Hello Bookworms, I debated writing a mini-review for this duology for quite some time, but ultimately decided on a full review for these two novels. And possibly the sole reason for that is because of how UNIQUE these books are. It is a CRIME that there aren’t enough YA Adventure and Pirates books on the market. I hadn’t realized what I had been lacking in my life until a beautiful arc of Fable appeared in my hands. From then on, MY LIFE HAS CHANGED! Okay, maybe not drastically…but I may or may not have shed a tear when I received the arc for Namesake! So keep reading to hear me rave and talk(or write) your ear off about duology you ALL need to go and read! I’m also doing a q&a for my birthday next month, so submit any questions you would like me to answer here!!

And if you don’t know that I’m a sucker for a gorgeous cover by now……well just take a look at these covers and try not to gasp.

Fable by Adrienne Young (Fable #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Pirates, Romance
Rating:
Publisher: Published September 1st 2020 by Wednesday Books
Length: Hardcover, 357 pages
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. Fable takes you on a spectacular journey filled with romance, intrigue, and adventure.
For seventeen-year-old Fable, the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home she 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.
My Thoughts:
thank you SO much to st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC!
This book. This BOOK!! Foremost, I don’t know what type of good karma I’ve projected onto this earth to be blessed with not only Fable but Namesake, but boy, I’m NOT complaining. Not only is the cover gorgeous(Yes, I am a superficial reader…LOOKS MATTER) but the writing is so eloquent and the characters complement the storyline so well. Other than the fact that this YA novel is, a perfect example of what ALL YA novels would be like, I. AM. HERE. FOR. PIRATES. YES YES AND YES! If I hadn’t come across Fable, I never would have perceived the lack of novels in the adventure/pirate genre. WHY PEOPLE WHY? Authors better be taking notes…
He looked at me with a hundred stories lit behind his eyes.
― Adrienne Young, Fable
The Characters
Not only am I infatuated with Fable’s name, but also her attitude, her resilience and of course her personality. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this similar or connected to the leading characters before. It might be due to the age, or just the way she acts but it made my reading experience so much more immersive because I could genuinely picture myself in her shoes. It’s pretty hard to describe Fable because I believe that everyone will perceive her differently, all unique to the reader.
And what would this story be without our Prince Charming? Or is he Prince Charming….either way, West truly completes this book. His and Fable’s journey is so separate yet so intertwined and I appreciated how Adrienne revealed slight indications throughout the plot to hint at their connection. This slow-burning romance is exactly what I treasure as a reader, and Young delivered!
Naturally, I can’t overlook the crew!! Having been abandoned by nearly everyone she’s been close with, Fable acquires a second family in this group of characters and it’s very heart-warming to read. Readers may note a parallel between their dynamics with the characters in the Six of Crows duology(and having loved that series as well, it made Fable all the better).
The Plot
This book is revolved around Fable’s journey off the island she had been abandoned on by her father and follows her struggle with trusting others and herself. As a character-driven reader the fact that the plot was a little thin didn’t bother me, but if you are a plot-focused reader, this may not be an immensely enjoyable book for you(although Namesake is focused more on the plot).
To add, the world-building is absolutely phenomenal, and the scenes of her diving deep into the reefs have to remain my favourite to read. Regrettably, I didn’t find the cliffhanger as compelling as other readers seem to have found it, but I love the characters so much, that it didn’t even matter.
The Writing
I don’t have much to say about the writing for both Fable and Namesake as they weren’t jaw-dropping, but they complimented the characters well and flowed nicely!
Home was a ship that was at the bottom of the sea, where my mother’s bones lay sleeping.
― Adrienne Young, Fable
Altogether, this novel is not as magnificent as I’ve made it seem. Let’s be honest; it has its fair share of issues. I feel that the author tried to rely way too much on the cover and the premise of “pirates” to ensure its success. But, if you’ve been on the hunt for a YA fantasy with a quirky cast of characters, a slow-burning romance and a heart-warming tale, Fable is for you.

Namesake by Adrienne Young (Fable #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Pirates, Romance
Rating:
Publisher: Expected publication: March 16th 2021 by Wednesday Books
Length: Hardcover, 368 pages
Summary:
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
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.
My Thoughts:
thank you SO much to st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC!
