Namesake (Fable, #2) – Adrienne Young [ARC Review]

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Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Synopsis:

Trader. Fighter. Survivor.

With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and its crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when she becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems.

As Fable descends deeper into a world of betrayal and deception she learns that her mother was keeping secrets, and those secrets are now putting the people Fable cares about in danger. If Fable is going to save them then she must risk everything, including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

Filled with action, emotion, and lyrical writing, New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with Namesake, the final book in the captivating Fable duology.

Review:

Huge thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fable was one of my favorite reads from last year so I was totally thrilled to get my hands on an advanced copy of Namesake. I absolutely love this world Adrienne Young has created. This duology is an exciting, action-packed, and fun-filled adventure set on the high seas. There’s ships, traders, rivalries, treasure, and all kinds of sea-faring exploits! Fable ended with a big cliffhanger and Namesake picks up immediately after these events.

Fable ended with the titular character stuck in a very precarious position. We pick up as Fable must figure out what to do next. I have to be honest and say that Namesake did not go in the direction I thought it would. I knew it would deal with Fable’s current status and eventual trip to meet Holland. I just didn’t expect the actual events that occurred. That being said, I really enjoyed the plot of Namesake. It felt a lot faster paced than Fable and went in directions I didn’t necessarily expect. Namesake is a fast-paced story that

I loved being back with the crew of The Marigold. I truly feel like I am a part of the crew . . . which is ok in fictional worlds because I am TERRIFIED of the ocean in real life. I will continue to live vicariously through the crew of The Marigold! One of my favorite parts of Namesake is that we get to know more about the past of some of the members of the crew. I liked discovering what led each of them to this crew. And of course, we get more of our favorite helmsman, West. I loved seeing him and Fable interact more in this book. I will say that some of West’s actions did make him a bit unlikeable at times. I see where he’s coming from, but sometimes I just wanted to slap him!

We meet several new characters this time around . . . Clove, Holland, the Roths . . . and get to know some old characters even more. I especially loved the development of Fable and Saint’s relationship. Their dynamic added so much to the story. Fable’s relationship with her father is the driving force behind the start of this series so it’s nice to see it explored more.

(Small, very unimportant spoiler) I also totally loved getting to know Koy more. I never expected I’d say that after the events of Fable, but dang I actually am glad he was a part of this story!

I do wish that Fable and Namesake were actually only one combined book. It felt like the two stories would have worked better as one continuous plot. Fable had more world-building and Namesake felt more fast paced. It works as a duology, I just think it would work better as one long standalone novel.

Overall, this was a fun read that brought me back into this stunning world that I can’t get enough of. It’s exciting and full of high stakes adventure. I loved how the story was wrapped up! Namesake has an absolutely beautiful conclusion to a beautiful story. I’ll miss exploring this world, but I am so glad to have read Fable’s story.

Also, I will never stop talking about how gorgeous the covers for these books are!! Seriously gorgeous! I can’t wait to see both books next to each other on my shelves!

Fable is set to be released March 16th by Wednesday Books.

Make sure to preorder your copy now!!

Fable (Fable, #1) – Adrienne Young [ARC Review]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

When I saw that Netgalley had Fable available to read for seventy-two hours I immediately snatched it up! I had heard good things about Fable and the cover is stunning! So I was dying to read it! I am super happy to report that I absolutely LOVED Fable!

MASSIVE thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fable is an action-packed, fun-filled, exciting adventure set on the high seas! There’s traders, rivalry, treasure, and seafaring exploits! Fable follows the titular character four years after she was abandoned on an island by her successful trader father. This island is not paradise . . . Fable is left on a dangerous island full of men who will attack and steal from her whenever the chance arrives. Fable spends four years fighting against the odds and using her resourcefulness to survive. After working hard as a dredger (basically someone who dives for gems and treasure) she finally saves up enough coin to pay for passage off the island. But of course, nothing is ever easy for Fable and she must run for her life. To escape the island, Fable joins up with the crew of the Marigold. West, Willa, Hamish, Paj, and Auster are less than welcoming and there’s definitely more going on than meets the eye.

Fable is one of my new favorite characters. She is so strong, resourceful, and independent. No matter what life throws her way, Fable always gets back up. She is a fighter. I love how courageous and strong she is. This story is all about Fable finding herself and I loved being a part of her journey.

I also loved the entire crew of the Marigold. They are not the nicest to Fable when she arrives, but I totally understand it. Every single one of them (including Fable) is guarding and hiding something. They all have a reason to keep their secrets close. I love how the relationships develop. The dynamic between each of them is so well done. The crew of the Marigold is already family, but I love seeing Fable become a part of this. They are such a great found family for her! The romance is a little insta-lovey and totally obvious from the beginning, but it didn’t bother me. I actually loved it!! I can’t wait for the relationship to be explored more in the next book.

The world, setting, and adventures at sea were also amazing. It was all so immersive. I loved visiting the different port cities and exploring different parts of the sea. Even just the day to day life on the ship was exciting. One of my favorite parts is the scenes where Fable is diving. The imagery and scenery is beautiful and the way Fable senses the gemstones is so cool! And *that* scene where she dives in Tempest Snare is the best!

Fable ends with a giant cliffhanger that has me dying for more! I did see part of the cliffhanger coming, but there was more than I expected and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Fable will be released September 1st, 2020 by Wednesday Books!