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Talespinners #1
Saving Fable
Side characters can be heroes too in this charming and fast-paced adventure that is The Land of Stories meets The Phantom Tollbooth!
Indira has been a character-in-waiting her entire life. So she can't believe her luck when she's finally chosen to travel to Fable and study at the renowned Protagonist Preparatory, a school known for producing the best heroes.
But Indira's dreams of achieving hero status don't exactly go as planned. A failed audition lands her in the school's side-character track, and her best efforts to prove advisors--famous characters like Alice from Wonderland and Professor Darcy--wrong are constantly sabotaged. Indira is starting to feel like an evil antagonist might be to blame.
As the danger spreads, Indira discovers all of Fable is under siege. With her friends Maxi and Phoenix by her side, she pieces together clues that will reveal who is behind the dark magic threatening them all. But the more Indira uncovers, the more doubt she feels about her place in this world of stories. After all, can a side character really save the day?
Indira has been a character-in-waiting her entire life. So she can't believe her luck when she's finally chosen to travel to Fable and study at the renowned Protagonist Preparatory, a school known for producing the best heroes.
But Indira's dreams of achieving hero status don't exactly go as planned. A failed audition lands her in the school's side-character track, and her best efforts to prove advisors--famous characters like Alice from Wonderland and Professor Darcy--wrong are constantly sabotaged. Indira is starting to feel like an evil antagonist might be to blame.
As the danger spreads, Indira discovers all of Fable is under siege. With her friends Maxi and Phoenix by her side, she pieces together clues that will reveal who is behind the dark magic threatening them all. But the more Indira uncovers, the more doubt she feels about her place in this world of stories. After all, can a side character really save the day?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2019
56 people are currently reading
3020 people want to read
About the author
Scott Reintgen
18 books1,568 followersScott Reintgen grew up in North Carolina, and took full advantage of the fact that he lived on the same street as fourteen of his cousins. It could be a little crowded, but he threw a few elbows and carved out a space for himself as the family storyteller. He enjoyed the role so much that he decided to spend most of college and graduate school investing in the world of literature. This led to a career teaching English and Creative Writing in the great state of North Carolina, where he currently lives with his wife and family. To his great delight, the demand for stories and storytellers is alive and well. As such, he can often be found at local coffee shops laboring over stories that he hopes his family, and fans, will love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
December 9, 2017
This book is a love letter to the world of literature. I wrapped up everything we love about books and shoved it all inside a breathless adventure story about a girl trying to figure out what it means to be a hero. As you enter a world where everything about books has literally come to life, I'd encourage you to keep a few things in mind:
1. Bookmarks are bad at giving advice, because they miss entire chapters in the story.
2. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
3. Mr. Darcy's class, Love by Page 12, always takes place in the Rainy Courtyard.
4. Down in the Sepulcher, one can find every Unfinished story that's ever been written.
5. Every story YOU write creates new jobs for these characters. It'd be a shame for you to leave them unemployed. So go ahead and write the story that only you could write. These characters are training hard in school to make sure they're ready for the day you do.
Happy reading!
1. Bookmarks are bad at giving advice, because they miss entire chapters in the story.
2. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
3. Mr. Darcy's class, Love by Page 12, always takes place in the Rainy Courtyard.
4. Down in the Sepulcher, one can find every Unfinished story that's ever been written.
5. Every story YOU write creates new jobs for these characters. It'd be a shame for you to leave them unemployed. So go ahead and write the story that only you could write. These characters are training hard in school to make sure they're ready for the day you do.
Happy reading!
Read
September 17, 2019The omniscient narrator addresses the reader directly, an invitation to read this book out loud.
Indira Story is a character in search of the book she can be a protagonist in, which would enable her to rescue her brother from being consigned to the mines, digging for story-nuggets to be passed to authors. (An idea that will make writers who have sweated blood laugh out loud, but might puzzle everyone else, especially the young readers the book is aimed at.)
I'm not really sure who the audience is, as young readers might get increasingly puzzled by all the meta of storytelling, editing, and tropes when they themselves are still discovering all these good things. The second half is particularly confusing as there is so much going on, with scant description of Protagonist School and Fable, the land of stories.
But Indira is a wonderful character, the villains are fun to boo, the secondary characters show great promise, and the pacing zooms right along.
When I was teaching elementary school, I would have read this one aloud to fifth and sixth graders especially, taking advantage of all the dramatic moments, and thereby enabling kids to ask questions about story-building. I think it would be a ton of fun for classroom read-along and family time, but also a delight for the bookworm kid who is always in the library.
Copy provided by NetGalley
Indira Story is a character in search of the book she can be a protagonist in, which would enable her to rescue her brother from being consigned to the mines, digging for story-nuggets to be passed to authors. (An idea that will make writers who have sweated blood laugh out loud, but might puzzle everyone else, especially the young readers the book is aimed at.)
I'm not really sure who the audience is, as young readers might get increasingly puzzled by all the meta of storytelling, editing, and tropes when they themselves are still discovering all these good things. The second half is particularly confusing as there is so much going on, with scant description of Protagonist School and Fable, the land of stories.
But Indira is a wonderful character, the villains are fun to boo, the secondary characters show great promise, and the pacing zooms right along.
When I was teaching elementary school, I would have read this one aloud to fifth and sixth graders especially, taking advantage of all the dramatic moments, and thereby enabling kids to ask questions about story-building. I think it would be a ton of fun for classroom read-along and family time, but also a delight for the bookworm kid who is always in the library.
Copy provided by NetGalley
August 21, 2019
Clever, cute and full of fanciful reading for younger readers! Scott Reintgen’s SAVING FABLE proves to one developing storybook character that one doesn’t need to be the heroine to do great things!
Indira has spent her life waiting to be chosen to be a hero in a story her entire life. If she fails in her audition, she could be doomed to be a supporting character. When danger lurks nearby, can she convince her instructors that all of Fable is under siege? Can she be the heroine to save the day? Will it change her status in an author’s story?
A delightful tale for younger readers that holds hidden messages as one character comes of age and learns just how important everyone can be.
I don’t often, or until now, have never compared books or authors, but I have to say, this tale reminds me strongly of the talent of Indie author Brian Clopper and his IRVING WISHBUTTON series, (which I absolutely loved) as storybook characters grow, develop and change just like real children.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Crown Books for Young Readers ! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Talespinners - Book 1
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (September 17, 2019)
Publication Date: September 17, 2019
Genre: Middlegrade Fantasy
Print Length: 384 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Indira has spent her life waiting to be chosen to be a hero in a story her entire life. If she fails in her audition, she could be doomed to be a supporting character. When danger lurks nearby, can she convince her instructors that all of Fable is under siege? Can she be the heroine to save the day? Will it change her status in an author’s story?
A delightful tale for younger readers that holds hidden messages as one character comes of age and learns just how important everyone can be.
I don’t often, or until now, have never compared books or authors, but I have to say, this tale reminds me strongly of the talent of Indie author Brian Clopper and his IRVING WISHBUTTON series, (which I absolutely loved) as storybook characters grow, develop and change just like real children.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Crown Books for Young Readers ! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Talespinners - Book 1
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (September 17, 2019)
Publication Date: September 17, 2019
Genre: Middlegrade Fantasy
Print Length: 384 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 17, 2019
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this middle-grade fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
When I was offered an eArc of this book, I jumped at the chance. The premise be awesome. The story centers around Indira Story who has been a character-in-waiting who yearns to be a protagonist in an author's book one day. But to do so, she has to be selected to go to Fable to attend the Protagonist Preparatory. Indira is excited to get her chance but be upset to discover herself in the side-character tract. Indira is determined to earn protagonist status. But everything seems to be going wrong . . .
On the novel's Goodreads page the author says, "This book is a love letter to the world of literature. I wrapped up everything we love about books and shoved it all inside a breathless adventure story about a girl trying to figure out what it means to be a hero."
This love of literature can certainly be seen in the lovely world-building. I really did like the idea of a school where characters train to be more rounded, to develop interests and quirks, and to broaden their horizons in order to catch the eye of a potential author. I loved that famous characters from other stories are teachers. Particular favourites include Alice, Mr. Darcy, and Romeo Montague. I loved the set-up for the book with its different towns and jobs for the characters.
I also think that Indira Story was a fantastic character. I was rooting for her the entire time. I absolutely adored her host family and thought many of their scenes were some of the strongest of the book. Her other character friends were fun but I do wish they had a more page time and were fleshed out further. I especially would have liked Peeve to not have disappeared for the entire second-half of the story. But this being a first book of the series, maybe those characters will make bigger appearances in later books.
I did think the first half of the plot was much stronger than the second. Once Indira got to the school and had her first day of classes, the story did get a bit muddled. Also the world-building suffered after this point too. There was never really enough description of the town of Fable or the inside of the school itself. The classes themselves weren't discussed in much detail either. The evil character in this book did have a believable backstory which I enjoyed. I just think that the mystery plot elements and resolutions weren't particularly strong.
Also the comparison of this to the Phantom Tollbooth is over-reaching. While the concepts are fun, the story is not overly clever and certainly doesn't have the magnitude of the magic of language like that classic. It lead me to having high expectations that weren't fulfulled. That said, I do think this be a story that kids should love. This adult did like it and would certainly be willing to read the next installment of the series. As the author says:
"As you enter a world where everything about books has literally come to life, I'd encourage you to keep a few things in mind::
1. Bookmarks are bad at giving advice, because they miss entire chapters in the story.
2. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
3. Mr. Darcy's class, Love by Page 12, always takes place in the Rainy Courtyard.
4. Down in the Sepulcher, one can find every Unfinished story that's ever been written.
5. Every story YOU write creates new jobs for these characters. It'd be a shame for you to leave them unemployed. So go ahead and write the story that only you could write. These characters are training hard in school to make sure they're ready for the day you do."
Arrrrr!!!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Crown Books for Young Readers!
When I was offered an eArc of this book, I jumped at the chance. The premise be awesome. The story centers around Indira Story who has been a character-in-waiting who yearns to be a protagonist in an author's book one day. But to do so, she has to be selected to go to Fable to attend the Protagonist Preparatory. Indira is excited to get her chance but be upset to discover herself in the side-character tract. Indira is determined to earn protagonist status. But everything seems to be going wrong . . .
On the novel's Goodreads page the author says, "This book is a love letter to the world of literature. I wrapped up everything we love about books and shoved it all inside a breathless adventure story about a girl trying to figure out what it means to be a hero."
This love of literature can certainly be seen in the lovely world-building. I really did like the idea of a school where characters train to be more rounded, to develop interests and quirks, and to broaden their horizons in order to catch the eye of a potential author. I loved that famous characters from other stories are teachers. Particular favourites include Alice, Mr. Darcy, and Romeo Montague. I loved the set-up for the book with its different towns and jobs for the characters.
I also think that Indira Story was a fantastic character. I was rooting for her the entire time. I absolutely adored her host family and thought many of their scenes were some of the strongest of the book. Her other character friends were fun but I do wish they had a more page time and were fleshed out further. I especially would have liked Peeve to not have disappeared for the entire second-half of the story. But this being a first book of the series, maybe those characters will make bigger appearances in later books.
