I was so excited to see both books available so that I didn't need to wait to continue this fabulous story. Diving into warm waters rather than the icy fjords of Adrienne Young's normal stories was still just as captivating. Her pirates and smugglers are as compelling as viking warriors. I love a female protagonist that can save herself.

I absolutely loved this follow up to Fable. There were so many values throughout both books of friendship, loyalty and trust. I adore books focused on found family and trusting new bonds. This series is as atmospheric as Young’s other books and is definitely setting a theme for her writing. She has quickly become an auto-purchase author for me!

Absolutely LOVED this book from start to finish!! The only criticism I have is that I am not ready for Fable's story to be over.

My heart is happy and shattered at the same time. Namesake was just as amazing as Fable (book 1) and I am so sad that the story is over. I would definitely read more books set in this world, from any of the other secondary characters. You get to know them, as if they are real friends.
Namesake, had some great twists, some I saw coming and a couple I didn't. Though this took me longer to read than Fable, it was not from lack of interest, I just did NOT want it to end! My co-worker actually picked on me because I told her just that, I don't want it to end.

The story is so beautifully written. I could see everything so vividly. and at times I felt like I could smell and taste the salty air. I was transported to a new world and I loved every second I was traveling the Narrows with Fable, West, and the Marigold crew.

The love story is so sweet.

The father-daughter bond goes deeper than what is originally seen.

If you want to be transported into a cut throat world that leaves you needing more.... this duology is going to give you everything you need for a high seas adventure with a gratifying ending.

Adrienne Young continues to impress with her ability to not only capture the high stakes adventures of sea traders but also create characters who truly feel at home on the waves. Her description of the world and it's everyday life creates a unique landscape. This is an outstanding duology that does not suffer from sophomore slump, but adequately raises the risk in Namesake while also resolving conflicts from the first book.

At the conclusion of Fable, our main heroine found herself kidnapped by Zola and shocked by an encounter with an old friend. Clove, the man who used to be the right hand of her father, now works for Zola. Enraged at this turn of events, Fable is forced to work as a dredger for Zola until his ultimate plans for her are revealed. Zola hires a number of dredgers including Fable's enemy, Koy, to undertake a huge dive and deliver an impossible amount of gems. As Fable works for Zola, she delves further into the cutthroat politicals between the Narrows traders and Holland, who wants to take over. She also soon discovers secrets about her mother that could threaten everything she holds dear, including West and the Marigold.

Duologies are not easy to write as authors have a shorter span of work to not only introduce a world, characters, and conflicts but to resolve the story in a satisfying way and show the character's progression. Fable started out as a naive girl trapped on an island, who only wanted her father's approval, as well as, a place by his side. By the end of the first book, Fable discovered she could survive without Saint and build her own life. The second book expands upon Fable's relationship with her father and explores how her mother's past comes to haunt her. Fable, using the skills she acquired on Jeval and Marigold, eventually overcomes these obstacles and finally stands on her own. Overall, Young is successful in transforming Fable from a girl trapped on an island and weighed down by her parents' pasts to a powerful contender in Narrows and Unnamed Sea.

Young was also successful in creating a plot that raised the stakes and built upon the established story from the first book. In Namesake, Young expands beyond the Narrows and ventures out beyond the geography of the first book. This includes introducing powerful players, such as Holland, who wants nothing more than to take over trade in the Narrows and establish a crippling monopoly that would wipe out local traders. This was hinted at in the first book, but now this conflict comes into the forefront as Fable is forced to outwit Holland to preserve her homeland and her father's name. It was ingenious of Young to establish common ground with Saint by adding a shared foe, who threatened everything. This raised the risks and the story went right into the next conflict instead of just meandering around for a while, i.e. Fable sailing around on the Marigold until trouble found her, as I originally feared.

The only downfall to this duology is that it sacrificed the development of other characters to make room for the conflict with Holland. Mainly, this can be seen with the crew of the Marigold, who were relegated to the background. As a result of the story, the crew did not appear until halfway through the book when West came to Fable's rescue. When Fable decides to appease Holland, the crew are upset with her decision and West's support, which also meant they were kinda mad in the background for most of the book. This is most evident with Willa, who's interactions with Fable are limited and just show her as annoyed. Therefore, the beloved crew do not get the same development as Fable or even West, but exist in the background of the conflict with Holland.

Wow, what a great sequel! Fable was one of the best books I've read so far this year and Namesake turned out to be just as satisfying. A thrilling adventure duology with compelling and well developed characters. I'm sad to see them go. One of my favorite relationships was between Fable and Saint. I was pleased we got a deeper look into that with this book. Needless to say, I loved these books from start to finish! Hi9hly recommend!!

