I offer myself as tribute for every and anything Ava Reid writes.

*Sapphic* ~ *Enemies to Lovers* ~ *Dystopian*

Like many, I discovered Ava Reid through a study in drowning, and afterwards quickly immersed myself in, and became enamoured with, her back catalogue of works.

Like ASID, Fable has the reader in a chokehold with the beautiful prose and fascinating, wild, dangerous landscape, filled with dangers at the edge of our vision.

Like when reading Suzanne Collins, or watching episodes of Black Mirror, or spending hours upon hours evading reality with fanfic - I felt a sense of belonging in acknowledging the discomfort of reality. Wanting to wrestle with feeling small, a cog in one of many machines which are working against the hope of a future for most - but holding out for those moments of connection and seeing the beauty that filters through the cracks.

This was a harrowing look at the gritty othering caused through class division and oppression. The pain and hopelessness for those people living in poverty outside of the most protected bounds ‘given’ by immediate power systems, but also the lack of freedom within the apparently elite who gain ‘benefits’ but are still beholden to those in absolute positions of power, and suffering in ways unseen.

This was also a story filled with hope, and wonder, and connection, and love.

Thankyou to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC.