It’s the season of sequels, and one of my most anticipated reads for the year is Namesake by Adrienne Young. I couldn’t wait to head back into the world of the Narrows and find out what exactly would happen to Fable and West! I have to say, I definitely wasn’t disappointed. This sequel was riveting and had everything I was looking for in the story. It was adventurous, and built up an incredible relationship between characters that I truly enjoyed. I didn’t realise how much I was looking forward to the reveals until they were happening, and the dimension they added to the story was intense considering the short 250-ish pages. It’s a fast moving story, and had a very satisfying end. I cannot wait to see what Adrienne Young will write next, and if you haven’t put this on your list, you’ll definitely want to.
This is a review of a sequel, so if you haven’t picked up Fable yet, you don’t want to miss out! Navigate away if you don’t want any spoilers to the first book!
The Marigold was finally free from Fable’s father, and they were ready to start their new life of freedom. Unfortunately that freedom is taken away when Fable is stolen away by a thug who’s scheme is to secure a deal with Holland, a powerful gem trader in the Narrows. As Fable continues into this dark world, she realizes that there were several secrets her mother was keeping, and those very secrets are the ones putting her friends and family in danger. She’ll have to risk everything to save everything she holds dear.
Picking up right where we left off, Fable continues to be an amazingly fierce young woman full of resilience who won’t stand for what’s happening to her. I loved the character growth she displays in this book, alongside her instinct to survive. I’m glad that she didn’t lose her resilience despite her circumstances and the secrets she unearths along the way. What I wasn’t counting on was an even deeper exploration of her relationship with her mother and their shared ability around finding gems.
This book concentrated more on action, which I think really made the book move at a faster pace with a few more transitions than in the previous book. It almost feels a bit like a race against time, with several pitfalls trying to trip up Fable, West, and the Marigold crew. Holland was a very special revelation that I wasn’t counting on, and captivated me.
What I found interesting about this book was how love was used as a powerful motivator/ way to justify the things they are doing or did. There are some parallels drawn between Fable’s father and mother as well as with Fable and West. I liked reading it, but even more, I wondered about if there would be any true healing for Fable in terms of her relationship with her father. I don’t know that I love how that particular relationship resolved, but I think other readers might disagree with me.
Of course, with talking about love, we also need to talk about romance, which to me was so good! I feel like Adrienne is skilled at writing incredibly romantic scenes that don’t overwhelm the senses or include too many naughty things. I won’t lie though, I did adore West in this book. He’s trying so hard to be protective of Fable, but she’s not about to let him pigeonhole her into the role of a damsel. Their relationship is one of equal partners that needs a little more communication, but when they do let their walls down it makes their relationship even better.
As I mentioned, the story moves at a pretty quick pace, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed by everything that’s going on. The secondary characters (at least to me) felt like they fell a little to the wayside as opposed to the first book, but that’s partially because there is more of a focus on Fable and the new characters introduced into the book (Holland specifically). I’m definitely excited for my finished copy to hit my bookshelf because not only is it a beautiful story, it’s got a stunningly gorgeous cover that matches with Fable.
Namesake is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Will you be picking up Namesake? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
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.
