A beautiful cover for a beautiful story. This was an absolutely lovely, cozy read. A very slow-burn, no spice romance for a woman who loves books and can bring them to life with a charming magic. And let us not forget the indomitable granny who is a wonderful side character. It may have been a fairly quick read but the world was full and well built. Middle-grade and up would certainly enjoy this.

The Storyteller’s Tale was such a cozy, enchanting read! It’s filled with all the tropes I adore: arranged marriages, hate-to-love dynamics, sunshine and grumpy characters, and a dreamy, mystical magic system. The story follows a librarian who can breathe life from words and an upright royal judge with a dark past, which adds so much depth to their dynamic.

The romance between the two unfolded beautifully, and the chemistry had me hooked from the start. The writing was easy to read but still managed to make me squeal with excitement at all the right moments. I could vividly imagine every scene as it played out, making it an immersive and magical experience.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, whimsical romance that’s both fun and full of emotional depth, The Storyteller’s Tale is a must-read!

4.5 stars - this is an enjoyable YA fantasy read about a young librarian with the ability to create illusions when reading books aloud. Good for fans of country to palace life stories, lovers of literature (did I mention all of the great quotes?!), and fantasy readers interested in a slightly different take on magic.

Lost half a star due to some odd turns of phrase, which might be due to the translation. Some of the writing might have been closer to 4 stars, but the storyline and the magic were novel enough to give it a bump up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rivka for the ARC.

I loved this book! Perfect and sweet YA novel. Books, magic, Well done, kids 13+ would enjoy. Will look for more books by Judith.

This review of The Storyteller's Tale by Judith Bouilloc is courtesy of NetGalley
#thestorytellerstale #NetGalley.

Rating 3/5
Publication Date: Aug 21 2024

I wanted to love this book more than I did as the mix of someone doing magic with books plus a bit of mystery as to why royalty wants to wed her sounded interesting.

It's got some nice quotes that are obviously pro-books/education/libraries which I love especially given the current book banning era.

Something though fell flat. Maybe it was due to being a translated book. Maybe it was the pacing. I wish I could describe better why I didn't love it, but I don't have a magical way with words.

WAAAAAHHHHH! BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!! THIS IS HOW U WRITE COZY FANTASY!!!

this book, to me, is not like any other book. it's a very special book, one that is so dear to me i will not accept any hate on! it was such a cozy, comforting, easy, quick read. and to me this book was the definition of, "never let them know ur next move." which i did not expect at all. anyways the storyteller's tale is such a pleasant surprise, i requested it due to its interesting synopsis and pretty cover (and because it was about reading/books! hehe) and i am not disappointed one bit! it even has gardening aspects and i just love love love it so much i might explode. iliad and adil, my librarian x gardener duo, u are very precious to me, i hope these characters all live the happiest life ever!

u bet i will be reading more books from rivka publishing, perhaps i will find more gems like this one!

biggest thank you to judith bouilloc and the team for providing an arc!

The magic of the storyteller was so enchanting and the world Bouilloc crafted was incredibly immersive - I felt like I was traveling the streets with the characters. And I LOVED the female characters - their sass, their interests, their boldness, each one was inspirational on her own. Def recommend this for a cozy, autumn day!

The Storyteller's Tale is so good. I wasn't expecting it to be so good as it is. Lovely storyline, amazing plot, loved every single second of it.

As I was reading this book I went back to the NetGalley site to check the intended audience because I could not, for. the life of me, figure out who that would be. It is supposed to be Middle Grade but I cannot imagine a person between 12 and 18 who would enjoy it. To be fair, I am not sure if anyone would enjoy it.

The premise of the book is interesting - the main character, Iliad, has the magic of a Snatchword. Whatever words they read aloud leave the pages of the book and become illusions that recreate the story or poem or whatever is being read. Definitely different, and could be, and at times was, interesting. Other than that magic really plays little part in the story itself. Some characters have it, most do not.
It is the plot and execution that are lacking; The first third of the book is spent exploring the main character and her ability. Then she receives a proposal from a mysterious person and she goes to Babel, the capital city, to try to find out. who he is and what he really wants. Also to be the official storyteller of the kingdom but that is just a job. She finds many curious things out about her "might be" husband, and we spend. the second third of the book learning about the new characters. Finally, in the last third of the book we learn the plot or the story (why he wants to marry her, the ultimate motive, who the good and bad guys are) and away we go. Suddenly things are happening at a fast pace and all is resolved.

