ARC Review: Namesake by Adrienne Young

Title: Namesake

Author: Adrienne Young

Series: Fable (Book 2)

Page Length: 368

Publication Date: March 16, 2021

Publisher: Wednesday Books

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.

LINKS:     Goodreads    |       Amazon    |      Book Depository

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My Review:

Namesake is an epic conclusion to the Fable duology! A story of courage, sacrifice, love, betrayal, and adventure, Namesake picks up where Fable left off, and there is so much intrigue, maneuvering, action, and unexpected twists and turns that I found it difficult to put the book down.

Young’s skill in creating an immersive, atmospheric, and captivating setting is masterful. From the first lines, I was pulled into the story, and the author’s lyrical writing and use of vivid imagery and figurative language amazed me. The dialogue was smart, the descriptions made me feel like I was in the setting, and the story came to life as I read the words on the page.

The crew of The Marigold is another highlight of the story. Their presence, influence, and participation in many of the events that unfold prove invaluable. In this book, there is a bit more conflict among the crew. They can’t always be on the same page, and it’s interesting to see how they each deal with having differences of opinion. Ultimately, they prove that they will always fight for and support each other, even when they disagree.

We also learn a bit more about some of the crews’ pasts, which I liked. It’s interesting to see how events and people from their past helped to define them. Also, people from The Marigold and Fable’s past come into play in this book and add to the intricate layers of betrayal, greed, and societal maneuvering. It’s a story with secrets upon secrets and revelations that affect everyone and change everything.

This is particularly true with Fable, who has a complicated relationship with many people in the story. She is a complicated person herself, and the more Fable learns about her mother, Saint, and the past, the more complicated her relationships become. The Marigold is the only place where Fable truly feels like she belongs. The crew accepts her and has embraced her as part of their team and their family. This is particularly poignant, as Fable feels rejected by her blood relatives.

I’d loved him with the same fire that I’d hated him.

I find her relationship with Saint particularly intriguing, as they’re so different yet so similar. They don’t see eye to eye on much, and they have a lot of baggage. Even though Saint has treated Fable terribly, she never gives up on him. It was interesting to see what happened between father and daughter.

The most fragile hope I’d ever held was that somewhere in the flesh and bone of him, that my father had loved me. There was a part of me that was terrified to find out if it was true. And an even bigger part that knew it would destroy me.

Another relationship that is explored more in Namesake is the romance between Fable and West. It’s a harsh and brutal world, and I love that Fable and West try to eke out a little happiness for themselves. We learn so much more about West in Namesake, which really explains a lot about his stoicism, loyalty, and feelings about himself. There is a dark side to West that he must reconcile, and throughout the story, we see his more vulnerable side and his true feelings for Fable.

I had found a family in West, and I’d learned enough from all that had happened to know that I would trade anything in the world for it.

I loved everything about this book – the swashbuckling adventure, the immersive setting, the layers upon layers of characterization and plot, the plethora of interesting relationships, the quick and captivating pacing, and the amazing imagery. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Rating:

Favorite Lines:

I’d been a fool. I’d let myself believe, even if it was just for a moment, that I was safe. That I’d find a home and a family. And in the time it took to draw a single breath, it was all torn away.

Saint was a bastard, but he was mine. He belonged to me. And even more unbelievable, I really did love him.

He was the only one who loved her more than I had. And the pain of losing her was fresh and sharp, knife-edged between us.

Recommendations:

As this is the second book in the duology and not a standalone, I recommend reading Fable, the first book in the series, before you read Namesake.

Want to learn more about Fable? Check out my review!