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Fable #1
Fable: the Balverine Order
THE BALVERINE ORDER Will Include An Exclusive Game Code To Unlock An Exclusive Weapon in Fable III. Read more... A new novel based on the worldwide video game phenomenon! The days of magic and adventure are fading away, giving way to the age of industry and science. As the aged last Hero sits upon the throne of Albion, two friends—the privileged Thomas and his loyal servant, John—set out for the East in search of a legendary the vicious, rarely-seen balverine. But their desire for adventure may be their ultimate undoing—because their quarry has just found them...
402 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
About the author
Peter David
3,451 books1,322 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David (often abbreviated PAD) is an American writer, best known for his work in comic books and Star Trek novels. David often jokingly describes his occupation as "Writer of Stuff". David is noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real world issues with humor and references to popular culture. He also uses metafiction frequently, usually to humorous effect, as in his work on the comic book Young Justice.
Peter Allen David (often abbreviated PAD) is an American writer, best known for his work in comic books and Star Trek novels. David often jokingly describes his occupation as "Writer of Stuff". David is noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real world issues with humor and references to popular culture. He also uses metafiction frequently, usually to humorous effect, as in his work on the comic book Young Justice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 28, 2018
I am screaming.
This book was very well written and a fun read. There was adventure and passion and some great action. It felt like I was back in Albion again. (I've played the games since I was a kid)
But!
I am left with so many unanswered questions. I have things I need to know.
After going through this journey with them I need to know if my heros stay friends and what becomes of them.
hhhhhhh
This was definitely a good book.
This book was very well written and a fun read. There was adventure and passion and some great action. It felt like I was back in Albion again. (I've played the games since I was a kid)
But!
I am left with so many unanswered questions. I have things I need to know.
After going through this journey with them I need to know if my heros stay friends and what becomes of them.
hhhhhhh
This was definitely a good book.
March 25, 2011
Normally I dread ever even picking up a commercial novel, let alone actually drudging through and reading one, because so commonly they so filled with poorly assembled plots, story lines, and cliches that you spend the whole time reading the story completely distracted by feeling sorry for the author who sold his soul. But, with that said, every once in awhile i manage to stumble upon a commercial novel that is actually so well written that i can actually find myself completely forgetting i'm even reading a commercial novel at all--it actually feels like a full spirited novel--and Fable: The Balverine Order is definitely one of those. One of the keys problems in commercial novels usually comes from the producer-types setting too strict of boundaries on what the writer can and can't do because they feel that's what will best sell their product (they're usually wrong in almost all cases, but what do we know), but then there are those that actually manage to figure out that they're better off giving the writer only the essence of what makes up their universe, and let the writer take care of the rest.
If I were to have any complaint about this book at all, it would actually be the ACE really needs to start hiring copywriters who speak English--they're notorious for outsourcing their copywriters and it dramatically shows in ever book they push out, as they are so constantly covered with errors that should leave an editor embarrassed to allow in print. Main reoccurring error that kept showing up was the constant confusion between the main characters, Thomas and James, pretty much through-out the book, which became extremely frustrating. So, other than that... I would suggest reading this, even if you've never played Fable, the story is still easy to get drawn into.
If I were to have any complaint about this book at all, it would actually be the ACE really needs to start hiring copywriters who speak English--they're notorious for outsourcing their copywriters and it dramatically shows in ever book they push out, as they are so constantly covered with errors that should leave an editor embarrassed to allow in print. Main reoccurring error that kept showing up was the constant confusion between the main characters, Thomas and James, pretty much through-out the book, which became extremely frustrating. So, other than that... I would suggest reading this, even if you've never played Fable, the story is still easy to get drawn into.
January 8, 2011
Well if you are a gamer or more specifically an Xbox 360 player then you may be familiar with the game series called Fable. Which is basically a game based on your choices that you make as a Hero during the main story line to take down whatever evil threatens to topple the balance of the world. For instance even though your a Hero you may choose to do evil stuff like steal, raise taxes, kill people, sacrifice people or sell them to slavery, etc. Or you can choose to be the pure Hero who will do as he is told, give money to people, help everyone, etc. The choices you make don't change the main quest but they change how people react to you and how you look, if you are evil you will look...well evil, the same goes with good. Also you can use three main things Will (magic), Skill, and Strength; but the more you use one the more it reflects upon you. A Will user will glow, Skill users will get taller, and Strength users will appear bulkier.
