I’m hoping that this ending is hinting at another potential book to this series!

Overall a four star read! I will definitely be reading more from this author! Ava Reid writing style comes across as simplistic but it’s beautiful and the details are very vivid.

3.5. I will start with there is a lot to like here, and Romance is usually not my jam. Dystopian romance, though, was intriguing to me. The story starts with some amazing world building and characters. I truly enjoyed getting to know the details of this climate changed, basically Amazon run world. I liked that it kept you in one area and dove more into the strange history of this North Eastern landscape. Inesa and Luka are real lived in characters with a (all too often true) parent that gave up. Melinoe is just trying to escape the reality that she lives in, and right now, that hits pretty hard. What brings this down a bit for me is the pacing. It starts perfectly. Moving at a pace that is interesting but doesn't lose world building or character development. The Gauntlet is a faster bread and circus style Hunger Games driven by corporate greed and getting right into it is intense. Once the romance aspect hits, the pacing comes to a crawl. This isn't a bad thing, and is necessary to build a strong connection between the two lovers, but for me it would have been nice to build the romance side by side with everything else going on. Instead, it feels like they got trapped together to quickly build their feelings. The romance aspect is sweet and tender and gives you hope, but once things get going again, it is break neck speed to the end. As far as I can tell, this is a one-off book, but man, if it were to expand into a short series or duology, I think it would be an amazing one. There is a lot presented in the world building that is either not addressed or has no real resolution as of now. The ending is harsh but fair and leaves you with hope, but I truly wish there was more and that it didn't sprint to the end. Overall, this was outside my normal style but definitely worth the read, and I hope the author continues this story at some point. If not, still solid and would recommend to Romance and Dystopian fans.

Short and Sweet Review

Inesa lives in a half sunken town where she works at a taxidermy shop with her brother and they barely make ends meet. Unbeknownst to them their mother has them in the red and that means they’re going to need to pay it back and to do that she enrolled Inesa to be in the gauntlet. The gauntlet is almost impossible to survive but with her brothers help Inesa thinks she has a chance. Caerus is a corporation that controls all aspects of society and they’re the ones who made the gauntlet. Each gauntlet has an Angel the one responsible for hunting down the lamb. Melinoë is the angel for this gauntlet and she’s a trained assassin and she was trained to hunt down and kill the lambs. The last gauntlet didn’t go well for Melinoë and she’s still haunted by what happened and no matter how many memory wipes she gets she can still remember. When the gauntlet starts its a normal game of cat and mouse but due to certain circumstances the girls start to work together and might even be falling for each other.

Fable for the End of the World was almost like The Hunger Games but very unique. We have people who owe debts end up sacrificing their loved ones into the gauntlet which is exactly what happens to our main character Inesa. Inesa and her family aren’t well off. Inesa works at the taxidermy shop and her brother does the hunting, their mother thinks something is wrong with her health and spends a majority of the money which is why the family is in the red. Inesa was a good character more often than not she would roll with the punches and try to make the best of certain situations. I do feel bad that she had no choice in the decision and she was basically thrown to the wolves. Melinoë is our hunter and in the last gauntlet she ended up killing the lamb but it was in a way that made everyone watching the stream hate her. I thought Melinoë was an interesting character because she was made to kill but you could tell she has feelings and the one that came across the most was remorse. What I thought was interesting was that this gauntlet wasn’t confined to a space Inesa could run to where ever she wanted or she could stay and fight but her tactic was to run and survive. The wastelands where the girls are was interesting because we see creatures that have been mutated that are after both of them and that’s how the girls end up working together, they also think the cameras are off. I liked the romance, they didn’t just jump in but it was a slow burn and I think they helped each other especially when sharing their perspectives on life. The most captivating thing about this book was the world and the plot and just seeing Inesa and Melinoë navigate their circumstances.

Overall, I really liked this book. I will say I don’t like endings that are open to reader interpretation but in my head it was a happy ending. If you’re looking for a dystopian novel thats reminiscent of YA dystopians that came out in the early 2010s but is also very unique, add this book to your TBR!

I ate this up. Fastest I’ve read a book in a long time. This book belongs with all your favorite 2010s dystopians. The perspective Reid chose made for such a unique story, beautifully written and artfully crafted. I want to explore so much more of this world. Now mind you, it was VERY similar to the Hunger Games in terms of themes (and a scene or two). Did I mind? Not at all.
I’ve thought about this book every day since finishing it and can definitely say I’ll be rereading it.

Thank you so much HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC.

This was the sapphic dystopian book I've been waiting for and was nonetheless devastated by. Ava Reid has a way with words and the ending torn me in two and I already know how divisive it's going to be. If you are a Hunger Games/Divergent/Fifth Wave fan, you will like this!

Rated at 4.5 stars, rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book does not have a happy ending. But it has a devastatingly hopeful one, and I think that made it even better than any true happy ending could have.

Fable for the End of the World is a story about doing what you need to in order to survive while also clinging to humanity and a desire to do more than simply survive—to truly live. When I read that it was pitched as a The Hunger Games meets The Last of Us, I did feel a little skeptical about how that would play out. I do believe that Fable for the End of the World met my expectations and then some.

Moreover, this book felt a little too real for something that is mildly dystopian/futuristic sci-fi. With a government run by a corporation and the rich and wealthy thriving in their shining cities while the less fortunate suffer the direct impact of climate change… I couldn’t help but feel that this book represents a pathway we might be stumbling down in the real world. That aspect of it definitely added a thread of dread in my mind as I was reading, knowing that while this is a fictional tale it could very easily happen in real life.

I really, really liked this one. A love letter to 2010s YA dystopian books like The Hunger Games & Divergent, but still held its own.

I can always trust Ava Reid to have imperfect and interesting characters in her books. The two main FMCs felt real, and each had their own struggle. I also always love her writing style.

I did want more from how The Gauntlet played out, and the ending fell just a *little* flat for me. The enemies to lovers seemed quite a bit too quick. I also would’ve liked more world building, but these three things didn’t impact my enjoyment of the book that much. Would love to have a sequel or even a prequel to this.


Thank you to the publisher for the e-arc!