Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Formidable female hero still shines in seafaring finale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In NAMESAKE: THE WORLD OF THE NARROWS, BOOK 2, Fable wakes up tied to the mast of the Luna. The ship belongs to Zola, her father's biggest enemy. And even worse, the man she adored as a child who betrayed her father -- Clove -- is the ship's navigator. As soon as they are far out to sea, Fable is untied and told she will be freed within days if she does one task for them. She's to dredge for gems as quickly as possible before they make port in the rich city of Bastian. Fable agrees to the deal without knowing their first stop: the island of Jeval, a place she barely escaped with her life not so long ago. They are there to hire more dredgers, and that includes Koy, the man who nearly killed Fable as she fled the last time. Now not only does she wonder what awaits her in Bastian, the town of her mother's birth, but who has the greatest chance of killing her before she gets there: Zola, Clove, or Koy.
Is It Any Good?
While not as gripping and daring as the first adventure, this finale still features a fantastic female hero who continues to live by her own rules. Fable, with her gifts as a gem sage and her surprising ties to powerful traders in the port city of Bastian, is offered many chances to run with the rich and influential. But if she can't be with her chosen family, West and the crew of the Marigold, she's not interested. Or if she's forced to harm her notoriously ruthless father, she's definitely not interested. And most certainly, if donning some fru-fru dress is required, you can keep your riches. Yes, in this one Fable is forced into a dress on more than one occasion but she makes it clear that it will never suit her. So refreshing.
The story falters a little when the Luna docks at Bastian. That's when we meet Holland, another plays-by-her-own-rules formidable female character. Sadly Holland doesn't pop off the page like Fable does. Something feels missing, and that strong character focus that author Adrienne Young normally excels at is replaced with a lot of scheming and negotiating and back-alley deals that get a little confusing. It's a minor hiccup in an otherwise rich and satisfying seafaring series finale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the meaning of the title Namesake. Fable learns a lot about her name in this story, including her connection to a rich family in Bastian and to one of her mother's favorite diving spots. Does she do what you expect with this knowledge?
How do Fable and Saint show empathy for each other? Why is it difficult for them? How does their shared loss of mother/partner bring them together?
What does Fable think of the dresses she's given to wear? Can you think of any other books you've read where a scrappy female hero with rich relations has a similar reaction to finery?
At the end of some editions there's a novella about Willa and Koy. What other characters from the Marigold would you like to read more about?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Wednesday Books
- Publication date : March 16, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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