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Fabled

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Rowena thinks the Grimm’s infamous podcasts are simply another teen fad until she finds herself trapped in a land of nightmarish storybook characters. She tries desperately to flee Mezzanine and return home, but Dresdem, Mezzanine’s wicked monarch, plans to use Rowena’s access to her world to bring dark magic and absolute rule into Georgia and beyond.

But when Rowena’s dear friend Madeline falls into Dresdem’s grasp, her battle with him becomes war, and all hopes of home are temporarily thwarted. With the help of an invisible hero, a beast, and an owl, she sets out to free Madeline from a deadening sleep. But Rowena must become her own hero when she finds herself bound by the kingdom’s darkest family. She must make the ultimate choice – align herself with her enemies or live on the run forever.

263 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2015

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1581 people want to read

About the author

Vanessa K. Eccles

15 books78 followers
Vanessa K. Eccles is the creator of lovely and terrifying creatures. In the search for beautifully broken characters, she’s not afraid to delve into the dark side of humanity and fantasy to find the most authentic and relatable monsters, reminding us all that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

She’s currently the writer, host, and producer of the Fabled Collective podcast.

She and her Prince Charming live in hauntingly beautiful Savannah, GA, with their three dogs.

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5 stars
52 (40%)
4 stars
32 (24%)
3 stars
29 (22%)
2 stars
9 (6%)
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7 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Bound & Brewed.
2 reviews
April 6, 2015
"Not all fairy tales are friendly."

FABLED is an extraordinary adventure into another world that is similar to ours but with two remarkable differences -- In Mezzanine, time doesn't exist but dark magic does. Rowena meets fairy tale characters, who are outrageously different than we remember and much more dangerous. Her shy, introverted nature must morph into strength when her life and the life of her friends are at risk. Sacrifice may be required, and love may be lost. But maybe -- just maybe -- she'll find her way home.

FABLED is unique in that it is not a retelling of traditional tales. Though familiar characters appear, many of the main characters are new with their own fable to tell. It's most suitable for fans of the original Grimm tales.
Profile Image for Justin D. Herd.
Author 1 book49 followers
July 6, 2015
Great Take on Fairy Tales

Vanessa Eccles's Fabled is an interesting spin on fairytales of old, giving readers a new world where elements of all these stories blend together into something wholly different, but familiar.

Rowena is an average eighteen-year-old girl until she finds herself trapped in the magical world of Mezzanine. There she becomes a house servant to the Tresels and attracts the attention of the Royals, becoming instrumental in their plans to reunite Terra and Mezzanine once more.

This novel covers a lot of ground as we follow Roe from one faction to the next. She meets Chester, a teen from the 1800s who can turn invisible, as well as Cale, a mysterious dark man. There were times that it reminded me of Spirited Away, but then moved into completely different directions that I couldn't even imagine! The author clearly loves fairytales and there are a lot of Easter eggs hidden throughout if you pay attention.

While this isn't my normal genre, it definitely captured my imagination. There were several times that I went in thinking "Oh, I'll just read the next chapter" to look up and realize I'd read four!

My only reservation is that the ending felt a bit abrupt. Plenty had happened before that I couldn't wait for the next page only to turn it and realize that the novel was over. Beyond that, it's a solid debut!

Will definitely be picking up the sequel!
Profile Image for Kathy Bruce.
3 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2015
This book is so amazing. It will catch you at the beginning, and you won't want to put it down! This book will make a great movie with all the special effects. Gotta have a sequel because it can't be an end to such a great read! A Must Read!
Profile Image for Kristin.
Author 26 books369 followers
April 25, 2015
The story opens with an 18-year old girl, Rowena, getting ready for a costume party with her boyfriend. While at the party, she follows her younger sister into the forest. Rowena doesn’t find her sister, but instead finds herself falling into a deep, dark hole in the ground.

Rowena follows the path which transforms into another world: Mezzanine. It’s here she meets a young looking man, Chester. But the world isn’t as it seems to be. Hunted by a boy and a girl who they catch Rowena, drug her and hand her over to be two little girls’ maid in a castle. Rowena befriends another maid but as punishment of Rowena’s escape, Madeline, is forced into a coma-like slumber.

And who helps the escape? Chester comes to Rowena’s rescue and they flee back into the woods for cover, with the help from seven little men.
Just in the first half of the book, the reader is taken through so many great fairytales from Hansel and Gretel, to Cinderella to Snow White. Author Ms. Eccles spin and webbing of these fantastic childhood classics are a master piece so expertly woven into a great, fresh story.