As soon as I was approved for Namesake, I had to hold back some sort of scream/sob. Having loved Fable so much, I couldn’t contain my excitement(and if you follow me on Instagram, you know I’ve been raving about it for weeks). After that first feeling of enthusiasm wore off, fear set in. What if Namesake didn’t live up to Fable? What if I got annoyed with the tale? Or worst of all. Me finishing Namesake meant…the duology would come to an end. And that’s exactly why I read this book at ~turtle pace~. As someone whose average reading speed is finishing a 350-page book in one day, I was reading Namesake twenty pages at a time. But I am human, and as soon as the plot picked up I was hooked.
Now, brace yourself..because this review is going to be chaotic.
The Characters
One of the things I adore about Fable, which was the highlight of the previous book, was how strong, hardworking and an overall badass character she was. Lamentably, I did feel that Young prioritized the plot over the characters in this sequel, which took that sentiment away. I think it may be because authors tend to conceive they have established the necessary character introductions in the first book, and the next book is all about the action or ending it off on a proper note. But the first book, Fable, comprised so much of her story and the struggles she went through, that I wish it hadn’t been forgotten in Namesake.
For the first time in my life I wasn’t hiding, and neither was he.
― Adrienne Young, Namesake
I am cringing as I write this because I LOVED Fable SO much! But I merely need to point out what let me down. I wanted MORE! More of West(And more romance please! Fable and West’s relationship was barely touched upon in my eyes.), more of the crew, more imaginative characters! I still felt quite distanced from the crew, similar to how they were written in Fable. The readers were left with too big of a question mark in regards to their future. Having been so attached to the story, I just wish there was more closure.
The Plot
As I’ve said before, Namesake was substantially more focused on plot than Fable. I enjoyed how Young demonstrated she could write something other than a character-driven book. Yet, I did feel that with all the twists and turns, the plot was quite rushed, and as a reader, we were being jerked around from one location to the next. I would have much rather read a book that was longer, with more time to digest each event or each chapter, as they are all action-packed.
The Writing
As I wrote for Fable, the writing was fairly similar to the first book, yet I have to add that some parts did feel quite choppy. And this isn’t because it’s an arc, as I read Fable as an arc as well, but the writing seemed to fade out and lose it’s meaning at the end of paragraphs sometimes. It didn’t have a lasting impact or drastically affected my reading experience, but it was a little annoying.

Essentially, my rating is slightly closer to 3.5 than four, but it hurts me to give this book anything less than 4 stars. So I won’t. Although Namesake wasn’t exactly the conclusion I was hoping for, I could read twenty more novels about them(Adrienne, if you are listening…turn this duology into a ten-book series thanks.)
To sum, guys. This duology destroyed me. By the last fifty pages, I was crying. Why? I don’t know. I sincerely think it’s because I just didn’t want it to end. The way this series made me feel and continues to is so special, and I will never stop thanking Adrienne for blessing me with these two beauties. So if my review has piqued your interest READ IT!!
About the Author

yes, this is not apart of the author bio, but can I just say….how GORGEOUS ADRIENNE IS?!??!?
New York Times bestselling author of SKY IN THE DEEP, THE GIRL THE SEA GAVE BACK & FABLE from Wednesday Books. Agent: Barbara Poelle, IGLA
Adrienne Young is a born and bred Texan turned California girl. She is a foodie with a deep love of history and travel and a shameless addiction to coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, scouring antique fairs for old books, sipping wine over long dinners, or disappearing into her favorite art museums. She lives with her documentary filmmaker husband and their four little wildlings beneath the West Coast sun.
I LOVED these books! You really do get a sense that the author knows a lot about ships and the sea, which is not true for all sea/pirate books. I do think the romance could have been more developed in book 2 though.
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Ahh glad you enjoyed!
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[…] reviews: Erin’s review on Fable duology, my review on Drag Me […]
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I don’t know I needed more pirate stories in my life until I read this review! Can’t wait to read the books!
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thank you for the lovely comment! hope you love them!
