What I loved:
- the writing. It was beautiful, atmospheric and consuming. I felt like I was on the boat with them.
- the audiobook narration was stellar. I probably enjoyed this book a lot more because of it.
- the sweet romance between Isolde and Saint. If you have read the Fable duology, you knew it was coming, but to see them together made my heart melt.
- the story was engaging. Lots of tension, and worrying about how it will all work out.

What I didn't like:
- Although I love the grand gestures in love stories, the ending was a little predictable for me.
- *SPOILER* this didn't affected my star rating, but I kinda wished the story or even the epilogue covered more from the time around Fables birth or the death of Isolde.

4.5/5
Romance: kisses, closed door
CW: violence, mild peril

This prequel to Fable takes place when Isolde and Elias first meet. She is fleeing from her mother (Holland) and a dredger on Zola’s crew and Elias or “Saint” is on the verge of getting a license to become a helmsman with the guild.

The book is beautifully written with imagery and storytelling that draw you in from the first page. The pov changes every few chapters between Elias and Isolde which adds depth to the characters.

I haven’t read Fable or Namesake since they came out, but I think it’s time for a reread. I didn’t want this book to end!

If you read Fable and Namesake, the odds are you’re curious about Saint and Isolde. This story begins slightly before they meet and enlightens you on their motives for the life they ultimately live.

I was instantly drawn into the story and couldn’t sort out how things would resolve. The author has a gift of crafting grey characters that make you love and cheer for them. Coming to understand the motivation and history of these two characters was enlightening and made me want to read the first two written books again to see if I view Saint differently.

Aside from the plot and complex characters in a world that sucks the reader in, the story itself included beautiful language and ethical questions that were fun to think about in different ways. I loved the theme of choosing how to fill a void after grief and disappointment. I loved this book and will read or listen to the series again.

If you haven’t read the series, I would say it’s most enjoyable to read the series in the order it was written, not chronologically. Fable, Namesake, and then Saint.

I listened to the audio version of this story and really enjoyed the narrator. I felt like the voice fit the time and place.

Wonderful dual narration to a story I’ve been looking forward to for months. The minute we met Saint in Fable I wanted to know more about him and how he got started.
What a treat to get his & Isolde’s full story. I loved being back in this world and getting to know the young and dreamy version of Saint. This story was beautifully written and I think I enjoyed it even more than Fable & Namesake. Romance, action, some fun twists.. I wasn’t ready for it to be over.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book!!! I’ve been looking forward to it since the moment it was announced. And it did not disappoint.

Saint is such a complex character and so much makes sense now- the hardness and softness of him.

I love all of the character tied in- even the introduction of West!

This series is so transportive. I felt immediately immersed in The Narrows again with this story and I didn’t want to leave!

I’m fairly desperate for more Saint & Isolde, even though I know that story would be gut wrenching. I still want it.

Thank you Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for the advance audio copy of the book. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it on Nov 29!

Thank you to NetGalley and also MacMillan Audio for this audiobook arc!

All opinions are my own.

When I read Fable and Namesake every time Saint was mentioned I wanted more of him. Naturally I got the hots for Fable’s dad. So I was so excited to hear this book was coming out! And even more excited I got an arc of the audiobook!

I loved it. Saint is giving me Jamie Fraser but pirate vibes. I loved hearing the origin of this series. You get all the little details that really come together in the other two books. This prequel was SO GOOD. My favorite out of all three.

I loved the narrators. Duel narration is my favorite! I do wish the FMC voice got a little deeper when talking for Saint. Sometimes she got deeper then higher pitched at random times, and I got confused on who was supposed to be speaking. Otherwise I loved the accent. And I love the narration for Saint.

I definitely need this book for my collection.

This world is so immersive and I love the imagery of the ships and sea that the author works into her stories. This book is a prequel that is best enjoyed after having read Fable and Namesake. It tells the backstory of Fable’s parents and how they came to be together as well as how Saint built his business.

I loved Saint’s character in Fable/Namesake and just knew there was a great story in his history. Getting to see his motivations and early relationships really helped deepen the story that we already know. Isolde is also a great character though a little naive at first. Seeing how she came to be with Saint and how her knowledge helps build his business was a great read. The romance was well done and I thought just the perfect amount for the story. I wanted it to continue a little farther into the timeline at the end but loved the epilogue otherwise.

I received an advanced copy of the audiobook for this book from NetGalley and these are my honest thoughts.

Romantic Content: Kisses, Closed door

Saint (The Warrior of the Narrows #0) by Adrienne Young (audiobook review)
Narrated by Ell Potter and Will Damron. (9 hours 26 minutes).
Teen & YA Fantasy (5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Saint (The World of the Narrows #0) is the prequel to the best-selling book Fable. This is my first read in this series by Adrienne Young, so I jumped in blind. Oh my word...I definitely will be reading Fable, Namesake and The Last Legacy. I am hooked!

This audiobook follows Saint. His backstory is exciting including how he met Isodle. The plot alternates between Saint and Isodle's perspectives. The story is thrilling, fast-paced and full of adventure. You feel like you're in the middle of the action thanks to the amazing narration by Ellen Potter and Will Damron. The nail-biting scenes keep you on the edge of your seat. The romantic aspect of the book is a understated, but most compelling. Oh lala, it's so delicious!

Warnings: Language: very basic - Romance: kisses - Violence: medium, physical altercations, loss of loved ones, loss of life

Book and audiobook versions of Saint by Adrienne Young will be available on November 29th, just in time for Christmas.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for sharing this intriguing audiobook with me. Your kindness is appreciated.

Well, it's just what I wanted, but I want MORE! Ultimately I definitely feel like I understand Saint and Isolde better from reading this story. And I understand how the world works better and how things got to the point they were at when Fable began. I was left wanting to understand the backstory, after reading Fable's tale. So many questions were answered, and it was a joy to dive back into this world.

Is it too much to hope that Adrienne Young finds a reason to venture back into this gorgeous and dangerous world so I can find out what happens next?

I read this as an audiobook and I feel like the narrators were very well chosen for this book, I am always happy to hear Mr Damron reading and Ms Potter is a joy as well. They captured the voices of the characters well and are very good actors.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance review copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

**Review will be posted on my site & socials November 23rd, 2022**

SOLID PREQUEL.

I know a lot of us are hit/miss on prequel books after the fact the original books are already out. This would be a case of me saying, if you enjoyed Fable / Namesake I think you’ll enjoy Saint too.

I loved getting much of Saint’s background. The heated intensity that is Saint is something else and seeing it with a romantic edge was *chef’s kiss*. It’s a super fast, read in a day, kind of story that gives you a great peek at the fated meeting of Saint and Isolde. It was great getting both points of view because I really wanted some background on Isolde as well. The attraction between them was undeniable and that instantaneous connection worked perfectly here.

The timeline didn’t end where I thought it would (forever wishing Adrienne Young books were a bit longer), but I guess it ended well enough? We all know what happens so I do understand [after the fact] why it closed here, buuut would have loved a bit more in a few different areas.

Audiobook wise: PERFECT. No complaints. Both narrators did an amazing job of reading at the same pace so I was able to keep the speed at the same for the rotating chapters. I felt like it only enhanced my reading experience and would recommend this avenue easy.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, loss of loved ones, loss of life