This is my very first audiobook! I wasn’t sure if I would like it in a audiobook format, but I ended up loving it! The audiobook plus the immersive storytelling got me hooked! I loved that the story was told in Saint and Isolde’s POV. There’s a lot of growth and self-discovery for both the main characters. Saint and Isolde’s path towards their love was endearing. I haven’t read the Fable series yet, but this book makes me want to follow Fable’s story.

This story was incredible! I really enjoyed Fable, Namesake, and The Last Legacy, but Saint is now my favorite book in this connected world written by the talented Adrienne Young. I was not expecting the story to have both Saint and Isolde's POVs, but that was the best surprise and I am totally for it! It just made the book that much better. I listened to the audiobook version and the two different narrators were impeccable with their performance. I was fully captivated and absorbed right into the story with how they delivered it. I fully recommend the audiobook, but also the novel in general.
The content has some mild swearing, but is YA clean.
Thank you to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After finishing both Fable and Namesake, I was really excited to see more of one of the most interesting characters in the series, Saint. It was one thing to hear bits and pieces about the events that made Saint into the man who would one day become one of the most feared men in the narrows, but it was so satisfying to hear the entire story from the man himself.

Saint’s story was slower moving than I would have expected, but I was left satisfied with the story overall. The plot was light and it was the character development that really drove the story. Watching Saint and Isolde struggle with the decisions that would change their lives was a wonderful way to get to know who they would be in their futures. The dual POV of the narration really added to the ways in which I was able to see our main characters.

As much as I loved seeing Saint’s story unravel, it surprised me that the character I ended up loving most in the narrative was Clove. He was a constant in the storm, both literally and figuratively, and I loved reading his reactions and the way he was perceived from the viewpoints of Saint and Isolde.

The narrators in the audiobook version of this book were phenomenal. Their voices really brought the characters to life and provided a more immersive experience. It felt as through I had jumped right into life in the Narrows.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to a copy of this audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was a wonderful addition to the Fable universe. I loved the characters, their interactions with each other, and the way we got to see the building of such an important relationship. While it felt a little more like a novella, than a full novel, I still felt like the story captured all that it intended to, while still leaving me wanting more!
Off to go reread Fable!

I highly enjoyed the narration of the audiobook. The two narrators brought the characters to life and embodied what I imaged the characters to look and sound like. They played off each other beautifully.

Saint by Adrienne Young tells the story of how Elias became the individual we now know as Saint. We also get the perspective of Isolde, a dredger he encounters and we follow how she became an integral part of his story. This is a prequel to the Fable duology. It isn’t necessary to have read the other books in this universe but, I’m a big believer in reading a series in their publication order. You will appreciate Saint’s transformation more if you have read the other novels.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced listening copy from MacMillian Audio through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I ordinarily listen to audiobooks while completing chores both in and out of the house. I’m not really sure at what point it happened but I realized I had gone from cleaning to being curled up in a ball on my chair with my eyes closed fully engrossed in listening to this story play out.

That’s just a product of Young’s writing, it is all-consuming. The prose is gorgeous, the plot unravels at a pace that kept me saying “just one more chapter” until there was nothing left. The characters were entirely relatable and I wanted nothing more than a win for them even though I know how their stories play out.

When I think of wonderful atmospheric writing I immediately think of Adrienne Young. I could almost taste the salt in the air or hear the waves as they hit the bow of the ship. The narrators are absolutely flawless in their delivery and I think they perfectly deliver Young’s prose to my ears. This is the first time I’ve listened to this author’s work in this particular format but now I want to go back and dive into them all again in audio.

I’ve never finished an audiobook so quickly and wanted to pick up all the others in the series.

I have wished for Saint’s story since the moment I finished reading the first book in Fable’s duology, now after reading that ending, in the words of Oliver Twist, “PLEASE SIR CAN I HAVE SOME MORE!?” More Saint? More in this universe? Just more audiobooks from this author in general? I’ll take whatever I can get.

4.5 stars
The narration was done beautifully. I love the dual POVs from Saint and Isolde. I also love how we get the backstory of Saint which was amazing. The romance was perfect, it didn't take over the story, which I can appreciate. I finished this in one day, it was that good! Definitely recommend the audio.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the copy of the audiobook for my honest review. I will posting my review on my instagram page @talkgoodbookstome

Saint is Adrienne Young’s love letter to her fans who have fallen in love with the world of the Narrows. That being said, it would also serve as a perfect introduction to the world for those who are new to this series. As someone who has read all three of the other books in this collection as well as the novella, Tides, I adored this story for the gift that it was. There was something magical about slipping back into a world I have fallen in love with and seeing the backstory of these characters as well as the trade system. This book is not only the origin story of Saint but of the Narrows in a way.

I couldn’t help but love this book because of the almost nostalgic quality to it. Young’s lyrical and atmospheric writing style were, of course, present, though I felt we were missing the full depth of it because there were no underwater scenes which were the most visceral in the Fable duology.