I did think the first half of the plot was much stronger than the second. Once Indira got to the school and had her first day of classes, the story did get a bit muddled. Also the world-building suffered after this point too. There was never really enough description of the town of Fable or the inside of the school itself. The classes themselves weren't discussed in much detail either. The evil character in this book did have a believable backstory which I enjoyed. I just think that the mystery plot elements and resolutions weren't particularly strong.
Also the comparison of this to the Phantom Tollbooth is over-reaching. While the concepts are fun, the story is not overly clever and certainly doesn't have the magnitude of the magic of language like that classic. It lead me to having high expectations that weren't fulfulled. That said, I do think this be a story that kids should love. This adult did like it and would certainly be willing to read the next installment of the series. As the author says:
"As you enter a world where everything about books has literally come to life, I'd encourage you to keep a few things in mind::
1. Bookmarks are bad at giving advice, because they miss entire chapters in the story.
2. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
3. Mr. Darcy's class, Love by Page 12, always takes place in the Rainy Courtyard.
4. Down in the Sepulcher, one can find every Unfinished story that's ever been written.
5. Every story YOU write creates new jobs for these characters. It'd be a shame for you to leave them unemployed. So go ahead and write the story that only you could write. These characters are training hard in school to make sure they're ready for the day you do."
Arrrrr!!!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Crown Books for Young Readers!
May 10, 2020
The whole time I was reading this book, I kept thinking of people I wanted to recommend it to. Indira's greatest wish is to be a character in a story. When she gets selected to go to Fable and train, it's a dream come true - until, of course, things happen. The classes are great, and taught by some beloved classic characters, and Fable is also great with the characters, the (book)Marks, and more. Indira is a character I'd love kids to read about, but I enjoyed this equally as much as an adult. Plus, this story celebrates a love of books. There are so many references (and I'm sure I didn't catch them all) to classic and modern literature. I loved it!
October 13, 2025
Update 1: 24/02/2023
Update 2: 01/01/2024
Every cage has a key.
This is by far not the first children's book that I ever read that is about, well, books. Scarlett Thomas has done it already, Anna James too, and there are others as well. The important thing is to remain original, and the same question rises time and again: If there have already been written that many books about books, doesn't it turn into a problem?
Not for Reintgen, that's for sure. He starts off from a different basis and stresses book characters in specific. The basic idea behind TaleSpinners is that characters are being prepared in another world to become characters in a book in our world. And once they've (unconsciously) attracted the attention of a writer, they're good to go. That is one great way to start a story!
It means that the author can have fun with all kinds of story-telling elements regarding characters. It doesn't take too long before we meet characters with some very odd names, but there's a reason for that (and it's not because it's set in a fantasy or an SF world where the author has lost it and decided to give their characters idiotic names), with a number of obscure and more familiar references to all kinds of books, from Harry Potter via Pride and Prejudice to Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games, and for the build-up of books in general (like Deus. That's a character, but I'm not spilling any more beans). There are all kinds of double meanings in them, and as a writer you need to think about you can insert that nicely, correctly and humourously into your book. But all that goes without any troubles.
Indira, the main characters, is a joy to read about. She's funny, not too shy to share her opinion, brave... Well, in short, she's what a protagonist should be, both for us as in the book. Which is a great thing, obviously. She's also surrounded by interesting people. Maxi disappointed me for quite a while, but... well... Plot twists. Spoiler. That's all I'm saying. I do hope that Peeve will appear later on again (a clever reader might suspect that she'll be returning in Book 3 in a big way). Unfortunately, I could have done without the starting romance between Indira and Phoenix.
The world is very nicely made, and especially at the start we get a lot of information about it and it all sounds magical. Reintgen has definitely thought it all through, it's original, the names are a lot of fun. It doesn't get clear right from the first page, but just give it half an hour or so to get the hang of it. And don't worry: There's enough new information to come after Saving Fable.
A part of Book 1 serves more as an introduction to the characters and their world, as is rather usual in books. There's a bit of excitement at the start, and from the middle of the book again, but there are about one hundred pages in which the story slackens a bit, which I found a bit of a shame. There could have happened more there than just the introduction to Indira's life and lessons in Fable, because the story then partly stops. I was beginning to worry that I'd gotten it wrong and that it wouldn't be such a special story after all. Only later everything speeds up again, but then it doesn't lose any of its speed anymore, and there are a lot of thrills in the book. So: Keep going, it'll get better. Update 2: I didn't notice that anymore this time, actually.
De vertaling is van Merel Leene. Ik heb twee keer een zin gezien die ik eerlijk gezegd niet goed vertaald vond, waar ik het Engels veel te erg in zag doorkomen (Update 1: bij mijn herlezing is me dat niet meer opgevallen). Oh ja, en ergens stond er een spatie te veel, maar goed, het is niet zo dat dan de wereld gaat vergaan. Al bij al dus niet echt iets om je zorgen over te maken. Belangrijker is dat de namen van de personages goed en origineel vertaald zijn, ze klinken erg grappig, en je kunt herkennen waar ze naar verwijzen. De dubbele bodems met de verwijzingen naar andere boeken en de opbouw van boeken zijn ook nog steeds goed zichtbaar. En verder loopt en leest alles ook heel vlot, jong, modern. Mooi zo! Update 2: Zeker nu ik het Engels heb gelezen, want sommige van die namen en begrippen zijn echt niet zo simpel om eventjes om te zetten naar een andere taal. Daar is duidelijk goed over nagedacht.
8.2/10
Update 2: 01/01/2024
Every cage has a key.
This is by far not the first children's book that I ever read that is about, well, books. Scarlett Thomas has done it already, Anna James too, and there are others as well. The important thing is to remain original, and the same question rises time and again: If there have already been written that many books about books, doesn't it turn into a problem?
