I will jump at ANY chance to revisit the Grishaverse, one of my favorite literary worlds, and this collection of short, wonderful tales outlining the lives of the Saints that are mentioned throughout the Shadow & Bone Trilogy, Six of Crows Duology, and King of Scars, was a wonderful treat. Of course my favorites were Sankta Alina of the Fold and the Starless Saint (team Darkling!), but the other tales were just as engaging and fantastical.

As always, Bardugo's writing is top-notch (not to mention her imagination and creativity). I loved the accompanying artwork, which gave this small volume the feel of a medieval book of hours. I both read the book and listened to the audiobook - a wonderful short-ish recording perfect for enjoying in small bites; the narrators did a wonderful job bringing the tales to life.

I hadn't planned on reading this book, but I decided to take a chance and request the audiobook. I didn't think that I, just a small reviewer, was going to be approved. And for that, I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Leigh Bardugo!

I enjoyed many of the stories in this book and getting a better look into the world of the Grishaverse was fun! I might not believe in actual saints as a protestant, but it was enjoyable as folklore. Next time I read Shadow and Bone, I'll be sure to recall the stories of the saints mentioned in this book.

My favorite stories (sorry if I spell the names wrong, I listened to the audiobook) were Sankta Maradi and Sankt Ludkin (the ones with the forbidden romance and the man who wouldn't stop talking). Ludkin was hilarious and Maradi was just a sweet story. I was quite scared knowing Bardugo's writing style, not to mention the fact that this is a book about saints. I expected a lot more martyrs and blood, so I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't nearly as much as I had suspected.

I especially enjoyed "The Starless One," "Sankta Alina," and the "Sankt of the Book" since they all had references to the Shadow and Bone series. Over all, this was a fun collection of stories that I would gladly listen to again!

Thank you to Netgalley for an Audiobook of this title to review! 

A quick note on the audiobook; it features Lauren Fortgang who we all love from the Grishaverse, but it also showcases Ben Barnes. This was a marvelous choice and I adored his narration. For me, his narration made the book and made it feel special. Wonderful!

It took me a while to get into the form of this tome. I expected it to be more “A Language of Thorns”-esque than it was. It was definitely more of an brief guide or “illuminated” religious text. Some of the “stories” are actually more of short descriptions, others give more detail, but these are very simple as far as detail goes. Once I got into the rhythm I was able to rate them more respective to the collection and objectively. I went in expecting fairytales, and this is not that. 

There are a LOT of depictions in this book and I rated them all, a few really stood out;

“Sankta Margaretha” ★★★★☆
“Sankta Anastasia” ★★★☆☆
“Sankt Kho and Sankta Neyar” ★★☆☆☆
“Sankt Juris of the Sword” ★★★☆☆
“Sankta Vasilka” ★★★★☆
“Sankt Nikolai” ★★★★★
“Sankta Lizbeta of Roses” ★★★★★
“Sankta Maradi” ★★★★☆
“Sankt Demyan” ★★★☆☆
“Sankta Mariya of the Rocks” ★★★☆☆
“Sankt Emerens” ★★★★★
“Sankt Vladimir the Foolish” ★★★★☆
“Sankt Grigorio” ★★★★★
“Sankt Valentin” ★★★★★
“Sankt Petyr” ★★★★★
“Sankt Yeryin” ★★★☆☆
“Sankt Feliks” ★★★★☆
“Sankt Lukin the Logical” ★★★★★
“Sankta Magda” ★★★☆☆
“Sankt Egmond” ★★★☆☆
“Sankt Ilya” ★★★★☆
“Sankta Ursula” ★★★☆☆
“Sankt Matteus” ★★★★★
“Sankt Dimitri” ★★★☆☆
“Sankt Gerasim the Misunderstood” ★★★☆☆
“Sankta Alina of the Fold” ★★★☆☆
“The Starless Saint” ★★★★☆
“Saint of the Book” ★★★★☆

I would really like to know more about Sankt Ilya, Sankt Matteus is baby and I kind of adore that Leigh Bardugo is definitely the “Saint of the Book” herself, am I right?! 

While this may not be necessary reading for the rest of the Grisha novels, I do think that it adds something to the world. It would make a terrific addition to a fan’s collection and make a great gift. The illustrations, while they do not “match” the other illustrations in this world, do compliment the world and set this collection apart. It adds to the “sacred text” vibe. 