My biggest disappointment with this story was that it was too short. I wanted to spend more time with these characters and I prefer a romance that burns a bit more slowly. The events of this book take place in quick succession and it felt a bit rushed to me. This does keep with the rest of the series, but I was hopeful that we would get a bit more word count in the prequel story. There is so much of the back story that I still want to know and wish would have been included on page.

For all that, the ending of this book still punched me in the gut and with its absolute beauty, tenderness, and heartache. Adrienne Young has a magical way of weaving stories together so that even when you have a sense of what’s coming, you are in awe of the precision with which it all converges. I found myself near tears in the final chapters of this story and heartbroken that there wasn’t more when it ended.

Fans of the Fable universe will eat this book up and newcomers to the series will find a captivating story that will draw them into the larger fandom as well, but I do recommend reading all 4 books in publishing order for maximum impact of Saint. Though there were things I wanted from this book and didn’t get, I still loved every moment of reading it and highly recommend it. The audiobook was lovely as well for anyone who enjoys that format!

Can we talk about how beautiful Adrienne Young's writing style is? I fell in love with her writing when she wrote Fable and Namesake so OF COURSE I had to read Saint and get my fill of Saint and Isolde's story! This brought out many emotions and I loved the entire journey Adrienne takes us on. I've already got this one on preorder and can't wait to have it.

I've loved this sea faring story from the beginning and I was so excited to learn more about Fable's parents. I loved this audio narration, I felt the narrators voices fit the characters the way I imagined them. I loved the characters separately. Isolde is a stubborn, free spirited, determined character who wants to forge her own destiny. Saint is a gruff, determined, intelligent, somewhat possessive character who I loved to watch take control of the people who underestimate him. Their chemistry together was great. I could feel their attraction even without the explicit sexuality that is being inserted into so many YA novels which speaks to the author's ability to write connections. I loved seeing how their story evolved but I would have loved to see some of Fable as a child. That is really my only complaint for the story which is why I give it 5 stars. I'd definitely read more in the world of the Narrows.

Happy Pub Day to Adrienne Young and Saint.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listener’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

Adrienne Young returns to the World of The Narrows with Saint, a captivating prequel to Fable and Namesake.

This was a beautifully written prequel to Fable and Namesake and tells the story of Fable’s father Saint and how he met and fell in love with her mother, Isolde. While reading Fable, I always felt Saint’s story would make a great book so I’m glad Adrienne Young made that a reality.

The book is told from both Saint’s and Isolde’s perspectives. I loved that we got both of their backstories, and seeing how they ended up together. Saint’s character was intense so it was nice to see the romantic side of him in this story.

I listened to the audiobook and loved both narrators. Ell Potter was perfect as Isolde, and Will Damron really brought Saint to life.

As this is a prequel, I highly recommend reading Fable and Namesake first as they help with the world building, but I do think this could be read as a stand-alone.

Young has delivered her most gritty and wrenching storytelling and wrapped it around characters we already know and love!

I was honestly a bit nervous going into this one. The author has previously given us enough of the character for readers to write their own stories about him. I was happy to see Young's version of Saint was aligned closely with what I had imagined. He's intense and calculated in every decision and the reader knowing where his heart will eventually go and how it will be broken works most effectively in creating so many tears!!! This isn't just a look at Isolde and Saints origins but you get a heart-wrenching peek into the Clove/Saint dynamic too. It is truly everything fans of this series could ask for!

For my personal taste, the narration of this book wasn't my favorite. I suspect it is because, as previously mentioned, these characters already where partially formed in my brain. The chosen narrators were polished and almost posh sounding and I wanted something gritty and rough! I couldn't stop thinking about that fact and it pulled me out of the story again and again. I loved the actual story regardless or narration but perhaps take that in account if your choosing between the physical and audio versions.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for the early listen!

Of course I want to return to The Narrows!

💙💙Out today💙💙

Adrienne Young gave us another book in the world of Fable and I loved it!

This time we get to go backwards and see Saint and Isolde’s story. Saint’s character was always so mysterious and intriguing. I so enjoyed getting to experience his beginning.

Even though this takes place before Fable, I would still recommend reading Fable and Namesake first. You would miss out on the things that hint of what’s to come if you weren’t familiar with the world already.

Thanks to @adrienneyoungbooks @netgalley @wednesdaybooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the narrators for this story. I loved being back in this story. It is a perfect addition to the world to get to know Fable's parents. Sanit is a passionate person even if he shows his love in a bizarre way in Fable, but I loved getting to know him as a young man and get this insight into his character.

Sometimes, you just want a book with a little adventure and boy does this one deliver. Elias is better known as Saint...a ruthless trader on the seas. Ever since an accident as a child where he lost his father and more to the sea, Saint has been determined to become a legitimized trader with a ship of his own. He has worked too hard to become sidetracked but then Isolde shows up and puts everything in jeopardy.

I loved the Pirates of the Caribbean feel to this story. There are myths and legends, harrowing storms, and secret trades. There is mystery to both Saint and Isolde's pasts. Watching them come together and learn each other was intriguing and satisfying. The dark and mysterious feel to the book was captivating. Isolde is brave and strong and the perfect companion to Saint. The audio, in particular, was wonderfully done with a different actor for the two points of view in the book. This is a prequel for a series I have yet to read but I loved it on its own. It only made me want to read more from this amazing writer. Highly recommend!

