Book Review: Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

Rating: 6/5 stars (Yes, you read that correctly!)

Oh. My. Gosh. I’ve been waiting for a novel that blends dystopian elements with beautiful character arcs, and Reid’s latest book knocked it out of the park. I've been DYING for a return to the dystopian genre, and Fable for the End of the World is exactly what I've been waiting for. Reid doesn’t just give us a decaying society but builds it out to feel alive. The way the world around the characters falls apart, while they try to hold themselves together? *chef's kiss*

AND LESBIANS! I cannot forget to mention lesbians...

This is my first "6 star" read of 2025, It is a must read for anyone who loves dystopian fiction, compelling characters, and a story that punches you in the gut with all the feels. I need more, and I need it now!

FABLE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD drew me in with its gorgeous cover and premise that reminded me of The Hunger Games. And boy did it deliver. Imagine The Hunger Games but if Katniss and Clove fell in love and Clove was also part muttation. Also, the Capitol is basically just Amazon. If that doesn’t pique your interest, I can’t help you.

I was totally riveted by the fast-paced yet introspective writing that walks the fine line between character- and plot-focused. And the ending was fantastic because it left me wanting more while still not being a cliffhanger: it’s satisfying but sad. I would very much read more in the same world, preferably about the same characters. I love them so much and their romance really had my heart in a vise grip.

I wish I had a time machine so I could go back about a decade (God, I’m old) and give this book to my teenage self, who was absolutely obsessed with The Hunger Games. (Not that anything has changed now.) Because it’s exactly the kind of book I wish I had, and I’m so glad that today’s teenagers and young adults have books like this!

Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review (which turned out much longer than I planned because I simply have so much to say about how fantastic this book is).

I was very thankful to get an ARC of this one. This had major hunger games vibes and I was here for it. I think it is really important to read dystopian novels during our current political climate. The book also had a lot to say about women in media. I think this one was extremely well done and would be interested to read more by the author. Def recommend this one!!

I honestly don't know how I felt about this one. I just didn't feel much listening to it. I don't know if I didn't take to the world or the characters but I felt like something was missing. The plot and the concept were quite interesting, it just didn't fully work for me at that time. It wasn't a bad read though and I will be reading more Ava Reid books.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

“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.”

Ava Reid wrote another winner! I loved this book. If you love dystopian fantasy books and sapphic romances, this is a book for you!

The author was constantly making my heart ache and that is something I was hoping for from this book. It was giving Hunger Games vibes and social commentary about consumerism, online content, and how the government can and does control the information going out to their people.

Overall, Ava Reid knocked it out of the park. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me.

What to expect in Fable for the End of the World:
The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Sapphic Love Story
Enemies to Lovers
Dystopian fantasy world
Complicated family dynamics
Hunger Game Vibes

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one definitely took me a minute to get into, but once I did I couldn't put it down. The narrative was beautiful and haunting. It was honestly fairly unsettling to be reading this and living in the world we are now. My one critique is the pacing of the narrative. I found the romance to be compelling and lovely, but it felt like it happened out of nowhere. I understand physical attraction and the desperation to survive, but it really could have/should have been fleshed out more. The ending only served to shine more light on this issue. Will I be pre-ordering the sequel? Yes. Did I like the book? Also big yes. This was everything middle school hunger games obsessed wanted and more.

DNF-30%. I appreciate the homage to dystopian fiction and The Hunger Games but I just kept waiting for things to pick up or to feel more invested in the characters and I wasn’t. Also my own mood is playing a factor here but I haven’t picked it up in days. Could be a good read if you’re looking for a sapphic dystopian novel (that’s what drew me in).

This book was absolutely wild, in the best way possible! It’s like the best combination of The Last of Us and The Hunger Games. The world Ava Reid creates is brutal, where debt controls everything and survival is turned into a twisted game.

Right from the start, the story grabs you and doesn’t let go. Inesa is thrown into the Lamb’s Gauntlet, where she has to fight to stay alive. And Melinoë? She’s a deadly assassin who never fails, until now. Their chase through the ruined world is full of tension, action, and moments that made my heart stop.

