If you are looking for the perfect, seafaring, romantic adventure, look no further! Fable is such an amazing MC full of bravado and determination. The entire plot of the story was so fast-paced and energetic; I literally could not put the book down. There is a small amount of magical element in the story, but I'll leave that to you to find out about when  you read the story. Throughout my reading, I had so many theories about what was going to happen or who was going to do what and after finishing the book, I can safely say that my theory list has grown considerably! LOL. I desperately want to get my hands on book 2, Namesake, ASAP! This book focuses more on the adventure part of the story, but romance fans will also love it just as much (I'm secretly hoping for more romance in the next book)! This book also incorporates the idea of blood family vs. found family and found family is one of my absolute favorite tropes! Highly recommend picking this book up for a fun "piratey" type read! 5 stars all the way!

I finished reading Fable by Adrienne Young through NetGalley. I had pretty high expectations of this book and it did not disappoint.

The book follows a girl named Fable who is a dredger. She is trying to earn money so she could escape from the island where her father abandoned her. She wishes become part of her fathers crew. Fable ends up in Marigold, a ship owned by a trader named West.

I loved Fable as a character! She is very hard-working and tough. She is also quite funny character. Adrienne Young’s writing style is something I like. It took a while to get used to but then I couldn’t stop reading! The book has adventurous feeling. I enjoyed the romantic tension between Fable and West. So subtle but good! I will be waiting for the next book.

Fable's mom died four years ago. That's also when her father abandoned her on an island full of thieves. He told her that if she could find her way back to him, then he would give her what belongs to her. She almost has enough stashed to get back to her father, but on an island of thieves nothing is safe for long.
I was really surprised by how much I loved this book. I usually go for books with a lot of magic. This isn't magical, but it is fantastic. I loved the characters and I loved the story. And with this ending, I can't wait for the next one!

So many of my bookish friends loved this book and adore Adrienne. I unfortunately have come to the conclusion that this author's work (in addition to pirate stories) is just not for me. And that's ok. That's the beauty of the book community. We all have different tastes and stories.

Great book. Looking forward to the next one. Adrienne young is a fantastic author. This book was everything the hype built it up to be.

I am such a huge Adrienne Young fan so when I heard about this book, I KNEW I needed to read it!

It has everything I love: pirates, a badass female lead, and a slow burn romance! I devoured this book and loved every moment of it! I cannot wait until the next book because that CLIFFHANGER WAS PAINFUL!

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

At this point I will read ANYTHING written by Adrienne Young! I love her writing and the worlds she describes and puts us in, I feel like I know each and every one of these characters! I need/want Namesake right now! I'm so happy there isn't much time between these two books in the series. Do yourself a favor and go read & buy all of her works, you won't regret it.

Also these covers are amazing, I'm truly in love!

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fable is my first book by Adrienne Young, but it definitely won’t be the last. I was particularly drawn to the pirates theme, which is far less plentiful in fiction today than I would like (it’s not completely absent, but doesn’t appear to have ever had the mileage vampires once had, for example).

And it definitely delivers, starting with the protagonist. Fable has the strength to find her way off the island after really having to scrape by to survive, pitted against the nomadic criminal residents. And while I didn’t get why she wanted to reunite with her father, given he was the reason she ended up in that situation to begin with, I still admired her gumption, especially as she finally found her way off, and ingratiated herself with the ragtag crew of the Marigold.

This definitely feels darker than most YA fantasy, while still feeling age-appropriate, especially since it avoids the sense of outright “good vs. evil,” with many of the major characters, including Fable herself, having a sense of moral grayness to them.

This is a fabulous book, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. If you’re looking for an edgier take on the YA fantasy genre, you should definitely pick this one up.

I'm easy to please: a rich fantasy world, magic, pirates, badass female leads? I'm here for all of it. This story has a little bit of everything that makes for a good book (for me): romance, high seas, ruthless pirates, found family, and magic.

I had pretty high hopes going into Fable simply because the cover is stunning and Adrienne Young is such an amazing author. And this book did not disappoint. I loved it from beginning to end. I'm a big fan of how Adrienne Young starts her books right in the middle of everything and then the readers slowly learn about the characters past.

The world building is intricate but done in such an easily digestible way that that there is no fear of info dumps or losing interest. I felt like I was part of the Marigold crew and walking the streets of The Pitch.

These characters!! The depth and personality in each character really made this book for me. Not just everyone in Marigold's crew, but Saint and Zola and Koy. These characters that have small but important parts are so well done. I just loved it.

