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extrafolklore's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Sexual content
hannahbailey's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
How disappointing! Whilst Fable was a fun and atmospheric read with interesting character dynamics, its sequel failed to expand on these relationships and was instead rather dreary and repetitive.
Fable was by no means a revolutionary work of YA, but the things it did well really stood out. The father-daughter relationship was cleverly crafted as was the high-stakes setting, first of Jeval, and then of the seas the characters sail on.
In Namesake, the world-building is left behind and instead the author focuses on the MC's inner conflict between her father and her found family. This still could have been interesting if executed well, but sadly it dwelled too much upon the love interest and his 'bad boy' behaviour, their lovers' quarrels and their attempts to save one another by going behind each other's backs. It was so boring!
As I mentioned in my review of Fable, the side characters had potential that I was hoping would be explored further in the sequel. Some were, but only in a way that furthered the plot, rather than providing a richness of character for the reader. Despite the author heightening the stakes, they never felt so low for me.
Fable was by no means a revolutionary work of YA, but the things it did well really stood out. The father-daughter relationship was cleverly crafted as was the high-stakes setting, first of Jeval, and then of the seas the characters sail on.
In Namesake, the world-building is left behind and instead the author focuses on the MC's inner conflict between her father and her found family. This still could have been interesting if executed well, but sadly it dwelled too much upon the love interest and his 'bad boy' behaviour, their lovers' quarrels and their attempts to save one another by going behind each other's backs. It was so boring!
As I mentioned in my review of Fable, the side characters had potential that I was hoping would be explored further in the sequel. Some were, but only in a way that furthered the plot, rather than providing a richness of character for the reader. Despite the author heightening the stakes, they never felt so low for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
shannnne_reads_words's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Murder, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
booksalacarte's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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? No
4.0
Namesake picked up immediately to follow through with the cliffhanger from Fable. The Fable is separated from her crew and forced to revert back to surviving on her wits with danger where ever she is.
The second book focused less on the love story, because it was already established and flushed out, and more on Fable’s other relationships and the grief of losing her mother, which I found very satisfying! I wouldn’t have minded a little more getting to know you between Fable and West. Some more intimate dialogue between them… but I understand why it wasn’t done.
I feel like I wish that there had been more of a show of the relationships between Fable and her found family/crew mates. So many crew member characteristics were well founded in Fable, their histories explored in Namesake, but not as fully as I felt they could have been. The bond of their crew seemed to extend to Fable more by default of West than earning the individual friendships. It would have added depth. But I still enjoyed learning about a little of the crew’s histories.
I think the least purposeful character was Holland. Her character seemed like a place filler. I wanted to see her deviousness and cutthroat business. I understand how Priest rose to the top, but Holland’s rise was less explored and more implied. She seemed like a petty old woman, easily pushed aside. I wanted more evil mastermind to explain why things played out the way they did.
But I loved it all the same. I didn’t want to leave this world and was so excited to see that there was a stand-alone out there and The prequel, Priest, out in November of 2022!
The second book focused less on the love story, because it was already established and flushed out, and more on Fable’s other relationships and the grief of losing her mother, which I found very satisfying! I wouldn’t have minded a little more getting to know you between Fable and West. Some more intimate dialogue between them… but I understand why it wasn’t done.
I feel like I wish that there had been more of a show of the relationships between Fable and her found family/crew mates. So many crew member characteristics were well founded in Fable, their histories explored in Namesake, but not as fully as I felt they could have been. The bond of their crew seemed to extend to Fable more by default of West than earning the individual friendships. It would have added depth. But I still enjoyed learning about a little of the crew’s histories.
I think the least purposeful character was Holland. Her character seemed like a place filler. I wanted to see her deviousness and cutthroat business. I understand how Priest rose to the top, but Holland’s rise was less explored and more implied. She seemed like a petty old woman, easily pushed aside. I wanted more evil mastermind to explain why things played out the way they did.
But I loved it all the same. I didn’t want to leave this world and was so excited to see that there was a stand-alone out there and The prequel, Priest, out in November of 2022!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Grief
andromeda_1998's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Like I loved fable, I love namesake. I’m not sure why but this series means the world to me. It has action, adventure and the seas in one book and well I’m here for it!
Characters
Fable is a girl that knows what she wants. The sea is in her blood and she needs the freedom it can offer her. She is willing to do everything to get back the kind of life she has before her mother died. The love she feels for the ocean makes you want to travel the seas and I’m kind of sad that we cannot join her on her future adventures.
I liked West more in the first book. He has always been protective but he’s more controlling in the second book.
Writing
The book is fast paced and full of adventure. The writingstyle is light and simple. I really like Adrienne Young’s writing, it makes her books easy and fun to read.
Worldbuilding
Even-though the books are fast paced, the writer still found the time to explain the world and she expanded her world in the second book. There is a lot to discover and I cannot wait to read the last legacy, which is set in the same book as fable and namesake.
Plot
I really enjoyed that this book focuses more on her mother then her father and it was Interesting to learn more about Isolde’s past. It was a beautiful way to complete the story.
I will recommend this series wholeheartedly, especially to readers between the ages 14-25.
Characters
Fable is a girl that knows what she wants. The sea is in her blood and she needs the freedom it can offer her. She is willing to do everything to get back the kind of life she has before her mother died. The love she feels for the ocean makes you want to travel the seas and I’m kind of sad that we cannot join her on her future adventures.
I liked West more in the first book. He has always been protective but he’s more controlling in the second book.
Writing
The book is fast paced and full of adventure. The writingstyle is light and simple. I really like Adrienne Young’s writing, it makes her books easy and fun to read.
Worldbuilding
Even-though the books are fast paced, the writer still found the time to explain the world and she expanded her world in the second book. There is a lot to discover and I cannot wait to read the last legacy, which is set in the same book as fable and namesake.
Plot
I really enjoyed that this book focuses more on her mother then her father and it was Interesting to learn more about Isolde’s past. It was a beautiful way to complete the story.
I will recommend this series wholeheartedly, especially to readers between the ages 14-25.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Grief
mimccub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, and Murder
joricottone's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Kidnapping and Vomit
erniedresser'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
sfbookgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cue the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack. I am obsessed with all things sea, pirates, and ships after reading Fable and Namesake. In case it wasn’t evident, these books go together and are best read back-to-back. The books tell the story of Fable, a seventeen-year-old girl who was dropped off on a mostly deserted island by her father after their family’s ship was destroyed during a storm. Fable wants to find her way back to her father with the hopes of finding a place on his crew. But she has to get there first…
These books are perfect for both young adult and adult readers. While it did take a bit of time for me to familiarize myself with the characters in Fable, I really enjoyed Namesake because it allowed me to spend time with Fable and her crew. The world is corrupt and dangerous, but nothing can stop Fable from achieving her dreams. The duology is perfect for those looking to get a taste of the seas from the comfort of their couch and the chance to explore a new world of trade and secrets.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, and Emotional abuse
kelseyholler's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Violence