A big thank you to Netgalley and del ray books for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review

Ava Reid has once again created a masterpiece with her latest book; Fable for the end of the world.
Set in a dystopian future of earth where climate change has caused both humans and wildlife to adapt to their new environments. Water levels are high, the rain barely seems to end, the pink skies are caused by chemicals, animals have mutated and are out populating their original species, the people who try to live alone in the wilds away from society are feral and the general public answer to a big company for their needs through a credit system.

But what happens when to the people who are in debt to the organisations domineering this new world? The Lamb’s Gauntlet happens. This book truly is a heartfelt love letter to The Hunger Games, Reid crafts an atmospheric world with beautifully contrasting and conflicting characters but the domineering force amongst all the turmoil not only of earth’s state but the way humans now seem to treat each other is love.

Exploring the what should be impossible connections, where a girl named Melinoe (the hunter) who has been engineered and altered to surpass a human state and has been designed to be more like a literal killing machine, become conflicted when our “Lamb” Inesa seems to shutdown her so carefully curated systems designed to separate Mel from her human nature and be the killing machine the public love to watch be let loose for the hunt; kill whatever lamb has landed themselves in debt to the system. Oh and its televised.

Our “Lamb” Inesa has found herself hunted after she’s put up for The Lamb’s Gauntlet by her sponsor….her own mother who is in credit debt after frivolous needless spends; which will now be paid for with Inesa’s life. When a twist In the hunt means the hunter and hunted ed up needing each other, necessity turns into choice. And the two explore the depth of human (and machine) nature and connection; How it can be forged, destroyed, manipulated and transmuted from one thing to another. The love of two young women, love that might just change the world.

Ava Reid always has such a haunting aspect to her writing while simultaneously making it feel like you are dancing on top of words of poetry. The equivalent of honey and gravel in a mesmerising combination. As usual there aren’t enough words to do this book justice and I’ll ever be able to translate all that this book is through this review. All I ca say is to pick this book up and see for yourself. 2025 is the year of the dystopians. Thank you Ava for once again writing a book that has wriggled its way into my veins.

This book sits in a liminal space where it is simultaneously written to appeal to a sense of nostalgia for 2010s dystopian novels but also to capture a YA audience. Whilst adults can and should read YA books, this book feels somewhat like one of those books where it isn't going to hit as much if you are little further away from that target 14-18 y/o age range.

What Reid does well is evoke a very believable landscape of the world that we could be heading towards with climate disaster, rampant capitalism, nuclear disaster, etc. As I have aphantasia, I follow it challenging at times to get a sense of place as it seemed as if the environment was akin to somewhere like Venice where all transport was done via rafts but then the characters utilise a car so I think my sense of the terrain was a little shaky. This is also a book that very much taps into the dystopian archetypes with a large disparity between the haves and the have=nots, a televised gameshow where children are fighting for their lives, and even a somewhat bleak ending to the story. Whilst there is some originality, I couldn't get away from the sense that I was reading a fanfiction for Hunger Games where the serial numbers have been filed off. I really appreciate the fact that this is a sapphic story as it satisfies a real gap that I felt in the most popular 2010s dystopian stories although it is somewhat depressing that in this imagined future, homophobia is still very much the norm. There was a slightly strange moment at around the 85% mark where we have a long info dump of basic world building stuff that we had basically already discovered by the reading the book; this felt almost self-insert in the way that it seemed to be very unsubtly saying "look at what's happening in America right now, this is the future we're heading towards".

This is a book that I really wanted to love and I was excited to read but unfortunately it mostly fell flat for me largely because both of our leads felt very two-dimensional and I often felt as though I couldn't really get a read on who they were. It was refreshing that Inesa was kinda hopeless and her skills didn't really translate into things that would have allowed her to survive if it weren't for her alliance with Melinoe. I felt as though there was a lot of potential to Melinoe's character however I didn't feel as though her arc was executed as smoothly as I might have liked. It felt like a missed opportunity that her feelings around her future as a sex slave weren't given much time on-page. I think the intention with her character was that cracks in her facade of a heartless killer had started when she killed Sanne but it just didn't quite work? Honestly, so much of my dissatisfaction with this book can be summed-up by saying that it felt like a series of missed opportunities.

I think this is a book that will likely either really hit or be middle of the road for most readers and I genuinely think those in the target age audience or, ironically, those who are less familiar with books like Hunger Games will have a better time with this story.

This gives 2000s YA dystopia in the best way possible. It's genuinely like being bacxk in that peak hunger games era of reading. And yet this does a fresh twist and take on it all so it feels new and at times, all too relevent. We have dual POV here, and it's utilised in a way that actually really adds to the story which is incredible?