While I would have preferred less saints to be included and more storytelling within the Saint sections, it did remind me of the dark magic of the Grishaverse and it was nice to return for a moment.

Perfect narrators to align with such an exquisitely illustrated and written work. Being an essential supplement of the Ravka/Grisha saints, having one of the most anticipated actors from the upcoming Netflix adaptations and the most familiar voice from the Grishavsrse audio books, is absolutely stunning.

I listened to the audio version of The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo and it was a wonderful addition to the Grishaverse books. It's small overviews of the Saints in the Grishaverse world, some new and some I was familiar with from the other novels, but still enjoyed immensely. Lauren Fortgang's narration is perfect for the series and gives it a very witchy vibe that I love. And Ben Barnes has a great soothing voice that works well too. Grisha fans won't be disappointed with this one.

An entertaining audiobook with two delightful narrators. Readers familiar with the Grishaverse will no-doubt spot many Easter eggs, but as a reader who hasn't read Bardugo's other works, I still found it an enjoyable collection. Told fairy-tale style, it's a quick, easy read, suitable for younger YA readers.

I received this audiobook via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


As a longtime fan of Leigh Bardugo and her written work I was very excited to be able to listen to her work being read. As I await the Shadow & Bone series to come to life on screen it was a welcome treat to listen to more of the history she so cleverly has written. She truly has built a whole world in her books and created backstories and culture pertaining to all the cities in the Grishaverse. It was also an added bonus to hear Ben Barnes read some of the Saints stories.

I really love the Grishaverse that Leigh has created. This world is by far one of my absolute favorites to journey to. This companion of stories about the Saints just really adds to the rest of the books. I got this as an audio and both narrators were excellent. Highly recommend if you're a fan of the Grishaverse.

Ben Barnes (aka The Darkling) narrated most of this, and now I think I can die happy.

This was a really great deeper insight into the Grishaverse, and the folklore was so interesting! I wish Ben Barnes could have narrated the entire thing. It honestly took me for a jolt when he didn't, and the other lady started speaking lol. After Crooked Kingdom broke my heart (I still can't talk about it), and with King of Scars (it disappointed me ngl) - I'm skeptical of anything Leigh Bardugo puts out, simply because I'm still mad at her for what she did to a certain beautiful, and underserving Fjerdan.

Nevertheless, she's a good writer, and this was a solid book! Ben Barnes was A+++, and while I found the female narrator's voice a little peevish, she brought some nice elements to the overall audiobook.

Big thank you to Macmillan Publishing + Netgalley for sending me this audiobook!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Lives of Saints was filled with so many fun stories that are making me, and I mean MAKING me, want to dive into the Grishaverse next year. I mean, it's not hard to volunteer as tribute for that because I love the books so much. There's just something about those characters that sucks you in and makes you fall in love.

I will also say that I really enjoyed each and every story within this. I may or may not have a certain favorite story because I'm pretty sure it was about the Darkling. If not, then it is now in my eyes because it was so freaking good. And dark. Ugh, I seriously need to re-read these books guys.

In the end, I am so happy that I got a chance to dive into this beauty and I hope everyone that I was buddy reading with will enjoy it as well. If not, we can't talk anymore.

This is a novella. Only it's not.

In any religion, you have the stories of saints. Short stories that resemble fables- usually meant to teach lessons on piety, faith, and good behavior.

Reading the lives of saints isn't unlike reading the abridged children's version of a bible, sanitized and simplified to only tell these magical stories.

I think if you are going into this book expecting a whole "plot" you will be very disappointed. These are short...very short stories. Many of them. All written with a beautiful, lush old fable writing style- yet they reveal more about the Grishaverse than Shadow and Bone ever could as a series. These tiny little religious lessons open up a beautiful world of culture, diversity, and magic to the Grishaverse- giving it an unexpected polish. I would liken reading The Lives of Saints to reading old unpublished Tolkien text.

I am inclined to believe this is the MOST correct way to experience The Lives of Saints. It is partially read by Ben Barnes- though both narrators read the book with absolute sanctity- listening feels like going to church. The narrations are beautiful and graceful, and there audiobook is only about 2 1/2 hours. I devoured it in a day.

I really enjoyed this!

I got the e-audiobook via NetGalley, and followed along with the physical art.
I really enjoyed these short stories about the saints, and the art was stunning as well.