Now that you have some info on the games I can tell you about the book. I believe this is based around after Fable 2 and sometime before Fable 3, so if you have played the games some thing will seem familer. However the book does not follow any characters with which you have met in the games previously but instead follows a young man named Thomas and his servant and friend James as they go on a quest to find the mythical Balverines, that Thomas has seen kill his brother. Along the way they find out that more than Balverines exist and they have hope that Heros do still exist as well.
Overall for a book based on a video game it was fairly good. My only complaint is the writing, it could have been a bit better than it was. I didn't mind so much until around the last few chapters when the Hero of Will, Skill, and Strentgh take premise in it... it was like a constant reminder of what they were and seemed overly unnecessary. A few things in the book happened so suddenly that I had to reread it a few times to understand what happened, I do understand that when you play the game you get surprised by things a lot but I don't particualrly like that to happen frequently as I read. However as I said the book was pretty good for something so short, and it did deal with the concept of a Hero in a decent manner. If another book like this comes out then I will probably buy.
Now that you have some info on the games I can tell you about the book. I believe this is based around after Fable 2 and sometime before Fable 3, so if you have played the games some thing will seem familer. However the book does not follow any characters with which you have met in the games previously but instead follows a young man named Thomas and his servant and friend James as they go on a quest to find the mythical Balverines, that Thomas has seen kill his brother. Along the way they find out that more than Balverines exist and they have hope that Heros do still exist as well.
Overall for a book based on a video game it was fairly good. My only complaint is the writing, it could have been a bit better than it was. I didn't mind so much until around the last few chapters when the Hero of Will, Skill, and Strentgh take premise in it... it was like a constant reminder of what they were and seemed overly unnecessary. A few things in the book happened so suddenly that I had to reread it a few times to understand what happened, I do understand that when you play the game you get surprised by things a lot but I don't particualrly like that to happen frequently as I read. However as I said the book was pretty good for something so short, and it did deal with the concept of a Hero in a decent manner. If another book like this comes out then I will probably buy.
October 17, 2010
I'd've rather given it a 1.5, but maybe I'm... I dunno.
I always wanted to play Fable and so this book caught my attention.
Let me back up---I never really wanted to play Fable. I liked the idea of it, the good and evil aspects. What I wanted was to watch someone else play it.
Turns out, it's not as much fun to read that.
Just, wow. I mean, there were times I could hear video game music, I swear.
And the reason it did more than just catch my attention? The reason I bought it instead of just giving it a "heh" as I took my pickles to the cash register at the supermarket? (Or wine and beer---whichever.)
Because it's by Peter David. And Peter David wrote some of my favorite (get ready for the geekiness) Star Trek: The Next Generation novels. (I believe he wrote an episode or two of the series, but don't quote me on that.)
So I gotta wonder if maybe he can't write characters who aren't already well established as, you know, rounded characters.
I also gotta wonder if (was it ten years ago?) when I read those TNG novels, were my tastes just that...I dunno...numb?
No. No way, man. {narrows eyes at bookshelf} I am so reading Q-Squared again.
I always wanted to play Fable and so this book caught my attention.
Let me back up---I never really wanted to play Fable. I liked the idea of it, the good and evil aspects. What I wanted was to watch someone else play it.
Turns out, it's not as much fun to read that.
Just, wow. I mean, there were times I could hear video game music, I swear.
And the reason it did more than just catch my attention? The reason I bought it instead of just giving it a "heh" as I took my pickles to the cash register at the supermarket? (Or wine and beer---whichever.)
Because it's by Peter David. And Peter David wrote some of my favorite (get ready for the geekiness) Star Trek: The Next Generation novels. (I believe he wrote an episode or two of the series, but don't quote me on that.)
So I gotta wonder if maybe he can't write characters who aren't already well established as, you know, rounded characters.
I also gotta wonder if (was it ten years ago?) when I read those TNG novels, were my tastes just that...I dunno...numb?