Not for Reintgen, that's for sure. He starts off from a different basis and stresses book characters in specific. The basic idea behind TaleSpinners is that characters are being prepared in another world to become characters in a book in our world. And once they've (unconsciously) attracted the attention of a writer, they're good to go. That is one great way to start a story!
It means that the author can have fun with all kinds of story-telling elements regarding characters. It doesn't take too long before we meet characters with some very odd names, but there's a reason for that (and it's not because it's set in a fantasy or an SF world where the author has lost it and decided to give their characters idiotic names), with a number of obscure and more familiar references to all kinds of books, from Harry Potter via Pride and Prejudice to Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games, and for the build-up of books in general (like Deus. That's a character, but I'm not spilling any more beans). There are all kinds of double meanings in them, and as a writer you need to think about you can insert that nicely, correctly and humourously into your book. But all that goes without any troubles.
Indira, the main characters, is a joy to read about. She's funny, not too shy to share her opinion, brave... Well, in short, she's what a protagonist should be, both for us as in the book. Which is a great thing, obviously. She's also surrounded by interesting people. Maxi disappointed me for quite a while, but... well... Plot twists. Spoiler. That's all I'm saying. I do hope that Peeve will appear later on again (a clever reader might suspect that she'll be returning in Book 3 in a big way). Unfortunately, I could have done without the starting romance between Indira and Phoenix.
The world is very nicely made, and especially at the start we get a lot of information about it and it all sounds magical. Reintgen has definitely thought it all through, it's original, the names are a lot of fun. It doesn't get clear right from the first page, but just give it half an hour or so to get the hang of it. And don't worry: There's enough new information to come after Saving Fable.
A part of Book 1 serves more as an introduction to the characters and their world, as is rather usual in books. There's a bit of excitement at the start, and from the middle of the book again, but there are about one hundred pages in which the story slackens a bit, which I found a bit of a shame. There could have happened more there than just the introduction to Indira's life and lessons in Fable, because the story then partly stops. I was beginning to worry that I'd gotten it wrong and that it wouldn't be such a special story after all. Only later everything speeds up again, but then it doesn't lose any of its speed anymore, and there are a lot of thrills in the book. So: Keep going, it'll get better. Update 2: I didn't notice that anymore this time, actually.
De vertaling is van Merel Leene. Ik heb twee keer een zin gezien die ik eerlijk gezegd niet goed vertaald vond, waar ik het Engels veel te erg in zag doorkomen (Update 1: bij mijn herlezing is me dat niet meer opgevallen). Oh ja, en ergens stond er een spatie te veel, maar goed, het is niet zo dat dan de wereld gaat vergaan. Al bij al dus niet echt iets om je zorgen over te maken. Belangrijker is dat de namen van de personages goed en origineel vertaald zijn, ze klinken erg grappig, en je kunt herkennen waar ze naar verwijzen. De dubbele bodems met de verwijzingen naar andere boeken en de opbouw van boeken zijn ook nog steeds goed zichtbaar. En verder loopt en leest alles ook heel vlot, jong, modern. Mooi zo! Update 2: Zeker nu ik het Engels heb gelezen, want sommige van die namen en begrippen zijn echt niet zo simpel om eventjes om te zetten naar een andere taal. Daar is duidelijk goed over nagedacht.
8.2/10
December 6, 2022
Heel leuk en origineel idee, maar iets in de uitwerking mist de sprankel waardoor dit een memorabel boek had kunnen worden, want het idee is geweldig. De uitwerking had gewoon beter gekunnen.
February 8, 2020
Loved this book! It was a library book I enjoyed so much that I purchased it. It has a magical feel, not unlike the Harry Potter series. A wonderful story and characters.
I learned of this book from Brian Anderson's review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I learned of this book from Brian Anderson's review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 22, 2019
Stories were a team effort. Everyone had an important part to play in creating them.
Ever since I read Nyxia by Scott Reintgen two years ago, I fell in love with his engaging writing style, the intricate worlds that he creates and also his characters. I've mentioned before how much I love Scott Reintgen’s competitions and now, after reading Saving Fable , I can also say how much I love his adventures.
In Saving Fable we meet Indira, a character in waiting, who lives in Origin where the characters can potentially be selected by an author for one of his future novels, or sent to the Quiver if no-one ever chooses them.
Origin was a hopeful place. It was full of characters who could still be chosen, who were still waiting to be invited into Fable to be trained at Protagonist Preparatory.
Once the characters are chosen, they move on to a different place to attend Protagonist Preparatory , the school where they learn all that characters need to know to become the best protagonists or their sidekicks.
India has been waiting in Origin for a very long time. She has seen her neighbours come and go, and the house next to hers already changed three owners during her stay in Origin. But finally her time has arrived to move on and go to this magical school, to learn everything there is to know about how to be the best character ever. Brave, rightful and determined, Indira instantly got my attention. She was so easy to love, to root for and to wish that everything would turn great at the end.
Every single book with magical school in it will immediately make it to my favorite list. That is probably due to my love to Hogwarts, but Saving Fable brought back the memories of me reading and re-reading Harry Potter, hoping to one day receive the invitation letter to Hogwarts - School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Now that I got familiar with yet another magical school - Protagonist Preparatory, I’m not sure anyone which one I’d choose to attend when given the chance.
The classes Indira attended were so much fun! Especially, the one taught by Alic, from Alice in Wonderland, where her students would fall into the classroom at completely unexpected times and had to find a way to escape her elaborate traps.
I also loved the paradox of reading a book about characters-in-waiting that hope to be featured in a book someday, as they don’t know that they ARE already featured in a book! . Doesn't that sound completely crazy but also kinda amazing?!
The best thing about middle-grade books is friendship. I love how quickly the characters usually become friends, but also how durable their friendship is. Of course, there are still a lot of bumps on the roads and turmoils that they need to overcome, but overall they will always be there for one another!
