Review: Namesake by Adrienne Young

Namesake Published by Wednesday Books on March 2021
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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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.

Namesake starts right where we left off in Fable – on the sea with Fable in….

I won’t spoil it.

The first book was such a wonderful ride, I had high expectations for Namesake and it did not disappoint. I love how the first half of this book focuses on Fable and her backstory. There is so much unknown about where Fable came from, her father leaving her on the island, her mother’s death. Namesake really brings these questions into the light and begs to ask the question – will we always pay for our parents’ crimes?

I love love love the crew. In the first book, they really stood out to me as being solid and a family. In this sequel, there is fracturing as West takes command in not so great ways and the crew retaliate the same. I love how Willa is not afraid of Fable and they have this great conversation about how selfish Fable is, how she is commanding the whole crew threw West. And Willa is right. I love that about their relationship, Willa is not afraid of Fable and she is strong enough to point out when Fable is being… well anyway, she’s a great foil character for both Fable and West and in this book, we really see it.

West and Fable of course are delicious together, but I had some reservations. West isn’t in the first part of the book which is great because we get to really connect with Fable again as she figures out her new circumstances. But when West does eventually show up and there’s drama, it felt a little forced? Both of them are stubborn, thinking that they know the best way to do things. And the lack of communication is astounding! 😉 Yes, it’s all for drama sake, but I did feel like there was a little bit too much drama between the two of them that felt a little forced. (Yes, now we know about West’s past, but does that really bother you Fable? As if you didn’t know what you were getting into?)

Overall, the sequel is fun and fast and makes me sad there are only two books. Don’t get me wrong – this was done perfectly. Both books are well written, the action played perfectly as well as the emotional drama, I can’t see it being longer than two books. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to miss this crew and their friendship.

The ending is perfect in my opinion, the reveals playing on top of each other like well fit puzzle pieces. We see Saint and Holland and West and Fable in raw and real lights, all complicated and hungry and we still love them and loathe them at the same time.

It’s a ride worth the ticket and honestly, I’ll be first in line to buy both books in Hardcover when the second one releases in March. There’s nothing stopping me from recommending this solid duology to you.

So what are you waiting for?