No. No way, man. {narrows eyes at bookshelf} I am so reading Q-Squared again.
March 10, 2011
As a boy, Thomas Kirkman witnesses his brother’s death at the claws of Balverines. But no one believes in Balverines anymore, or Hobbes or Hollow Men. Even Heroes are in short enough supply to make people question whether they really grow horns or glow from within. Thomas spends each day studying such fantastic creatures while his father despairs about having a son unwilling to take over the family business. Finally a cruel deathbed revelation from his mother spurs Thomas to action; he’ll travel east to the land of Balverines and bring back the head of the beast that killed his brother.
Accompanying Thomas is his friend and servant James Skelton, younger but more worldly – having the kind of knowledge that comes from living in the poorer part of Bowerstone. Together they embark on an adventure taking them from the snowy peaks of Windside to the pirate-ridden waters off Blackridge and beyond. But what keeps this from simply being a series of events is the friction between the two friends – with Thomas’s idealism clashing against James’s pragmatism.
While The Balverine Order is set in the Fable universe, it’s not a direct tie-in to any of the games – taking place between games 2 and 3. It’s completely accessible to newcomers and well-written enough to please any fan of fantasy. The friendship between Thomas and James wisely grounds the action and an interesting cast of supporting characters fleshes out the adventure. There’s also a fun bit of sleuthing involving an angry northerner and a lost ring.
Bonus item: If you buy a physical copy of the book, you’ll also get a code for the Shardborne sword, a legendary weapon benefiting evil players.
Accompanying Thomas is his friend and servant James Skelton, younger but more worldly – having the kind of knowledge that comes from living in the poorer part of Bowerstone. Together they embark on an adventure taking them from the snowy peaks of Windside to the pirate-ridden waters off Blackridge and beyond. But what keeps this from simply being a series of events is the friction between the two friends – with Thomas’s idealism clashing against James’s pragmatism.
While The Balverine Order is set in the Fable universe, it’s not a direct tie-in to any of the games – taking place between games 2 and 3. It’s completely accessible to newcomers and well-written enough to please any fan of fantasy. The friendship between Thomas and James wisely grounds the action and an interesting cast of supporting characters fleshes out the adventure. There’s also a fun bit of sleuthing involving an angry northerner and a lost ring.
Bonus item: If you buy a physical copy of the book, you’ll also get a code for the Shardborne sword, a legendary weapon benefiting evil players.
February 2, 2014
So I was requested to read this book by my friend Amber, who is an absolute Fable fanatic. For those of you who don't know what Fable is, it is basically a current trilogy of Xbox games based in a kind of mythical land called Albion, and in each of the games, you take up the role of a Hero and set about trying to save the land from some evil guy. This book isn't a tale of any of the games - it is set around about in-between Fable II and Fable III, when there are no current Heroes around. I have to say, I am about 50/50 with this book - because on one hand, I absolutely loved it, but on the other hand, I really didn't like it. Firstly, I honestly felt that reading the book was a bit of a drag - I kept waiting for it to pick up and get really exciting and give me an adrenaline rush like the game does - but it didn't, until the last 50 pages or so, which was rather disappointing. But then again, quests on Fable do have their boring bits, and those last 50 pages were stupidly good - I literally could not put the book down. I also loved both the developments of the main characters, Thomas and James - you honestly felt like you personally knew them, and were under their skin for the whole time. I also loved the plot twists that were put in, and how the mysteries were not at all obvious, and when you worked out certain parts, you felt like slapping yourself in the face for not realizing before. So, all-in-all, I'm really glad I read it, despite the boring bits, and I would definitely recommend this novel to any Fable fan out there.
