If I had to describe the book in one word it would be “fine”.

I don’t regret reading it, but I probably won’t remember it. And that’s the most disappointing part—that I wanted to. I wanted to be more connected to the characters, to the story, to where it was all going. But any guesses or surprises or twists weren’t fruitful because the actual twist was lackluster.

The themes of this book were more poignant than their execution. Caerus’s unflinching capitalism felt very real and the desperation of those under its thumb was palpable, but somehow it didn’t click through the characters for me.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this ARC. I rate this a 3.5 but will round up to 4 - the dystopian themes and plot line of this book are so, so good. There is a lot going on with climate change , capitalism, mental health, abuse, trauma bonds, misogyny (whew the misogyny!), and corporate towns - but it’s not overwhelming, it shows how our reality is not the result of just one misstep, it’s a myriad of issues the oppressions, all of them playing off one another.

The issue I had was with the romantic element - it was lackluster and I felt like Inesa and Melinoë’s relationship would have made more sense as one that developed into mutual respect or an alliance - I would have even accepted their relationship growing more in a second book (I love sapphic), but in a standalone, it seemed a bit rushed and forced. However, I did like how their relationship in itself was an act of rebellion that continued to follow Inesa even if Melinoë could not. The side characters seem to be there to move Inesa’s or Melinoë’s story along in one way or another, but all of them are in and out so fast, even Luka (although I also have the trad hardcover of this book and there is extra content with Luka’s POV).

There is one part in the book at the end that pissed me off but honestly, I wasn’t shocked - and also couldn’t really be shocked because the character had such a small part but I wasn’t giving them the benefit of the doubt based on glimpses of their character. Overall, the book is evenly paced with a worthy climax (although disappointing emotionally), but it didn’t need to strive for dystopian romance.

I have already ordered this book for my library and I am excited to start recommending it at our teen programs. Many of them love other books by Ava Reid

I think those new to the genre or die-hard fans of dystopian in all its forms will enjoy this one. It has a drowning world, wrecked by ecological disaster, with mutated creatures and near zombie humans to contend with. I enjoyed the setting and found Inesa's background particularly interesting. The idea that she and her younger brother run a taxidermy shop to preserve the unmutated animals that are going extinct was an interesting idea, and my favorite part of the whole book. I found the relationship between Inesa and her brother and their trauma around dealing with their father leaving to be the most interesting plot point. Unfortunately this was a minor part of the book. The deadly trials in which an indebted citizen is picked at random and can volunteer a family member in their stead was tough for me to swallow. In the case of Inesa's mother, who volunteers Inesa for the Gauntlet, it worked, but in general the concept of the Gauntlet didn't work for me. Inesa and Melinoë Gauntlet was fairly standard and didn't really draw me in. What was supposed to be an enemies-to-lovers romance just came across as two traumatized teens clinging to each other in a terrible situation. Again, you have all of your standard dystopian tropes but in this case, it just didn't really come together for me.

AVA REID CAN DO ZERO WRONG WHY IS SHE SO AMAZING and enjoyed this how beautiful this was and so epic with Picasso on the characters atmosphere.

While I’m not much of a dystopian reader, I enjoyed this book immensely! As a science teacher, I loved the commentary on environmental destruction and the economic and environmental cost of greed. The impacts of pollution and climate change are a very real challenge we’re facing, and looking at it through the lens of this book was both daunting and eye-opening. I think if this story was written for a new adult audience over YA, it could be 5 stars. Some of the subplots were a little underwhelming, and a little boost into a slightly darker, more intense frame could have resulted in something truly fantastic.

