I know I'm the only one who seems to have fallen off this particular band wagon, but I just don't get why this has taken off as much as it has. Right from the start I felt like I was just pushing through a story filled with non-events, predictable solutions to short-lived problems and really REALLY flat characters.

Fable sees her mother die, and is essentially abandoned by her father on an island. She steals what she needs to survive and is determined to find her way back to him to take her rightful place on the crew. A predictable romance unfolds, as does quite a lot of pretty scenery, in truth, but the characters just washed over me and even immediately after finishing it's a genuine struggle to tell you any identifying features of any of them.

It's an easy read, very quick, but that's for significant reasons - there's absolutely no substance.

A compelling read about a stubborn red-head, Fable as she seeks passage across the dangerous waters on the *Marigold,* with the help of its crew **determined to return to her father, who she's been abandoned by on Jeval, the land of thieves and dredgers, fighting tooth and nail for any piece of copper, so she can finally leave the godforsaken land. She's been alone for so long and she's desperate for a crew. She's stubborn, headstrong, and unwilling to go down without a fight, not really one to listen to orders.

It has a promising beginning that really sets of the story and as having not read many books based on pirate and ships, I wasn't sure if it was my sort of thing but this was delightful. It's mainly character-driven as there seems to be no real significant plot to the book, a maybe sort of spin-off for the next book, building it up for what is revealed later on.

Fable is a wonderful protagonist who also happens to have the fascinating ability to somehow read gems, making her one of a kind. The books kicks off when she meets the pirates of the *Marigold* whom I all adored, especially the endearing relationship between Paj and Auster.

Then we have the helmsman, West, our love interest-though the book itself doesn't center on the romance-who is annoyingly vague and mysterious all the time, and seems to have more on his mind than he says. He has a past behind him that we're not sure is clean enough to consider him innocent, and secrets slowly unravel as she befriends the crew. I'd say the romance was sort of insta-lovey, though I have hopes that it may develop further into the next book.

Overall it was a quick and enjoyable read, the chapters flying by, but not really a shocking nor extraordinary one.

Quick, fun, easy... That's how I would describe reading this book. I wasn't blown away by any part of it. There's no building up to anything, nothing goes horribly wrong (They always have a way out so the stakes aren't very high...), and the characters are quite flat even the main character.

Writing style: This was my first book by Adrienne Young and I really enjoyed it. Her writing is easy to follow and it flows nicely over the page.
This book is written entirely from Fable's point of view and I would have liked her thoughts to be a little more interesting. We spend a lot of time inside Fable's head so I expected that to be a bit more intriguing.

Characters: My god, everyone was so darn flat. Don't ask me what anyone looks like, I honestly can't remember and I literally just finished the book. The only reason I know what Fable looks like is because she's on the cover of the book...
And the romance... Ugh. There was no spark. No chemistry. They just suddenly kiss under water and then a little later they spend the night together in bed (did they have sex? I don't know. It's a YA book so no one is gonna tell me). This book was advertised as book full of glorious romance... WHERE THE HECK IS IT?

Story: It was a nice plot. Just nice. It was a light fantasy read. No high stakes. No epic reveals. Any problem is solved within a couple of pages. THAT ENDING THO 😱 Young sure knows how to make sure someone reads the sequel 😂

I did enjoy the book, but I guess I just had higher expectations. It's still a solid three stars from me.

Fable is a book about pirates and I was very excited for this, it's not the sort of fantasy I usually read. Maybe my expectations were too high.

It was very entertaining and exciting but not complex or surprising. There was plenty of fast-paced action and high stakes, and that was what really kept me hooked.

The plot is okay. I'm not sure there that much of a conflict to resolve and what did happen seemed too easy and predictable. It seems that the true conflict may yet come in book 2 and this was more of a prelude. So, this aspect of the story felt a bit lacking for sure.

