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Fable #4
Fable: Jack of Blades
Fable™ Heroes, available May 2, 2012, on Xbox Live Arcade, gathers a range of heroes and villains from across the epic videogame saga—and the Fable™ companion eBook series delves even deeper into their greatest triumphs, darkest secrets, and never-before-seen origins. In the second eBook short story, evil will be unmasked—but nothing is ever what it seems when Jack of Blades has the upper hand. Finally, the people of Albion are safe. Jack of Blades, the supernatural terror, has been slayed . . . or at least, that’s what they’ve been told. But the residents of Oddwood know that Jack is alive and well. Leading a small force of mercenaries, Jack has enslaved the townsfolk and is enjoying a life of luxury—until an unassuming young man arrives on the scene, inadvertently thwarting Jack at every step. Living up to his merciless reputation, Jack of Blades decides upon a suitable throwing the newcomer into a cage with a flesh-eating Balverine. Little does Jack realize that he’s dealing with a wild card—and a shocking twist to the Fable™ saga. © 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Microsoft, Fable, Lionhead, the Lionhead logo, Xbox, and the Xbox logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,609 books1,369 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 8, 2013
Better twist then any of M. Night's movies
April 7, 2024
Good story, too bad it was so short.
October 20, 2024
Essentially a fanfic that goes against established lore.
February 15, 2020
Fable: Jack of Blades is the second well-written Peter David short story meant to tie into the game Fable: Heroes. It's briskly paced, has a good twist at the end, and is written with just enough linguistic flavor to feel at home in the Fable universe.
Fortunately, playing the game is not required to enjoy this story. As long as you played the first Fable game and are familiar with the Jack of Blades character, you should pick this one up. (And honestly, this is a rare media tie-in that I can imagine someone actually enjoying even if they don't know anything about Fable. It feels like a part of the universe, but it's pretty self-contained and easy to understand.)
Fortunately, playing the game is not required to enjoy this story. As long as you played the first Fable game and are familiar with the Jack of Blades character, you should pick this one up. (And honestly, this is a rare media tie-in that I can imagine someone actually enjoying even if they don't know anything about Fable. It feels like a part of the universe, but it's pretty self-contained and easy to understand.)
May 15, 2023
This is a good short story for sure but it leaves me wondering about the canon choices are for the fable series as a whole. Spoilers ahead.
Were we meant to see Jack's return before the series died? (Dead until fable 4 is in my hands and not 'in development') After all 'Xiro' clearly states they are no hero so are they in fact Jack of Blades or, because this is set after fable 1 and before fable 2, is he meant to be a new threat. Considering the headstone that states the old hero murdered the guildmaster you can find in fable 2 I think it would be more interesting if the canon for the series take the option from the post credit fable 1 dlc of Jack possessing the hero from the mask.
Were we meant to see Jack's return before the series died? (Dead until fable 4 is in my hands and not 'in development') After all 'Xiro' clearly states they are no hero so are they in fact Jack of Blades or, because this is set after fable 1 and before fable 2, is he meant to be a new threat. Considering the headstone that states the old hero murdered the guildmaster you can find in fable 2 I think it would be more interesting if the canon for the series take the option from the post credit fable 1 dlc of Jack possessing the hero from the mask.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2020
Mystic horror. Xiro-not hero - stumbles into village ruled by masked bully Jack and his gang, to a twisted finale for Fred and pretty Beatrice. If I'd known how fear would accumulate so cleverly--brrr--well done.
March 12, 2019
Fun stuff!
Fun story and I love seeing and learning more about Jack. Really grasped his essence here and kept me gripped from beginning to end. Great pacing and the perfect length.
Fun story and I love seeing and learning more about Jack. Really grasped his essence here and kept me gripped from beginning to end. Great pacing and the perfect length.
June 14, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Only downside is that I enjoyed it that much I wished it was longer!
February 5, 2022
I didn't expect that twist at the end. Peter David has been writing for a long time, and it shows.
February 22, 2024
Enjoyable, but not the book I thought I was going to be reading. Was hoping for more of a lore dive into the history of Jack of Blades rather than a short story about them.