This was absolutely incredible! From start to finish I felt like my brain was in a race to figure out how this could possibly end. A true love letter to The Hunger Games dystopian YA that we love. Now that's not to say this is a replica of The Hunger Games, it truly has what I believe is a fresh take on dystopian novels, and I hope to see more of these in the publishing world! Ava Reid's prose is always so beautiful, the way she explains the world makes you truly feel like you're right there with the characters. Ava also has a knack for connecting you to the main characters almost immediately, and it makes for such an emotional read. I could not put this one down!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was my favorite read of 2024 (this review comes late… sorry!) Been in a reading and review slump. But from the second I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. Ava cites this story being inspired by The Hunger Games which she grew up reading, and I totally see that in this book. A heart stopping fight for your life story that includes enemies to lovers in the best way. There is so much detail and emotion in this book and it is really well written. I’d recommend this to anyone and everyone. Super easy 5/5 stars!

Maybe I read it at the wrong time or it just wasn't for me, but something didn't work for me personally. I eat upppp some ya dystopian and was so excited for this one too! The premise and characters were so intriguing and I do love Ava's writing style. I might re-read in the future because I think I'd like it more upon re-read, but it was a pretty fun time.

.5 stars

Melinoë was created to hunt Lambs. Inesa is just trying to survive. What happens when Melinoë and Inesa meet in the Gauntlet, knowing only one could come out of this alive?

I enjoyed this. If you are a fan of Hunger Games, you will like this.

Ava Reid's books are always so tough for me to rate. I loved the start and ending of this, but the middle lost me a little. Fable for the End of the World is very clearly Hunger Games inspired, which I can both appreciate and roll my eyes at (some similarities are <i>very</i> similar).
Overall, this was a quick, fun read, but I wasn't quite sold on the romance (an issue I have with all of Ava's books). It was a solid 3 stars until the ending brought it up to a 4. I absolutely loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

2.5 - 3 stars.

I don't know how to feel about this book. I had a lot of conflicting thoughts after completing it and even after several days, I still feel very confused.

I will say I really enjoyed the discussions of climate change. I think that the book was at its strongest when it focused on the environment and the ways climate change and classism intersects. I appreciated the ways that Reid shows how corporations harm and exploit both society and the planet. My favorite dynamic of the book was between Inesa and her brother Luka. Their relationship as siblings was very moving, especially seeing the ways that they try to protect each other throughout the story.

While I started this interested in the story and its characters, my investment lessened the farther I got into the book. It felt very directionless and the romance ended up feeling rushed and shoehorned in. Everything just felt underdeveloped and surface level, from the worldbuilding to the characters, which was such a waste. It aggravated me to no end that this book comped THG series, because where THG succeeds and thrives from the very first book, Fable fumbles and fails.

Truthfully, I'm not particularly angry about the ending. I didn't like it but I felt more neutral than anything, thinking back on it. I will say I don't like how the ending leaves both main characters punished in some way. I do hate that it seems like this book ended that way to leave room for a sequel.

While this not my favorite of their works, I still really enjoy Ava Reid and their writing. Their compassion for their characters continues to bleed through in everything they write and I will still pick up whatever they release next.



Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚑𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚍𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚐𝚘.

This book truly is a hauntingly beautiful love letter to dystopian novels and brought me back to the first time I read The Hunger Games. The ending broke me, had me ugly sobbing (which hasn't happened in a long time), and needing any sliver of Ine and Mel I can get my hands on. I desperately need to know what they're doing post chapter 35 (please, I'm begging 🥺👉👈). Growing up trying to figure out my identity, Mel's development had struck so deeply with me. The thought of the pain they had gone through and will continue to go through is suffocating and I NEED to know they're alright. I will be up all night for the next year just thinking about this book and making it my entire personality. p.s. Ava, when I catch you, Ava 😭

This was like Hunger Games meets Repo but with lesbians... so obviously I liked it. This story was so much fun but also equally devastating, exactly what I want from a YA dystopian novel. Inesa was such an interesting character to follow but Melinoe was my absolute favorite, her character development and growth throughout the book was so nice but at the same time heartbreaking to see. There were so many elements that really elevated this story to a place I did not expect going in. This was my first Ava Reid but I don't think it will be my last!