The main character Fable is a stubborn, clever and resourceful girl living and she was one of the things I loved about this book. I was rooting for her the entire time. The secondary characters were pretty quirky, a found family kind of situation and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in the next book and learning more about this world.

One of things rhat I just didn't like at all was the romance. It was entirely unnecessary; it felt rushed and out of place, especially because these characters had no chemistry. It just didn't really add anything to the story.

Overall, I had a great time reading Fable. It had its flaws but I still recommend it if you're looking for something fun.

I got an ARC of "Fable" by Adrienne Young at Netgalley, for an honest review.

Fable started a bit slow but then it captured me into it's nets. And I couldn't stop reading. I loved the secrets that slowly got out of the box, and just made more questions pop up. Allso the love story that is on the side line is amazing and not to forget that cliff hanger.

All in all "Fable" is worth a read, it's easy going, but exciting and secretive. Though I'm missing a bit more explanation about the "magic/power" in this world. But maybe it be explained in "namesake"

“Home was a ship that was at the bottom of the sea, where my mother's bones lay sleeping.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For seventeen-year-old Fable, the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home she has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on an island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one, and rely on the skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father, and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so 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. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive.

Fable is a feisty and resilient character. Precisely the kind of character I love! I love that she is adamant in her beliefs and she doesn’t allow anyone to turn her from the path she sets herself upon. I enjoyed seeing the world from her POV, how she approached different situations and her tenacity for staying alive, at whatever cost to do so. I also thoroughly enjoyed her mind, the way she thinks and how she clings to particular driving forces to see her through day by day. Fable has definitely made it to my favourites list!
West is a guy that you want to slap and kiss at the same time. Maddening and frustrating and intelligent and dreamy. Perfect ingredients for the star male character in a YA book, don’t you think? I enjoyed reading him as a character because he has the air of mystery about him that just sucks you in, beneath the cockiness and violence, of course.
The crew of the Marigold are a group of rug rats that you want to be a part of. I love their bond, how they support each other and have become a close-knit family aboard the ship. I appreciated seeing them skittish and untrusting of Fable when she first went on the ship - it’s a realistic response compared to accepting her with open arms as some stories portray. I liked seeing their camaraderie grow and watch as they accepted Fable into their fold.

I’m so happy to see that this isn’t a story dominated by an element of love. The main focus is Fable and her survival, her persistence to reach her father and get what he owes her. I like that this isn’t the typical YA story that sees the heroine falling in love and navigating a relationship with her new beau - not that I don’t enjoy those stories because I LOVE THEM, but it’s a very refreshing change. I can’t wait to see what the sequel brings - I am FURIOUS with that ending because I meed to know more!!!!

Overall, Fable is a brilliant blend of adventure, violence and pirates that leaves you desperate for more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Titan Books for an advanced copy.

A pretty average read, not what I was expecting at all. I felt like it was trying to imitate the friendships in Six of Crows a bit, which I was not a fan of in either book,. The writing was good though, I just wasn't as keen on the storyline when I actually got into it. Hasn't put me off reading anything else by Adrienne Young but I hope that the friendships aren't all like these!

Thank you to Netgalley, Titan Books, and Adrienne Young for my arc of Fable in exchange for an honest review. 
Published: 26th January 2021 

Fable has always lived on the sea. Growing up as the only daughter of The Narrows most terrifyingly powerful trader meant she grew up sailing on ships and learning to dredge the seas with her mother. But the day after she watched her mother drown at sea her father abandons her on the ruthless isles of Jevan and she has spent the past few years fighting to survive and get off the islands and back to her father. When things go suddenly wrong she has to take the chance she has to escape aboard a ship with a young trader called West and heads back to her father's home. But there are many dangers around them and together they must fight to survive the storms of the seas and the storms of the people around them.