March 21, 2016
Fable: Balverine Order
Well, when I was in the used book store I picked this one up. It's a fan fiction novel based on a video game... officially making me a total dork, but I couldn't resist it. It had a good, strong start. If you are familiar with the game, you know that with each successive game the world created develops technologically, and this book is set a little further ahead in a time where Heros are out of favor and gone except for the aged king of distant Albion (who doesn't appear in the story). The creatures they fought are also things of myth as they've drawn back in the shadows. There are a lot of places mentioned in the story that put instant imagery in your head, which is nice. But being familiar with the game is also what kept me from losing patience with it at times. It was a little long and the episodes presented in the first 2/3 of the book were representative of making choices towards a good or evil alignment... it just didn't work on paper the way it does in the game. It became a little predictable and I would've like to have seen other creatures besides balverines and one kraken. It was fun, but a reminder to me of why I don't go in for fan fiction based on things already created... it just makes me sit and think about how I would've done it better and it kind of takes the fun out of it.
Well, when I was in the used book store I picked this one up. It's a fan fiction novel based on a video game... officially making me a total dork, but I couldn't resist it. It had a good, strong start. If you are familiar with the game, you know that with each successive game the world created develops technologically, and this book is set a little further ahead in a time where Heros are out of favor and gone except for the aged king of distant Albion (who doesn't appear in the story). The creatures they fought are also things of myth as they've drawn back in the shadows. There are a lot of places mentioned in the story that put instant imagery in your head, which is nice. But being familiar with the game is also what kept me from losing patience with it at times. It was a little long and the episodes presented in the first 2/3 of the book were representative of making choices towards a good or evil alignment... it just didn't work on paper the way it does in the game. It became a little predictable and I would've like to have seen other creatures besides balverines and one kraken. It was fun, but a reminder to me of why I don't go in for fan fiction based on things already created... it just makes me sit and think about how I would've done it better and it kind of takes the fun out of it.
October 1, 2010
Probably would say 3.5 stars if it were an option...
A fun read. The plot itself was somewhat generic, though I don't say that in a bad way. A tie in to the video game of the same name I expected as much. But I have to say in all the fantasy I read that it was nice to have a one and done stand alone that focused on a couple individuals instead of a large cast within an epic. Peter David did a great job with the characters, the dialogue and the pacing. Things moved along so readily that even within the plot that might have normally been restrictive everything was enjoyable.
Anyone looking for a fun and quick fantasy read should check this out. As well as anyone that enjoys the Fable game or Peter David's work.
A fun read. The plot itself was somewhat generic, though I don't say that in a bad way. A tie in to the video game of the same name I expected as much. But I have to say in all the fantasy I read that it was nice to have a one and done stand alone that focused on a couple individuals instead of a large cast within an epic. Peter David did a great job with the characters, the dialogue and the pacing. Things moved along so readily that even within the plot that might have normally been restrictive everything was enjoyable.
Anyone looking for a fun and quick fantasy read should check this out. As well as anyone that enjoys the Fable game or Peter David's work.
January 15, 2011
While not a book I will remember over the years it was still a light, fun read. I'm all for James :D while Thomas got on my nerves near the end. It was surprisingly true to the game while beging able to create its own story.
I've never read anything by Peter David, and my expectations for Video Game knock off books is always very low. This one surprised me with its fun story.
If you keep in mind that your not really reading a novel on its own and just something for Lionhead to make more money then its a really good little book. Its not something you will slosh through until the end to find it a waste of time. That being said its nothing really special either.
Personally I enjoyed it though :D
I've never read anything by Peter David, and my expectations for Video Game knock off books is always very low. This one surprised me with its fun story.
If you keep in mind that your not really reading a novel on its own and just something for Lionhead to make more money then its a really good little book. Its not something you will slosh through until the end to find it a waste of time. That being said its nothing really special either.
Personally I enjoyed it though :D
March 16, 2011
Every point made by the author was cliche and well-known. It was funny at points, but certainly not throughout. The characters were all annoying at some point, except for (in my humble opinion) Lady Molly Newsome, because she actually seemed interesting. All the characters were the usual archetypes, though, but the two main characters in particular had some key traits (that were supposed to separate them from being good and bad) that only showed up occasionally. I wasn't expecting much considering it was for the video game, but it entertained me. And it's probably just me, but for the last few chapters everything seemed extremely over-exaggerated, to the point of SHUT UP ALREADY! Pretty good, though. Very predictable.
May 5, 2011
I went into reading this with slightly low expectations. Reason being that only ever so often does a book entertain me enough if it is based on a video game. Anyway, I recommend anyone reading it go into it with low expectations as well, though not because it is bad, but because it will certainly be more enjoyable to you if you do.