Another favourite element of middle-grade books is, of course, adventure! Growing up, I loved reading adventure books and see these young characters, sometimes not much older than me, do incredible things - setting a camp, driving an air-balloon, save their parents, friends and the whole world.
All of the above, combined with Scott Reintgen’s engaging writing style, makes for a perfect book for younger audience.
June 12, 2020
Saving Fable (Talespinners #1) by Scott Reintgen, 361 pages. Crown (Random House), 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild violence)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Indira Story has dreamed of being invited to Fable – one of the cities where characters-in-waiting go to Protagonist Preparatory, where she will have a chance to be a main character. When the coveted invitation actually arrives, nothing seems to go smoothly. In fact her teachers say she hasn’t been turning in her work, the friends she made her first day seem to be avoiding her, and her mentor says she may not even be fit to be a side character – maybe not even a cameo or stock character. Something fishy – something bad – is going on in Fable. Who can Indira trust? Who can she reach out to help her find the enemy – before the Real World and the Fable World are irreparably damaged?
Another fresh take on the idea that the characters that live inside our books actually have minds and lives of their own. Kind of like a middle grade version of Lenore Applehans The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project. My students enjoy the Storybound books by Marissa Burt, so I think they will enjoy this also.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (mild violence)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Indira Story has dreamed of being invited to Fable – one of the cities where characters-in-waiting go to Protagonist Preparatory, where she will have a chance to be a main character. When the coveted invitation actually arrives, nothing seems to go smoothly. In fact her teachers say she hasn’t been turning in her work, the friends she made her first day seem to be avoiding her, and her mentor says she may not even be fit to be a side character – maybe not even a cameo or stock character. Something fishy – something bad – is going on in Fable. Who can Indira trust? Who can she reach out to help her find the enemy – before the Real World and the Fable World are irreparably damaged?
Another fresh take on the idea that the characters that live inside our books actually have minds and lives of their own. Kind of like a middle grade version of Lenore Applehans The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project. My students enjoy the Storybound books by Marissa Burt, so I think they will enjoy this also.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
September 12, 2019
”Courage was trying again.
Courage meant taking the next step, and the next.”
Indira Story has been chosen to potentially a character be in a novel. All her life, she has believed that she will be the hero, but after arriving at Protagonist Preparatory and failing her auditions, she is scheduled to be a side character. Mishap after mishap, Indira begins to realize that something terrible is happening to Fable. On her journey to save her friends and family, she will need to prove whether she is fit to be a hero or destined to remain a side character.
Saving Fable is definitely unique and interesting. The world that Reintgen creates is incredible; it’s like I can just reach out and grab a white mocha for myself! The town of Fable was a concept that I really liked in that it changes its “look” every so often. One day it can be set in the wild west and the next day there will be castles and knights.
My favorite thing was the message of looking on the bright-side and never giving up. Especially being a middle grade, I think it was really important to have the underlying lesson be about remaining true to yourself and trusting your instincts.
I received a copy from Crown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Courage meant taking the next step, and the next.”
Indira Story has been chosen to potentially a character be in a novel. All her life, she has believed that she will be the hero, but after arriving at Protagonist Preparatory and failing her auditions, she is scheduled to be a side character. Mishap after mishap, Indira begins to realize that something terrible is happening to Fable. On her journey to save her friends and family, she will need to prove whether she is fit to be a hero or destined to remain a side character.
Saving Fable is definitely unique and interesting. The world that Reintgen creates is incredible; it’s like I can just reach out and grab a white mocha for myself! The town of Fable was a concept that I really liked in that it changes its “look” every so often. One day it can be set in the wild west and the next day there will be castles and knights.
My favorite thing was the message of looking on the bright-side and never giving up. Especially being a middle grade, I think it was really important to have the underlying lesson be about remaining true to yourself and trusting your instincts.
I received a copy from Crown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2020
Wow, okay. This is one I picked up based on the cover. I know, I know, the cliche is true as I have done this so many times and the book turns out not to be my type. In this case, you can judge it by the cover and so much more.
The book's premise is clever. And it delivers you to a world you have not seen before. A wonderfully unique, fun, whimsical yet dangerous world where you'd be quite happy leaving the main character and wandering around for a bit. That's usually enough to keep me in a story even if I'm not crazy about the plot or the characters. No worries about that here. You grow to love so many of the characters, and yes, while you might guess some of the outcome, you still have those moments that cause a slight pang in your heart.
Perfect read for any reluctant readers. The pacing pulls you through without any exposition heavy rest stops. It's one of those books you'll be looking forward to opening when you have to close it for the night.
The book's premise is clever. And it delivers you to a world you have not seen before. A wonderfully unique, fun, whimsical yet dangerous world where you'd be quite happy leaving the main character and wandering around for a bit. That's usually enough to keep me in a story even if I'm not crazy about the plot or the characters. No worries about that here. You grow to love so many of the characters, and yes, while you might guess some of the outcome, you still have those moments that cause a slight pang in your heart.
Perfect read for any reluctant readers. The pacing pulls you through without any exposition heavy rest stops. It's one of those books you'll be looking forward to opening when you have to close it for the night.
July 19, 2020
Classic middle grade fantasy adventure. Highly recommend for kids of all ages.
September 22, 2019
Recently I’ve been loving middle-grade books quite a lot. There have been so many unique and interesting ones! And this one is definitely one of the most unique ones I’ve read. It’s incredibly adorable and adventurous and… A world where characters train to be the best they can to appear in a book? I mean… Doesn’t it sound awesome?
Our main character’s name is Indira Story and she wants to be chosen to be a character badly. She wants it not only for herself but for her brother too.
