A dystopian Sapphic romance that's perfect for fans of the Hunger games series and sees two opponents (the hunter and the hunted) stuck in a battle for their lives and forced to work together in order to survive. The world building in this was fantastic and I really loved the way the author uses technology as both a boost and a crutch for one of the FMCs. Good on audio and definitely worth a read if you like queer sci-fi romance with depth. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchagne for my honest review!

Sapphic dystopian!!!! Also, very cool sibling dynamics!

Very gripping writing, I think I finished this in like two sittings? Aand once again, I read it on a flight and started tearing up, I hope the air hostess didn't see me 🥲

The narrations of the two MCs were so good, I was very very invested in their emotions and their fast but very deep and meaningful relationship. That ending made me cry so hard!

Also, Inesa and Luka's sibling relationship was written with so much care, I loved that arc so much <3

TWs - murder, death, on page corpses of people, abandonment (physical/mental) by parents

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

It was my mistake to not review this once I finished it because now I can't seem to remember all the things I wanted to say about this book. Ava Reid did young adult dystopian well. The build up of the relationship tied in with the hunger games like competition was well done and I fell in love with both main characters. I loved the element through the book of this hope of a prosperous land beyond the wasteland that kept hope alive only for it to be nothing. I wish this was actually a series in some way, but wouldn't make sense with the ending.

4/5 Stars – Dark, Intense, and Surprisingly Romantic

Inesa is tough and resourceful without feeling cliché, and Melinoë? Total badass with a soft side buried under all that assassin training. Their dynamic had me hooked, and the tension (both survival and romantic) was on point. I loved how their relationship developed slowly and felt earned, especially given the whole “I’m supposed to kill you” thing.

Only reason it’s not a full 5 stars is that I wanted a little more detail on the world and how Caerus operates, but honestly, that didn’t stop me from flying through the book.

This is a gritty, emotional story with action, heart, and a romance that sneaks up on you in the best way.

Thank you to NETGALLEY and the publisher for the E-arc copy in exchange for an honest review

This was a high high 4 star. Gave hunger game vibes. I was recommending this at 10% in. I feel like the ending wasn't as strong. It was a little open ended but not in a bad way. In a way that I can hope the characters end up getting more than what we were left with.
I would still recommend it.

This book was perfection. I recommend this for anyone that likes fast paced romantic dystopian books. Such a different story from Ava Reid. I love love love it.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Fable for the End of the World had some strong concepts but for me, it didn’t quite stick the landing. The world-building didn’t hold up under scrutiny, the writing was repetitive, and the protagonist just wasn’t compelling enough to carry the story.

The beginning is intentionally disorienting, and things gradually start to make sense over time. But as the world unfolds, cracks begin to show. Some parts really tested my suspension of disbelief. The mutated animals? I could go along with it, until we got to deer growing scales and webbed feet, and then I checked out. It felt like biological logic went out the window. The idea that eating mutant animals turns people into zombies? Maybe that would’ve worked if it were explained as a virus, but it wasn’t. Instead, it felt vague and underdeveloped. Pain, for example, is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes it’s debilitating when it shouldn’t be, and at other times, it’s brushed off without consequence. I also struggled with Inesa and Lukas’ rationale that killing and embalming animals preserved them, instead of just letting them live.

Inesa, as a protagonist, was a bit of a letdown. She’s framed as “good” because she’s not violent and doesn't feel as much hatred as other people, but passivity alone doesn’t make a character good. Her life has been hard, no doubt, and I don’t want to minimize that, but as a character, she’s not that interesting. She’s so passive she practically fades into the background: overly hesitant, lacking a strong inner voice, and constantly stuck in a loop of self-doubt. Her arc doesn’t have much payoff, and her internal dialogue ends up feeling repetitive rather than revealing. Melinoë is a bit more engaging but falls into the same pattern, her inner monologue is repetitive and slows the story down.

The romance fell flat for me. The intensity is supposed to come from what the characters represent to each other — rebellion, freedom, escape — but it doesn’t feel earned. There’s a lot of staring, thinking about how beautiful the other person is, and repeating the same thoughts, but not much actual connection. It’s not so much a love story as it is a shared moment of defiance.

The world had potential, but it’s riddled with contradictions. For instance, why does this society sacrifice its children to repay debt, instead of, say, the elderly? The cruelty felt arbitrary. Scenes like Inesa killing the mother deer and leaving the fawns behind felt unnecessarily harsh, with little narrative purpose beyond shock value. Some scenes made sense within the story’s context, but others felt like they were trying to justify the premise without fully thinking it through.

One relationship I wished had been explored more was between Inesa and her brother. Their dynamic, which is built on the fact that they don’t talk much about their feelings, works to some extent, but there’s something missing by the end. After all they went through, they don't have anything to say to each other?

In the end, Fable for the End of the World had moments of resonance, but too many elements pulled me out of the story. Between the inconsistent logic, a flat romance, and a world that didn’t quite hold together, I found myself wanting more than the book delivered. It had all the ingredients, but they didn't come together like I wanted them to.

Bleak and raw. Yet vulnerable and soft. Ava Reid has such a subtle yet powerful way of taking something powerful and strong then cutting to the quick.

“The more vivid your dreams, the more agonizing the knife-twist of reality. It’s a privilege, really, to desire, to imagine, to believe.”

And yet even while reading something so sharp, you’re brought back to the softness within the relationship between the main characters. Their entire existence is steeped in violence, hatred, and scorn, yet these two girls continue to fight. It’s a story for all the queer girls out there who are yearning to see themselves, while also being a true fable explaining what could happen if the current debts and governmental systems continue to run amuck.

4.25/5.

It would have been higher, but the ending felt abrupt. I needed so much more.