But, that freaking ending! Like just whyyyyy? Why do authors do this to us?? I'm so excited for book two and need it nowwww!

I've had a soft spot for good seafaring adventures since I was little and this hit all my sweet spots.
Fable is the quintessential urchin fighting for survival who loves the sea and dreams of finding a home on a ship once again. She manages to get onto the Marigold and the adventure truly begins.
It's gripping, character-driven, and expertly plotted.
The only negative thing I can possibly find to say about it is that it ended too soon and the next volume is still months away. I can't wait to read how everything plays out.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the early read!

I am completely in love with this story. It's a five star must buy for me. I can't wait to get it into the hands of my teen book club.

“Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father. But her father's rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems.”


*Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, Netgalley, and Adrienne Young for providing me an Advanced Copy in exchange for my unbiased review.*

Fable was an action packed adventure from start to finish. The book was gripping and easy to read, leading readers to losing themselves for hours just to see what happens next.

Fable, as a main character, is very likeable. As a child, her father left her on an island, telling her to figure out her way and then find him when she succeeds in making something of herself. She is strong and tenacious and dedicated, not above allying with formidable enemies to get what she needs. She is very admirable in her dedication and it is easy for readers to self identify with her drive and motivation as well as her struggles.

She falls in with West, a ships helmsman, to get her off the island and find her father again. It’s an unlikely alliance that is just strenuous enough to keep you your interest.

A cast of supporting characters surrounds Fable and West, with a standout being Willa, an attitude- filled bosun. Every character stands out as unique and attention grabbing while they are the star of the scene, but I found that when they were not at the focus of the scene, I forgot that they were around.

For most of the story, Fable and West has some kind of *tension* that I couldn’t really label, until the shared a very passionate kiss underwater (THREE FOURTHS OF THE WAY THROUGH THE BOOK!). After that scene, the romance came on strong and heavy with no real buffer, and at times, it felt overwhelming. I loved their romance and their relationship, I just wish it would have come up just a bit earlier so it could be explored more in book.

As for the setting of the book: for a book that takes place mostly at sea, I really can’t describe their boat to you. The port towns that were described were described absolutely beautifully, but all seemed very similar.

For a novel full of action, I also had small qualms with some of the fall out of those scenes. Frequently, characters would get injured. For example, Fable with the poison from a coral reef. She describes what will happen after experiencing it before off-camera of the book, but then goes on like there is nothing happening, as if she was never injured. A few chapters after the incident, she is stringing up sails and hauling boxes and everything, and she casually mentions that the fever will set in, but then goes on as if nothing is wrong. The same when she mentions it’s been a few days since she last ate. If you are doing strenuous activity and don’t eat, you will probably pass out. Some of these ailments and issues she mentions just had no follow through. Not a deal breaker or anything, it just held me up a couple of times, leaving me a little confused.

Overall, the book was an interesting read and I am very intrigued to learn more about Fable’s abilities with gems, get mysterious father, and her whirlwind romance with West in the sequel, Namesake.

I crushed this in a day, simply because I could not put it down. FABLE was the start of a strong duology, all at sea. It was a tale of survival, family and bonds stronger than family. Fable was a deep sea diver and everything about that was fascinating.

I’d dove almost every day since I was a child. The water was more of a home than Jeval ever was.

Fable herself was a strong young woman, almost feral but human under the shell. She had been abandoned in a place where food and resources were sparce. I was completely puzzled by her situation but quickly admiring of the adversity she had overcome and continued to overcome. I loved the subtle unveiling of her skills.

As a character Fable was rich in personality even though she revealed little of herself to those around her. I was intruiged by the Marigold and the crew, especially the helmsman, West. How the story interwove the characters and plot points was so clever. The relationship with her father was truly captivating, frustrating and and heart-breaking.

The writing in FABLE just made me disappear into the world and the worlds; I highlighted a lot. The story and the characters really hit the spot with me but I am partial to an adventure set on the seas. This is my favourite of Adrienne Young’s books so far. I cannot wait to read the second part, I need it now.

The silence of the sea found us, my heartbeat quieting, and I painted each moment into my mind.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the early review copy.

FABLE is an incredibly difficult book to review. It features interesting characters, a really cool world, a unique form of "magic", and is overall a really fun read. But for all of that, it also doesn't feel like anything especially new or impactful. I got really strong DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING vibes throughout the book. I kept waiting for this read to take a powerful turn or do something really different to flip that comparison on its head... but that just never happened.