Do not let this review turn your mind, but only to give you enough consideration to possibly read it. The story was good, funny and only slightly predictable. Though it was a good 'classic' type hero tale hanging on the coat tales of the main(being Fable the game itself). Though I did wish that the game was just as fleshed out as this book was with it's characters and even, well no MAINLY it's villains. Go enjoy it.
Do not let this review turn your mind, but only to give you enough consideration to possibly read it. The story was good, funny and only slightly predictable. Though it was a good 'classic' type hero tale hanging on the coat tales of the main(being Fable the game itself). Though I did wish that the game was just as fleshed out as this book was with it's characters and even, well no MAINLY it's villains. Go enjoy it.
September 14, 2011
I'll admit, I've recently become weary of licensed novels, so under normal circumstances I would have left this book on the shelf at the local book store, but two things persuaded me to pick it up: 1)it was written by Peter David, one of my favorite authors and 2) it was 70% off.
I'm glad that I picked this book up. It had travel without feeling like a "travel adventure" book, it had great characters, an awesome build up, and a satasfying finish that has left me hoping that Peter David gets to write another one of these. It was also kind of nice to see that he managed to use references from the source games without really over using them.
I'm glad that I picked this book up. It had travel without feeling like a "travel adventure" book, it had great characters, an awesome build up, and a satasfying finish that has left me hoping that Peter David gets to write another one of these. It was also kind of nice to see that he managed to use references from the source games without really over using them.
November 3, 2010
For a regular fantasy adventure story, I'd give this three stars, but for one that takes place in the Fable universe, I thought it was rather clever. It managed to capture the general decision making process that takes place in the game. The pace was kind of weird (the title does come up until more that three quarters of the way in), and there were parts that were explained in detail that I didn't really care about. But I'd definitely recommend this to fans of the game series; people who have never played the game might be confused or bored.
November 10, 2010
This is actually one of the better media tie-in novels I've read. I don't think you need to know anything about the Fable franchise to read it. It also served its primary purpose, which was to make me curious about the Albion of Fable III (I'd already pre-ordered the game before I picked up the book). The Albion of the book is more interesting than the Albion of the game.
It's a typical coming of age fantasy story, but still a fun read. I particularly enjoyed the framed parts of the narrative, with the King and the storyteller.
It's a typical coming of age fantasy story, but still a fun read. I particularly enjoyed the framed parts of the narrative, with the King and the storyteller.
July 17, 2018
The story wasn't bad and the action was pretty well-paced but the writing itself had an immature feel to it. For example, this sentence from Chapter 13 where Thomas and James have been invited to Laird Kreel's mansion: "The mansion was almost more castle than mansion." Really? I can think of three re-writes of that sentence that would have more flavor, and one of them has to do with sherpas.
On the flip side, it IS a book based on a video game so I guess looking for Pulitzer prize winning prose is a little unrealistic.
On the flip side, it IS a book based on a video game so I guess looking for Pulitzer prize winning prose is a little unrealistic.
October 2, 2012
First, I should say that I have played and thoroughly enjoyed Fable III. Despite that, I don't think that this book really had much of anything to do with the game, so that didn't really affect my enjoyment of this book.
No one is going to confuse this book with fine literature. There are many predictable plot points, and the character's personalities aren't exactly unique. Despite these failings, it was a very enjoyable read. I think it is perfect for what it is and most video game novels won't try to get much deeper than this one does.
No one is going to confuse this book with fine literature. There are many predictable plot points, and the character's personalities aren't exactly unique. Despite these failings, it was a very enjoyable read. I think it is perfect for what it is and most video game novels won't try to get much deeper than this one does.
December 30, 2010
It's really fun and fast to read! Characters remind me of Merlin and Arthur from the Merlin series and it's a plus from my point of view.
I love the idea of the game, though I just can't get hooked on it! (actually with none) and having a book on it was an great idea!
I bought it for my brother (he's no bookworm, but he finished this one in 2 afternoons!) so have to qualify it entertaining, at least.
I love the idea of the game, though I just can't get hooked on it! (actually with none) and having a book on it was an great idea!