I loved the previous books I read by Adrienne so I was already expecting to enjoy Fable but it still managed to surprise me with just how great it was! I can hardly wait for the sequel!!
I loved Fable's character she is so sweet and yet so strong, the romance element was so cute it made my chest ache. There was lots of intrigue and plenty of questions raised from that have left me wanting more. Every character in this book is just fantastic, relatable and full of banter. A brilliant read and an easy 5*.

I’m always a little nervous to read a hyped book, entering it with high expectations, but Fable definitely deserves it’s hype! This book is incredible, with a badass, vulnerable female protagonist, a sexy love interest who sizzles on the page (I love him!!!! It may have helped that I pictured him as Cary Elwes in Princess Bride throughout the book :D)), a complex wonderful array of characters you grow to love very quickly,, great world building and the plot isn’t convoluted but keeps you interested throughout.
Adrienne Young’s books have always impressed me and she is brilliant at shaping female led empowering stories, Skyrim the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back, are among my favourites, her writing is beautiful and in each book she creates a wonderful world for you to step in, with history, rules and culture that she’s really dedicated to. I’ve hit a bit of a YA reading slump this year, feeling dissatisfied quite a bit but but this was definitely the book I needed to bring me back. As soon as I finished Fable, I ordered a copy for my shelf and the sequel, Namesake. This book wasn’t mindless escapism but an exciting, layered adventure with heart and I can’t wait to come back to Fable, West, Willa in particular, thank you NetGalley for the early copy!

Fable is a story about the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows. Fable has been abandoned by her father for four years on an island filled with thieves. Her only goal is to get off the island and claim her rightful place. When Fable has earned enough money to buy passage from the island, she ends up on the Marigold where she meets West and his crew. But things aren't always as they seem and the journey back to her father brings her on an unexpected adventure.

Fable is a very enjoyable read filled with adventure and suspense. I was hooked from the very first page and read this in one sitting. A story about traders, storms at sea and a great crew. I loved the setting, the premise, the suspense and the family of characters.

Fable is an amazing main character. Smart, a true survivor but also very human in the things that she craves. West is a deliciously broody character with the weight of the world on his shoulders. The rest of the crew of the Marigold has a great dynamic and I wish we could've learned more about their backstory.

The fact that none of the characters are telling the truth leaves you on the edge of your seat. Trying to figure out everyone's motive. I loved how the story unfolded and it took many surprising turns. The ending was great. Just as you think that things are coming nicely together, Adrienne Young completely turns the tables. I can't wait to read the sequel.

So, there's two things I need you to know about my review for this book before you read it:
a) this was an ARC (@NetGalley and Titan Books: Thanks for that)
b) I didn't even finish it


Let me explain the last part:
I did not care for it.

It sounds mean, but I've come to chapter 26, and I don't care for any of the characters in this ragtag group of a crew. Which is a shame, because there's so much potential to this story.
But the characters are so shallow that you can see right through them, Fable couldn't be more average for a main heroine and there is not a single twist to this story that you can't see coming from five miles away. The idea of gem sagery is cool and all, but it's so weakly done up until now.
One thing that bothers me especially about Fable is that, even when she says she feels like this or that, there is nothing portraying it. She's like... Let's keep with the sea-related similes. Fable's character is like a puddle. Every emotion or disturbance is very... I wanna say perfunctory? It fades as quickly as it has risen and it has no lasting effect on her or the way she behaves.

So, I'm sorry. I truly am. I adored Sky in the Deep, and re-read it as one of my comfort-reads, but Fable didn't work out for me at all. It's not a bad book per say, but if at 60% you still don't care about any of the characters, it's not worth it to finish this book.

Clear your schedule before you pick this book up, Fable is the most insanely gripping book I’ve read in a long time. 17-year-old Fable was abandoned four years ago by her father on a dangerous island of thieves and since then she has been doing everything just to survive and to earn enough money to get off the island. Fable is a ‘dredger’, a free diver who scavenges the reef for precious stones to sell but she also has other skills, inherited from her mother, that would put her in even more danger if anyone found out about them. Fortunately for Fable, she finds a crew willingly to take her on board, but they’re hiding secrets of their own. This book is crammed with mortal peril, incredibly rich world-building, great characters, romance and suspense. Highly recommended.

