THE STORYTELLER'S TALE

" 'This is not a library but a cemetery of books,' Iliad blustered. 'Your shelves are tombs! A book without readers does not exist!' "

"[...] and what is ink if not liquid words, possible words?"

The Storyteller’s Tale follows Iliad, a talented librarian who can breathe life into stories by reading them aloud. After receiving a mysterious marriage proposal from a royal suitor, she embarks on a journey to the capital with her eccentric grandmother. There, Iliad must navigate the intricacies of court life, where mystery, magic, and romance entwine.

The Storyteller’s Tale is a delightful, fairy-tale-like novel that enchants from the very beginning. It serves as a love letter to literature, filled with nods to classic works, while offering a fresh reimagining of the Beauty and the Beast story. Iliad’s ability to bring the written word to life with illusions adds an original and fascinating element to the magical system, immersing the reader in a world where stories hold genuine power.

The novel explores the differences between royalty and common folk, weaving in a subtle critique of class and birthright. Iliad, a middle-class girl with little knowledge of court life, is charmingly awkward as she attempts to fit in with the aristocracy. Her grandmother, flamboyant and larger than life, brings humour and warmth to the story, standing out as one of its most memorable characters.

The romance is slow to unfold, and the strained relationship between Iliad and her suitor keeps the reader intrigued. Their need to work together to solve a palace mystery adds depth to their connection, moving beyond simple attraction to a more complex and rewarding relationship.

The writing is wonderfully accessible and addictive, effortlessly drawing the reader into its spellbinding world. The pace is brisk but steady, allowing you to savour the blend of intrigue, romance, and whimsical magic. I was so engrossed that I read the entire novel in a single day, captivated by its enchanting tale and clever storytelling.

The Storyteller's Tale
By: Judith Bouilloc

4 Stars

As soon as I saw this book, I knew it was one I needed to read, and I loved it! Sometimes, grabbing a good YA book is just what I need to get that magical feeling from books that I remember as a child. This story was magical in its own right. Iliad is a young girl with a fantastic power. She can make words come off the page in fantastic ways. Her talent is known to many, and soon, she finds herself off to court to be a Storyteller. This also comes with a mysterious marriage proposal. Her life will never be the same.

This book weaved fantasy and reality together in a magical way. The characters were easy to love and follow, while the story was light and fun to read. It was mysterious and dramatic and captivating. With touches of romance and comedy, it was a book that could be read and loved by all ages.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

I received an electronic ARC from Rivka Publishing through NetGalley.
Iliad has an amazing gift - she can bring stories to life while reading. The words lift off the page and form characters and scenes to entertain others. This brings her to the king's attention and she is invited to the royal palace. Plots and subplots swirl as the invitation comes with a marriage proposal to a royal family member. Readers see the two interact and establish a relationship neither is sure they want. We meet a variety of other characters involved in intrigue and plots to change the kingdom. Bouilloc offers enough suspense and twists to keep readers guessing as the story unfolds. By the end, all of the subplots have been unraveled and all is made clear to readers.
The story moves a little slowly for my taste but others will appreciate the rich details more.

As a lover of books, stories, fantasy, magic and fairytales it was almost impossible to say no to this book when I discovered it on Netgalley. The cover looks amazing and really promises a unique atmosphere and I was really curious about the plot. Since the book was already released when I requested it, I had to find some extra time to fit the book in, but yesterday I had some traveling to do and this book seemed the perfect company.

This story was everything I had expected it to be and I really finished the book with a huge smile on my face. The book is relatively short and yet it never feels like things are rushed. The author does an amazing job introducing us to the characters, introducing us to the world and introducing us to the heroine's unique power. On top of that there's a really nice plot with quite a spectacular and satisfying finale.

The true star of this book is of course the magic. It's quite tricky to really describe this kind of magic and to make it feel realistic, but in this case the author really found a way to make us feel the stories come to life. If I had not been traveling by public transport, I might have even tried to read the poems and other book quotes out loud. I think it would add to the feel of the book. You'd feel the words on your tongue and lips and you'd experience what the heroine experiences.

What I also really loved, is that the world felt quite big despite the fact that the book itself was not that big. Although we're not actively seeing much of the world outside, we're constantly reminded that it exists. That it's there. We understand that there are a lot of people out there, that these people are not happy with the current situation and that something has to be done about it. I hope that the author might write, and translate, more stories in this world. I'd love to read them!