This was such a strong ending for these characters and all the secrets and heartache and adventure was wonderful. The descriptions were beautiful and I loved how do the characters stories wove together to make this magical tale. I enjoyed Namesake more than Fable for sure. This book was so beautifully done and I absolutely adored it. I wish there was more for this world but it was wrapped up perfectly for a duology. Readers who loved Fable will be blown away by Namesake.

Namesake is the stunning conclusion to the Fable duology. I could not wait to return to Fable’s world and continue her journey! As Fable retraces her parents’ steps in a desperate race to pay off a steep debt, Fable and West are tested like never before. When family secrets are revealed, the stakes rise, and Fable must make difficult choices about her family and future. I found myself completely spellbound, unable to put the book down until it reached its enthralling conclusion.

One of my favorite things about Adrienne Young’s writing is how vivid and clear each scene is that she paints. You can taste the salt from the ocean, feel the sway of the boat as it cuts over the waves, and bask in the warmth of the sun. Her characters feel real and complex, with deeply compelling motivations. As a reader, an instinctive connection is formed with them, which makes the story that much more captivating.

Namesake is an immersive story, which pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very last page. It is the gripping story of a strong heroine determined to save her family, friends, and outwit a host of shadowy enemies. The world-building is exquisite and I didn’t want the story to end. If you haven’t read Fable, you should read it first before diving into Namesake. This is one of my favorite duologies and I’m so glad that I had the chance to experience Fable’s story! Namesake releases March 16, 2021. Thank you so very much to Adrienne Young, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Trader. Fighter. Legend -- the cover art's mantra to Namesake is no joke! Adrienne Young's conclusion to Fable is a thrilling and powerful ride. Seamlessly blending action, relationships and mystery, Namesake creates a "can't put the book down" narrative. In terms of world-building, Namesake expands the boundaries of Fable's world, offering up rich detail that immediately transports the reader and helps depict the dichotomy between the world Fable knows and the world that could be hers. Namesake is a must read conclusion that both satisfies and leaves you looking to the horizon for more.

Namesake drops readers right back into a high-seas adventure, where Fable is fighting for more than just her life. Caught between the ghosts of her past and drive to see her crew again, Fable grabs onto her destiny and will do whatever it takes to win.

Adrienne Young has become an auto buy author for me. This duology was so good, and I was so happy to get to devour it up, one after another. Thank you NetGalley, and thank you to the publisher for that! This was such a fantastic closing piece, and I adored every second of it. The twists and turns, the characters, the emotions... all of it was truly amazing. I cannot wait to get a final copy of this to go on my shelf with my final copy of Fable! They’re going to look so pretty next to each other, and this will be a series I pick to reread sooner rather than later!!

Wow! This was such a great read. was so gripped by both parts of this story that I feel empty knowing the story is complete. The emotional rollercoaster was amazing in its range. The visuals were breathtaking. The plot thickens, twisty, turning, like rough waters. But these characters. I'm going to miss them with my whole heart. They came to life in a truly spectacular fashion. Fable. She's such the perfect heroine in her real nature. Everyone of the characters had that realness and they all stood out as unique voices. I really look forward to reading more from his author and highly recommend this series.

Finishing the Fable duology left me with dueling emotions churning inside like a choppy sea. I'm captivated by this fantastic story, amazing world and dynamic characters. And yet, I hated reading the last page knowing it was The End. Now I'm mourning the loss of Fable, West, Willow, Saint and the rest of the motley crew I've come to love. Young does an incredible job of weaving everything together and bringing plot lines to a satisfying closure in Namesake. I'm just not ready to give these characters up, and I don't think you'll be either. You MUST read Fable, book one first and avoid all spoilers for both books. If you do, this story will sweep you away like a riptide.

The Fable duology is hands down one of the best young adult fantasy stories I've ever read - that includes both books! Like a siren's song, this tale lured me in with rich, expressive sights, sounds, smells, and oh so many feels. Namesake continues where Fable left off. If you've read Fable, you know that Fable (the protagonist) is blindsided at the end of book one by a notorious foe using her as a pawn in a complex power game. Stormy seas are ahead for Fable as she calls upon her strength and special talents to persevere and survive against all odds. And just when she and readers think she's worked her way through all the deceit and betrayals, a storm of secrets unravel inundating her with more shocking truths. What will Fable have to sacrifice to protect loved ones? Will she lose everything?

