Book Review: Fable by Adrienne Young

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

I received this book from Titan Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Fable
Series: Fable #1
Author: Adrienne Young
Genre: YA Fantasy
Edition/Pages: Ebook, 352pgs
Goodreads / Amazon / Waterstones

Summary

Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.

As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.

But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn’t who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they’re going to stay alive. Fable takes you on a spectacular journey filled with romance, intrigue and adventure.

Overview

‣ POV: 1st person, Fable

‣ Summary in Emojis: 🌊💎💰☠️👨‍👧

‣ Trigger and Content Warnings: murder, violence, parental abandonment

My Thoughts

Well after a bit of a confusing start this one turned into quite an adventure!

I think, for me, there was too much happening in the beginning for me to keep track of. There are a lot of names thrown about, and Fable is diving in the sea, then she’s on a boat, then she’s in the sea again. I’m going to blame the fact I was reading this book with a horrendous toothache but honestly, it was all just a bit confusing.

Thankfully things started to get a bit clearer and I found myself enjoying it a lot more, especially once we meet West and crew. Young does a wonderful job of describing the ship and life at sea, some of her descriptions were beautiful, yet there was also a sense of danger that never quite went away.

I loved Fable right from the start. She’s a very resilient heroine who has dealt with a lot in her life already, she’s determined and has the grit to pull through even when the odds are stacked against her. At the start she’s very closed off to others but as the story continues you get a glimpse of how she slowly starts to show her vulnerable side. I was always interested in her journey and her past, which slowly unravels throughout the book. Her relationships were some of my favourite aspects.

I love the found family trope and this book is stuffed full to the brim with it. There’s a bit of romance which, honestly, didn’t really connect with me very much, I’m hoping its expanded more in the sequel. It just seemed to come out of nowhere. Her friendships with the others though–especially Willa–were lovely. Best of all though was Fable’s connection with her father, how they both treat one another. They have a very subtle relationship and most of what they feel for one another you have to read between the lines to see the extent of it. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the next book.

Highly recommended to all those ya fantasy fans who enjoy a fast-paced, swashbuckingly fun adventure. I cannot wait to read the sequel when it comes out!

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