3 Stars
One Liner: A light and fluffy read

Iliad is a young woman who loves books. She is a snatchword, a person who can snatch words from paper/ stories and make them come alive as images (think of historical-style holograph). She is happy in the library where she works but is delighted to get an invite from the Queen of Esmeria to be her personal storyteller.
However, this commoner also gets a marriage proposal from a mysterious member of the royal family. Iliad goes to the capital to meet the queen and find out who her suitor is. For a girl used to simple life and bookish fantasies, the life and rules of the royals are overwhelming and exhausting. Of course, what’s a trip to the capital without getting involved in some royal coup?
The story comes in Iliad’s third-person POV with random bits from Lord Tarlyn’s POV (third).

My Thoughts:
This is a translation of a French book, L'Arrache-mots, first published in 2019. No idea about the original language but the translation (by Madeline S. White) seems to be decent. The sentence flow is poetic and whimsical where it should be and normal at the other places.
It’s a short book (200-odd pages), which means the world-building is not elaborate. There’s enough information to imagine the setting but no real explanation of what, why, and how. It didn’t bother me much as I could go with the flow.
Iliad’s family is large, so they take up some space but have bare minimum roles (except for a couple). I wish there was more character development.
Iliad is a typical bookish character – wishy-washy, living in a fantasy world, temperamental, naïve, etc. She is not always easy to empathize with due to her random reactions. Also, she is supposed to be 24 but reads more like a 17-18 year old.
The MMC doesn’t enter until after 30% and is your grumpy, brooding but good guy (think of the Beast) with secrets, et al. His arc could have been great if he got enough space to prove himself.
Grandma Cassandra (Iliad’s granny) is a fun character initially, though she does feel stereotypical after a point. The same complaint applies to all characters. I did like the King and Virginia more than everyone else.
Despite having adult-aged characters, the book is aimed at the younger audience. This doesn’t allow for a detailed plot (though some YA books are quite elaborate). While it is good for the pacing, everything remains surface-level.
There are quite a few snippets from classics that have clear footnotes (I read footnotes together at the end), though skipping the notes shouldn’t make any difference. The chosen snippet does the job well.

To summarize, The Storyteller's Tale has an interesting premise and string bare bones but needs more development to reach its full potential. Right now, it’s a nice little palate cleanser to pick up between heavy reads.
Thank you, NetGalley and Rivka Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This book was originally published in French, so I was excited for the opportunity to read it in English. The cover art was lovely and caught my attention.

Iliad is a librarian who has the rare gift of snatchwords – meaning she can make sentences detach themselves from paper by reading them aloud, and then she can turn them into moving figures and settings by her imagination. Suddenly, she receives a mysterious marriage proposal from a stranger who makes her an incredible offer with seemingly no strings attached. With nothing to lose and intrigued by the offer, Iliad goes to the palace to uncover the mystery and decide if she wants to accept or decline the proposal.

The plot is a bit unbelievable at first that a mysterious royal suitor would propose marriage to someone he’s never met – let alone a 24-year-old commoner. However, the story’s mystery and the main characters are captivating, and the reader is rewarded with a full explanation later in the story that seems plausible for the time period.

After so much build-up, I was a bit disappointed by the rushed climax and somewhat abrupt ending. Yes, loose ends were tied up and resolutions were found for all the problems, but it left me wanting more.

Overall, this book is well-suited for older middle grade and teen readers. It’s a unique story with a great moral to always be true to yourself and follow your heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rivka Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

This is the cutest Young Adult Fantasy Romance. If you love books, magic, and a little bit of romance this book is for you. There is zero spice though but I didn't even care the story kept you very entertained. I would even vote for this one as teen-friendly.

what a super cozy read!! perfect for starting autumn reads in september.
definitely recommend if you are wanting a cozy read about an interesting magic system and well thought out characters 🤍

For the Fairytale lovers, the book lovers, and children at heart.

Highly Recommend for a fun, cozy, escape.

Once upon a time, in a land woven from the dreams of storytellers long gone, there existed a wondrous book. A book that gleamed with four golden stars—each twinkling with the promise of a magical tale. It was light as a feather, yet rich with the enchantments of a well-known story: the tale of Beauty and the Beast, retold with a fresh and playful heart.

Much like the treasured tomes of old, this book carried a whiff of magic that reminded its readers of the mysterious Inkheart, where stories themselves could leap from the pages. But this tale wasn’t merely confined to one fable; it danced through a forest of familiar myths and legends, nodding to the whispers of ancient tales and mingling them with something new.

At the heart of the story was a brave and kind-hearted heroine, a soul so full of courage that you could not help but cheer for her with every turn of the page. But beware! For within these pages lurked a few troublesome characters—those who might make you wish you could give them a swift smack on the head! Yet even these mischievous beings added to the charm of the tale, drawing readers deeper into its world.

