I really enjoyed Fable and this just didn’t feel the same.
Rating: 3/5
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.
With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and the rest of the crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when Fable 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 the secrets her mother took to her grave 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.
I really struggled with this one. After such an adventurous read with Fable, I found Namesake didn’t reach that same level. You can check out my review for Fable here.
*** WARNING! Very light Spoilers for Fable ***
We reenter into this fantasy realm right we left off. Fable is in the hands of Zola, being told she’s needed for Zola’s plan to gain access to Holland’s domain, the most powerful gem trader. But as Fable gets dragged deeper in the plans, she discovers things are not what it seems. And that her mother took secrets to her grave.
The entire first half I found frustrating to follow as it no longer felt like Fable’s story. She was just a pawn in a game with no say in anything and she just let it go that way. I expected more from her given her actions in the previous book.
The entire first half I found frustrating to follow as it no longer felt like Fable’s story.
And while the second half made up for it a little, giving Fable more say in what was going on. Bringing back more of the adventurous vibes of exploring the sea and dredging. The reunion with West didn’t sit well with me. It felt too convenient. And frankly, I’m still confused by how West even found Fable.
I did enjoy seeing this book take a little more focus on Fable’s relationship with her father. But I don’t think her romance with West should have been shoved so hard to the side as it was. The romance between Fable and West just wasn’t the same. I no longer wished for them to be together as I did in the previous book. I really wanted to smack West at some scenes. He came across as very controlling in this one.
The romance between Fable and West just wasn’t the same. I no longer wished for them to be together as I did in the previous book.
Overall, while I did enjoy the second half of this book, this was disappointing for what I expected from this sequel. I really enjoyed Fable and this just didn’t feel the same.
Together though, this duology is a fun adventurous read! I think if you enjoy Fantasy with pirates you might enjoy these two!