You see, in this world, there are some places you can end up in:
Origin – where Indira lives and where they get to be chosen by the authors to be characters in books.
Quiver – The place where her brother is and where people work hard in the mines digging for story nuggets because they weren’t chosen as a character.
Fester – the place where the antagonists go.
Fable – to where Indira hopes to go. Fable is where you go to after being chosen by an author as a possible character for their books. There you train at a school called Protagonist Preparatory, to be the best you can.
I absolutely loved this idea and I was mesmerized by the world.
Indira is now a side character in training at Protagonist Preparatory and she lives with the best family she chose for herself. But things are about to get much tougher!
When Indira is finally chosen, she is super excited. She rapidly makes friends with the other chosen ones – Maxi and Phoenix. But to enter the school, you have to pass your auditions and Indira had some trouble with being accepted as a side-character and not as a protagonist. So, when school starts, things change because the main characters are treated differently from side characters. And that’s what happens with her and her friend Maxi. Plus, according to her advisor, Brainstorm Ketty, and to Indira’s disbelieve, she is not doing so well in her classes. She feels she is being sabotaged… But that’s just a tiny part of everything that is going on wrong in Fable!
There’s a lot in this book that I loved. The world is incredibly interesting and I can’t wait to see more of it. I found it super creative and heart-warming and all the adventures just made it incredibly gripping and exciting for me. I also loved, that although it might not seem, it’s really relatable?! I could totally see myself in Indira at times and I definitely could feel her emotions through the book. The plot was also something I really enjoyed, it was exciting and I definitely did not see it coming. I think some of my favorite parts were the interesting classes Indira had! You for sure gotta see those!
As for our characters, Indira is one tough cookie and she will do anything in her power for her friends and family! I loved her relation with Maxi and Phoenix, but even better than that was her adoptive family – Mrs. Pennington and her son Patch! I freaking loved them! I loved how united and supportive they are of each other! Plus, you get to see interesting characters like the Brainstorms, Marks (bookmarks that talk and walk), Dog-ears, the Grammar Police, Editors, Authors… It’s so unique!
I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and I can’t wait to see what the next book is going to be like, because in this world, literally, anything can happen… If you like middle-grade adventure books with mystery, relatable feelings and awesome characters, this is for you!
Our main character’s name is Indira Story and she wants to be chosen to be a character badly. She wants it not only for herself but for her brother too.
You see, in this world, there are some places you can end up in:
Origin – where Indira lives and where they get to be chosen by the authors to be characters in books.
Quiver – The place where her brother is and where people work hard in the mines digging for story nuggets because they weren’t chosen as a character.
Fester – the place where the antagonists go.
Fable – to where Indira hopes to go. Fable is where you go to after being chosen by an author as a possible character for their books. There you train at a school called Protagonist Preparatory, to be the best you can.
I absolutely loved this idea and I was mesmerized by the world.
Indira is now a side character in training at Protagonist Preparatory and she lives with the best family she chose for herself. But things are about to get much tougher!
When Indira is finally chosen, she is super excited. She rapidly makes friends with the other chosen ones – Maxi and Phoenix. But to enter the school, you have to pass your auditions and Indira had some trouble with being accepted as a side-character and not as a protagonist. So, when school starts, things change because the main characters are treated differently from side characters. And that’s what happens with her and her friend Maxi. Plus, according to her advisor, Brainstorm Ketty, and to Indira’s disbelieve, she is not doing so well in her classes. She feels she is being sabotaged… But that’s just a tiny part of everything that is going on wrong in Fable!
There’s a lot in this book that I loved. The world is incredibly interesting and I can’t wait to see more of it. I found it super creative and heart-warming and all the adventures just made it incredibly gripping and exciting for me. I also loved, that although it might not seem, it’s really relatable?! I could totally see myself in Indira at times and I definitely could feel her emotions through the book. The plot was also something I really enjoyed, it was exciting and I definitely did not see it coming. I think some of my favorite parts were the interesting classes Indira had! You for sure gotta see those!
As for our characters, Indira is one tough cookie and she will do anything in her power for her friends and family! I loved her relation with Maxi and Phoenix, but even better than that was her adoptive family – Mrs. Pennington and her son Patch! I freaking loved them! I loved how united and supportive they are of each other! Plus, you get to see interesting characters like the Brainstorms, Marks (bookmarks that talk and walk), Dog-ears, the Grammar Police, Editors, Authors… It’s so unique!
I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and I can’t wait to see what the next book is going to be like, because in this world, literally, anything can happen… If you like middle-grade adventure books with mystery, relatable feelings and awesome characters, this is for you!
May 4, 2020
After moving a Harry-Potter-focused course from face-to-face teaching to remote learning in the midst of a global pandemic, I needed a good "palate cleanser." Not that Harry Potter normally requires it, but as much as I love it and was glad to have an excuse to re-read the books, it does get a bit dark and a bit heavy there at the end. So I wanted something light and fluffy that I could finish quickly.
And, Scott? You delivered.
[TBH--I couldn't picture The Sepulcher without thinking of the Crypt in the Duke Chapel...]
I loved this book, and it was the perfect book to binge-read in-between grading sessions.
To be fair, it has several elements which are automatic pluses for me:
--Meta-commentary in the form of characters who *know* they're characters in a book (I'm looking at you, Thursday Next): ✔︎
--Authors who break the Fourth Wall and directly address the reader: ✔︎
--Strong Female Character: ✔︎
--NO LOVE TRIANGLE 🎉: ✔︎
But on top of that, this is a love letter to books -- to characters, authors, readers, librarians. The allusions are both overt -- references to the popularity of The Lighting Thief -- and subtle -- a [book]mark referencing the plot of The Hunger Games or a seminal book being in the Restricted Section of the library. And I love the tongue-in-cheek comedy of the Professors: Darcy teaching "Love by Page 12" in the Rainy Courtyard? Perfect. Alice "teaching" "How To Get Captured and Narrowly Escape"? Spot on. And DR. Romeo Montague is just as insufferable as I imagine he would be when teaching TRAG 104, "I Thought You Were Dead."