But what really makes this book stand out is how unpredictable it is. The characters are complex, the stakes are high, and just when you think you know what’s coming, the story takes another shocking turn. And the ending?? Absolutely insane. I kept thinking, “how can this possibly have a happy ending?” And somehow, it did not, but in a way I never saw coming.

This is one of the most intense, unforgettable books I’ve ever read. If you’re looking for something different, something that will wreck you in the best way, please pick this up. It’s so good!

Ava Reid has done it again and made me escape into another world. As it’s advertised, this is a dystopian novel inspired by The Hunger Games and, in my opinion, Shatter Me. Like Ava, I loved THG as a teen, and dystopian YA continues to be a favorite subgenre for me. There’s something about an even more messed up fictional world than the one we live in that makes me feel a little better about the state of our world.

Melinoë and Inesa are cat and mouse in a deadly event called The Gauntlet. In this world, money is now “credits” and once those have been used up, a parent can choose to force their child into this deadly chase to get their debts forgiven. Melinoë is one of the Angels, the highly trained and quite mechanical assassins for The Gauntlets. They are normal humans until chosen for the Angel program, then they’re experimented on and trialed to “perfection”. Melinoë is chosen as Inesa’s assassin, and we go along their journey wondering how anyone can survive in this deteriorating world.

This was beautifully written, with a slow to intense beginning. I was left with questions at the end, so if you don’t like open endings keep that in mind. This is a standalone, but I would love other books wrote in this world!

Thank you NetGalley for sending a copy for me to review.

Having read from Ava Reid before, I felt more accustomed to her writing style going into Fable for the End of the World. This dystopian novel presents a bleak, corporate controlled future where accumulating too much debt results in being thrown into a brutal gauntlet. While the premise had potential, it didn’t leave as strong of an impression on me likely because I had just reread The Hunger Games series, which explores similar themes with more emotional impact.

One aspect I did appreciate was the inclusion of a sapphic romance. However, despite enjoying the representation, I wanted more in the ending. That being said, the novel does succeed in building an unsettling and emotional atmosphere, with the gauntlet taking a turn that kept me engaged.

The story weaves in multiple themes, from corporate greed and systemic oppression to survival, morality, and sacrifice. There’s a certain weight to the novel’s commentary on power and control, which makes it an interesting read for fans of dystopian fiction. While this didn’t become a standout read for me, I’d still recommend it to those who enjoy dystopian worlds.

Overall rating 3.5/5

Ava Reid's love letter to the 2010s dystopia of my youth has truly captured their spirit for a modern audience. Fable for the End of the World tells the story of a society that is flooded by climate change and then flooded with debt from an overarching company that has infiltrated government. Inesa becomes the latest Lamb in the Gauntlet - a murderous game only for those whose debt reaches so high it could only be paid with a life for the entertainment of the watching world. Inesa is hunted by Melinoë, an Angel who is on a last chance to prove she should remain as one of the Gauntlet's deadliest assassins. The hunt begins and Inesa tries to venture to the mysterious Drowned Counties that her father used to talk about with her brother Luka to assist.

The themes of surviving and a life outside just surviving I found incredibly poignant. Reid also does a beautiful job setting up the queer love story that allowed both girls the opportunity to learn more about themselves. The ending is my only real weak point in that I wished this was a duology in only a hope that we can see the ultimate victory instead of just a victory for now. It is unfortunately incredibly realistic in the continued exploitation of women's bodies and the lives of the poor - I would hope for a happier ending but I don't think that was what Reid was going for.

Again Ava Reid solidifies a spot on my auto-buy author list.

5/5

A dystopian novel from Ava Reid? say less! I enjoyed this sapphic YA romance that contains multiple layers of criticism for the current state of the world. It also reads like a love letter to The Hunger Games and the dystopian genre we all grew up loving. Tho you can see the inspiration throughout, this book it feels vastly innovative and makes for an enjoyable reading experience.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration

"Fable for the End of the World" is the second book I've read by Ava Reid, and it did not disappoint. One of my favorite things about her writing is how intentional it is. Reading her books, I can really feel all of the thought and research she puts into her work. And I love her inclusion of author's notes that dive deeper into some of her thinking.

