I'd almost forgotten how much I loved Adrienne Young's writing. Reading Fable had my old feelings rushing back with crystal clarity. She has a way of describing things with such precision and beauty that you feel as if you've physically stepped into another world for a few short hours. From my experience, the time spent with her characters is never quite enough. This heroine was a character unlike any other I've read in the fantasy genre which is always a head start towards a five star book for me. Originality pulls me in like nothing else, even if it's a fresh spin on something familiar.

As a fourteen-year-old girl, Fable was abandoned on an island of bloodthirsty thieves, and she managed to survive for four years through sheer force of will and a backbone of steel. She managed to feed herself, find shelter, and outsmart the thieves who would cut her throat for her valuables without blinking an eye. For the last four years, she's had one single goal: get off the island and find her father who left her without a backward glance. They have unfinished business, and she's determined to get answers to the questions haunting her for so long.

Fable was born with sea legs and saltwater running through her veins. Her father is one of the most successful traders with his own fleet of ships that he rules with an iron fist. Anyone who crosses him in business is either reckless, foolish, or both. Fable and her mother were his only weaknesses but the love he had for them was too great to turn his back on. Her mother came from the Unnamed Sea, and held special abilities as a gem sage that she'd begun to pass on before she died. This ability is a natural born gift to identify and sense the properties in gems. It's been vital in helping Fable as a free diving dredger, someone who dives and locates undersea valuables to sell for profit.

Eventually she finds an ally in West, another trader who visits the island and agrees to give her passage off the island. From first introduction, you can tell that West has a closet full of skeletons. He's shifty, unwelcoming, and suspicious of her. He agrees against his better judgement to help her, so you know that he isn't as hard as he would like her to believe. I immediately liked him, seeing through his facade to the softie at heart. He's the kind of guy that takes in strays and helps the underdog to his own detriment. His crew is only a handful of four people, who are even less welcoming than him. Fable doesn't let deter her in her quest to earn their trust and respect.

I really loved reading the time Fable spent on the Marigold with the crew. The author clearly did her research on the body of a ship, the detail that goes into sailing, and described the underwater dive scenes in crisp, vivid imagery that dazzles all of your senses. West, Paj, Auster, Willa, and Hamish all have an air of desperation as if they are on the edge of disaster. Fable isn't sure what they're hiding, but as long as she's on deck with them, their trouble becomes her trouble. She wants to earn their trust, and uncover their secrets, but can they be trusted to deliver her safely to the Narrows? As you're gradually fed information, you can't help but root for this group of misfits. They've formed their own family with an unbreakable bond-something that Fable has been missing and longs for with every shred of her being.

This book was exquisite. There was romance, fast paced action, suspense, treasure, and danger around every corner. There was quite literally never a dull moment, and that includes the breathtaking cliffhanger that left me hanging anxiously on the edge until I get my hands on the conclusion. The characters were multi-faceted, often with morally grey characteristics that made them irrefutably human and interesting to read about. When secrets are brought to light and hearts are laid bare, will Fable and West's surrender be their downfall as it once was for her father? I cannot wait to find out what adventures are in store for us next.

This was a bit of a dull read for me that was interesting in places, but overall, felt pretty generic. It tells the story of Fable, a young girl who dredges the reef for gems and hopes to get back to the mainland to crew a ship with her father, Firstly, I felt that the world building here was pretty poor. Young throws us into the world with little set up, and then never really fleshes out the world, which made it difficult to join the dots of the action. As I said, there were some interesting elements, such as the feud between West and Zola and the possible backstory surrounding Fable's mother, but I thought that a lot of the elements felt a bit nebulous and underdeveloped. Similarly, the characters were a bit under-cooked for me. Fable is a fairly standard YA heroine and West a brooding hero and as such, the relationship between them never felt earned or believable. Overall, I just thought this was a very average read and I won't be picking up the sequel.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Adrienne Young has brought a fascinating coming of age story to life. Sailing life, a touch of magic, and secrets fuel this novel as we follow Fable through her journey.

I love that Adrienne gives just enough information throughout each chapter that keeps you wanting more. Readers are able to infer things that are then revealed later, and each revelation is still a shock.