I also feel like there are challenges with the pacing of FABLE. The story would ramp up and I kept thinking something exciting or dramatic was about to happen, but then that moment never came. It can be a bummer when you guess the plot twist in the story, but it's an even bigger disappointment when there are no twists at all. While I enjoyed this book and read through it happily, it just felt like a neat little package where every character and every detail followed in an organized line and behaved exactly as expected. Nothing ever came along to shake things up or create tension or a sense of the unknown.

Although I'm sure Young is saving most of the big reveals for the upcoming sequel, I might feel differently about FABLE if the first book offered more payoff. Maybe I could overlook the lack of plot twists if some of the questions presented by the story had been addressed before the end. But there are many situations where characters make choices that feel important, but are never explained or revisited (mostly lookin' at you, Saint). After reaching the end of the first book I'm forced to wonder if those choices are actually irrelevant to the overall storyline or if I'm to continue patiently waiting for things to make sense. As a reader, neither of these options is especially appealing.

Overall, FABLE is a fun story about a girl with a unique gift on an adventure to find herself and her place in the world. It's a bit predictable and much less dramatic than I expected from the blurbs. It's a perfect recommendation for someone who wants a low-stress adventure story or someone eager for something akin to Levenseller's PIRATE KING duology. In fact, someone who hasn't read Levenseller's work might enjoy this book much more than I did. Maybe it would feel really fresh and new to someone who hasn't experienced a very similar character in a very similar world with very similar family struggles. Although this felt like something I've read before, I still rated it relatively highly and I will still gladly read the second book in the series. At the end of the day, I had fun reading FABLE and that feels like a pretty important factor to consider.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fable is the start of Adrienne Young's latest series, and it is once again sure to catch the hearts and minds of the fans.

Fable is the daughter of one of the most powerful traders in the Narrows, yet that isn't enough to keep her safe. Cast away for reasons unknown, Fable has spent the last few years fending for herself on a harsh and cruel island.

Now she's going to find a way off the island, prove herself to her father, and start a new life for herself. At least, that's the plan. That's the thing about plans though, they always end up getting more complicated by the end.

“Keep your knife where you can reach it.
Never, ever owe anyone anything.
Always construct a lie from a truth.
Never, under any circumstances, reveal what or who matters to you.”

Fable is one of those stories that grabs you right from the start, and refuses to let go. In fact, it's hold is so strong that I'm literally already counting down the days until I can get my hands on Namesake, the second novel in the series.

This is a fast-paced novel, set predominantly on the sea, with strong (and fun) pirate themes all over the place. It's shockingly complex, as Fable is desperately trying to find a place for herself in this world that is anything but kind.

In a way, she did do exactly that, just by accident. It's sweet, for more than one reason, all while carrying the plot steadily onward. The secondary characters are one of the many highlights in this novel, and I found myself rooting for them just as much as I did for Fable.

At the beginning of this book, I found myself making assumptions for how it was all going to turn out. I was wrong, and I actually really love that about this book. It was unpredictable, in the best of ways. It was a thrilling tale, one that wasn't afraid to show the darker sides of humanity (the Narrows doesn't seem like a place that treats humans, of any race, gender, or age, very kindly).

The complications that come from Fable's relationships brought what was an interesting story to a whole new level. It added tension, pain, and hope all at once, while also adding layers to the entire novel. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing how all of that develops in the next book.

Speaking of, is Namesake out yet? I would really like to start reading that right about now. No? Oh, I guess we're just going to have to wait a little bit longer then. It'll be worth it, I'm sure.

OH MY GOD. I read Fable in almost one sitting, over the course of six hours one night. This book is incredible and you’re never going to want to put it down. Personally, I dislike the ocean but love to read books about fanciful ships and sailing adventures, so this was perfect for me. Plus, it had been hyped by basically every other blogger I know, so my expectations were fairly high going in. I need you to know that they were far exceeded by the masterpiece that is this book.

First, we have Fable—left to fend for herself on a cutthroat island after the shipwreck that left her mother dead, she works day and night to 1) not get murdered and 2) earn enough coppers to buy her way off the island. From the first line “That bastard was leaving me again” (I received an advanced copy so this quote may change) I was hooked. Fable’s grit and determination in combination with her desire to find a place where she’ll truly belong brings heart to the story that totally stuck with me. She’s just… *kisses fingers like an Italian chef* the perfect heroine. I can’t quite articulate what I love so much about her story, but if you read Fable you’ll agree with me, I guarantee it.