Three words: Lesbian. Hunger. Games. This reminds me a lot of the 2010s dystopian YA novels that were out, and I love that this was has queer characters in it!

Fable for the End of the World
by Ava Reid
Pub Date: Mar 04 2025

By encouraging massive accumulations of debt from its underclass, a single corporation, Caerus, controls all aspects of society.

Inesa lives with her brother in a half-sunken town where they scrape by running a taxidermy shop. Unbeknownst to Inesa, their cruel and indolent mother has accrued an enormous debt—enough to qualify one of her children for Caerus’s livestreamed assassination spectacle: the Lamb’s Gauntlet.

Melinoë is a Caerus assassin, trained to track and kill the sacrificial Lambs. The product of neural reconditioning and physiological alteration, she is a living weapon, known for her cold brutality and deadly beauty. She has never failed to assassinate one of her marks.

When Inesa learns that her mother has offered her as a sacrifice, at first she despairs—the Gauntlet is always a bloodbath for the impoverished debtors. But she’s had years of practice surviving in the apocalyptic wastes, and with the help of her hunter brother she might stand a chance of staying alive.

For Melinoë, this is a game she can’t afford to lose. Despite her reputation for mercilessness, she is haunted by painful flashbacks. After her last Gauntlet, where she broke down on livestream, she desperately needs redemption.

As Mel pursues Inesa across the wasteland, both girls begin to question everything: Inesa wonders if there’s more to life than survival, while Mel wonders if she’s capable of more than killing.

And both wonder if, against all odds, they might be falling in love.

If you love the Hunger Games, you MUST read this book. It is post WWIV and a corporation has taken over the land. They will loan you up to 500,000 points (cash), but if you hit 500K, you (or your child) can be entered into a gauntlet where a super being hunts you down and kills you on live television.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Truly a great sapphic hunger games book! My first Ava Reid book and I LOVE their writing style. The dystopian tech based society was so well fleshed out.

Will provide a more depth review on goodreads in the future, accidentally became very busy.

Thank you for the arc!

Ava Reid delivers a YA dystopian novel that is not only shockingly parallel to contemporary life but also highly relatable to teenagers. Initially, Fable' s story feels reminiscent of The Hunger Games and even evokes George Orwell' s 1984 with its Big Brother overtones, but it quickly becomes distinctly different. Fable' s world is controlled by Cearus, an unknown entity without a face, along with several corporate workers who help govern society. Cearus oversees everything, including the debts of individuals. People constantly plunge into debt as there are no limits, leading to an endless cycle. This accumulating debt can only be addressed if someone enters The Gauntlets. The Gauntlets is a survival game where one must confront an Angel that is part human and part machine, the ultimate killing machine. Survive, and you win the Gauntlets. With this setup, readers are left with numerous unanswered questions about not only this society but also the rules of the Gauntlets. It' s uncertain whether this ambiguity is a deliberate effort to provoke thought or indicative of an underdeveloped concept. Now, moving on to the characters in this story.

The book utilizes a dual point of view from both Melinoë and Inesa, offering a refreshing perspective as we learn about the challenges both girls have faced before entering The Gauntlets. Inesa contends with a dysfunctional family; her father is missing, and her mother is a nightmare. Together with her brother, they strive to survive. Melinoë grapples with returning after struggling to overcome her last Gauntlet. She constantly sees the face of a girl, and no matter how many times she wipes it away, it never disappears.

The enemies- to- lovers trope is always appealing to readers, but for me, this felt rather superficial. What fosters their connection beyond being in the Gauntlet together? This dynamic reminded me of Peeta and Katniss. Despite enjoying the portrayal of two queer characters openly discussing their relationship until they realized they were being filmed, it seemed that once they recognized the cameras were on, they reverted to being "friends."

CW: Death, Murder, Classism, Addiction, Violence, Minor Sexual Content (off- page)

As soon as I finished it on my Kindle, I pre-ordered my finished copy. The quotes were verified in it.

If you love Dystopian books, you NEED to pick up this gem immediately.

It's absolutely incredible and it let me in such a state of disarray. I don't know what to do with my life anymore. I just know that I want more, that I NEED another book !

Inesa and Melinoë's story was one of a kind. I just loved them so very much.

Their love story was beautiful and it proves that love cannot be erased.

And the love between sister and brother in this one is incredible.

Read this if you love :

✨ Sapphic Romance ;
✨ YA Dystopian;
✨ Enemies to Lovers ;
✨ Forced Proximity ;
✨ Only One Bed ;
✨ Brother and Sister's loyalty ;
✨ Soul crushing cliffhanger.

Whew. I’m going to describe this as The Hunger Games meets Docile.

Inesa lives in a flooded village with her brother and mother. Everyone struggles, and they especially have since her father left and her mother became ‘sick’.

But they refuse to take on any debt that might make them vulnerable to the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is a game wherein someone with more than 500k in credit debt is required to name someone to be hunted by an Angel to the death.

The central Angel in our story is Melinoë. She’s struggling as the last Gauntlet she was in, she struggled with having to kill a little girl and can’t forget it, no matter how many procedures her handler puts her through.

Inesa is thrown into the Gauntlet when it comes to light that her mother has been secret spending thousands upon thousands on sweet treats, fancy clothes, and other things she doesn’t need. Her little brother is determined to help her survive and goes with her and they try to outlast the Angel.

However when communication between Melinoë and her handler are cut off, she makes a deal with Inesa to help each other until the cameras are back. Neither of them bargained for what develops between them.

Overall a timely story of capitalism and corporate control..


Spoilery complaint: why did they get frisky when Melinoë had burnt up legs?????

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“So here we are, hating each other, repulsed by each other, both standing to gain from the other’s demise. And yet - I owe her my life, And she owes me hers.”

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

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

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

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