I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely a page turner, I flew through this book! From the start I felt like I was hooked, and next thing I knew I was chapters deep without realizing it. It's been awhile since that happened.

If you're looking for world building, this isn't it. This book is all about Fable and her journey to get what is owed to her by her father. It's got a lot of sailing, and every port town they stop in might as well be a set piece you've read about before. Yet I didn't mind a bit. I was so focused on Fable and her quest that I really didn't notice until I took the time to think about the book when I was finished.

I loved Fable as a character. Her attitude, confidence, and willing to face trials without overthinking or constant fear of failing is what I like to see. She just goes for it, sometimes not to her benefit or almost at risk of her life period. Now the characters surrounding Fable on this journey are varied from archetypes to funny and interesting. I found Willa to be my favorite amongst them, with her father to be rather generic for his position as a key character. West is a decent enough love interest, but there really wasn't much build up for the romance in this first part of the duology, as it kind of moves along super fast.

The story is one of deceipt, misunderstandings, and adventure. It's not fairly original, but its well written, fast paced, and fun. Sometimes that is all I'm asking for. I don't need every book to be deep. Sometimes I want to just enjoy the ride, and Fable provided that for me. While having said that, I do believe the book could have benefited from being a little longer, which could have built up some relationships and story elements a bit more. A dangerous section of their journey was over so fast, I was kind of taken aback that it was just over.

I look forward to reading the second and final part to see how this ends, and while I'm pretty sure I already know, I'm okay with that. I just want to read more of Fable's adventure and get to experience more of her in action. I put this book around a 4.25/5

At the start of the book I felt the pacing was slightly rushed. Thankfully once the trip to the island happens, the book settles in nicely. Just like with the first book, Ellen Oh nails the creepiness factor. Even as a MG book, I got goosebumps a few times and at others took a deep breath before continuing. I can only imagine the chills I'd feel reading this series back in my early teens.

I was nervous going in to this volume after the mess that volume 15 was. Thankfully, it rebounded nicely.

Oof that was a roller coaster of bad and good and bad again. This book started out with a possible "DNF" vibe. From the get go you're thrust in to this household and no real period of getting to know the characters well enough. I just couldn't give a damn at all the first quarter of the book. Then the weird and creepy starts happening, and you start wanting to know the secrets. Is it madness, is it supernatural, is it all a coverup? I became engrossed and read superfast to find out, then the ending was just awful. All this build up, and even a twist that was interesting to end as it did. I re-read the last 3 pages like 3 times to make sure I read it all correctly. It was just kind of an empty ending. I don't mean in that in I was expected this gruesome and tragic book to end on a positive not, but more like it just didn't have any substance to it at all after a very good build up.