I do wish we had seen a little bit more of Peeve though...(Harry Potter allusion?)...perhaps she'll be back in the sequels, because she added a fun dynamic to the story.
I have questions, though...perhaps because my analytical-teacher brain is on high gear right now. Indira describes Protagonist Prep as "Dickensian" at the end -- implying she know who Dickens is -- but doesn't know who Romeo is?
And what happens when the characters get picked for stories? Like, how do Romeo or Alice or Darcy teach their classes if they're characters in published books? If a character graduates from Protagonist Prep, what happens then? I'm thinking of Jasper Fforde's book in particular: Thursday Next can solve crimes in BookWorld, but her actions in the books can be perceived by a reader. Likewise, I think that if a character goes missing from a book, a reader reading the book would notice. There's a comic urgency to Rochester having to get back to the story, because the reader is reaching a chapter he's in -- much like a play that's constantly being put on. So, if Darcy is teaching at Protagonist Prep, is he doing that "in between" readings? In between his chapters? Does the story exist outside of his actions completely?
Like I said, I have questions. But then, I'm an annoying stickler for World Building, so I'd pretty much always have questions.
At the end of the day, I finished the book in 4 sittings, and I loved it. I loved the diversity, I loved the strong female characters (almost all of the characters are in female, which is so refreshing), and I loved the mystery. I loved the world -- the Marks and the Dog Ears; Frankenstein's Monster with his sign about "misunderstanding" being the real monster; the whole character and execution of Deus (which does NOT rhyme with Zeus).
And, Scott? You delivered.
[TBH--I couldn't picture The Sepulcher without thinking of the Crypt in the Duke Chapel...]
I loved this book, and it was the perfect book to binge-read in-between grading sessions.
To be fair, it has several elements which are automatic pluses for me:
--Meta-commentary in the form of characters who *know* they're characters in a book (I'm looking at you, Thursday Next): ✔︎
--Authors who break the Fourth Wall and directly address the reader: ✔︎
--Strong Female Character: ✔︎
--NO LOVE TRIANGLE 🎉: ✔︎
But on top of that, this is a love letter to books -- to characters, authors, readers, librarians. The allusions are both overt -- references to the popularity of The Lighting Thief -- and subtle -- a [book]mark referencing the plot of The Hunger Games or a seminal book being in the Restricted Section of the library. And I love the tongue-in-cheek comedy of the Professors: Darcy teaching "Love by Page 12" in the Rainy Courtyard? Perfect. Alice "teaching" "How To Get Captured and Narrowly Escape"? Spot on. And DR. Romeo Montague is just as insufferable as I imagine he would be when teaching TRAG 104, "I Thought You Were Dead."
I do wish we had seen a little bit more of Peeve though...(Harry Potter allusion?)...perhaps she'll be back in the sequels, because she added a fun dynamic to the story.
I have questions, though...perhaps because my analytical-teacher brain is on high gear right now. Indira describes Protagonist Prep as "Dickensian" at the end -- implying she know who Dickens is -- but doesn't know who Romeo is?
And what happens when the characters get picked for stories? Like, how do Romeo or Alice or Darcy teach their classes if they're characters in published books? If a character graduates from Protagonist Prep, what happens then? I'm thinking of Jasper Fforde's book in particular: Thursday Next can solve crimes in BookWorld, but her actions in the books can be perceived by a reader. Likewise, I think that if a character goes missing from a book, a reader reading the book would notice. There's a comic urgency to Rochester having to get back to the story, because the reader is reaching a chapter he's in -- much like a play that's constantly being put on. So, if Darcy is teaching at Protagonist Prep, is he doing that "in between" readings? In between his chapters? Does the story exist outside of his actions completely?
Like I said, I have questions. But then, I'm an annoying stickler for World Building, so I'd pretty much always have questions.
At the end of the day, I finished the book in 4 sittings, and I loved it. I loved the diversity, I loved the strong female characters (almost all of the characters are in female, which is so refreshing), and I loved the mystery. I loved the world -- the Marks and the Dog Ears; Frankenstein's Monster with his sign about "misunderstanding" being the real monster; the whole character and execution of Deus (which does NOT rhyme with Zeus).
September 12, 2019
What an interesting idea, the thought that the characters in our books had to - basically - audition for them! Some are never chosen, some become protagonists, some become side characters, and some even - horror of horrors - get picked for a story that never gets finished. This is the middle-grade world created by Scott Reintgen, and I found myself quite enjoying it. Indira Story wants to be a protagonist - feels in her bones that she should be one. But she fails her audition, and is told she's struggling in classes. How is she supposed to get that coveted spot in a story just for her?
I quite enjoyed myself with this one - it's fun and interesting and unique, with characters that were also fun and interesting. This would definitely make a great read-aloud for a classroom or at home. No spoilers, but it seemed like there might be more to come? I look forward to seeing how that might happen, and I do recommend this to anyone who enjoys a touch of magic, a touch of adventure & mystery, and a whole lot of heart.
I quite enjoyed myself with this one - it's fun and interesting and unique, with characters that were also fun and interesting. This would definitely make a great read-aloud for a classroom or at home. No spoilers, but it seemed like there might be more to come? I look forward to seeing how that might happen, and I do recommend this to anyone who enjoys a touch of magic, a touch of adventure & mystery, and a whole lot of heart.