Every character is fleshed out beautifully, even if you only get bits and pieces throughout the story. The reader can tell that Adrienne has thought about each character thoroughly, and that each has multiple depths (aha, sea pun) that are yet to be revealed.

The ending has me needing the next novel NOW.

~ Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review ~

"You want something in this life, you take it."

This book was quite simple, but it was quite a bit of fun. I've been following Adrienne Young since her debut, Sky in the Deep and it seems like I've felt similarly about each one of her books so far! I enjoy reading them, but immediately forget everything that happened in them once I finish.

I would totally recommend this book if you've liked Young's previous works, and might not recommend it if you haven't. However, that's not to say that this was just like her previous books.

What really stood out to me about this book was the setting! Our main characters are dredgers, helmsmen, bosuns, etc. most of which I had no prior knowledge of. It seems as though the author really did her research regarding boating, gems, and the sea. The underwater sequences were beautiful.

The plot and characters themselves were pretty simple, but the ending does excite me. I will most likely pick up the sequel but who knows by then lol.

Another solid work by Adrienne Young!

Adrienne Young has developed a character so real that you have to wonder how long Fable has been living in her head. The story line is unique to me...this is not a romance novel where the damsel is kidnapped by the big, bad pirates. This young woman was born into the pirate's life and feels it as her destiny. When you start adding up all of the problems a woman would have encountered as a pirate, you start reading with a WTH attitude but Fable quickly changes that. She is a strong, willful, intelligent, resourceful character who is determined to live her life how she sees fit. Fable will get into and out of situations that were not on that list you made earlier, but still.....
I hope this becomes a series that will let us watch Fable as she takes what she wants from the sea.....

How long do I have to wait for the next book?? March isn’t that far away but it feels like forever after that ending. This book was really good. Like I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time. The writing was steady. I was invested from beginning to end. There were some surprises and things I anticipated but still didn’t really see coming. I’m not one for descriptive writing but it felt right with this story. The writing isn’t fluff. Nothing is sugar coated and you will only know what you need to know. Then the lies, secrets and mysteries are unraveled little by little. Like I said, steady writing. No overly complicated world building. No perfect, the world is beautiful view. This world is rough and deadly. The characters are all morally gray and I loved them. I never know what someone will do next. The story felt so real like I can feel myself standing on the Marigold.

Fable. I was rooting for her. She is a survivor. She is a fighter. She is determined to see her father again. I’m with her all the way until the end. I’m always so impressed by these characters that don’t give up. The ones that find strength even when they feel utterly defeated. I admire her so much. She is scared and has been alone for so long but just keeps going. She learns to trust again, breaks all of the rules and I hope she never gives up on herself.

The Marigold crew was super suspicious and I really wanted to know what their deal was. When Fable meets them there is no trust. No immediate friendship. It takes a long time. Trusting each other doesn’t come easy and is earned. Then there is this delicate camaraderie and this is something that can be broken easily but I hope will last.

Now I not so patiently wait for the next book...

"That bastard was leaving me again."

Fable had me from the hook. I've heard amazing things about Adrienne Young's Sky in the Deep series, but it's been living it's best life on my TBR for a few years and I just haven't gotten to it yet.

The elegant simplicity of Young's writing really worked for me. It's easy to read, not bogged down by too much description or excess, but the language is gorgeous and evocative when it's called for. I also loved how effortlessly the exposition is built into the narrative. There's no massive information dump and information is revealed to the reader when it's important, leaving just enough of a question that you want to keep reading to find more answers. The book moved along at a solid pace and didn't drag, but also wasn't a one sitting read for me (or even a read that kept dragging me back).

But I wanted more

There is darkness and grit in this book, but not enough to call this a dark, gritty book (I would have loved it if their was). There is romance in this book, but not enough that I wasn't scratching my head wondering how this romance even managed to bloom. There was adventure and danger, but also too many dangerous things that just happened to work out exactly right.

It's a good book, don't get me wrong. I would definitely recommend this to YA Fantasy readers who love strong heroines and high seas adventures. And I'm hopeful for some more answers and a riveting conclusion in Namesake. I also think it's close to time to pick up Sky in the Deep...