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid caught my eye with its stunning cover and held me prisoner with it wonderful prose.
What I liked
- Dual Point of view allows for me as a reader to fully connect to both lead characters
-pacing was was excellent
-competition arc elements gave me flashbacks to the ya dystopia boom of my earliest bookworm memories

What didn't work as well for me
-Something felt really wonky with the dialogue in the first third of the book and I never could quite put my finger on what it was
-the falling action felt really short

Who I recommend this title for

fans of ya dystopia wanting a dose of the fantastical in their reading will be in for a great adventure.

As someone who has both read and loved all of Ava Reid's books and also grew up a huge fan of the YA dystopian genre, it's like this book was created in a lab to be absolutely perfect for me. It was so much fun to return to a classic dystopian concept: we're in a futuristic society that a large company has completely seized control of, and we have a main character that has to win a competition to survive. Despite this being a classic plotline in a genre that has been done so many times it often feels stale, this book felt very unique. The relationship between the two love interests was developed well and had me tearing through the pages to get more. A well executed dystopian book always makes you feel as if it's hitting just a little too close to home, and this book absolutely does that. And as always, in typical Ava Reid fashion, the writing was lush and gorgeous. The only thing that took it from a 5 star to a 4 star was the speed at which the ending wraps up, and the lack of closure. It almost felt like we were setting up for a sequel, but this is a standalone. Overall, though, I had SO much fun reading this book. I loved that the author called it out as a love letter to The Hunger Games, and I felt that it was a fantastic addition to its genre!

After not loving Reid's previous book, I really wanted to give her another chance. The premise of this story is so unique while also being a blend of so many tropes we've seen before. It was really interesting, and I love that so many authors are playing with water as a setting. And this cover? unreal.

In this dystopian romance with dual POV, we follow Inesa and Melinöe. The lamb and the angel, the hunted and the hunter in the next Gauntlet.

This was my first Ava Reid YA book. They were already one of my favourite authors before reading Fable for the End of the World. I am used to a darker side of her and was expecting certain things that always appear in their books. That, and this book being advertised as a new The Hunger Games raised my expectations. But I was expecting the wrong things.

Once the real vibes clicked in for me, it went from being a good book to a great one. Don't go looking for the same kind of deadly games, at least not the same format. While in THG you get a great amount of action and stress and you get glimpses of what's happening outside the main character's POV, in Fable you'll get walking, and talking and thinking about life and surviving and more than just surviving. The pace is different. I think of THG as a perspective made for a Capitol TV Show: engaging, entertaining, action packed. And then you have the Lamb's perspective at the Gauntlet, an "unedited" live stream where you're just watching everything.

Don't get me wrong. Fable has several action scenes, specially when Luka (Inesa's younger brother) and Melinöe are around. You'll also get sad and bitter-sweet scenes in Ava's style.

I don't usually like multiple POVs, but I ended up loving Mel's perspective. I'd even say she's my favourite character in the book.

I have a lot of thoughts about Luka. Too many. And 80% of them are not good. He's not a bad kid. He works as hard as Inesa to bring food and money home. But I'm just a girl, and I get sad and enraged whenever I see a man having an easier life just because they're a man and young and handsome. I guess life is not fair. Ava portraits the differences between Inesa and her brother perfectly. Not only their personalities but also how they see life and how the rest of the world sees them.

I could say a lot more, but I don't want to spoil anything so I'll just summarise this review and say: hi, this is not THG and this is a softer version of Ava Reid's style. Enjoy the ending of Fable for the End of the World.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing! Possibly my favorite Ava Reid yet! This is like Hunger Games on steroids and I loved every minute of it. The world she built is such a hot take on what appears to be a dramatization of our own society and its inevitable collapse. Characters are rough around the edges yet lovable. The political climate that surrounds them is tense and maddening. I really enjoyed this one!

Fable for the End of the World was my first Ava Reid novel and, after hearing so many good things about her other novel, I was not let down! Fable for the End of the World is a haunting and thought-provoking dystopian novel that intertwines themes of survival, sacrifice, and love in a world ravaged by climate change and societal collapse. The writing is rich and lyrical and the novel explore its themes with emotional depth. I really enjoyed this novel and can't wait to read more by this author!