As ever with reid's characters, there is an underyling beauty and softness that is their real strength and she really crafts a character so well. And I feel that, in a time when it is becoming less and less to outwardly be yourself, their is strength in vulnerability here. Strength in being who you are. And strength to be found in being queer in a place that doesn't always accept you.

As previously said, yes this does feel like a homage to the hunger games, and it is a love letter to all that time brought us, but in its own fresh way. It takes inspiration but doesnt copy and that's a hard line to trace. But i think people who loved the hunger games back ion the day will find delights within the pages of this book.

As every dysopian novel is, it feels horrifying and 'how can a world descend to this level?' but there are always parallels, and links to our own world that make you pause, and Reid does this so well. It's little things that mirror society now but enough to make you relaise maybe the horror of it all isn't that far away. Some examples are more overt than others, but i feel with YA you need to make some things more obvious and literal so they aren't missed.

My only complaint is I wanted more. I'd have happily spent more time in the world.

Ava Reid has done it again. And by “it” I mean written another book that I love with my entire heart. Fable for the End of the World is a little different to the other books I’ve read by Reid, but her phenomenal writing still shines through as ever. I loved the dystopian setting and the sapphic enemies-to-lovers, the storyline was so interesting and it was all just executed so well. I’ll read anything Ava Reid writes, and this book shows exactly why!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid was fantastic—sapphic romance meets The Hunger Games in a brutal, dystopian world.

This book honestly didn’t disappoint. I read it in two sittings, only because I was on a flight when I picked it up, but I could have easily devoured it in one. It’s probably the first dystopian I’ve read since 2014, and I’d forgotten just how much I miss this genre. Reid’s writing is so immersive, weaving a world that feels eerily possible, and the tension kept me hooked from the start.

We follow a dual POV: Inesa, who lives with her brother and a very questionable mother, and Melinoë, an assassin forged by the cruel society she serves. Melinoë’s job is to balance the debts of those who can’t pay under the ruthless point system controlled by Caerus, the corporation that dictates survival. Their paths inevitably collide, and what unfolds is a story laced with tension, survival, and the tiniest sliver of hope.

I loved the worldbuilding and the depth of the characters, but at times, the pacing felt a bit off. That said, the dynamic between Inesa and Melinoë carried the story, and the bleak yet beautiful storytelling left its mark.

Well, that was harrowing.

This was not in the same realm as anything that I've read from Ava Reid previously, but was just as gripping and atmospheric- albeit a very different type of atmosphere. The world that Reid lays out in the story is far into the future, yet retains just enough similarities to our. current world that I kept grappling with the uncomfortable question of "but is it actually that far into the future?" And I think that's what made the story work so well: the world is different enough to be dystopian, but retained just enough of familiar biases, misogyny, and "othering" to be extremely recognizable.

The story follows two women from the opposite ends of the world in which they live: Inesa -an Outlier, the oppressed, a cog in the wheels that keeps the corporate overlords rich and in control of New Amsterdam, the Lamb that must compete in a Hunger Games-esque televised show as the prey that will inevitably be killed for entertainment- and Melinoë -the predator, the tool of the corporate overlords, the hunter, the girl who has had her mind/body/limbs/psyche altered to turn her into the soulless killing machine. I must admit, I was a little skeptical during the first part of the book. I couldn't fathom how the reader was expected to forgive Melinoë, let alone root for her.

I'm not sure that everyone -or anyone- does end up on Melinoë's side. But I also don't think that it matters. The plot and themes that the story addresses are enough to keep you turning the pages. It's heartbreaking and infuriating and slightly terrifying. And it's brilliant.

My only qualm is that I did wish that the characters had been slightly older. I understand the decision to make them as young as they are, but I also think that the issues that are being addressed in the book could've gone a lot deeper had this been nudged into the New Adult category instead.

All in all, another phenomenal book from Ava Reid.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the perfect book for readers who crave a dystopian romantasy that pulls you into a world of survival, tension, and hope.

New Amsterdam is a dystopian society plagued by climate change, where mutations are rampant, and society is deeply divided. The Caerus corporation holds power, providing for the population, but at a steep cost. And when individuals fall into overwhelming debt, the corporation comes to collect. This collection comes in the form of the Gauntlet- a livestreamed event where people’s lives are the form of payment. In this deadly game, a genetically perfected assassin Angel is unleashed to hunt down and kill the chosen sacrificial Lamb.