It didn't work for me. Having 2/3 of a book be character exploring and 1/3 be fast(er) paced actual things happening will also, in my opinion, not interest middle graders (or even young adults). Besides when things actually do happen they are not really all. that exciting and the romance is so old fashioned and subtle you wonder what is wrong with these people.

Maybe it just doesn't translate well, but I think the publisher should think about a different target audience - if they can find one.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this e-ARC!
2.5 stars rounded up to 3

There's nothing wrong with this book, but there's nothing that really stuck out to me either. It reads like a younger-rage YA book, which in itself isn't a bad thing, but it felt so here. I think it's mostly because it was pretty telly. There were entire scenes that would have been fun to see play out that just got told to use instead, like when Iliad was telling off a butthead character. We were literally just told that she was telling the guy off, and then got a block paragraph of, welling, telly-ness.

The worldbuilding was fun, giving a dash of magic in some made-up European city called Babel. The ending really makes me wonder if there was some Biblical inspiration in this story. I also enjoyed the power/situation of Lord Talryn. Definitely a gruff, reserved type but with a very fun ability attached.

So it's a decent time, but the writing style wasn't for me.

Yes, the description says Iliad is navigating court life, I just expect more word-snatching story-telling. The stories that are mentioned, thought, are simular to her situation and very commonly known. Avid and classic book readers will enjoy the snippets from the mentioned books in the story. I personally couldn't connect to Iliad as a character but could replace her with myself. The other characters were enjoyable.
For more advanced young readers.

Storyteller's Tale by Judith Bouilloc is a beautifully written and lyrical fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world of magic, stories, and dreams. The protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery and adventure, guided by her love for storytelling and the enchanting power of words. The book blends whimsical prose with an imaginative plot, making it a perfect read for fans of magical realism and poetic narratives. Bouilloc's tale is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, capturing the transformative power of stories and imagination.

Oh this was so good, loved everything about it. The magic set up was unique and fun. Her magic was super nice to have make words images so damn nice. This books was definitely cute and a classic good wins over evil. Love it

This is a short work that is translated from French. The purpose of the publisher, Rivka, is to bring French work to the whole world.

This book delivered on its promise for being a middle grade/young adult fantasy novel. The premise is very unique to me in that the protagonist is a librarian snatchwords - meaning she can read books aloud and have the words come off the page, literally, and turn into images for entertainment and education. She reads for audiences and is requested to be the Queen's storyteller and is arranged to marry the king's nephew.

I loved the fantastical elements and thought this story was very cute and sweet. It was a quick read. The character arc for the male main character was good too.

This book has all the right stuff to be a fantastic story. The magical world is a place I'd love to go and the romantic male lead made my heart flutter.

Unfortunately this book took a very long time to start its actual story. The sentence structure was sometimes very awkward but could have been a result of translation issues from French. The world building was long and dragged until I was almost 40% done. And then we finally met the fiance. I wanted to know more and the story gave me so much intrigue, but it felt like all the major plot and action was crammed into the last third of the book. I think the political statements the author wanted to make were not given the justice they deserve due to this rushing.

I would marry her fiance in a heartbeat I just wish we got to know him sooner and more in depth.

I really enjoyed this book. It took a little bit to get into. I enjoyed the character development and watching them change as the story progressed. I enjoyed the bibliography at the end of the book that let you know where the literary references came from.

4/5 stars
-Thanks to NetGalley and the dear author for earc in exchange for a honest review. This review is only based on my opinions.-
To start with, I am in love with that gorgeous cover! And the title? The storyteller's tale? I love it! Sounds perfect to my ears!
This could've been an easy 5 star read for me. Easy to understand writing, a cute nice story flow. Iliad was a smart Mc, and didnt drive me mad with stupid actions.
What DID annoy me, is that I think we needed more *screentime* for Adil. He was basically a support character. He did absolutely nothing?? In the last 3-4 chapters (where Iliad solved everything), he did not do anything at all.
Also why put so much politics and political talk? It felt kinda like the author wanted to fill the pages and filled with unnecessary information.
I loved Adil's sweet talks to Iliad ♥️🫶 That letter he wrote after he learned about her ex? I love it.

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher, and Judith Bouilloc

I loved this book. My only complaint is that I would have liked to know more about the world because that part was exciting. The romance was so cute and the magic system was cool.
I will definitely be getting a copy for my shelves.
Love it.