Adrienne Young’s ‘Fable’ has been a joy to read, and I have enjoyed the first book in the duology very much.
‘Fable’ follows seventeen-year-old girl, who is on the quest to find her father again. Four years ago, after a tremendous storm and horrible events, he has left her on an island full of thieves. Left alone, Fable must learn to fend for herself and survive.

The main story shown from Fable’s perspective is engaging and fairly well-paced. Despite a little slow start, I ended up enjoying Adrienne Young’s book more and more as the story unfolded. ‘Fable’ has many interesting characters, each with their own story to tell, and while we initially don’t learn that much about any of them, except Fable herself, I hope that their circumstances will be explored even further in the second book. There is definitely so much potential!

Adrienne Young’s writing is vibrant and enjoyable, and while I wished there was some more exploration of the world we are getting to know in ‘Fable’, I have enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of the book.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the instalment of ‘Fable’, especially after that ending!

I would definitely recommend ‘Fable’ to any YA fantasy lovers, and anyone who enjoys adventures set on the sea.

Well after a bit of a confusing start this one turned into quite an adventure!

I think, for me, there was too much happening in the beginning for me to keep track of. There are a lot of names thrown about, and Fable is diving in the sea, then she’s on a boat, then she’s in the sea again. I’m going to blame the fact I was reading this book with a horrendous toothache but honestly, it was all just a bit confusing.

Thankfully things started to get a bit clearer and I found myself enjoying it a lot more, especially once we meet West and crew. Young does a wonderful job of describing the ship and life at sea, some of her descriptions were beautiful, yet there was also a sense of danger that never quite went away.

I loved Fable right from the start. She’s a very resilient heroine who has dealt with a lot in her life already, she’s determined and has the grit to pull through even when the odds are stacked against her. At the start she’s very closed off to others but as the story continues you get a glimpse of how she slowly starts to show her vulnerable side. I was always interested in her journey and her past, which slowly unravels throughout the book. Her relationships were some of my favourite aspects.

I love the found family trope and this book is stuffed full to the brim with it. There’s a bit of romance which, honestly, didn’t really connect with me very much, I’m hoping its expanded more in the sequel. It just seemed to come out of nowhere. Her friendships with the others though–especially Willa–were lovely. Best of all though was Fable’s connection with her father, how they both treat one another. They have a very subtle relationship and most of what they feel for one another you have to read between the lines to see the extent of it. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the next book.

Highly recommended to all those ya fantasy fans who enjoy a fast-paced, swashbuckingly fun adventure. I cannot wait to read the sequel when it comes out!

Fable as a you girl has been left on an island, full of thieving pirates and miscreants alone by her father. After fables fathers ship goes down, taking her mother with it her father abandons her on the island at age 14, leaving her only with a strange scar he cuts into her arm and promising her that if she can get off the island and find him he will give her what he promised.
4 years later after working as a dredger, someone who searches for precious gems under the sea, fable manages to finally gain passage on a ship to get off the island and starts the journey to find her father.

Adrienne Young is a real story teller, I was hooked on this tale almost instantly. The way she describes what’s going on makes you feel like you are living the story.
The way she makes you feel about fable and her situation draws you in. Fable is such a strong female character, she’s tough and nails and stubborn too. I just wanted fable to have some good luck and not be ‘the bad luck charm’, to have a real shot at success.

This book really plays on relationships and trust. How there is always a price that must be payed for letting your feeling escape you and how others can use this agains you.
Everyone to start with was so guarded but as you get nearer the end of this book you can see everyone’s hard edges begin to soften and you start to find out who they really are, this was a nice touch and made me want to keep reading to find out more.