By Reid's own admission, "Fable for the End of the World" was partially an homage to "The Hunger Games' and that era of socially conscious dystopian teen novels. One of my favorite parts of "Fable" was the worldbuilding, especially from Inesa's point of view. At times, the world really jumped off of the page and felt viscerally real. It was easy to connect the threads of how we got from today's world to the world of the book.

"Fable for the End of the World" is a standalone novel. However, I think it would have been stronger as a duology or even a trilogy. First, I would have loved a little more time to develop the characters. While Inesa felt fully realized, Melinoe often felt a little bit flat. I also thought that some of the plot aspects of the book were a bit rushed and the ending, while interesting, didn't feel totally conclusive. If anything, the ending felt like a great set up for a second book. Last, there were many worldbuilding elements I would have loved to know more about, but there just wasn't time to develop them on page. I'm not sure how much I bought into the romance on page, but I typically struggle a bit with YA romance so that could be on me.

Overall, I think "Fable" was a really successful entry into the dystopian sci-fi canon. My biggest critique is that I wish there were more of it. And can we take a minute to appreciate the title and cover? Wow.

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Ava Reid delivers a haunting and lyrical tale in Fable for the End of the World, a novel that feels like a dream teetering on the edge of a nightmare. Blending folklore, myth, and Reid’s signature lush prose, this story explores fate, survival, and the weight of stories in a crumbling world.

The atmosphere is one of the book’s greatest strengths—dark, immersive, and tinged with melancholy. Reid’s writing is as gorgeous as ever, weaving a story that feels both timeless and urgent. The characters are compelling, flawed, and deeply human, struggling against forces larger than themselves. While the novel’s themes and tone are gripping, the pacing occasionally feels uneven, and some parts lean heavily into abstraction, which may not work for every reader.

Still, Fable for the End of the World is a beautifully crafted novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. It’s a must-read for those who love lyrical storytelling, folklore-infused narratives, and tales that embrace both beauty and darkness in equal measure.

This author writes beautiful, lush stories and this one did not disappoint! It's an immersive world with engaging characters that kept me invested.

Initial Reaction: 8
Characters: 9
Setting: 10
Plot: 8
Pace: 7
Style: 9
Ending: 8
Enjoyment: 9
68 / 16 = 4.25

Think Ready Player One meets The Hunger Games meets Annihilation meets The Truman Show with a dash of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. That’s the dystopian energy of Fable at the End of the World.

Inesa is a young taxidermist trying to survive in a crumbling world when her mother’s crushing debt forces her into the Lamb’s Gauntlet - a brutal, livestreamed hunt where assassins track down human sacrifices for sport. Enter Melinoë, an elite killer with a reputation for ruthless efficiency… and a past she’s desperate to outrun. But as the game unfolds, both Inesa and Mel begin to question everything… especially their growing connection.

The worldbuilding isn’t super unique (mutated creatures in the woods, big evil corporation, dystopian despair), but it’s intense and unapologetically dramatic. Definitely recommend the audiobook for this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!

I thought the book was entertaining. It reminded me of a lot of other young adult books. It wasn't bad, but nothing that really stood out.

3.5 stars

The first half of this book... fantastic, no notes. The second half... I was bamboozled. First, this is a YA book that I paid adult money for. So that isn't great. Second this isn't a romance. They don't end up together at the end

I think this is a very relevant book for today's society and political climate. But it's like it tried to be the Hunger games, and miserably failed. And since everyone is rereading the Hunger Games right now in anticipation of the new book, the comparisons are definitely top of mind.

Watch the vlog where I read the book! - https://youtu.be/XJR2CHd4Lpg

The author describes this book as inspired by the Hunger games and other books of the 2010s. Unfortunately, for me it's almost too much inspiration. I found myself wishing I was rereading the hunger games instead! I did enjoy the relationship between the MC and her brother, but the romance left me cold and felt as though it happened too fast. Lovely writing as always from Ava Reid, but this one wasn't for me.