Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Fable

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Fable by Adrienne Young

26 reviews

readundancies's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

What you need to understand before continuing on along the thought train that is this review is that when it comes to books and sub-genres and tropes of that nature, some people are into mermaids, or fae or time-travel, etc., but myself? I kinda have a thing for pirates. Anything related to sea-faring adventures to be honest, but pirates have a special place in my heart.

Which means there are expectations that I have for all things pirate related - and these are expectations that are relatively high.

With that under your consideration, you should know that while I thought Fable was good, it didn't wow me.

The characterization was not fully fleshed out for all of the characters (looking at you, West, I still don't know what your deal is) and I wanted the world-building to quickly immerse me and I never really felt like it happened. Places like Dern and Ceros felt like cities that didn't have any secrets to spill and then others like Jevali and Tempest Snare didn't give me nearly enough of anything substantial for me to be able to visualize them well in my head. I guess I wanted The Narrows to feel alive, for the ocean to be a physical presence, for the waves to speak. But I heard nothing. This may be a direct result of the pacing and length of the novel, which was quick and felt short. More exposition on this front might've altered things.

I did however enjoy the discussion brought up about family - from West and Willa's sibling synchrony to Fable and Saint's tenuous tenterhooks in one another - there was a lot to explore and I thought it was done in a way that while not terribly expansive, still got to the heart of their matters.

But, speaking of hearts, the romance was where everything really felt lack-lustre to me. It didn't feel complete, like it had no solid foundation even though it was alluded to that it should. It was a relationship we only get a glimpse of because it was supposed to be fostered over the span of years but happened really rapidly and didn't feel genuine.

Did I love that there was a cliff-hanger? Not particularly. And I think it mostly has to do with the fact that even though the cliffhanger exists, the suspense isn't really pushing me to pick up the sequel anytime too soon.

But the supporting cast of characters were solid for the most part, the world-building from a cultural perspective was interesting between the Jevalis, those from The Narrows and those from The Unnamed Sea, and I enjoyed learning about the different Guilds and about dredging and gems in general.

I prolly won't be picking up the sequel anytime soon, but I won't rule out this duology as one that I won't be continuing either.

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sfbookgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-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

4.0

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. 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.

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madsmcw_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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kenziewol's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book and I wasn’t so sure I was going to. I haven’t really read any seafarer/pirate-esc type books before and was unsure if it was gonna be my cup of tea but ultimately bought because the cover caught me eye. At first, I struggled through the first couple of chapters but around chapter 5 I was hooked. I legit inhaled this book and finished it in a day, most of it being in one sitting.

I love Fable and how strong she is. I loved following Her journey, along with the ships crew. West intrigues me though, I like him but also feel unsure

especially with Saints warning.

I also surprisingly liked Saint??? Like idk love/hate relationship there I think. I thought the idea of

a gem sage was cool and unique but I wish we learned more about that specifically because we didn’t really get much (but maybe in the next book??? I’m hopeful).

I also kinda felt like the trip the Lark was too easy and quick. At first I thought it was gonna bring us to a point where we’d get a lot of it in the next book but then is was just a quick couple of chapters. I just feel like for a place that supposedly is really hard to pass though, even with a carved map arm, there would be some struggles especially with a small young crew

The ending left me surprised, definitely didn’t see that coming

but I guess Saint never explicitly said he was dead. I’m intrigued about where this is gonna go and if the crew and Saint will work together maybe??

Idk but I’m excited to read Namesake when my copy gets here in a couple days! Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

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girlonbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

💰💰💰💰 (four stars, as rated in bags of loot because PIRATES! ARRRR!)

Fable has spent four long years on a trading island; dredging the treacherous waters and plotting her escape. Since her father abandoned her the night after her mother's tragic death, Fable has thought of little besides how she plans to get back to him. He made her a promise and she plans to hold him to it. When offered a chance at passage off the island, Fable joins a rag-tag crew of traders by concealing her relation to one of the most powerful men on The Narrows. But this crew has secrets of their own. And when faced with an opportunity that could change all their lives, Fable must decide of her loyalties lie with her newly found family on the sea, or the man that once promised her the world.

“What he was saying—the things he told me—was his way of showing me he trusted me. It was also his way of giving me the match. If I wanted to, I could burn him down. But if we were going to do this, I would have to be his safe harbor and he would have to be mine.”

Oh this book is a slow burn! I really wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into here, but did I ever enjoy the hell out of it! There is so much build up to the first 60% of this story that I was honestly worried I was going to be let down by the end. But, ALAS, I was not! Not in the slightest! I can genuinely say that I feel fully satisfied with the way the plot knotted itself together in the end while still leaving enough possibility hanging about for the next book. Consider me fully invested in this character, this series, and, frankly, this author. She has crafted a magnificent cast of characters, all equally flawed and yet dripping with charm, while still maintaining their believability. Young's writing flowed serenely and from page to page. And, while I have absolutely no idea what a nautical life of “dredging” would legitimately entail, I never felt out of my depth (pun intended) as full chapters of diving jargon were thrown around me like cannon fire. My one hope for the second book is that the hints at the supernatural which graced the subplot of this first installment are explored further in its sequel. There is so much potential there that would be a shame to waste! Fingers crossed!

✨ Rep in this book: n/a
✨ Content warnings for this book: child abandonment, death of a parent, abuse, general violence, kidnapping, murder

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readwithsuzanna's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

5.0

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