My only gripe with this book is that I felt like the end was a little rushed, a tad unsatisfying. I had questions that needed answers before we came to the cliffhanger at the end.
That being said I can’t wait to get my hands in the next instalment!

Such a great read, I love this author and I find this one fantastic!It was fast paced and I was intrigued and excited while I was reading it!Loved the world build up! Fable is amazing, such a badass and strong heroine!

There is action and I liked the romance a lot!I fall in love with the characters!Such a unique story!

Looking forward for the next book!

Adrienne Young’s books are always fast-paced and incredibly readable. She has an easy way of writing that makes you feel like you’re really flying through the pages.

In FABLE, she throws us into a world of cut-throat pirates with just a hint of magic in Fable’s ability to ‘understand’ the gems she finds.

What I loved most about this book were the settings. The locations in FABLE are so vivid and so clear, and you become completely and utterly immersed in the world the author has created. From a castaway, gem-seekers’ island, to a bustling, back-stabbing port city, you can’t help being right there at Fable’s side.

I’ve read a few YA pirate stories in recent years and the thing that always disappoints me is when an author skimps on the actual sea-faring, living-aboard-a-ship aspect of pirating. FABLE don’t fall into that trap and you get a really good sense of the crew and of The Marigold itself. Young throws in all sorts of details about sailing and ship-building and, while I’ve no idea if any of it’s true, it really makes the sea and the ship come alive into a character all it’s own.

FABLE is an exciting first half of a duology, and one that should appeal to lovers of pirates, found families and thieves.

This had a very slow start and I was wondering when the fantasy elements would kick in. It wasn't until I got to about Chapter 15 when it became swashbucklingly interesting. I'm not quite sure it lives up to its hype but it is definitely intriguing and enjoyable enough for me to look out for the concluding part of this duology

A fantasy book, set at sea written by Adrienne Young ... YES PLEASE. I had mixed feelings going into this book, I was super excited however super nervous at the same time. I really like Adrienne Young and her writing style, she has now written a book in my favourite fantasy setting and it has been very well received in the book community. I was really scared that I would be in the minority and not like it. THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

I started this on the morning of one of my days off and by the evening I had already finished. I think the writing style really helped with this. Adrienne Young has such a wonderful, easy to read writing style that you will literally devour very easily. I had no intention of starting and finishing Fable in the same day, however I just could not help myself. I literally couldn't put it down.

The characters were amazing, I absolutely love the development of them throughout the book and how much I ended up loving them. Fable is such brave and wonderful character, I was on her team throughout and just wanted the best for her. Auster and Paj were just bloody beautiful and they played on so many of my emotions throughout the book. Willa & West's relationship is so beautiful. The care for each other so much and that was so lovely to be a part of. I'm not going to talk to much more about relationships, because spoilers! But I SHIP AND I NEED MORE.

I also really enjoyed the journey. There was an overall plot but also side stories that I found myself invested in throughout. I really loved finding out more about Fable's past, I like how this was spoon fed throughout the story. I love nothing more than to receive snippets of a story throughout so I can make my own theories and assumptions. I also really liked understanding more about the Marigold and the story behind it.

I can't fault this book .. apart from the ending. The ending has made me angry because YOU CANT JUST LEAVE IT THERE. Wow. I need Namesake now! I literally cant believe it was left in the way that it was, I need more and I don't want to wait. This book was everything it is hyped to be and I definitely recommend you read it.

Pirates, check, adventure, check.

I absolutely loved reading this book, I've heard so many people talking about it and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it.
It follows Fable who find her way onto a pirate ship, well not a real one, it's a traders ship but its more exciting to think about them as pirate ships. She finds her father who wants nothing to do with her and has an adventure on the way.

I loved the character development within this book, its a lovely read and I finished it in a day and will definitely be re-reading it at some point.

Honestly just go and pick up a copy, you won't regret it.

Will be posting on Goodreads, amazon and my blog. Thanks again!