As Rowena tries to flee Mezzanine and return home, Dresdem, Mezzanine’s wicked monarch, plans to use Rowena’s access to her world to bring magic and absolute rule into Georgia and beyond.

With the help of Rowena’s new boyfriend, Chester; Cale, a beast, and human boy turned, owl, Rowena sets out to free Madeline from the deadening sleep. But Rowena must become her own hero as she finds herself married to the son of Dresdem. She must make the ultimate choice – align herself with her enemies or live on the run forever.

I absolutely LOVED all the fairytales that were incorporated to make the storyline of Fabled. I remember growing up with Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, and of course other fantastic stories from Disney. Maybe that’s why I am a fan of Fabled so much.
Profile Image for Cathrina Constantine.
Author 23 books375 followers
May 18, 2015
I love the title of this book: FABLED! And the author, Vanessa K. Eccles spun a brilliant fable. The main character, Rowena falls down a hole into a strange land called Mezzanine. My thoughts were immediately, Alice in Wonderland, and as the story progresses, I felt Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, and an assortment of many tales rolled into one. If you've read the author's wonderful blurb, I need not repeat it.

If you love fairy tales, and stories of magic, intrigue, new love and lost love read FABLED!!!
Profile Image for Aly.
1,898 reviews69 followers
June 5, 2015
This was a great story of falling into a whole and finding a whole new world. It would be great for this to be something more than just Fantasy. I would love to find a whole new world. lol This book has a little of everything for me. It felt a little like Alice in Wonderland and Narnia and Once upon a time and many more all in one book . If you like these types of great fairy tales, you should give this book a try! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Tanna.
55 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2016
Sooooo good!!!!

Loved this book!!!!! I don't even know where to start. The book felt a little like Alice In Wonderland but with bIts and pieces of other fairy tails thrown in. I loved the main character and how she developed over the book. Even though this book ended with a little cliffhanger, the author ended it were I was satisfied but still itching for more. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book of the series.
Profile Image for Ronnie Bruce.
4 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2015
Awesome! I was captivated from the very beginning.
Profile Image for Brandon.
1 review
April 14, 2015
The story was super entertaining from beginning to end. I couldn't stop reading. The descriptions were great, and I felt like I was watching a movie. I hope this becomes a movie.
59 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2018
"Fabled" by Vanessa Eccles

This magical novel has the ability to captivate readers by drawing them into a world like no other.

When Rowena reluctantly accompanies her boyfriend, Dashielle, to a party being held in a Victorian mansion, she's hoping they won't need to stay long. Her sister, Lil, also goes to the party, and she has a much better time than Rowena. Determined to rein in her wild sister, Rowena chases after Lil into the surrounding woods. She stumbles around in the dark until she falls into a deep pit. When she can't climb out of it, she decides to go into the tunnel she finds. It doesn't lead back to the house but into a strange world she's never seen before. Rowena encounters both good and bad people, magic, and creatures that are more than they seem. Only she has the power to return to her home, but she'll have to remain free in order to try it.

Author Vanessa Eccles created a truly imaginative place where whimsy and danger compete. Rowena doesn't know who she can trust, and she's betrayed quite a few times by seemingly friendly people. This fact makes her feel even lonelier. She longs for home, but it's so very far away. All she can do is try to figure out this complex world she's fallen into. The reader experiences her frustration and fear.

I really liked some of the characters (the good people!). They try to help Rowena survive, and I can't help but like them for that!

If you like fantasy, you're going to love this book.
Profile Image for Petra.
194 reviews21 followers
May 10, 2015
This book had a good and wicked twist on the famous fairytales by the Grimm brothers, which was very fun and interesting to read about. I really liked how the Grimm brothers fit into the story with their podcast which added a connection between the normal world and Mezzanine. I also really enjoyed their story on how they arrived in Mezzanine and how that was told. To be honest, the brothers were probably my favourite characters in the book, and a point-of-view from them would have been amazing to read about.

I liked how the story started in the real world and how Rowena found herself in the fairy world, Mezzanine. I really like Rowena in the first chapters but sadly, I gradually started to dislike her as the story progressed. I didn’t like the choices she made and how easily she got emotions for people - and change her emotions about them. I also didn’t feel connected to her or her story as it progressed. It felt as if I was just reading about it, like reading a boring biography. I didn’t feel scared when they were scared or worried when they were in danger. I would honestly not even feel sad if a character died more than for a short moment before turning the page and continue the story. This is really sad because I love to feel sucked into a story and really live the plot amongst the characters. It’s also sad because the plot itself was really really good, which was probably why it even got three stars.