I bought it for my brother (he's no bookworm, but he finished this one in 2 afternoons!) so have to qualify it entertaining, at least.
June 15, 2022
I fell in love with this book at first sight The tale of rich boy Thomas and his poorer but loyal servant James is facinating and keeps me racing through the pages. Though the only enemy here is balverines. I hoped there would be Hollow Men and stuff. Though Peter had written this book with creativity beyond our imagination. This book is awesome. I love how the book hangs at the end. Peter is a certified exellent writer.
July 27, 2011
This book is a fantastic journey into the realm of Albion, the game world of the popular XBox game series Fable. I was worried that since it was geared towards "gamers" that it would be in a juvenile form, but I was happily mistaken!
An excellent read for all those who enjoy a good fantasy novel, this is one book I was glad I stumbled upon.
An excellent read for all those who enjoy a good fantasy novel, this is one book I was glad I stumbled upon.
September 20, 2011
While the story itself was alright, the writing was very bland. Everything was over explained and the characters had no depth. The frame story was far more interesting and well written than the fable it was telling.
A good book to take up time, but nothing I would go for again.
A good book to take up time, but nothing I would go for again.
September 1, 2019
Fable: The Balverine Order was the first video game novel I purchased. Being a huge Fable fan, and a bibliophile, I absolutely loved it.
Although the story seems a bit stale predictable at times, it was a very good read. It flowed well and had great character development.
Although the story seems a bit stale predictable at times, it was a very good read. It flowed well and had great character development.
June 14, 2017
As a fan of the Fable video games, I couldn't pass this up. The story was good. Little childish at points but that's what happens when you're following kids on a story. I rather like the narrator character.
March 12, 2018
It wasn't until about 75% throught that I truly became invested... If not for the last 25% it would have been a 2 star.
May 15, 2023
This book while an interesting plot, contains some of my most hated tropes.
Jokes that a woman looks like a man in a dress, masculine women being evil, the most interesting female character exists solely to be a love interest, said love interest being fridged, friend turns out to be 'evil' even though both characters have equally bad choices and attitudes. Which having his dog murdered means hes unjustified to want revenge even though the character wants to kill a balvarine out of revenge? Then the implication that poor people are the real greedy ones is messed up.
And the outright statement that how someone looks is how you tell their moral standing. Have a scar? Genetics make you fat? Congrats, you're a bad person by this books logic. In the game it was a simple bad equals red glow and horns and good equals blue glow and halo. This book decides to broaden it to if you're labeled ugly, then you must be a bad person.
The games are a mess at times to so Im not giving it a 1 star but yikes do I wish writers put more thought into what they are saying about real people in their narratives.
Jokes that a woman looks like a man in a dress, masculine women being evil, the most interesting female character exists solely to be a love interest, said love interest being fridged, friend turns out to be 'evil' even though both characters have equally bad choices and attitudes. Which having his dog murdered means hes unjustified to want revenge even though the character wants to kill a balvarine out of revenge? Then the implication that poor people are the real greedy ones is messed up.
And the outright statement that how someone looks is how you tell their moral standing. Have a scar? Genetics make you fat? Congrats, you're a bad person by this books logic. In the game it was a simple bad equals red glow and horns and good equals blue glow and halo. This book decides to broaden it to if you're labeled ugly, then you must be a bad person.
The games are a mess at times to so Im not giving it a 1 star but yikes do I wish writers put more thought into what they are saying about real people in their narratives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2019
Thomas and his best friend (and servant) James set off an adventure to prove the existence of Balverines; a werewolf-like species that Thomas saw kill his brother many years prior. I think the Fable series is a fairly generic fantasy, so I did expect a generic fantasy story. I think that's what you get here since there's not that many Fable references; basically just a few place names, and references to Heroes and spells. I did expect more references to the enemies you normally encounter in the games across like bandits, Hobbes, Hollow Men, and Trolls. So it is a possibility that the story was written, then quickly changed to be Fable themed because it is fairly tenuous. All kinds of events happen on their journey, sometimes testing their relationship. The majority of the book is chronicling their journey and it's not until the last quarter where they actually discover the Balverine Order. The book is a decent read but fairly generic.