On the subject of belonging… there is so much found family in this novel for all of you Gilded Wolves, Six of Crows fans! The stories are completely different but the moral is the same. Not only am I in love with Fable, I also adore the entire crew of the Marigold, the ship Fable boards to escape Jeval. Sure, they have their secrets, but discovering those is only half the fun. It’s about the FAMILY DYNAMICS!!! Obviously, there’s some initial mistrust of Fable because she’s new, but a little hazing solves that problem and I am sooo emotional about these guys’ journey together. I put off reading this ARC for ages, but when I finished I immediately went and preordered a finished copy! I’m going to need to read Fable again, if only so I can get a second helping of that “at first I disliked you, but now we’re good buds” bond that Fable finds with several crew members.

Of course, none of this mentions the epic romance of the book! A solid 40% of my reason for preordering from Malaprops (which you still have 24 hours to do, it comes out tomorrow!) is the gorgeous art print they’ve included with all preorders featuring THAT KISS! Friends, if you want to know what I’m screaming about… you’ll have to read the book. Fable and West’s relationship is incredible—a mix between slow burn and solidly paced that had me turning every page hoping for more. I think the last time I felt this much over a fictional couple was Jorgen and Spensa from Skyward? (Let’s leave my Dark Artifices/Blackstairs obsession out of this for now). Anyways!! As we said earlier, West rescues Fable at a personal cost to himself. This in turn provides plenty of fodder for emotional scenes later in the book, which had me squealing loudly every other minute. They’re solidly on the same side of the book’s conflict, but the high stakes of their mission and the general danger surrounding their world gave the romance an extra edge.

I really don’t know what else I can say about Fable except that it’s a nautical masterpiece. This is it. This is the ocean book to end all ocean books, to which I will forever compare every other boat book I read. Boat books, if you don’t know, are the only way I interact with the sea. I don’t like to swim, but I do love to read about kissing and killing on the high seas! 5/5 stars to this glorious novel.

This book had me sucked in from the first page, I sat and read it all at once.
Fable has been stranded on an island full of people that are only interested in looking out for themselves, she has been there for 4 years since her father stranded her there with the promise that if she could get herself off the island and found him, she would get what she deserved..
Fable has spent this time surviving. Getting back up after life has continually kicked her in the face, with the goal of finding her father and becoming a part of his crew. She is a strong independant woman, that knows she has to do anything to get to what she wants.. I just love her personality..
When her plans of escaping the island are moved up when she is attacked. She makes her way to The Marigold and to its captian West. He has been trading with her for a couple of years and he agrees to take her on as a passenger.
The crew doenst trust Fable, and wants her gone asap. This is fine because she wants to get to her father..
When Fable makes it to her father she realizes that things arent going to happen the way she wants, but she does get an inheritane...
However the only way she can claim it is to find a ship and a crew that will take her on.. the Marigold is her only option. West and the crew decided to taker her on, and they go on a treasure hunt..
West and Fable get closer, and the crew begins to trust her.. and just when we think things are finally on their way to being good. Some thing happens, and we are left on a cliffhanger..
Now I have to keep my fingers crossed that netgally will also approve my request for the sequel Namesake.. cause I can't live with the questions..
this is definitely a book that I will be picking iup a physical copy of to add to my library..
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book for an honest review..

I picked up Fable in a ho-hum reading state of mind hoping to be wowed. Young Adult Fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but I'd only read a few pages when I found myself being sucked in and down into the depths of a story consuming me in a torrential storm of emotion. In a sink or swim panic, I frantically turned pages in an effort to wrap my head and heart around this story while seeking answers. Fable is simply a stunning work of art, folks! Consider me wowed!

After her mother is lost to the sea that she loved, fourteen year old Fable is abandoned by her notorious father on an island known for its thieves, misfits, and cutthroats. Telling her she doesn't belong in his dangerous world, he brutally carves something into her arm and sails away. Finding and proving herself to her father becomes the driving force in Fable's life as she barely survives the next four years as a dredger, diving for gems to trade to docking ship masters for coins with the goal of saving enough to eventually buy passage on a ship. When events take a dire turn, Fable's forced to defend herself against one of the greedy thieves inhabiting the island. It's only a matter of time until others find and kill her. Hiding until she gets a chance to plead her case to ship master West, Fable exchanges her saved coins for passage on the Marigold to the place her now infamous father is rumored to be. The story that unfolds is absolutely riveting - a powerful, epic drama taking place on the high seas and exotic ports. Avoid all spoilers and I guarantee this story will sweep you away to another place and time.

