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dumplingsz's review against another edition
4.0
might pretty soon regret my decision to spend hours reading this instead of studying for my upcoming exams
gingerale06's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kerisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
cmitchell2781's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I'd been hearing about it for months, so as soon as I got it I started reading. Fable is a beautifully written character, and I love how she's strong while still being young and vulnerable. Its makes her relatable as a main character because she doesn't just do everything perfectly. The supporting characters are also all written very well, and im deeply invested in Fable and West's relationship. I was slightly disappointed with how this book ended, but i do know that the second book with be out shortly, in March, so I'm impatiently waiting for that release. 100% recommend to really any reader looking for a good YA book.
liz_bookclub's review against another edition
4.0
I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars! This was a very fun and easy read that takes you on a fun adventure though the sea and ports and diving underwater! The characters are well developed, and the writing was really breath taking honestly. With the way the author describes people and the scenery was just amazing! The story was fast paced, and easy to follow after the first 50 or so pages. I loved all the characters, specially West and Willa. The cliff hanger at the ending was a surprise! And I loved it! Fable (FMC) motivations are clear and thought out and well developed throughout the story, as well as the side characters. I highly recommend this book if you looking for a fun and easy adventure to go on!
sarahp85's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. However, to me it starts of a bit slow and felt a bit rushed at the end.
Thankfully I got the second book from NetGalley so I can find out how the story finishes!
Thankfully I got the second book from NetGalley so I can find out how the story finishes!
tlaynejones's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Murder
bloodwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
courtney_saba's review against another edition
1.0
Overall: 1.5 stars. Alright. It wasn't as bad as some reviewers were saying, but it definitely wasn't as good as other reviewers were saying. Pretty average, to be honest, for a young adult book. Pretty forgettable at the end of the day, too.
Fable was alright. The author wanted us to think she was a badass, but she really wasn't. She made some stupid choices, didn't think through some of her decisions, and overall, wasn't a very entertaining character. Sure, she was a gem sage, and she learned some secrets with a bit of skill, but I couldn't summon any care for her.
The crew was okay. There was a gay couple involved, so that was pretty refreshing to see in a book. Willa added a bit of bad girl drama to the group. Hamish was bland, had no personality, and was one-dimensional at most.
West is another thing. I really wanted to like him. When I read books, I tend to pay attention to characters' actions. The foreshadowing and the hints of underlying emotions. If it's not there, then a declaration of love honestly means nothing. The romance bit was very sudden and very unbelievable. The author didn't give the reader any hint or detail or foreshadowing about this supposed romance. I thought it was just a forced relationship because all young adult books have to have romance, I guess. I knew West was going to be our love interest from the beginning, and so I really rooted for the relationship and searched for clues of feelings, but it was lacking. There was one conversation in the middle of the book that hinted at some feelings, but in the end, I didn't know that West felt anything for Fable and vice versa. That's a shame and the declaration in the end was meaningless.
The plot was average. The author built it up to this big thing, this big meeting with Fable and her father, but it wasn't really anything. All this tension and suspense, just for them to talk a little and then move on. The direction of the story just felt like it was checking boxes off for YA drama, and everything was a little too convenient. It wasn't as entertaining as I wanted it to be, or as intricate, or really just enjoyable. I finished this book in a day, so it was easy to read, but that sometimes isn't a good thing.
The world-building was also average. Going back and forth between towns and some ship stuff and the use of a bunch of words that I had no idea of their meaning. I don't know how many times I looked up a pirate ship on Google just so I could understand what all the words meant. It was very hard to imagine the ship Fable was on in the cities. I wanted more detail and less ambiguity about their world in general. Not to mention, their form of money consisted of coppers. But there wasn't any other form of money. So you're telling me that there's only one form and value of money, and that's coppers only? Our money and value system in the United States and elsewhere is so diverse and plentiful. Sure, it seems the world is set in the past, but this doesn't mean that you can get away with having only one kind of money value. So another weak point.
In the end, I really had looked forward to reading this book. The hype was immense. Everyone had something great to say. There were some exceptions, including a review by a reviewer who I hold to high esteem who also didn't like this book, but I thought I should make my own opinion since the overall majority really enjoyed it. The 2021 slump has been revived.
Would I re-read this book? No, not even close.
Would I recommend this book? Nope.
Was I entertained? Not really.
Beware of the hype, Goodreads fiends.
Fable was alright. The author wanted us to think she was a badass, but she really wasn't. She made some stupid choices, didn't think through some of her decisions, and overall, wasn't a very entertaining character. Sure, she was a gem sage, and she learned some secrets with a bit of skill, but I couldn't summon any care for her.
The crew was okay. There was a gay couple involved, so that was pretty refreshing to see in a book. Willa added a bit of bad girl drama to the group. Hamish was bland, had no personality, and was one-dimensional at most.
West is another thing. I really wanted to like him. When I read books, I tend to pay attention to characters' actions. The foreshadowing and the hints of underlying emotions. If it's not there, then a declaration of love honestly means nothing. The romance bit was very sudden and very unbelievable. The author didn't give the reader any hint or detail or foreshadowing about this supposed romance. I thought it was just a forced relationship because all young adult books have to have romance, I guess. I knew West was going to be our love interest from the beginning, and so I really rooted for the relationship and searched for clues of feelings, but it was lacking. There was one conversation in the middle of the book that hinted at some feelings, but in the end, I didn't know that West felt anything for Fable and vice versa. That's a shame and the declaration in the end was meaningless.
The plot was average. The author built it up to this big thing, this big meeting with Fable and her father, but it wasn't really anything. All this tension and suspense, just for them to talk a little and then move on. The direction of the story just felt like it was checking boxes off for YA drama, and everything was a little too convenient. It wasn't as entertaining as I wanted it to be, or as intricate, or really just enjoyable. I finished this book in a day, so it was easy to read, but that sometimes isn't a good thing.
The world-building was also average. Going back and forth between towns and some ship stuff and the use of a bunch of words that I had no idea of their meaning. I don't know how many times I looked up a pirate ship on Google just so I could understand what all the words meant. It was very hard to imagine the ship Fable was on in the cities. I wanted more detail and less ambiguity about their world in general. Not to mention, their form of money consisted of coppers. But there wasn't any other form of money. So you're telling me that there's only one form and value of money, and that's coppers only? Our money and value system in the United States and elsewhere is so diverse and plentiful. Sure, it seems the world is set in the past, but this doesn't mean that you can get away with having only one kind of money value. So another weak point.
In the end, I really had looked forward to reading this book. The hype was immense. Everyone had something great to say. There were some exceptions, including a review by a reviewer who I hold to high esteem who also didn't like this book, but I thought I should make my own opinion since the overall majority really enjoyed it. The 2021 slump has been revived.
Would I re-read this book? No, not even close.
Would I recommend this book? Nope.
Was I entertained? Not really.
Beware of the hype, Goodreads fiends.