Book Review: The Storyteller’s Tale by Judith Bouilloc

Iliad is a snatchwords: She can breathe life into words by speaking them aloud. Thanks to this wonderful gift, the young woman has become the most famous storyteller in the kingdom of Esmeria.

What it’s about:
The Storyteller’s Tale is a lighthearted court romance with a magical twist, following the journey of Iliad, a young librarian caught in the political schemes and social dynamics of Babel’s aristocracy. After receiving a marriage proposal by an aristocrat who keeps his identity hidden, Iliad and her grandmother travel to the city of Babel to find out who this mysterious man is and what he wants with a low-born wife.
At the heart of the story is a rich world filled with books, poetry and storytelling magic. Iliad’s fierce grandmother is a standout character, literally spitting fire to defend her beloved grandchild, adding a nice touch of humour to the narrative. Alongside intrigues, court life and political affairs, Iliad’s developing romance with the brooding Adil stands at the centre stage of the novel. Describing a world full of storytelling magic, the book is also full of literary references, making it a true ode to reading and bibliophilia.


My reading experience:
The book’s strongest charm is its setting. We dive into a world where books and libraries play a major role and stories are brought to life by so-called snatchwords; people who can take lines from a page and even turn whole stories into theatre performances. As a book lover, I found myself swept away by the frequent literary quotes and references, which felt like a love letter to readers and writers alike. The prose is lovely, despite it being a translation, and the descriptions of Babel’s gardens, architecture and the famous library are full of intricate details which sparked my imagination.
While I loved the magical world and Iliad's fierce grandmother (seriously, her fiery temper literally burns through the pages!), I was disappointed and even a bit annoyed by the romance and the poorly developed plot. Adil, the male lead, comes off as gruff and unappealing at first, and even Iliad seems to agree. Yet she remains in Babel to learn more about him. His character development feels forced and their romance lacked the natural chemistry one would expect from a story like this. While the pacing of the first half is rather slow, it feels as if the author rushed and tried to squeeze all the content that was left into the last few chapters. Suddenly everything moves twice as fast, we jump from one scene to the next, and before you know it, you’ve reached the last page of the book.

Strengths:
- Fierce grandmother: Granny steals the show! She’s sassy, protective, spits flames and even sets Iliad’s ex on fire. Her scenes are some of the funniest and most memorable moments in the book.
- Bibliophile magic: The magical elements involving books and storytelling are beautifully woven into the plot, making it a delight for bookworms like me.
- Charming worldbuilding: The setting is a treat: palaces, gardens and libraries full of mystery, books and magic. It’s the perfect backdrop for a cosy read.
- Literary References: The book is filled with quotes from classic literature and poetry, which adds depth and gives a nod to the author’s own love of books.

Weaknesses:
- The romance: The relationship between Iliad and Adil felt underdeveloped, forced and boring. While Adil’s tragic backstory explains some of his grumpiness, the sudden shift in Iliad’s feelings after initially being unimpressed left me unconvinced.
- Character dialogue: At times, the characters switch from sophisticated prose to oddly simplistic dialogue, which feels out of place and jarring.
- Plot gaps: There are a few plot holes, especially regarding Iliad’s motivations for staying in Babel after being openly disappointed by Adil’s indifference towards her. This could have been handled more smoothly.
- Pacing: While the first half is slowly paced, the majority of the plot is squeezed into the last two chapters and the book ends abruptly – only to be followed by a pretty cringe epilogue which is nothing but a half hearted attempt at wrapping it all up and sprinkling some sugary sweet topping onto a half-baked cake of a book. (I subtracted one star just for the epilogue).

Who might still enjoy this book?
Think Beauty and the Beast vibes but with books and a fire-breathing grandma!
If you love reading, magic and the "grumpy meets sunshine" trope, The Storyteller’s Tale might be right up your alley. Fans of stories set in grand courts with a lighthearted romance plot could enjoy this cosy, whimsical read, despite its weaknesses.

Rating: 2/5 stars

I enjoyed this story very much! I’d love to give it 5 stars on GoodReads, but there isn’t an entry for the English translation yet.

I found the revelation of the king’s and Adil’s plot an excellent discovery as a reader. I loved the take down of the previous suitor Augustus, and the way that Iliad gradually warms to Adil, who isn’t handsome or popular, but has loads of other good qualities. This is such a difference from the usual mainstream writing.

I also appreciated the level of romance. It’s a beautiful innocent sort of book that I am happy to recommend to all my friends.

Please add it to GoodReads!