I really liked the parts that took place in the real world, and I wish there would have been more of those. I feel like the writing style in those chapters were better in some ways and had a better flow.

I didn’t like the ending, it felt rushed and confusing. It was an open ending, which I liked, but it felt like she left everything that happened to her too quickly. I would have wanted one or two more chapters, just to drag out the ending a bit and catch up since everything happened so fast and suddenly the story was over. It was really obvious that this was the first book in a series.

In conclusion, I liked the way the author combined such great fairy tales and fables with the real world. I also liked the plot, but it honestly didn’t really get to me. I don’t think this book will occupy my mind for long, which really good books tends to do. It was good, but nothing exceptional or life changing. I would still like to read the second book, though!
Profile Image for h.
195 reviews
July 15, 2015
I received this book free through First Reads.

This was a really interesting reading experience for me. I wanted to try something a little outside of my comfort zone, book wise. Typically I'm not much for fairy tales, and the times I have tried to read them, especially adaptations, I either barely make it through - or I don't make it through at all.

While Fabled wasn't my favorite I have to admit, it did kind of catch my attention. Especially at the end of the book. You think "there's no way this can be wrapped up" and then, right there, without warning - it is. She's back out of the portal, no problems? Seriously?

I gathered from the last page that there was to be a sequel, and I think I would read it - just to see what happens.
Profile Image for Medeia Sharif.
Author 19 books458 followers
May 10, 2015
On the night of a costume party, Rowena accidentally disappears into a portal and into another world called Mezzanine, which is filled with figures reminiscent of well-known fairy tales. As a mortal, Rowena isn’t safe. Evildoers, mostly Royals, are out to kidnap and use her for their own needs. Rowena develops feelings for Chester, who looks young but really isn’t, even though she feels bad since she has a boyfriend in her world—although, it doesn’t look like she’s going to return home anytime soon with all the action and obstacles in her way. The world building is amazing and this novel doesn't have any dull scenes.
Profile Image for S.J. Henderson.
Author 15 books67 followers
August 11, 2015
I'm not a big fairy tale junkie, other than whatever Disney dreams up, so I wasn't sure what I would think of this book. The gorgeous cover convinced me to give it a try, and the clever intertwining of classic fairy tales with a hint of modern day sold me.

I just finished the book and the last page has my head spinning and wondering what's next for Rowena, her family, and her loved ones in Mezzanine.
Profile Image for Desiree.
2 reviews2 followers
August 9, 2015
There's alot of twist in this story that makes you want more.

All i can say is---- this is not your ordinary fantasy story. It's more darker and I'm hoping for a sequel! There's a lot to unpack and I want to explore more of Rowena's adventure between the two worlds--and now that she's somewhat different(I don't want to spoil this part). So, I'm recommending this book to everyone and give it a try.


I'm rating this 4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Jeannie.
71 reviews
July 6, 2016
I stayed interested enough to finish this book, but I felt detached from the story throughout. The main character seemed flighty, impulsive, and easily changeable in her emotions and feelings toward others. The ending set up for another book, which was disappointing to me, since I did not enjoy this enough to read more about this story.
Profile Image for Terri M..
647 reviews78 followers
abandoned
July 4, 2017
Okay, I'm done; consider this one abandoned.

All of this happens with in a handful of pages.

"...ravenous carriage..."
"Both men's eyes glazed the sides of the road..."
"...the men ate their soup hurriedly, missing their mouths more than ringing them."

I just can't handle all the errors.
Profile Image for Melanie Stanford.
Author 11 books99 followers
August 6, 2016
I really enjoyed reading about Rowena and her adventures through mezzanine. I just wish there would have been more of a resolution at the end- who does she end up with? Where does she stay? I must know!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
May 24, 2015
SIMPLY SUPERB!!! Refreshingly different with many twist and turns. You can see and feel the goodness in this book, but yet, it's bold and edgy enough to appeal to all types of readers. Bring on the sequel!
Profile Image for John Calicchia.
Author 1 book10 followers
December 19, 2015
Very creative and entertaining piece of work, written from the first person perspective– using a unique strong female character. I always loved fables and fairy tales, but this "fabled" piece of work will excite and thrill you in new and scary ways.
Profile Image for yasminereads.
28 reviews1 follower
July 2, 2015
where do I start....? I need this! VANESSA K.ECCLES YOU ARE SUBERB! I WISH THERE WERE MORE WRITERS LIKE YOU...*sigh*
Profile Image for Angela.
3,147 reviews12 followers
July 11, 2015
Had high hopes for this book but sadly it didn't meet any of them.
Profile Image for Becky.
91 reviews68 followers
March 14, 2018
Needs a proofreader and copy editor. Very distracting errors, and weak transitions.
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,122 followers
May 9, 2017
"Not all fairy tales are friendly."

