unetortueliseuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
aliencatl0rd's review against another edition
4.0
It's increasingly rare that I enjoy a YA title. I wouldn't say it was completely without frustrations but it was enjoyable to read a YA that wasn't focused on romance and drama. The primary content was character and story development and everything flowed well more or less. Impressed.
teddy1404's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
carleeannmiller's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.75
kayladaniella's review against another edition
4.0
“You weren't made for this world, Fable.”
Fable by Adrienne Young is a fun pirate adventure. Being a fan of pirates, it was so refreshing to see a book all about them.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Type: 1st in a duology
POV: 1 POV, first person, past tense
Age Rating: 12-18 years old
~Synopsis~
Fable is the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows. Four years ago, her father, Saint, abandoned her on an island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one. 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. Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West, who will get her off the island and to her father. But her father has rivals and she soon learns that West isn't who he seems. Aboard the Marigold they will have to cross the Narrows and survive more than just the treacherous storms.
“1. Keep your knife where you can reach it.
2. Never, ever owe anyone anything.
3. Nothing is free.
4. Always construct a lie from a truth.
5. Never, under any circumstances, reveal what or who matters to you.”
~Writing and Setting~
I've read several of Adrienne Young's books now, and each time her writing throws me off. One minute she has beautiful descriptions and wonderful action and then she writes a bunch of unnecessary stuff. That being said, I love her writing style and will always pick up her books. The Narrows was a terrific sea setting and you truly felt like you had the salt breeze whipping through your hair. Jeval was so well written. It was bustling and dangerous and I was so happy for Fable when she escaped it.
“It caught the wind above me as I untied the lines and pulled. The night sky was black and empty, stars cast across it in swirling sprays. There was no moon, leaving the deck of the ship dark below. I leaned into the mast, letting my weight fall into the ropes, and tipped my head back, feeling the wind rush around me.”
~Plot~
There isn't a lot of plot, although it feels like so much happened. It's a character driven book, which honestly I wish it wasn't, but what I've learnt is that all Young's books are character driven. There was a lot of unnecessary fluff scenes and only a few action scenes in comparison. But, I did love the story regardless.
"I knew that in the Narrows, nothing was what it seemed. Every truth was twisted. Every lie carefully constructed."
~Characters~
Fable is a strong willed, gender bending character. She lives in a mans world but is determined to do things herself. I loved reading about her growth. Saint was a very interesting character. You could definitely tell he had many stories and lies between his words, and he was mysterious. West was not the person I thought he was in the beginning. He grew tremendously and everything clicked with him in the end. While I'm not mentioning the other characters, Young does give LGBTQ+ rep!
“'You want something in this life?' She came to stand over me. 'You take it, Fable.'”
~Overall~
Fable was a fun read. It did take me some time to finish, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time sailing the Narrows. While I wish there was more action and less fluff, I loved the characters and the world. Also, off topic, but the COVER. So beautiful.
“We both know that surviving means sometimes doing things that haunt you.”
4/5 stars
Fable by Adrienne Young is a fun pirate adventure. Being a fan of pirates, it was so refreshing to see a book all about them.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Type: 1st in a duology
POV: 1 POV, first person, past tense
Age Rating: 12-18 years old
~Synopsis~
Fable is the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows. Four years ago, her father, Saint, abandoned her on an island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one. 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. Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West, who will get her off the island and to her father. But her father has rivals and she soon learns that West isn't who he seems. Aboard the Marigold they will have to cross the Narrows and survive more than just the treacherous storms.
“1. Keep your knife where you can reach it.
2. Never, ever owe anyone anything.
3. Nothing is free.
4. Always construct a lie from a truth.
5. Never, under any circumstances, reveal what or who matters to you.”
~Writing and Setting~
I've read several of Adrienne Young's books now, and each time her writing throws me off. One minute she has beautiful descriptions and wonderful action and then she writes a bunch of unnecessary stuff. That being said, I love her writing style and will always pick up her books. The Narrows was a terrific sea setting and you truly felt like you had the salt breeze whipping through your hair. Jeval was so well written. It was bustling and dangerous and I was so happy for Fable when she escaped it.
“It caught the wind above me as I untied the lines and pulled. The night sky was black and empty, stars cast across it in swirling sprays. There was no moon, leaving the deck of the ship dark below. I leaned into the mast, letting my weight fall into the ropes, and tipped my head back, feeling the wind rush around me.”
~Plot~
There isn't a lot of plot, although it feels like so much happened. It's a character driven book, which honestly I wish it wasn't, but what I've learnt is that all Young's books are character driven. There was a lot of unnecessary fluff scenes and only a few action scenes in comparison. But, I did love the story regardless.
"I knew that in the Narrows, nothing was what it seemed. Every truth was twisted. Every lie carefully constructed."
~Characters~
Fable is a strong willed, gender bending character. She lives in a mans world but is determined to do things herself. I loved reading about her growth. Saint was a very interesting character. You could definitely tell he had many stories and lies between his words, and he was mysterious. West was not the person I thought he was in the beginning. He grew tremendously and everything clicked with him in the end. While I'm not mentioning the other characters, Young does give LGBTQ+ rep!
“'You want something in this life?' She came to stand over me. 'You take it, Fable.'”
~Overall~
Fable was a fun read. It did take me some time to finish, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time sailing the Narrows. While I wish there was more action and less fluff, I loved the characters and the world. Also, off topic, but the COVER. So beautiful.
“We both know that surviving means sometimes doing things that haunt you.”
4/5 stars
nettrodela's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
winglesswarrior's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ashley_mcfadden's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I thought the writing was good but I just never connected to the characters.
domstorres's review against another edition
5.0
An un-putdown-able adventure from the very first page. I read this book so fast & from the moment I finished the last page, I already wanted to read it again. Ensnared is an understatement for the chokehold this book has had on me over the last 48hours.