The audiobook narrators both did an amazing job, and it made it an overall lovely reading experience.
Highly recommend this if you are in the mood for short stories and beautiful art, and I definitely recommend the audiobook!

I will be discussing this on my instagram later this week as well! The narrators did a phenomenal job!

www.instagram.com/delaneyreads
www.goodreads.com/delaneyreadssff

I’ve had this book since release day but never found the time to read it. When I was scrolling social media I discovered that Ben Barnes was doing the male narration and I adore him! He’s going to be The Darkling in the Netflix show, Shadow and Bone! Of course, he’s Prince Caspian to many, but The Darkling!! Eep! The female narrator was one of the characters in the Six of Crows duology so I knew she’s be fabulous.

The narration was soothing and I’m so happy they chose these two to read it. I found myself just sitting and staring off in the distance as I listened. I didn’t wanna miss a moment.

The Lives of Saints is a short but very intriguing addition to the Grishaverse. I was swept away by the stories of miracles and saints. It made me like the Grishaverse even more now.

And I’ll admit I teared up on the last one.

If you get the opportunity to listen instead of read this, you should definitely take that opportunity.

While Bardugo is not my favourite I knew I wanted to read this and I'm so thankful I really enjoyed these little short tales of the Saints I definitely will be buying a copy

I've only read one book in the Grishaverse and that was.....(checks notes).....eight years ago, so I wasn't expecting to be that connected to these stories of the lives of Saints from this dark (literally at times) universe.  That said, even without the larger context, I really enjoyed these short stories.  They are dark and uplifting and dark and specific and timeless, and did I mention dark?  The best of them remind me of the (original) tales collected by the Grimms or the darker Italian tales collected by Calvino.  This universe is not a nice place, but the saints trust in their gods to help them.  And sometimes they do.  I also listened on audiobook, and the narration was a lush as the art samples I've seen as part of the published book.  Very enjoyable.

All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.

TL;DR REVIEW:

The Lives of Saints is an indulgent, fairytale-esque companion to Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse that is especially excellent as an audiobook.

For you if: You love the Grishaverse books, including Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows.

FULL REVIEW:

5 stars specifically for the audiobook performance!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Macmillan audio for granting me a review copy of this title’s audiobook!

I’ve read and loved all the books in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, but I’m not usually big on companion/periphery titles like this one. But HELLO, Ben Barnes is one of the audiobook’s narrators? SIGN ME UP.

And friends, this was everything I wanted it to be. It contains a few dozen super-short origin tales of different Saints in the Grishaverse. The whole audiobook is less than 3 hours long. Every tale was like a delicious snack. They ring with that fairytale feeling.

Every word was infused with Leigh’s recognizable voice, and both Ben Barnes and Lauren Fortgang brought them to life perfectly. (It was so good that I didn’t even speed up the playback speed at all — and I usually listen at 1.75-2x.)

Friends — definitely do this one as an audiobook. I think, after enjoying this so much, I might try to reread the Grishaverse books before I read Rule of Wolves, which is scheduled to publish this March!

The narrators did a fantastic job and the stories were engaging and very fun to listen to. Bardugo knocks it out of the park again with her clever imagination.

*audiobook arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher*

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I had forgotten just how much I loved the world Leigh Bardugo has built, and the narrators brought the story to life wonderfully. Despite the short chapters, each of the saints were so compelling I felt like they were characters I had met before. The writing, as always, was beautiful, and I found myself getting chills after some chapters. These felt like tangible stories of saints I have so often heard growing up Catholic, so the way the stories were told felt familiar and comforting. I highly recommend this book to people who want a short little expansion of the Grishaverse.

Okay, so I don't love short stories and I'm usually not that fond of lore, but I do love Leigh Bardugo and these snippets are just fantastic. I wouldn't change a thing. It was the perfect length, too.

I loved this! Filled with stunning illustrations, this is a collection of short stories about the Saints from the world of the Grishaverse. Ranging from poignant to grisly to humorous, they are beautifully put together and really flesh out the world. From pious young people killed because of greed or fear, to women called witches for no good reason, there is a lot to provoke thought and conversation. You will find nods to things from the books which is fun, and I'm curious to see if more of these things show up in later books. If you are a fan of the Grishaverse, this is absolutely worth a read! It's quick, but thoroughly enjoyable. I was lucky enough to have access to the audiobook for review via NetGalley and read along with my physical copy- an experience I highly recommend! The audio has two narrators and is well-done. All opinions are my own.