Love that line and it sums up this unique Grimm fairy tale re-imagined story. Fabled by Vanessa K. Eccles follows Rowena and her search for her sister. She stumbles into a storybook world filled with not-so-friendly characters. I really enjoyed this book! While it was predictable in places, the dialogue made up for it. Grimm himself would be impressed.

My Rating: 4 stars
346 reviews
May 26, 2018
Dragged myself through 50%, pushed to 73% and just couldn't read anymore. Story is choppy, I have a BIG issue with the sister/boyfriend thing, bored bored bored.
Profile Image for Tonja Drecker.
Author 3 books236 followers
November 20, 2015
I love fairy tale retellings and such, so this one was near the top of my TBR list. Although it wasn't exactly what I expected, I did read this in one sitting and ended up staying up to the wee hours of the morning to get the that last page.

The main character of this, Rowena, is a modern day girl. An introvert but she's got that handled and has a wonderful, long-term boyfriend too. Although she might come across as timid at times, she has a strong personality and solid sense of what is good and right. We get a nice feel for her and her boyfriend before she dives into the other world, which was perfect for the contrast later on.

The descriptions in this book are well done. I had no trouble embracing both worlds and could easily dive into the fairy tale realm. There are a lot of different personalities among the characters, and it isn't easy to decipher who's friend and who's foe. There's drips and dabs from the traditional fairy tales, but they are folded into the dark world so well that they take on a life and twist of their own--for the most part.

There's a lot going on, and Rowena jumps from one situation into the next. Or at least, it feels that way. The story slips over weeks and months with only a few words, letting the book stretch over a longer period of time. But from what we see, Rowena doesn't have much time to breathe and it kept me glued to the pages, wondering what would happen next.

There's a romance, a sweet one, but I'll admit that it didn't really pull me in and felt a little shallow. But then, several of the relationships seemed a bit superficial and others were a bit blurry as to what was going on. There are several characters which are easy to sympathize with (and I loved to get to know), but others never left the page.

There are lots of twists and turns, and all sorts of unexpected circumstances, which bring the story to life. The intrigue and power struggles go deep, and there are many hidden agendas. All of this is neatly folded together, making it a fun and seamless read. The ending rushes in with a few surprises (some I'm not sure what I think of), but considering this ends as a complete cliff-hanger, I'm betting that will all be taken care of in book two.

Summed up, Fabled offers an intriguing, fairy tale world where things aren't what the seem and power is key. It's easy to get lost in the plot and Rowena's adventures, and although some little things didn't grip me completely, I did get caught up in the pages and am curious what the outcome will be.
Profile Image for Pamela.
210 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2016
Rowena loves her calm uneventful life, loving her boyfriend, Dashielle, and wondering what her goals will be since her graduation. But things are about to change in a most unexpected way. It all starts with an invite to a very unusual costume party. After chasing after her obnoxious sister, she lands up in the land of Mezzanine with no way back. What is she to do in a strange place with no one to help her and no way of reaching her beloved home and family?

This is just the start of a journey that will be intriguing and inspiring. I read this so fast and now have to wait for the next book in the series, I hope!
Profile Image for Heidi.
134 reviews
August 25, 2015
I liked the plotline of the story. It was creative. Sometimes the main character seemed a bit childish, but that was OK. A negative point is that this book has really bad editing. For example, 'staring' was spelt as 'starring'. There were quite a few other bad editing points that stood out. Overall, this book was OK. I wish that the editing was better though because it would have helped me enjoy the book better.
Profile Image for Tanisha.
123 reviews
May 2, 2016
Very fast paced and kept my interest which is why I gave it four stars. I couldn't put it down. The ending was very abrupt and frustrating. I hope the authoress plans on making a sequel, but can't find any sort of confirmation. As of right now I'm feeling cheated and frustrated. If this is a stand alone book, it will be the last I ever read Ms. Vanessa Eccles. I'm left feeling as I wished I had never read it.
Profile Image for Charlotte Brothers.
Author 9 books11 followers
July 12, 2016
I have to say that this feels like a "churned" book. It has numerous editing errors and poor continuity. I quit reading seriously around the middle of the story and skimmed the remainder of the book. The end is a set up for the next book in the series. If you like it, that's great, but if not, then the end is not worth rushing to.
I write and am going to Indie publish my first novella soon. I like to merciful to sincere writers, so, Vanessa Eccles, if this was an honest attempt...keep on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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