Fable is a dark, gritty story that dwells in a vibrant setting of both beauty and malice, poverty and prosperity, desire and despair. The author creates a resounding world with breathtaking views of sunsets, magnificent ships with sails billowing and gigantic storm waves breaking over the sea with coral reefs and long forgotten shipwrecks hidden beneath. Sea ports are heavily charged with the sights, sounds and smells of markets, slums, and death with an aura of hope and hopelessness. It's a ruthless, visual world of winner take all . . . or thief take all. I won't say more about the story other than it's unique - a combination of suspense, action, drama, and fantasy with a subtle soft side of romance. Young's writing is lyrical - at times surging like an angry sea crashing to shore and other times smooth as glass like a calm sea at sunset. The kinetic plot unravels at a brisk pace propelling readers forward like a tidal wave barreling toward shore. I can't say enough about the lead character Fable - she's strong, driven, spirited, and haunted by the past, dark secrets and a need even she doesn't fully understand. The support characters are simply out of this world - original, dynamic and intriguing in their own right. The emotional turmoil, trials and tribulations encumbering these characters overwhelmed me time and time again as I stowed away on this journey with the Marigold's motley crew.

Ultimately, Fable is a story about overcoming, growing, trusting, surviving, searching . . . for love, family, a place to belong, a reason to exist. I'll go ahead and warn you this book ends on a cliffhanger. It took me by surprise as I had no idea there was a book 2 coming in March 2021. However, I'm thrilled to say that the skillful manner in which this author builds anticipation and suspense while delivering a raw, gutsy, heart-scarring story bringing readers and characters to this point in time - well, it's flawless and totally worth it. I read the final page with my heart pounding, lungs begging for air and an "Oh No!" escaping my lips. I'm composing my email to the publisher pleading my case for an arc of Namesake NOW! I can't wait until March . . . my heart won't stand it. Fans of Young Adult Fantasy will devour this! More than that, I believe fans of adventure, mystery, suspense and epic tales will also be blown away by Fable. This one is special. Highly Recommended! All the stars over The Narrows!

I really enjoyed the storyline of this story - I liked the characters and the settings of the novel and felt connected to the characters and the story. I got a little confused at the start of the book with the ship terminology as it's not something I'm familiar with so I could have used a little more explanation, but I did get more comfortable with it into the book. I enjoyed the story and then boom, felt like I was left with a big cliffhanger and now I have to wait months for the next book!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book actually! I came in with absolutely no expectations, and it was a good read. Was it the best thing I’ve ever read? No, not really. But was it an entertaining read? Yes, it was.

The actual world building was really interesting and I loved the pirate themed world. I feel like there really aren’t enough pirate books in YA and it was a nice refresher from the land focused books I usually read. I thought that Fable’s magic was really unique, and I think that it definitely has potential for the sequel to this series! I wish it was developed a little more, but I can definitely see it’s role grow. I loved reading about the different lands and “cultures” of this fantasy pirate world, and it carried the story well.

I found the plot of the story to be kind of predictable and some of the reveals to be a little disappointing. There are two “big” reveals about the relationships between some of the characters in the story, but the main character, Fable, hinted strongly at it before, making it not as big of a surprise. But the actual idea behind it was quite interesting, and I think that there was enough action throughout the story to make the book engaging. There were parts in the beginning that bored me, but I feel like it’s just something that’s consistent in firsts-in-a-series as the setup. However, the book definitely picks up as the story moves on, which I appreciated.

I liked the main character cast, but there wasn’t really much to them? I just didn’t really care much and I found West to be a really cliche character. He’s kind of your average male love-interest with a “tragic backstory” and I just didn’t think there was much memorable about him (I had to look up his name twice while writing this oops). As for Fable, I just wish I could have connected to her more. She’s kind of your average defiant, strong willed female character and I needed more from her to care. I feel like there was supposed to be a hate-to-love romance in it, but I don’t think that it was developed enough. It felt so sudden, and idk,,,I just didn’t care much for it (even though I normally love romances on my books)!

I also wish some of the other minor characters on the crew had more relevance. I feel like some of the crew were literally mentioned twice and I would have liked them to have a greater role in the story! And while the characters aren’t incredibly memorable for me, I still enjoyed reading about them. It’s just that I won’t remember most of their names a few days from now.

Overall, it’s a solid book and I’m really happy I got to read this one early! I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a YA pirate book to read, and I’m pretty satisfied with it as a whole.