With a unique dystopian setting, a fight for survival, and a forbidden enemies-to-lovers romance, this story weaves together in a way that will keep you hooked. It’s a fast-paced, high-stakes journey filled with moments of tension and the ultimate battle for survival.

Main Tropes:
🗡️Dystopian
🗡️Sapphic Romance
🗡️Duel POV
🗡️Forced Proximity
🗡️Enemies to Lovers
🗡️No spice (kissing/off page)

This story of survival follows Inesa, a lower class girl trying to provide for her family by running their taxidermy shop. But when her mother puts her name in the Gauntlet as payment for her medical bill debt, her world is ripped out from underneath her, and suddenly her life is a ticking clock. Melinoë, a trained and modified assassin is assigned to her demise, having thirteen days to hunt and kill her- all of which will be broadcast on live television.

The Gauntlet is a sadistic spectacle, eagerly tuned into by viewers on their TVs and tablets. With the help of her brother Luka, Inesa sets off with one thing on her mind- survival. It’s rare for a lamb to survive the Gauntlet, but there’s always hope, no matter how small. When the hunt begins, Inesa expects Melinoë to be nothing more than a cold, calculating killing machine, but soon discovers there may be more to her than meets the eye.

In world where it’s kill or be killed- what happens when you find yourself falling for the one who’s been sent to end your life?

Special thank you to Del Rey UK, for providing me with this ARC via NetGalley.

I was initially drawn to Fable for the End of the World by its dystopian premise—something akin to The Hunger Games but with a unique twist: a society where people can take on debt in exchange for others' sacrifices. It’s an idea with a lot of potential, but unfortunately, the execution just didn't do it justice.

One of my biggest issues was the pacing. The chapters felt overly long, making it difficult to stay engaged, especially with so much happening at once. There were too many threads competing for attention, and instead of feeling immersive, it all became overwhelming. While this is a standalone novel, the ending left me completely unsatisfied.

That’s not to say this is a bad book—it’s clear the author had ambitious ideas. However, it felt like it was trying to do far too much in too little space. The comparison to The Hunger Games ultimately didn’t hold up, as it lacked the same clarity of world-building and character depth. There were moments of great writing, such as “The world can break anything,” which really encapsulates the bleak tone, but overall, the book didn’t leave a lasting impression.

If you’re looking for a dystopian read with a thought-provoking premise, this might still be worth a try—but for me, it just didn’t quite deliver.

4.5 ⭐️
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.

I loved this, I’ve noticed in Ava Reid’s writing that the romance never starts properly until around 50-60% of the way through the book. I think this is such a clever way to get your teeth into the plot.

The story was extremely well written with themes of climate change and capitalism woven throughout, it was on the nose when described as a sapphic The Hunger Games. The ending broke my heart but made the story come together. I loved the romance between the two main characters, very well written and sweet. If she decided to write a sequel then I’d definitely buy it.

Thank you netgalley and Del Rey for providing me with this eARC for review.
My 4th Ava Reid book overall, and the 3rd that I have absolutely adored. This is one for the hunger games girlies and as a hunger games girly I say thank you Ms Reid.

This is my second Ava Reid book that I’ve read and I really enjoy her writing style and usage of words. This book is a dystopian ya with a sapphic romance. I really enjoyed this book, I liked the settings, the characters and the overall plot. I especially liked the terminator style hunting within this book. There was a lot going on and I really cared for the characters. I wanted a little bit more information at some parts hence the 4 star rating instead of 5 but I really enjoyed this one. I will definitely be reading more Ava Reid.

I love this author so much. With each new book it is a automatic request as so far I loved ever of her books and knew I won't be disappointed with this one. This book shows that the dystopian genre could do a
huge come back. Yes I'm biased most of my favourite books are dystopian lol.

But anyway, the book has a great plot and I don't even have to mention but I shall, the writing was great. It is easy to read but also a bit poetic which was just great.

A searing and utterly compelling dystopian marvel. This is dystopia back with a vengeance, and it's brilliant. Reid crafts a world where the monolithic corporation Caerus holds society in a vice-like grip through engineered debt, a chillingly plausible scenario that resonates with our current anxieties.
Inesa, struggling to survive in a half-submerged town, is forced into the horrific Lamb's Gauntlet, a televised assassination event, to pay off her mother's crushing debt. Melinoë, the genetically engineered assassin, is her hunter, haunted by past failures and driven by a cold, relentless purpose. What unfolds is a heart-pounding chase across a desolate wasteland, filled with tense encounters and unexpected moments of warmth.
Reid weaves a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. This isn't just a simple action-packed story; it's a scathing commentary on capitalism and our dwindling compassion for our fellow man and our planet. The world-building is immersive, and the characters are complex and compelling. The enemies-to-lovers trope is executed with a delicate balance of tension and tenderness. .
The story is jam-packed with action from start to finish interspersed with vivid descriptions of their crumbling world.
This book would look absolutely excellent as a movie! Hint.