July 2, 2020
I loved the Fable series of video games when I was younger and found myself yearning for something new from that world. When I found out that Fable had novels set in universe I decided to take a chance and read one. I am so glad I chose to do so! Fable: The Balverine Order has all the fun and whimsy of the games as well as the dark undertones when it needs to ramp up the stakes. Thomas and James go about a quest that kept me enthralled with each chapter I read. I always wondered how this was all going to end and whether or not it would play in to the storyteller and the king.
Somewhat unfortunately, I guessed a major plot point rather early on and spent the next 300 pages or so waiting for it to be 'officially revealed' - but aside from that I really enjoyed the adventure and wish that I could find out more about what happens afterwards. Perhaps another trip to Fable III is warranted? Great fun little novel.
Somewhat unfortunately, I guessed a major plot point rather early on and spent the next 300 pages or so waiting for it to be 'officially revealed' - but aside from that I really enjoyed the adventure and wish that I could find out more about what happens afterwards. Perhaps another trip to Fable III is warranted? Great fun little novel.
June 20, 2023
If I could give this a 4.5 stars I would but I did enjoy it a lot so I’ll rate higher.
Spoilers:
The only thing that got me at the end was how James was made out to be the “evil” one of the hero’s or the one that made the wrong moral choices however I felt if Locke had been the one to be this character it would have made more sense and made him problematic for james and Thomas.
Reason being is that even though James had difference of opinion in the book to Thomas I wouldn’t of thought he would get all power hungry at the end it seemed out of character he was more down to earth than Thomas.
Either way I still enjoyed the book and loved the story teller aspect with the King.
Wish it had been a longer series where we found James and Thomas on Many adventures before the Ending where they made really tough decisions making it more obvious about James being a bit more power hungry and also having Locke show up in more disguise’s!
Spoilers:
The only thing that got me at the end was how James was made out to be the “evil” one of the hero’s or the one that made the wrong moral choices however I felt if Locke had been the one to be this character it would have made more sense and made him problematic for james and Thomas.
Reason being is that even though James had difference of opinion in the book to Thomas I wouldn’t of thought he would get all power hungry at the end it seemed out of character he was more down to earth than Thomas.
Either way I still enjoyed the book and loved the story teller aspect with the King.
Wish it had been a longer series where we found James and Thomas on Many adventures before the Ending where they made really tough decisions making it more obvious about James being a bit more power hungry and also having Locke show up in more disguise’s!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2024
I grew up playing the Fable games on my old xbox 360, I fell in love with that world and its many unique aspects.
This book has reignited that passion for Fable. What starts as a simple adventure eventually turns into a bigger more complex epic.
Thomas and James are two very solid leads. Peter David makes sure to develop them as naturally as possible, a classic pairing. The action is engaging and overall its a solid read.
However once the titular Balverine Order arrives the story takes I feel a rough turn, the last hundred pages feel different from what came before in a way I'm not huge on. It's a nice read for fans of the series but that climax threw me for a loop.
This book has reignited that passion for Fable. What starts as a simple adventure eventually turns into a bigger more complex epic.
Thomas and James are two very solid leads. Peter David makes sure to develop them as naturally as possible, a classic pairing. The action is engaging and overall its a solid read.
However once the titular Balverine Order arrives the story takes I feel a rough turn, the last hundred pages feel different from what came before in a way I'm not huge on. It's a nice read for fans of the series but that climax threw me for a loop.
November 29, 2022
A perfectly passable story detailing two characters coming into their own skills and powers while diverging morally. For any fans of the games, this book is extremely enjoyable. I myself purchased it in 2010 in anticipation of Fable III's release. The author does an excellent job of taking the raw essentials of the in game universe as well as each game's thematic tone and crafting something both unique and nostalgic.
June 20, 2023
A perfectly serviceable side quest in the Fable world. Like much of the game series, it isn’t necessarily laugh out loud so much as it is just charming. And whilst it meanders a little in places, when it works, it’s an enjoyable enough time. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone new to the Fable world, but for existing fans who just want an excuse to hang out in the world a little longer, this should do the trick.
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