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review, "Fable" by Adrienne Young. This is my first book from Adrienne Young and it certainly will not be my last. To put it simply, I absolutely loved this book! The adventure and action on the sea was incredible. The characters had depth and I found myself rooting for them throughout the story. The main character Fable is such a strong and beautiful woman, it was easy to love her! This book has everything you would want from a YA novel. I love that the story does not fit the typical cookie cutter mold for YA novels. "Fable" is in a class all its own. The ending does have a great cliffhanger and I will be picking up the next book as soon as it comes out. "Fable" is my new favorite and it is by far the best book I have read this year.

This was a wonderfully written tale of a pirate’s daughter named Fable. You are immediately drawn in to the adventurous story to where you begin to smell the salty air, feel the breeze in your hair, and see the the seaside town as you sail in to the bay.

Fable is a YA, fantasy adventure with a slow burn sweet romance.

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for this free copy in exchange for a honest review.

Rating: 4.5 full-sail stars rounded up to 5 stars

Ahoy there matey! Are you ready for a full-fledged adventure that mixes a fictional time and place with a tale of survival and pirate treasure? If so, open the pages of “Fable”. It will sweep you away. This stirring story of courage, fast-thinking, cold-hearts and fighting for survival kept me upping my reading pace. This is the first entry into a new YA Fantasy series by Adrienne Young. I have not read this author before, but I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in the series.

We meet 18-year-old Fable on the dog-eat-dog island of Jeval. Her emotionally distant father, Saint, marooned her there four years ago. He told her that if she survived and found her way back to him, she would receive her inheritance. She has been plugging away on Jeval as a dredger (diver) hunting for gems on local reefs. She has toughened up since her days aboard Saint’s ship. She has learned how to survive against all odds. Fable is cunning and trusts no one. She is also intelligent and determined to get off the island and find Saint. She has a few things to discuss with him, like why did he carve up the inside of her arm the day he abandoned her. The scars still haunt her and cause undue attention from others when her sleeves slip up her arm.

I do not know how much more of the actual plotline to reveal. Let me just leave it with some broad brushstrokes of an outline. There is an enemies-to-lovers element. Fable struggles to find her place and assuage her continual aloneness. Will the small crew of the trading vessel Marigold accept her? Will this become her safe place? There is a MM romance/relationship that is very well written. No explicit sex scenes here. Adventures and narrow escapes abound. Villains, cutthroats and seemingly cold-hearted fathers also figure prominently.

The deeper I got into the tale, the faster the pages turned. This is an engrossing tale about a strong female lead who is resourceful and proud. This would be a fun read for readers who like seafaring tales; and well-written characters including; a smart heroine, and a swoon-worthy hero. I wanted to deduct half a point from my review because of the cliffhanger ending. I hate cliffhangers. However, I just couldn’t do it. I can’t believe that I have to wait until the next book (currently titled, “Namesake”) is released in March, 2021 to find out what happens next. I’ll be at the front of the line to buy the next book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

I've heard great things about Adrienne Young, but Fable is the first book I've read of hers. The synopsis had all the things I love in a story, fierce heroine, the open sea, treasure, and of course romance! And Fable being a wild-haired redhead (like me) was just the icing on the cake! But unfortunately, the delivery fell a little flat.

When we first meet Fable, she is just barely scraping by while trying to earn enough money to leave the island her father left her on and go find him. In a desperate run to leave she makes a deal for passage on the Marigold with West and his crew. West seems to want nothing to do with her, and the crew isn't happy to have her aboard. 

I'm a sucker for "found family", so I loved that Fable found a home of her own on the Marigold. I would've loved to see more romantic tension, or even just communication from Fable and West. Their relationship and the eventual romance felt very forced to me. And his confession that he'd loved her since the day he met her came out of the blue.

Another confusing relationship was Fable and her father. Saint left her, seemingly to die, with nothing but the words "You weren't made for this world Fable". After being marooned, Fable still works tirelessly to find him, not for revenge as you would expect. But to work on his crew? Then she is rejected by him and in the same sentence given a massive inheritance. I can't figure out if he cares about her or not.