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[…] @ Books and WordsLeyanis @ The Blogger and the GeekErin @ Reading on a StarMaeve @ Books by MaeveCherry @ Letters to the LostRae @ Rae’s Reads and ReviewsNaty @ […]
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[…] reviews: Erin’s review on Fable duology, Em’s review on […]
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ma’am HELLO I am so sorry I am 10 years late to this post but also WOW IS SHE THRIVING I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOUUUU!!! And you have mayhaps made me VERY excited to read this book ahhh. I have an old eARC on my Kindle (I know, it’s terrible but it only came out in Jan so I’m still okay) but now I’m even keener to read this xoxo
ADORED this review!!!! THE FANART is so so pretty omggg. Ugh, I’m excited. Love ya <3<3
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hahha ILY RUBY💙 No you need to read it!! Ahh so happy you’re so excited now hehe✨
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Lovely review!! I am so glad you enjoyed this duology!! I personally loved it, I need more pirates story in my life!!
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thanks marta!!! and SAME
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[…] Here are a few novels that I have connected with on a WHOLE OTHER LEVEL. I have reviews for most of them, and those that don’t…it’s coming…! I need to begin with a book that is my favourite of all time – A Little Life. This book destroyed me a million times over as I read it, and I STILL think of it every day. Lolita is also a book that I’ve read and loved, as well as The Kite Runner(heart-breaking, devastating, remarkable). Finally, Looking for Alaska has been a favourite of mine for a few years(I cry every time I read it…) and a new favourite has been Fable! […]
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I haven’t had a chance to write up my reviews for both books yet but I completely agree with you! I loved Fable, and while I liked Namesake, it didn’t give off the same vibes. Great reviews!
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Thank you for the kind words!
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This was such a fun review to read – and full of good info to keep in mind! I’m always on the lookout for good YA pirate novels, and I agree that there are far too few out there! One reason I’m about to publish one, haha!
Thank you for taking the time to voice all your thoughts on these books! They look really good and like two more additions to my TBR list 🙂
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you are so sweet!! i try to be really transparent and entertaining in my writing ahha. ahhh what’s the name of your novel? for sure will be checking it out!!
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Aw, of course! It was definitely fun to read 🙂 haha, I see you already found ‘Cabin Girl’ – and thank you for the encouragement! It’s been such a fun project and I look forward to sharing it!
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what an incredible review!! I really, really enjoyed reading it. And YES! pirates!! I love books featuring seafaring and pirates and have always wished for more of it in the YA fantasy genre. This cover is truly so stunning, and you’ve fully convinced me to purchase and read this one ASAP! ❤ ❤
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that means so much to me✨❤️ i am so happy that I’ve convinced you!!! please let me know how you enjoy it sanah.
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oh my goodness this review is so beautiful!!!!! I have no choice but to read this duology now, it has every single thing I look for in a story!!!!!!!!!! &your blog is so gorgeous omg ❤ ❤
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Oh my Gosh!!! First, your blog is absolutely STUNNING! I have stars in my eyes, it looks so gorgeous! Second of all, this review made me had the book to my wishlist, IT’S YOUR FAULT AHAHHA can’t wait to get my hands on it ❤ thank you for this review love!!
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HEHHE YES!! My only goal is to add to people’s never ending tbr’s. Thank you so much Sha, I AM HONOURED🥺♡
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Lovely review! I enjoyed this one as well, especially with the at-sea atmosphere!
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The best atmosphere EVERRRRR
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I am always looking out for pirate books, but I haven’t read nearly enough so I am very glad you have brought this duology to my attention with this review!!
Everything you have mentioned just makes me want to read the book more 😀 Great review, I can really see your enthusiasm and love for these books shining through!
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aHH thank you sabrina!! so glad i could let you know of this duology, I truly hope you love it. This comment is so sweet, just made my entire night🥰🥺
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I absolutely adore this series!
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beautiful review, erin! I love that you were able to connect so much to the characters. It just recently happened to me with The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. It’s nice to get that experience.
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Thanks Kirsten! Ahh now I really need to read Addie Larue, I’m so glad you felt that way💙
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These are wonderful reviews! I’m admittedly drawn by the cover of Fable too but I have yet to read it – I’d love to read Fable and Namesake back-to-back once it’s out. And agreed – I can only think of a couple of adventure books with pirates!
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thank you SO MUCH Julie! Yes, the wait for Namesake almost killed me ahah I hope you fall in love just like I did✨♡
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I really loved Fable and can’t wait to get my hands on Namesake!