January 16, 2022
This story is every writer's dream. I'm serious. I loved every single detail about it. How there is a whole world of characters that the Authors choose from, and how that whole world has book marks and dog ears and grammar police, it's hilarious. I also loved the main character (despite her being a side character) because she seemed like the perfect character to introduce the reader into the world of Fable and Imagination. This book both teaches you how to be the main character and the side character, and the importance of both. From a writer's perspective, the book is perfect because 1. It guilt trips you about your unfinished works and 2. Confirms your suspicions that your imaginary characters were real all along. From a reader's perspective, this book is perfect because you learn that you are a character not only in your own story, but in the stories of others, too, and that "every character has a story." Or something like that.
January 5, 2020
Saving Fable by Scott Reintgen follows Indira Story, a girl who lives in the world of imagination. She has the opportunity to go to the city of Fable and attend Protagonist Preparatory School. When she arrives at school, she is placed in the roll of side character rather than protagonist. This book was a really fun read. I enjoyed the whimsy of the world and how Reintgen incorporated classic literature characters as teachers such as Romeo, Mr. Darcy, Alice in Wonderland, etc. This book had very wholesome themes relevant to a middle grade reader. I'd definitely recommend this book for ages 10-13.
*I received an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
*I received an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
October 23, 2019
Very cute, enjoyable read for anyone who loves books. I see that it looks like the author plans further installments in this series. I would welcome the opportunity to spend more time learning about the world of Fable, Protagonist Prep, and the other characters. Everything in the book was so imaginative that I would definitely like to see more of it! I also would like more explanation of Deus's character and his seeming omniscience. I think how well this book holds up will depend a lot on whether there are additional books that flesh things out more fully, but either way, it was fun and entertaining.
March 2, 2019
Fantasy, mystery, intrigue, spells, literary references, and a kind, feisty, lovable Protagonist who is only supposed to be a Side Character.
What a delightful, clever, and entertaining novel! Indira Story has spent her life hoping to be chosen to train as a protagonist at the famed Protagonist Preparatory in Fable. She thinks if she is the main character in a story, she can include her brother who was passed by and now lives in a town where he is a miner for golden nuggets buried within stories. Finally chosen, she fails her audition again an antagonist and is demoted to the side character track. But she is determined to prove her worth and become the hero of her story. Along the way she meets Brainstorms, Marks (bookmarks), Dog-ears, the Grammar Police, Editors and finally an Author; gains an lovely foster mother and little brother; and makes friends, enemies, and even a crush.
This novel would lend itself to a fantastic Grade 4-8 read-aloud that will let teachers review and discuss literary elements and genres and cause their students’ imaginations to soar.
What a delightful, clever, and entertaining novel! Indira Story has spent her life hoping to be chosen to train as a protagonist at the famed Protagonist Preparatory in Fable. She thinks if she is the main character in a story, she can include her brother who was passed by and now lives in a town where he is a miner for golden nuggets buried within stories. Finally chosen, she fails her audition again an antagonist and is demoted to the side character track. But she is determined to prove her worth and become the hero of her story. Along the way she meets Brainstorms, Marks (bookmarks), Dog-ears, the Grammar Police, Editors and finally an Author; gains an lovely foster mother and little brother; and makes friends, enemies, and even a crush.
This novel would lend itself to a fantastic Grade 4-8 read-aloud that will let teachers review and discuss literary elements and genres and cause their students’ imaginations to soar.
October 22, 2020
Scott Reintgen's new book is a love letter to book nerds everywhere. There's even a museum dedicated to great librarians throughout history! I'm not sure reluctant readers will be interested, but avid readers will enjoy picking out all the literary references in the story. Recommended.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
December 24, 2020
This book didn't really grab right away. I almost quit reading and said a few more pages and then I couldn't put it down. I wasn't interested in the wizards and dragons and then the story took hold of me and held me until the end.
December 3, 2021
An amazing book about how characters are taught and how fiction books are made. I really recommend this book it is so gripping and had me coming back for more! 5 stars its a beautiful book and action packed too!
July 20, 2022
A charming little middle grade story with very unusual world building. Obviously targeted at book nerds. Lots of literature references. Our heroine solves a mystery and saves the world while she’s at it. A fun, light read.
August 4, 2023
The other day, my daughter asked everyone at dinner the question, "What book only gets better on a re-read?" Among her answers was Saving Fable. When her younger sister agreed, I decided to check it out. This is a really cute book that is perfect for avid young readers, because all the characters are very story-aware. My kids are the type who yell at the characters during family read-aloud, because they see them walking into a predictable pattern that happens in all stories. It makes sense that they would like this book, because it winks at all the tropes and hangs a lampshade on all the cliches. Fun, quick read.
May 10, 2021
Ik heb wat met boeken over boeken, boekmagie of boekkarakters. Het voelt altijd extra bevredigend, alsof je een boek in een boek leest. Dit was er weer zo een :)
July 17, 2022
Erg vermakelijk en leuke twist om potentiële boekpersonages een avontuur te laten beleven.
August 17, 2022
Enthralling story, especially for a writer!
August 28, 2025
Wat een fantastisch boek. Terwijl je de heldin van het verhaal volgt. Krijg je ondertussen ook nog door hoe een boek wordt geschreven en opgebouwd. Indira Novella is mijn nieuwe held!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2022
The world was super cool -- kind of like Phantom Tollbooth where it's all puns, but in this book it's all puns of books, writing, and storys. Learning more about the world was what kept me turning the page, but the characters and plot felt a little forced and flat. The motivation behind the main character isn't quite convincing and the big world ending event wasn't built up enough to be convincing either.
However overall I enjoyed the ideas presented in the book, it was fun.
However overall I enjoyed the ideas presented in the book, it was fun.
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