Namesake is a majestic tale of courage, power, betrayal, sacrifice, secrets and risking it all for love. The characters are bigger than life - potent and colorful and flawed and real. I want more stories about this heart-stealing cast. The setting and world building are unbelievably good - magnificent, overwhelming, unexpected and ever changing like the sea. Fast paced action drives the story and readers forward as plot lines tangle and twist. I planned to read Namesake over the long weekend . . . talk about famous last words. I started reading page one Friday night and finished the book in the wee hours of Saturday morn. There's no stopping once you begin, my friends. Beware and set some time aside because you won't be able to put this one down. Namesake is an epic tale of survival, sacrifice, and the search for truth - the search for "home". I highly recommend both books - Fable & Namesake to readers everywhere. This is a journey you don't want to miss, my friends.

Hopefully you checked my above disclaimer before reading this review, and if you are here you have already read and LOVED Fable like I did. I didn’t expect to get this eARC for a few more months at least as Namesake comes out in March of 2021. Imagine my pleasant surprise when this beauty popped up on my approved list on Netgalley!

There is something that Adrienne Young and Tricia Levenseller will always have in common for me – their books are ALWAYS one sitting reads. In fact, it is almost five in the morning for me, yet here I sit having devoured Namesake over the course of the last few hours. Something about Adrienne Young’s writing sucks me in and keeps me so captivated that little else matters. She has a gift for writing books that are both beautiful and easy to read.

I was beyond thrilled to see the world expanded upon in this second installment of Young’s newest duology. I was curious about the world established in Fable and am so glad that we as readers get to experience more of it in Namesake. I was also extremely curious about the relationship between Saint and Isolde and feel as though I got much needed information about their tragic love story in this book. We also got the opportunity to study more of Fable’s family ties, including her relationship with Saint. I loved seeing them together and also adored the inclusion of someone else from her past (you’ll see who I mean)

There were a few things that kept this from being a 5 star read for me like Fable was. The main thing that bothered me was the return of a character I HATED in the first book. Not only was this character returned in Namesake, they were redeemed in a way that I felt was a bit too easy. While I’m never opposed to a good redemption arc, I feel that this particular character should’ve had to work harder to receive theirs.

I also found myself annoyed with West throughout the majority of the second half of Namesake. While I understood why he was acting the way he was…for the most part, I wanted to push him into the ocean in the middle of a storm. He somehow went from being one of my newest book boyfriends, to an ex I wasn’t sure I wanted to see again. While he did get better before the book ended, those chapters where he annoyed me will definitely stick in my head.

Overall, while I felt that Fable was the stronger book int his duology, I did end up devouring and really enjoying Namesake. I feel like there is so much more world for Adrienne Young to explore here and genuinely hope that she writes more books set in this universe. Spin offs are always welcome, just saying.

❝That first day on the Marigold came rushing back to me, standing in the passageway with my hand pressed to the crest on the door. I had been a stranger in that place , but I’d come to belong there. And now everything within me ached for it. A flash of heat lit beneath my skin, the sting of tears gathering in my eyes. Because I’d been a fool. I’d let myself believe, even if it was just for a moment, that I was safe. That I’d found a home and a family. And in the time it took to draw a single breath, it was all torn away.❞

We begin where 'Fable' leaves off—our daring heroine being taken by Zola and Clove, a previous Lark mate whose ‘betrayal’ was unfathomable, and forced to become a dredger to the Luna where the crew is journeying to the Unnamed Sea empty handed. That freedom that she once experienced when the Marigold was free of her father, Saint, is short-lived when she becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems. Barreling through betrayal, deception, and the secrets that her mother, Isolde, kept well guarded years prior to her death, Fable must risk everything including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

As we follow Fable through the emotional journey back home I have come to realize that the first appearances can deceive many and when the story unfolds, as the reader we get a better understanding and insight of the prominent standout characters that include Saint, Zola, Clove and Koy. And that could’ve only happened with the remarkable writing style of the author who, like I stated in my ‘Fable’ review, improved drastically since 'The Girl the Sea Gave Back'. She was able to shed light upon our crew, make the characters so perfectly crafted and authentically vivid—aiding the story to latch on to you and never let you go.

Now keep in mind as much as I rant and rave about this brilliant followup, there is another other side of the coin. There was a lot of build up with Zola and Luna heading to the Unnamed Seas to make amends with Holland. It was short and abrupt when they landed, and left a lot of questions unanswered in regards to the relations to Zola, the bounty on his head and Fable’s mother. I would have loved to have had more insight on his relationship with Isolde and what led her to leave his ship prior to meeting Saint.