I loved this so much! Thank you Macmillan Audio for sending me the audiobook of Saint!

I was so in love with Fable’s story and Saint was a character that always stood out to me. I wanted to know more, to see the more complex sides of him because I knew they existed despite his hard demeanor. I love that Adrienne gave us that with Saint.

Hearing Saint and Isolde’s story from the beginning was so wonderfully narrated by two voice actors and made it such a great experience of reading this on audio. (5/5 for the audio).

The story of how they meet, how Saint starts his enterprise, and how all the characters are connected made reading this so fun. My favorite parts were definitely the moments between Isolde and Saint.

But I also want MORE. I would love for her to do another story past this one and building up to when Fable is born. The last chapter ending on West and the epilogue ending with how the sea would take from them one day, left me in tears and chills. I love these characters so much and she has built such a comfort read for me with their stories.

5/5. These characters are home for me.

I was genuinely excited to revisit the world of fable and namesake having enjoyed the world but not loved the ending of the series. This story answers the questions we had left over after fable and namesake and the narrator was phenomenal! For me, while the stories are beautiful, the narrators really carry the books in this series!

Thanks to @macmillan.audio for an advance copy of the audiobook of Saint by Adrienne Young, out TODAY!

Can you smell that sea air? I was absolutely delighted to return to the stormy seas and secrets of the Narrows in this prequel to the Fable/Namesake duology! While I do think this book could be read as a standalone, it very much needs to be read in conjunction with the other two books in order for the world building and characters to come to life! One of the things I liked best about this series was it’s ability to create an atmospheric setting while being fantasy-lite and therefore super accessible to readers (the target audience is YA). I read both Fable and Namesake last year and didn’t feel like I had forgotten too much to be able to enjoy this prequel. It was so much fun to see Saint and Isolde cross paths well before the story of their daughter, Fable, begins. If you enjoyed Fable and Namesake, Saint is here and I encourage you to pick it up!

The world erupted in screams when this was announced… Fable is one of the first ARCs I received and I really had no clue going in if it was for me. Fast forward through me reading it and then automatically buying myself a finished copy…I say I loved it.

Saint’s and Isolde’s story was begging to be told and it was delivered. From the plot to the characters this is what I was wanting. To see Saint and Isolde and where they came from. Even tho going in you know the destiny for these two I think it gives an extra oomph to the duology.

With all three of these books out together I envy a first time reader and their experience.

My page is now an Adrienne Young fan account.

I loved this voyage through the world of The Narrows and my time with Elise and Isolde.

I appreciated how this book is a “prequel” if you will and the story itself hints at something bigger and I can see how the pieces of a much bigger story are being told. This is the story of how Saint and Isolde met eachother.

Saint is smexy, intense, and full of secrets as deep as the sea.

Isolde is on the run, hiding from her mother and hiding her abilities.

Told in alternating perspectives, this is a story of the sea, not quite a pirate story, but a story of sailing, of the secrets the sea keeps, and the relationships that can be made on it.

I can’t wait to continue my journey in Fable!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

From a writing perspective, Adrienne Young is one of the most talented, and underrated authors in young adult. Despite its atrocious covers, the World of the Narrows Series is lush with world-building. Saint represents that achievement, a beautifully lush book that focuses less on telling a story and more on taking the reader through the Narrows. Its politics, culture, and geography.

'Saint' is at its core, a "no plot just vibes" book. It requires you to have some background on the characters in Young's other works as it fills in some gaps from previous books. I loved this book because Young also creates openings for more stories while expanding her world.

'Saint' is supposed to be Isolde and Saint's backstory, but by the time we meet them here, they are fully formed people who have gone through a lot. This isn't a 'coming of age' book, and I would argue that its pretty slow and politic heavy for even a YA book. We have already skipped over Saint's life as a kid/teen starting out on his adventures. He's a cold, somewhat calculating adult who isn't rattled easily. Isolde is also grown in the story, and while her arc resembles 'Fable' A bit more, she's still a reserved, mature young woman who knows how the world works. Both characters are found at the intersection of their lives, where they meet and fall in love.

This means there is room for novellas of both characters before they meet each other. These two are full people by the time 'Saint' starts, and they don't really go through any development. I think of this entry to the Narrows series as a "didn't you ever wonder," and it isn't necessary to some extent, but it is fun to see Fables parents being absolute badasses before she's born.

There isn't....really a plot. The plot is 'how I met your mother'. About 1/3rd of the book is talking about sea politics. It is very, very slow; and contrary to the fact that this contains a pretty important love story, character interaction is not the focus here. Isolde and Saint are largely in their own solitary worlds dealing with different forms of isolation.

Sometimes, this gets boring, I can't lie..and the romance is a speed run. I rarely tolerate instalove, but since both characters are so icy and mature, its not quite as annoying as that type of romance usually is.

If you like Adrienne Young and 'Fable', don't miss this one. If you were MEH about Fable or haven't read it it, skip it for now.