Fable of Happiness

This is one of the grittier YA books I have been introduced to recently. It follows the found family theme with a piratical setting. The main character is the daughter of the head of a large trading enterprise, but she has been abandoned on a remote island and left to fend for herself after a shipwreck which killed her mother. This has led to a rough existence where every day is a struggle and has taught to her to be very self sufficient. The other islanders will not hesitate to steal what little she manages to gain.

She escapes by getting passage on a boat and eventually joining its crew. She quickly realizes the links from her new ship to her father and seeks to find her inheritance from him.

Overall a highly enjoyable read. Adrienne has an engaging writing style. The crew of misfits she has put together make for a likeable ensemble cast. There is a fair amount of plot armour to the characters, but this is YA, and there is still plenty of threat and violence. There is certainly a lot of grey morality on display, which sets this apart from a lot of the YA I have read.

Fable's mom died four years ago. That's also when her father abandoned her on an island full of thieves. He told her that if she could find her way back to him, then he would give her what belongs to her. She almost has enough stashed to get back to her father, but on an island of thieves nothing is safe for long.
I was really surprised by how much I loved this book. I usually go for books with a lot of magic. This isn't magical, but it is fantastic. I loved the characters and I loved the story. And with this ending, I can't wait for the next one!

I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.