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lyss_reads 's review for:
Fable for the End of the World
by Ava Reid
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In a dystopian world where climate disaster has altered the earth with floods, mutated animals and more, the people of Esopus Creek struggle to stay afloat and survive, incurring debt that can only be erased by participating in the Gauntlet--a deadly battle to the death between a human "lamb" and an Angel: a special assassin created by Caerus to be a lethal humanistic machine that feels no pain or emotion, purely driven by killer instinct.
When Inessa is volunteered by her mother to participate in the Gauntlet, she feels any hope for survival is futile. But the games take an unexpected turn when Inessa and Mel, the Angel assigned to kill her, find themselves in a precarious situation where they are forced to rely on each other before both are killed by mutated beasts that roam the woods outside Esopus Creek.
Reminiscent of Hunger Games, Ava Reid blends mid 2000's dystopian with Science Fiction this high stakes enemies to lovers romance.
Reid is a talented writer building beautiful worlds you can dive into. Unfortunately, Fable for the End of the World fell flat, lacking depth. The romance felt unrealistic and "instant" solely based on looks and lust vs any real connection or shared interest. Even more disappointing, this plot had so much potential and wasted opportunity, specifically with Mel's origins, and the side plot with Inessa's father and secret society. While I can see that the lack of information and open-ended resolutions lends to a possible sequel, as a stand alone Fable overall was lackluster and dissatisfying, relying on tropes and nostalgia to carry it through.
When Inessa is volunteered by her mother to participate in the Gauntlet, she feels any hope for survival is futile. But the games take an unexpected turn when Inessa and Mel, the Angel assigned to kill her, find themselves in a precarious situation where they are forced to rely on each other before both are killed by mutated beasts that roam the woods outside Esopus Creek.
Reminiscent of Hunger Games, Ava Reid blends mid 2000's dystopian with Science Fiction this high stakes enemies to lovers romance.
Reid is a talented writer building beautiful worlds you can dive into. Unfortunately, Fable for the End of the World fell flat, lacking depth. The romance felt unrealistic and "instant" solely based on looks and lust vs any real connection or shared interest. Even more disappointing, this plot had so much potential and wasted opportunity, specifically with Mel's origins, and the side plot with Inessa's father and secret society. While I can see that the lack of information and open-ended resolutions lends to a possible sequel, as a stand alone Fable overall was lackluster and dissatisfying, relying on tropes and nostalgia to carry it through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, Sexual harassment