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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
medium-paced
2.5 stars
I‘m puzzled as to why Fable is so hyped, especially seeing that it was published only last year. Don’t get me wrong, the book isn’t bad per se, but if I had to describe it in one word, it would be weak.
The plot is lackluster, the characters are one-dimensional with the exception of Saintwho is well written and Fable who isn’t. The latter being so stupid it hurts and had me nodding to what Willa and Saint say to /about her. Sometimes her being stupid is for plot convenience, like when she first exposes herself as a gem sage in public, and that was even more frustrating to read than when she was just being obtuse.
The other characters are so shallow that I always forgot that Paj and Hamish are different crew members. The obligatory romance between West and Fable was also weak with them not having any chemistry. In regard to the character’s dynamics with Fable I was reminded a lot of To Kill a Kingdom (also the setting, obviously), but Fable was, again much weaker.
The pacing was also off and other reviewers aren’t wrong, it feels like nothing happens. I personally didn’t mind the slow start and felt that more happened in the first half than in the second. In the second half, moreover, nothing unexpected happenswell, nothing unexpected happens at all, this book religiously follows the same story beats every YA book I’ve read in the last years does and I wish that there had been just more. I easily could have closed the book after Fable’s reunion with Saint and known exactly how it ends, except for the cliffhanger.
Speaking of cliffhangers, I hate them. If an author commits the cardinal sin of including one, I will almost always round off my rating. This one in particular didn’t even make sense to me..
Also, what’s up with everyone swooning about the cover? It’s so incredibly basic.
I‘m puzzled as to why Fable is so hyped, especially seeing that it was published only last year. Don’t get me wrong, the book isn’t bad per se, but if I had to describe it in one word, it would be weak.
The plot is lackluster, the characters are one-dimensional with the exception of Saint
Spoiler
“I can’t decide if I like you or if I think you’re stupid.” She laughed.”Now I know you’re stupid.“Spoiler
“you weren't made for this world, Fable.”The other characters are so shallow that I always forgot that Paj and Hamish are different crew members. The obligatory romance between West and Fable was also weak with them not having any chemistry. In regard to the character’s dynamics with Fable I was reminded a lot of To Kill a Kingdom (also the setting, obviously), but Fable was, again much weaker.
The pacing was also off and other reviewers aren’t wrong, it feels like nothing happens. I personally didn’t mind the slow start and felt that more happened in the first half than in the second. In the second half, moreover, nothing unexpected happens
Speaking of cliffhangers, I hate them. If an author commits the cardinal sin of including one, I will almost always round off my rating. This one in particular didn’t even make sense to me.
Spoiler
If Fable really resembles her mother so much that she can be easily identified, then why didn’t Zola kidnap her earlier, when he had the chance to do so multiple times? Because the author needed the plot of the first book to happen in peace and Zola voluntarily abstained to cause any trouble until the Lark had been found?
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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:
No
Loved this strong, strong, strong female lead. Lots of intrigue, fighting, mystery and even some romance.
4.5 stars over the sea on a clear moonless night
I’m often skeptical of nautical adventure books, pirates and sea farers and traders and such, and well treasure hunters, none of them do it for me. But I’m a sucker for beautiful writing, and Fable’s is exquisite. Haunting and lyrical, Young paints a stark picture of Fable’s life, of the deep, terrible, spectacular, dangerous beast that is the sea, in vivid literary watercolors. Fable herself is extraordinary, a girl more in tune with the sea than with humans, trader, fighter, survivor extraordinaire.
The adventure portion of the book picks up around 9% and it is hard to put down after. The romance itself is not the primary plot, and is a subtle, understated slow burn, not unlike the calm surface of the sea on a balmy, sunny day. Nevertheless, the story feels deeply romantic, not in small part because of the easy, almost wordless connection between Fable and West, riddled with hurdles but absolute in spite of them.
The star of the show though, is the painfully complex, frustrating, heartbreaking relationship between Fable and her father. It ebbs and flows, hurts and heals, and leaves you as conflicted as it does her. We’re left at a gut wrenching cliffhanger, and I’m looking forward to more adventures of Fay and her motley crew in Namesake.
I’m often skeptical of nautical adventure books, pirates and sea farers and traders and such, and well treasure hunters, none of them do it for me. But I’m a sucker for beautiful writing, and Fable’s is exquisite. Haunting and lyrical, Young paints a stark picture of Fable’s life, of the deep, terrible, spectacular, dangerous beast that is the sea, in vivid literary watercolors. Fable herself is extraordinary, a girl more in tune with the sea than with humans, trader, fighter, survivor extraordinaire.
The adventure portion of the book picks up around 9% and it is hard to put down after. The romance itself is not the primary plot, and is a subtle, understated slow burn, not unlike the calm surface of the sea on a balmy, sunny day. Nevertheless, the story feels deeply romantic, not in small part because of the easy, almost wordless connection between Fable and West, riddled with hurdles but absolute in spite of them.
The star of the show though, is the painfully complex, frustrating, heartbreaking relationship between Fable and her father. It ebbs and flows, hurts and heals, and leaves you as conflicted as it does her. We’re left at a gut wrenching cliffhanger, and I’m looking forward to more adventures of Fay and her motley crew in Namesake.
Well, it only took me two days to slam this. Thanks to Wednesday Books and Goodreads for providing a free copy!
Sometimes, A book burns in your soul, leaving it raw upon it's exit. Fable was that for me. If pirates and seafaring adventures are the next trend in YA, I won't complain about this one leading the charge.