The part of the story that got me the most excited was the idea of going on a hunt for shipwrecked treasure, on a treacherous path, using a scar to navigate. But this entire trek lasted maybe one chapter of the whole book.

In general, I'm interested enough to read the sequel when it is released. But I was disappointed in my first Adrienne Young novel. I seem to be in the minority with this opinion though, so if the premise in interesting to you in the least I would still recommend giving it a shot! I give it a 4/5 stars overall.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I must be in a pirate mood because this book gave me so many pirate vibes. I loved this book so much. It was so refreshing!

Adrienne did such an amazing job creating this world and amazing characters. What I really appreciated the most was the slow burn romance. I really wasn’t sure if there was going to be a romance until much later in the book. I sometimes just really like a book that isn’t all about a romance.

I was rooting for Fable so hard in this book. She’s lost her mother and her father abandons her on an island. He just leaves her there alone without anything and tells her to find her way to him. I don’t really know if he’s expecting her to or not. Years later, she’s struggling and barely surviving but she does not give up. She is so brave and courageous! She’s constantly knocked down but keeps on getting right back up.

I really enjoyed how fast paced this was. There was so much action and it was dark and intense at times. This book is definitely more character driven than plot driven. It’s a good thing that I really enjoyed all the characters.

Even though, I really liked the world created, I wish there was more world building. I have so many questions and there are a lot of things that are not explained. I’m hoping that we get more of that in the next book.

I didn’t realize this was a series until I hit a massive cliff hanger! I am so sad because I have to wait so long to find out what happens next! I really enjoyed this pirate adventure and I can’t wait for more.

I want to thank Netgalley & Wednesday Books for an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Looking for a fun adventure book? Read this. It's just the type of story to draw you into another world even if it's just for a short while. Come on. It has pirates. Who doesn't want to read about pirates? It's just a good story though so don't pass it up and check it out. You won't regret it. Happy reading!

I knew nothing about Fable going in, and I was surprised to find out it is a pirate book since I don’t read many books set at sea. I ended up loving this book, it has exceptional characters and an amazing world-building.

Fable was intriguing and fast-paced from the beginning. There was a lot of world-building, but it never felt info-dumpy; instead, it made everything more atmospheric and fun to read about. Her writing style was concise, and I was able to get into the book immediately. There were also some beautiful quotes throughout the book.

What I loved the most about this book were the characters. Adrienne Young really makes you feel for her characters, and it’s almost like you personally know them. There are six main characters in this book, Fable, West, Willa, Paj, Auster, and Hamish. Fable, our main character, is well rounded and had a lot of depth to her. Her background was explored, and we get to see how she became the person she is. While I loved the other characters, I feel we didn’t get to learn enough about them, except for a few details on their backgrounds. I hope the characters are more prominent in the next book and we get to learn more about their pasts.

I always love found families in books, and this was no exception. The relationships and friendships between these characters were very special and I loved any scene where they interacted. Fable doesn’t seem to fit in with the group at first, but there is some friendship development between her and some of the characters.

The one thing I personally did not like was the main romance, it felt forced. It was hinted at throughout the book, but I saw no chemistry between Fable and West. I don’t hate it, but I don’t think the romance was necessary. Maybe it will be further developed in the next book.

Overall, this was a great book. It did have a pretty big cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

**eARC provided by NetGalley** WOWOWOWOW. One of my favorite things about this author, Adrienne Young, is her writing style and the way I find myself immersed in her words and worlds. She creates such relatable characters and stunning world building. Fable was a fun read, and it was action packed from the first page. My absolute favorite scene was in the middle/end of Chapter 37. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone but it was beautifully written and I also loved what was happening on the page. The main character, Fable, was so compelling and I loved her fierceness and determination. The crew of the Marigold was also awesome, and I can’t wait to see more of them in Namesake (Book 2 of this duology). If you’re a fan of this author’s previous works, then you’ll definitely love Fable. I can’t believe Young ended it they way she did though!!! I’m glad the next book is out in only 6 months rather than a year - I need answers NOW. I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of this world and these characters in Namesake..

Fable
A Novel
by Adrienne Young
St. Martin’s Press
Wednesday Books



Filled with all of the action, emotion, and lyrical writing that brought readers to Sky in the Deep, New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with a new captivating duology.