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Hope you love it✨
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I’m really tempted to read these, they sound so good! 😍
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I really need to get around to reading this one!
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Great review, love the honesty. I’ve had these on my list for awhile now. Hoping to finally get to it in 2021!
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I am nothing if not honest🤪!
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ah i‘m so glad u enjoyed these, look at u!! honestly i really don‘t love pirates so i don‘t think this duology is necessarily for me, but i could see a lotttt of ppl loving it from your description heheh
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ikr, actually enjoying books?! i feel like you could potentially enjoy this one but idek i’m obsessed🥺💙
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This is exactly the kind of review that I love to read because I can FEEL your enthusiasm for this duology through your words! I don’t know how I was blessed with both ARCs as well but I still have Namesake to read and I’ve been feeling apprehensive about diving into it and I guess I was right to be? Still sad to hear that it was a bit disappointing though… So I’m definitely going in with lowered expectations now and that’ll hopefully help me enjoy it more lol. Awesome reviews 😊
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ahha that’s exactly what I was going for! I was screaming into my keyboard honestly, and yes I wish Namesake could have lived up to Fable but I’m not that surprised. If I hadn’t loved Fable as much as I did I would be more disappointed but I was just happy to read more about that world tbh🥰 anyway, thank you so much for the lovely comment you made my day(or night ahha)!
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I loved reading this, I’m so glad you loved it!! When I do get my hands on it, I hope to love it too. Yesss, the cover is GORGEOUS!! Great review ❤
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thank you so much♠︎
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Loved your review, Erin! Your writing brings a smile to my face ☺
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Stephen all your comments bring a smile to my face🥺 I want to frame this is my room😭
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😊❤
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This was such a lovely review of the duology! Quick question, would you recommend Fable to someone who finds magic and fantasy to be really complicated? I’m debating whether or not I should read it haha.
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Ahh saniya you always have the sweetest comments✨ And YES I’m a big contemporary fan and also get very confused by worldbuilding and such but Fable handles it really well! I would say Adrienne uses pirate terms and ship terms that I loved but were a little confusing, but other than that I think you wouldn’t have a tough time with it. Hope you try it out🖤
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awww thank you Erin. This helps a lot thank you! (also a contemporary fan hehe) 😀
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No problem🖤✨
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This is such a cute cover and I really need to pick this book up!
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Hope you do! Thanks for the lovely comment🤍
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i love your review!! the cover is SO PRETTY and was the original reason I picked it up haha!!! lovely post!
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thank you so much♥︎ hahha i’m the same! 90% of the reason why i read certain books is because of the cover oop.
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Great review! I love the way you have your reviews set up! I haven’t read Fable but I’ve heard a many great things about it.
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Thanks Lacy, it took me awhile to figure out my review format but I’m pretty happy with it✨ I hope you find the time to read it, you won’t regret it🌿
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Aaaah my goodness I gasp every time I see that cover!! I can’t wait to read it!! Great review ❤️
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SAME! I wish I had them in physical form just to stare at them all day ahhah
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I love your review and it makes me want to read it even more! Also I don’t know how similar it is but Viper is a really good YA series about pirates!
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Thank you SO much Georgia, and I’ll have to check that out, thanks for the rec💙
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Great review! I enjoyed Fable a lot but I think it ought to have been more developed! I think it had SO MUCH POTENTIAL and I think if it were a little longer we would have had more time with the crew and more glimpses of West and Fable!
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YES! I definitely agree, there were many issues with it, but I think it’s a good starting point especially because there aren’t many books in the genre🥰
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Exactly! I didn’t know I needed more books with pirates and crew ships but here we are 😂
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I’ve heard so much about these but sadly I just don’t think they’re for me! I’m glad you’ve loved them though
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I totally get that. If I hadn’t gotten the arc I don’t think I would’ve read it either but I’m so glad i did.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this book! I loved reading your review – I hope if I ever get the chance to read this book that it also steals my heart! I agree with you wholeheartedly about the world needing more adventure stories! 🙂
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Ahh you are so sweet Noelle! This series really killed me🥺, and YES MORE ADVENTURE STORIES! Why are we being deprived😢
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