Fable takes place in a merciless, unnamed world of low fantasy where life at sea is seemingly normal for most people. Fable, at 14, is abandoned by her successful trader father. After the tragic loss of the ship she grew up on, her father slashes her arms and leaves her on an island of nomadic criminals. She spends years growing up on this island, surviving with bare minimum against all odds working as a dredger (essentially, someone who finds precious stones and ore under the sea)
Evntually, she finally has enough coin to pay for passage off the island and search for her father.
Fable is what I would call a "grimdark YA"- another trend I am seeing emerge. The first 100 pages or so are some of the most stressed out i've ever felt reading a YA novel. Fable isn't just left on any island, but an island where men sleep in shanty camps and can sniff out coin and success. Any stroke of luck can lead to ambush, death, or fates far worse as the local population mercilessly hunts you. Adrienne Young is a masterful storyteller, and encourages a powerful sense of empathy in the reader as you feel men watching our main character from every corner.
In this universe, any sign of weakness can damn you, and I was surprised just how often I felt for Fable...this sense of fear never really leaves you through the book. When Fable has a stroke of luck, you are waiting for the other shoe to drop. When someone shows kindness, you are trained to question "why".
When Fable is taken upon the Marigold for passage to her father, you meet West and his crew- a team of ragtag, morally grey, and utterly brutal traders. They crew is hellbent on keeping their secrets and moving Fable off of their boat as quickly as possible.
Watching relationships develop in "Fable" is powerful, because every character is more guarded than the last...but ultimately, aside from being the epic heart pounding pirate style thriller you have dreamed up, "Fable" is about relationships, and the price you pay for opening your heart.
The primary source of conflict in this story does not revolve around a save the world, chosen one, or magical item plot. Really and truly, this is a grounded low fantasy about money, power, and conflicts between monopolized businesses that act like mobs. It 's a conflict between rich and poor, debts and debtors, and the impact of climbing up the ladder of power.
"Fable" is a slow churning story, having a few small climaxes, but not pushing for a lot of narrative moment as the few of the Marigold go on a number of smaller, but ultimately important adventures between sea and costal city. Despite this, these adventures are impactful and meaningful- any "filler" keeps you engaged and moves the plot along.
Some cliffnotes on the hi lights of this amazing read:
- Enemies to lovers slow burn romance that does not take up much real-estate in the series
- Found family
- horror/grimdark elements
- emotional, high tension scenes
- A YA novel with adult characters
- a strong female character that survives largely on her brains/wits and doesn't represent strength in a masculine/feminine way.
- Some LGBT rep.
This has got to be one of- if not my favorite 2020 release and I can't wait for other people to go on the adventure I just got to experience. Bring on the angry swashbuckling trader boat wars!
Sometimes, A book burns in your soul, leaving it raw upon it's exit. Fable was that for me. If pirates and seafaring adventures are the next trend in YA, I won't complain about this one leading the charge.
Fable takes place in a merciless, unnamed world of low fantasy where life at sea is seemingly normal for most people. Fable, at 14, is abandoned by her successful trader father. After the tragic loss of the ship she grew up on, her father slashes her arms and leaves her on an island of nomadic criminals. She spends years growing up on this island, surviving with bare minimum against all odds working as a dredger (essentially, someone who finds precious stones and ore under the sea)
Evntually, she finally has enough coin to pay for passage off the island and search for her father.
Fable is what I would call a "grimdark YA"- another trend I am seeing emerge. The first 100 pages or so are some of the most stressed out i've ever felt reading a YA novel. Fable isn't just left on any island, but an island where men sleep in shanty camps and can sniff out coin and success. Any stroke of luck can lead to ambush, death, or fates far worse as the local population mercilessly hunts you. Adrienne Young is a masterful storyteller, and encourages a powerful sense of empathy in the reader as you feel men watching our main character from every corner.
In this universe, any sign of weakness can damn you, and I was surprised just how often I felt for Fable...this sense of fear never really leaves you through the book. When Fable has a stroke of luck, you are waiting for the other shoe to drop. When someone shows kindness, you are trained to question "why".
When Fable is taken upon the Marigold for passage to her father, you meet West and his crew- a team of ragtag, morally grey, and utterly brutal traders. They crew is hellbent on keeping their secrets and moving Fable off of their boat as quickly as possible.
Watching relationships develop in "Fable" is powerful, because every character is more guarded than the last...but ultimately, aside from being the epic heart pounding pirate style thriller you have dreamed up, "Fable" is about relationships, and the price you pay for opening your heart.
The primary source of conflict in this story does not revolve around a save the world, chosen one, or magical item plot. Really and truly, this is a grounded low fantasy about money, power, and conflicts between monopolized businesses that act like mobs. It 's a conflict between rich and poor, debts and debtors, and the impact of climbing up the ladder of power.
"Fable" is a slow churning story, having a few small climaxes, but not pushing for a lot of narrative moment as the few of the Marigold go on a number of smaller, but ultimately important adventures between sea and costal city. Despite this, these adventures are impactful and meaningful- any "filler" keeps you engaged and moves the plot along.
Some cliffnotes on the hi lights of this amazing read:
- Enemies to lovers slow burn romance that does not take up much real-estate in the series
- Found family
- horror/grimdark elements
- emotional, high tension scenes
- A YA novel with adult characters
- a strong female character that survives largely on her brains/wits and doesn't represent strength in a masculine/feminine way.
- Some LGBT rep.
This has got to be one of- if not my favorite 2020 release and I can't wait for other people to go on the adventure I just got to experience. Bring on the angry swashbuckling trader boat wars!