The story, like a shimmering tapestry, felt very much like a cousin to "A Curse So Dark and Lonely." It unfolded through the eyes of just one heroine—her thoughts, her fears, her triumphs, all shared with the reader like secrets whispered in the moonlight. And as with any fairy tale worth telling, this one came to a close with a happily ever after, the kind that leaves a warm glow in your heart.

Thank you NetGalley and Rivka Publishing for the Arc

The Storyteller's Tale is a beautful book. I loved the unique magic system and character. A story full of mystery and enchantment where books are at the center of everything, I loved the moments where Iliad used her powers and various references to literature. I also really liked the world-building of Babel's palace, it all seemed so magical. I recommend it

This is a whimsical fantasy about a libration who transforms words into illusions when she reads aloud. It felt like a beauty and the beast retelling; I’m not sure if it truly is or not. I enjoyed it.

What I liked:
- Bookish theme with true literary classics were sprinkled in throughout the story
- Iliad is a badass in her own way
- Iliad (MCs) relationships with her sisters - specifically Virginia.
- The magic “system” - not much of a system. I liked the different abilities characters had. Iliad’s was the best.
- It’s a short quick read

I don’t think it goes deep enough emotionally or politically to be considered a great read though. Personally, I interchange stories like this with romance novels: fast reads that are entertaining and don’t take much brain power to understand.

Thank you NetGalley, Judith Bouillouc, and Rivka publishing for this eARC - I think this is a French story that is now being translated into English.

I requested this book purely based on the beautiful cover, and was thrilled that I enjoyed it so much! It was a gorgeous tale full of interesting magic. It starts off explaining our main characters magic in a really digestible and fun way. Beautiful storytelling, setting(s), and lovely characters. I had fun!

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book, it was such a quick easy read with such a lovely fantasy element to it. Plus the cover is one of the prettiest book covers I have seen in a long time.

The Storyteller's Tale is amazing! I just finished reading it. Together with her colourful grandmother, Iliad, a famous librarian with the enchanted power to bring words to life, sets off on a voyage to the capital city of Babel. The stakes are extremely high when she got a prestigious marriage proposal from a member of the royal family.

Iliad finds it difficult to fit in the court while navigating unanticipated obstacles and royal intrigues. This novel brilliantly combines magical aspects with human development to highlight Iliad's courageous and self-discovering path. This is a must-read if you like fantasy with intricate world-building and character development!

Thank you NetGalley and Rivka Publishing for allowing me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

First thing first - I absolutely loved how Bouilloc weaved the Classics in literature into her book, how Iliad waved words as she read them out loud was such a smart and loving way to remember the origins of our literature.

Another thing I really liked were the magical abilities displayed, even if at times it did feel off, Iliad comes from a middle-class family with a mother working to the bone for 4 daughters, and yet nearly half of the family posses amazing powers - could they really not have enough money had Iliad's grandmother helped with her gifts? Is magic there gifted without no real merit/destiny/bloodline and just casual coincidence? That part felt unclear.

Had this book been 50 pages long, exploring much more the interactions between our two main characters. exploring a bit better how Adil, our mysterious suitor started viewing our charismatic librarian in a different life would have been much more interesting. Especially the ending, how so many characters introduced didn't even have a closing line, one being the grandmother, who appeared quite a lot until the ending, as Iliad's sister Virginia and our cute Botanist Florent. Here even 5 pages more would have sufficed to give a dignified ending to the charaters. Especially since they are first introduced as the most important secondary characters after Iliad and Adil.

Last thing I was wondering - is Babel another side of Paris? Or are we set in a country that borders France? That felt unclear, mixing fiction and fantasy without giving the reader a gripping sense of reality.

Some interactions felt bland, not really going into the detail of some things didn't make me attached to a single character. The politics in this story weren't really solid.

At the end this is a cute fantasy book with a protagonist that will not bend to what society thinks of her, and that will fight for those close to her, for love, and for a better world with a power she slowly comes to realization that can help.

3⭐️

This was a unique story and I enjoyed the mix of magical elements and literature references in this story. The magical elements were uncommon and a refreshing change. Iliad was a great heroine with a powerful talent to bring words to life and her life interest was dark and brooding, however she did miss her big cue when she said she loved stories with that type of hero and the love interest that saves him. The political stuff was a little dry, but overall a good story.

Thank you netgalley, the publisher, and Judith Bouilloc.

This story was very unique. There were so many twists and it kept me guessing what would happen next. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down! I absolutely adored the mmc and her grandmother.