This is a heavy read in this moment in time, considering how close to home it hits with its dystopian exploration of the future. I would have really appreciated it being a bit more hopeful, being a YA dystopia, but it's difficult not to see how realistic everything is, in the end.

Reid tells us openly that this story was born as The Hunger Games' fanfic, and it's also very clear when reading the book, even though she goes to some darker places quicker and show us a reality way closer to our own.

Having read other books by the author, this one tackles the dark issues with some more levity, barely exploring them, which is a pity, for Reid has written darker books for the same young audiences.

It's a really good book, I was just personally expecting something a bit different from the author.

Fable for the end of the world is a sapphic dystopian romance which follows Melinoe, the Angel killer, and her target, Inesa, the Lamb. Fighting their way through the wilderness and for their survival their relationship changes.
I sped through this book and I think anyone who loved the Hunger Games will too. Its got the same forbidden romance and just trying to find happiness in a messed up world vibe.
That ending!!! Can’t spoil it for anyone though hehe
A solid 4 stars 💕

4⭐️

This book threw me back into my childhood love for dystopian fiction, with a Hunger Games vibe but offering something fresh. The concept of the gauntlet is so cool, and the world lore is so unique.

Alas, I wanted more: more lore, more backstory, more of the gauntlet, basically more of everything. I couldn’t help but wish this was part of a series, as there’s so much i want to know about this world !!

The characters though *chefs kiss*. Mel and Inesa are strong and complex and I LOVED their relationship. But the boy that stole my heart, Luka. HE JUST LOVES HIS SISTER SO MUCH 🥹🥹. Basically Miss Ava you wrote these relationships so well that i am in love with all these characters.

While the book works well as a standalone, I’d love to see more of this world. Still, it’s definitely worth the read (but I really wish it was part of a series) 🥲

Love that dystopian books are back!!

This was so great! I loved the world building and the scary thought that a world like described could be a possibility due to the stupidity of human nature!

This book felt like a nostalgic throwback with added sapphic love. It was beautifully done and the characters of Mel and Inesa were well fleshed out.

I would definitely recommend!

FABLE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD is a dystopian that feels like THE HUNGER GAMES of this new wave of dystopians.

It's an engaging tale of survival, looking into the face of someone you've been told to fear but discovering they are a victim too - a smokescreen for others' cruelty - and the choice to love in the face of fear and despair. I galloped through the tale, wanting to know how Inesa was going to survive.

Following in THE HUNGER GAMES' footsteps, this is a book about blood sports as a form of control, televising death to placate the masses. It is couched in terms of debts, the way these are made unsustainable by design and the ways finances can be used to control people.

As well as Inesa, Melinoe is also a narrator. It gives us a glimpse into the world of the Angels, the ways they are controlled body and mind - used and then discarded, sent to satisfy any desires the corporation has. It helped show how every aspect of the program was one of exploitation, full of unwilling participants who were manipulated into doing as bidden.

Like many dystopians set in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster, this book does get the effects of radiation wrong. It's a minor thing part of the world building, and I suspect someone who isn't a nuclear physicist wouldn't pick up on it (after all, most media use "irradiation" and "contamination" interchangeably even when they're different!)

While the romantic relationship is a major part of this book, it is not a romance - because it is missing a HEA/HFN. There is hope that one will come in the future, but it is also a question of whether that is the character clinging to hope in the face of the odds, a self-delusion like many other hopes have been revealed as in the course of the book.

I liked this. I love tragedies so more sombre endings are often my preferred type. Given the sheer control the corporation holds in this book, it felt so much more realistic that they would snatch something away at the end - particularly as it's a standalone. It took Katniss three books to overthrow Panen, after all!

This is a totally different style to what Ava normally writes, but with the same beautiful writing and characters you can't help but love.

Think of an apocalyptic love story, throw in betrayal, a journey or discovery and heart break you get Fable for the end of the world.

Just perfect!

Absolutely devoured this. My first Ava Reid and it was so good! A dystopian YA novel that really threw me back to the 2010s when I first read The Hunger Games so it felt super nostalgic. Sapphic YA dystopia in a drowned, climate ravaged , hyper corporate/capitalistic world with a live-streamed assassination gauntlet. Was hooked and captivated throughout, highly recommend and will definitely be picking up more of Ava Reid’s work!