August 30, 2025
Enjoyable
It is a good book. Good content. I won’t spoil it. It does teach about Jack of Blades. I enjoyed it.
It is a good book. Good content. I won’t spoil it. It does teach about Jack of Blades. I enjoyed it.
May 30, 2012
I greatly enjoyed the original Fable game, but found the second to be less enthralling and didn't care for the third at all. So I've become detached from the franchise and while I'm a fan of Peter David I have not gotten to his Fable novels as of yet. But as this story focuses on the main villain from the original, it provides me an ideal starting point.
The first great adventure of Albion has been told, and the villain Jack of Blades defeated and destroyed. But bungling wanderer Xiro comes across the village of Oddwood and finds something else: people in terror, ruled by a very much alive Jack of Blades and his brigands. Who then forbid Xiro from leaving...
Fable: Jack of Blades is a nice little callback to Fable, and captures the titular character well. This story works in contrasts, and while I found it predictable it is well told and layered. Definitely worth a read for fans of Albion's first adventure.
The first great adventure of Albion has been told, and the villain Jack of Blades defeated and destroyed. But bungling wanderer Xiro comes across the village of Oddwood and finds something else: people in terror, ruled by a very much alive Jack of Blades and his brigands. Who then forbid Xiro from leaving...
Fable: Jack of Blades is a nice little callback to Fable, and captures the titular character well. This story works in contrasts, and while I found it predictable it is well told and layered. Definitely worth a read for fans of Albion's first adventure.
February 25, 2018
Very little has to do with the actual mythos in "Fable." If not for the inclusion of the titular character, this story could have occurred in virtually any fantasy mythos, so that was a huge drawback for me. There's something special about the "Fable" universe that's hard to define, and this author simply did not capture it for me.
The main character is the saving grace of this work. Even though the author jumps heads (swaps perspectives intermittently), the MC bring a unique, witty voice to the world of Fable.
I also thought it was a tacky choice to rely on font (rather than prose) to deliver plot. Those who read to the end will know what I mean.
The main character is the saving grace of this work. Even though the author jumps heads (swaps perspectives intermittently), the MC bring a unique, witty voice to the world of Fable.
I also thought it was a tacky choice to rely on font (rather than prose) to deliver plot. Those who read to the end will know what I mean.
April 4, 2016
For anyone that has played Fable or Fable: the lost chapters, this is a must read. It’s only a short story and it does not take long to read at all but the plot twist is really nicely executed (even though you kind of can see it coming). For those that have not played the game, it is still a really nice read for Fantasy readers.
January 1, 2013
A short story that delivers a handful of chuckles, as well as a look at the villainous character that tormented players in Fable and Fable: The Lost Chapters. Short, sweet, you should be able to finish it in a half hour.
January 7, 2014
I didn't think I was going to like this story as much as I did. Very "Sleepy Hollow" feel to it, and a nice way of bringing it all back around and giving us a bit of an insight into Jack of Blades. It made me like him as a character even more.
May 26, 2016
I actually really enjoyed this, it was way better than I expected. I especially loved the plot twist.
It doesn't try to add anything to the official Fable plot, simply a small look into Jack of Blades' past.
It doesn't try to add anything to the official Fable plot, simply a small look into Jack of Blades' past.
Read
November 23, 2020Good but not the best I've read but still worth the read
It's a very good book its short but in a good way quite a few big words which if I had been reading on paper I would have no clue what it meant.
It's a very good book its short but in a good way quite a few big words which if I had been reading on paper I would have no clue what it meant.
July 4, 2017
Very good, and works well with the games events. Really enjoyed the plot twist(s).
April 2, 2013
I had an idea before the end.
August 23, 2016
Insane
This little book was insane and really worth reading. The Story was definitely not what I expected it was better!
This little book was insane and really worth reading. The Story was definitely not what I expected it was better!
April 24, 2018
Very good, provides some backstory to Jack of Blades and some twist and turns along the way.
August 20, 2023
Love Peter David’s short stories about Fable characters. I liked this one with a little twist in it at the end !
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews