This was definitely a thrilling adventurous read, but it just wasn’t what I expected.
Rating: 4/5
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.
This was not at all what I was expecting and part of me it a little bummed out by that. I mean I’m glad it surprised me. This was definitely a thrilling adventurous read, but it just wasn’t what I expected. Especially with how this was marketed as. This was what I heard people list when there was talk of The Little Mermaid retellings. And even though I didn’t get this particular subscription box, I know Fable was in the themed box, Under The Sea from Fairyloot. So um… I expected mermaids. Did we get mermaids? No, we did not. So I no longer see this as a Little Mermaid retelling, because it’s not.
This was definitely a thrilling adventurous read, but it just wasn’t what I expected. Especially with how this was marketed as.
The only thing that could vaguely call it a retelling is the main character has dark auburn red hair and she’s a dredger, a freediver. But she’s definitely not a mermaid. Plus, her name is Fable, which is nowhere near the same name as Ariel.
In this we follow, Fable whose father abandons on an island after their ship goes down in a storm. All he leaves her with is a scar and a promise, telling her she needs to get off this island herself. Fable manages to start saving money by selling gems she gathers from diving. Eventually, she saves enough money to buy passage off of the island. Only to discover the ship she chose as her passage hold secrets of their own.
This was honestly such a fun story to follow. I got major Pirates of the Caribbean vibes especially with the way characters acted and how they were described. I had never read a book with pirates before. Okay, I have read Peter Pan and the Starcatchers, but I don’t know if that really counts. This was definitely my first major pirate-themed book. And I really enjoyed it! I have a few other books that sound like Fable, so now I’m even more excited to try those out!
I got major Pirates of the Caribbean vibes especially with the way characters acted and how they were described.
This flows really well. I basically read this over 3 days, just very spaced out days. This book just reads really well as most young adult books tend to be. But I was never bored, there was always something happening. And by the time, we get to the end, we know it’s not really the end.
I was never bored, there was always something happening. And by the time, we get to the end, we know it’s not really the end.
Speaking of the ending, how cruel to leave us like that! I mean I mostly expected it, but still. So not cool! And that twist at the end, I had my hunches, but I thought that twist was going to wait until the sequel. I’m glad I don’t have to wait too long for the sequel though! Otherwise, that ending would have been way crueler.
Despite the lack of mermaids, I truly enjoyed this pirate-filled book. It was definitely a fun adventure to follow and I already can’t wait to get the sequel. If you are a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean or just pirates in general and fantasy, I suggest trying this one! Just don’t expect a Little Mermaid retelling. This isn’t it!