Be that as it may, the high expectations I had for 'Namesake' were formed, met and thoroughly exceeded. From the absolutely stunning cover (she’s a beauty!) to the epic conclusion of this YA fantasy, the novel's impact resonates long after you finish it and will be an instant re-read in the very near future.

This was a perfect conclusion to this duology. I am in awe of the character development Adrienne Young was able to achieve in two short books. I’m sad to leave this cast of characters for sure. I know readers will be on the edge of their seats while reading this conclusion while simultaneously swooning and wishing they were on the crew of The Marigold,

OK, y'all! She has done it again! I can't tell you enough how much I have LOVED Fable and her story!! It just has everything, and is so well written! In this second installment, you have more pirate adventures, twists and turns that will leave your jaw wide open, and a good dose of romance!

The ending wrapped it all up perfectly, but man will I miss these characters and their adventures! Is it fair to ask Young to never stop writing about Fable and her gloriously, grungy world?

The first book was better, but I still enjoyed the sequel to this story. Young has a way to enrapture us and make us feel the feelings of her characters, sometimes acutely.

I really loved fable and was excited to be able to read the sequel so soon. I loved a lot of the same things about this book that I loved about Fable: compelling characters, beautiful writing, complex relationships. I will say that some things bothered me a little in this part of the story.

SPOILERS>>>

I felt like Saint's explanation for why he abandoned Fable and left her to barely survive on her own just didn't cut it. I'm fine with them making peace and I get that a child's love for a parent can survive a lot of terrible treatment, but him saying he left her because he was terrified by his love for her just didn't sit right. And in a similar way, West's behavior and the way fable responds to it made me uncomfortable at times. In both of those relationships, I started to feel like Fable was making excuses for their bad treatment of her and inability to communicate and to rationalize and compensate for the imbalances in those relationships in ways that aren't emotionally healthy. I would have liked to see her demand more from the men in her life.

"That first day on the Marigold came rushing back to me, standing in the passageway with my hand pressed to the crest on the door. I had been a stranger in that place, but I'd come to belong there. And now everything within me ached for it." ~ "Namesake"


This sequel did not disappoint! I love every moment of this adventure. Adrienne Young really surpassed herself in terms of plot structure, creation of suspense, and character development. In only the span of two books, the characters in this world have matured so much! I can't believe Fable went from being a young girl trapped on Jeval to a sailing entrepreneur!


Fable is still one of my favorite heroines. She acknowledges her flaws in this book and does her best to overcome them. While most female characters would panic about being captured and hope their boyfriends would save them, Fable uses this time to get to know her captor. I'm glad the kidnapping storyline ended rather quickly - I was ready for Fable to escape like a badass! Clove making an appearance was a wonderful surprise and I liked that Fable had to come to terms with their new relationship. Also, what West did to try and find Fable, oh my gosh!


Fable and West's relationship grows even stronger in "Namesake." At first, it was annoying that they were separated, but that separation only seemed to bring them closer together. I love the practicality of their relationship; they always look after each other and it's an equal partnership. He trusts her instincts and only helps her when she needs it. West is a formidable character in his own right, but I like that he's a constant figure in Fable's life.


As for my critiques, only one aspect of the novel frustrated me. Willa, one of my favorite characters, had a minor role in the plot. I wished we could have seen more of her! She was more present in the previous book. Since she has such a strong and willful personality, her absence was felt. Her background status would have made sense if she hadn't been on board the Marigold, but she was. However, I am very happy with Willa's ending! It feels perfect for her character.


A few more aspects of the book that I enjoyed: the moment West said, "set course for Yuri's Constellation," my heart stopped. That is one committed guy! I love it. Also, when Paj made the joke, "Is there a bastard from here to the Narrows you're not related to?" I almost snorted my coffee. The humor in this novel was on point! Finally, I was shocked at the turn Saint's character takes. Before I saw him as the villain, but now he seems more like an anti-hero.


I'm sad that this epic duology is over now, but I absolutely loved it. It's going up on my list as one of my favorite series of all time. I now have a major book hangover. My heart still resides on the Marigold!

Sometimes you read a book or duology or series that you really just want to live in and this world, the one where Fable lives, is one that I want to visit! I loved the first book and this was exactly what I was hoping for in a sequel; adventure, the seas, high stakes, mystery, intrigue, friendship and passion. I devoured this book and I reread Fable prior to reading Namesake and I"m glad I did because it was fresh in my mind. Fable quickly has become one of my favorite female protagonists. She is fierce and brave and unapologetic. Reading this story was a joy and it went to quickly. I tried to slow down halfway through the book to absorb it even more but the beautiful writing just carries the reader along for the ride with the crew of the Marigold. I hope that Young revisits this world in the future! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.