Fable takes you on a spectacular journey filled with romance, intrigue and adventure.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is one of Adrienne Young’s best work.
Fable is an adventurous first book in this new captivating duology.

A fast paced, nail biting, high seas adventure you don’t want to miss!
I can’t wait for the sequel, Namesake, coming in 2021.

“We both know that surviving means sometimes doing things that haunt you."

Fable has spent years trying to survive on a dangerous island of thieves. An island that her pirate father abandoned her to. She has taken up the harsh life of a dredger, someone who dives underwater & finds pyre that she can sell to traders.
Every block she brings back to the surface, is getting her close to her ultimate goal of getting off the island & back to her father.
In a series of events she makes an early exit from the isle of thieves. She seeks refuge aboard a somewhat friend of hers. West, is a helmsman who has purchased her pyre in the past . She has a little trust in him, but under her the harsh realities of her life she is faced with A particular situation that forces her to make bargain with West

This is faced paced read, one with great atmospheric world building and a powerful female protagonist. I was completely hooked from the beginning and I read this book in one sitting. Adrienne Young, newest novel is filled with brilliant imagery and vibrant prose. Along with a strong resistant female, that is completely adaptable in dire situations. This is by far one of the best books with pirate/ high seas adventures I have ever read.

Fable is an outstanding start to a new YA duology from the author of Sky in the Deep. There is romance, adventure, pirates, and plenty of action. The writing is lyrical and the world-building is strong. The plot moves at a fast pace that will keep readers hooked and dying to read the sequel. Highly recommended to those who enjoy YA fantasy and are looking for something fresh. Be sure to check out Fable today!

*I received a free digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review*
This book made me feel like I was in The Pirates of the Caribbean. I had some trouble getting into it but once I did, boy I set sail. That's why I'm giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone. Can't wait for the sequel!

“It was a world poised on the tip of a knife.”

Fable lives by five simple rules her father, the infamous pirate captain, Saint told her before abandoning her on Jeval, an island on the edge of the world inhabited by thieving mercenaries. The five rules are:

1. Keep your knife where you can reach it.
2. Never, ever owe anyone anything.
3. Nothing is free.
4. Always construct a lie from a truth.
5. Never, under any circumstances, reveal what or who matters to you.

Following these rules is what helped to keep Fable alive. But when she escapes Jeval with the crew of the Marigold, a small rag-tag group of traders, in search of her father (who has promised to give her what’s owed to her if she can return to him), she finds her world-view may need some adjusting. And going against Saint’s rules – the ones which dutifully kept her alive for so long – might be exactly what she needs to do to survive.

This book was amazing! What an exciting read!

It’s been a while since I sped through a novel the way I sped through Fable. But I couldn’t help myself. The book was just so good; I couldn’t dare put it down. The world-building! The characters! The romance! THAT CLIFFHANGER ENDING! Everything about it was over-the-top incredible. I adored every single second of reading this story, and I cannot wait to get my hands on its sequel, Namesake, to see what happens next.

The world Adrienne Young creates in Fable is breathtakingly beautiful and bracingly cut-throat. So much lore is captured within its pages. I sincerely hope we get to explore even more of it in the upcoming sequel.

Fable, for her part, is a spit-fire protagonist and a refreshingly strong-willed lead, who knows what she wants and how to procure it. I loved her! The crew of the Marigold easily grow on you, and perfectly fulfill the found family vibes that feel quintessential for a story set in this sort of environment. I sincerely look forward to learning more about each crew members’ histories and the secrets they hold close to their hearts.

“We weren’t supposed to owe anyone anything, but that was just a lie we told to make ourselves feel safe. Really, we’d never been safe.”

If you’re looking for your next great YA read, filled with adventure, intrigue and a whole lot of heart, I can’t recommend Fable highly enough.

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

GIMME GIMME GIMME THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW! This book was MAGNIFICIENT, JUST PERFECT! I haven't read a book set in a world like this one in years, and Young wrote this novel eloquently. I fell in love with Fable from the first page, and all the other characters fit just right into the storyline. I have a review coming soon on the blog!