Wow! I loved everything about this book. I am so grateful I was chosen to read this. (The cover art, the plot, the darkness, the title! ahh too good)

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book as I love stories that are all about females of our history, standing up against society norms. However I did struggle with this one, the story wasn't grabbing me so I decided to DNF at 25%

Beautifully written and I absolutely loved the premise, but I found the ideas and plot rather muddled. Perhaps I was missing the point.

I was so intrigued by the premise of this book and unfortunately it failed to deliver. The writing was beautiful. I felt that this book wasn’t too sure what it was trying to be. The pacing was really off. A huge disappointment

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

The book was ok- I was expecting more so I think that was what let me down a bit. I found the beginning quite slow but at the same time, the author introduced a lot of characters which was confusing for me. The first half was quite weird personally, then it picked up its pace. I think the overall theme was confusing- like the book was still trying to choose what story to tell and so I could not fully connect with it.

The second half was much better with the final message of feminism and sisterhood against this organised Christian religion was what made the book worthwhile.

I had hoped for intrigue, drama, and excitement; I got a book that until 80% through was as interesting as life in a convent would actually be. This had an incredibly slow plot, and I'm not terribly sure why the book was souh important (yes, the book did a thing, but avoiding spoilers, let's just ask...why?). The main character was pretty bland, leaning heavily on the "book people are terrible people people" trope. And none of the other characters seemed very fleshed out despite the idea of some very interesting and complex dynamics being in place. The prose was nicely done, often beautiful, which kept me reading until the action finally ramped up.

What a great read! It comes to life straight away and grips to the end. Set in a Renaissance convent, a lonely, mistrustful young woman is drawn into an ancient and dangerous literary mystery through which she will ultimately discover the secret of her own nature and her deep connection to those around her. Beautifully written in a fast-paced and intensely visual style, rich in classical allusion. Magical, original, frightening and intriguing, full of generosity and hope. A thoroughly enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

This was really hard to read. I've given it a few tries and just can't seem to follow what's happening. I'm not sure if its the formatting or writing style, but definitely some of both. The paragraphs not being indented makes for a very hard read. The premise is a good idea, but I think there's a bit too many characters and details that aren't properly explained in the beginning. I did not finish and won't continue reading. It was not enjoyable, unfortunately.

Update, after some more reflection:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5247677438

I LOVED this book, we have already purchased it for our library and it continues to be a hit. The way the story is told leaves you wanting more.

I really enjoyed this book, although I can definitely understand why some people are struggling for follow the story as it can be a bit confusing at times. But overall, a magical and enjoyable story. Would recommend.

I found this book difficult to get into but once I had become absorbed I had to complete it!

A powerful book falls into the hands of Beatrice, the convent librarian, who comes to understand its power and by possessing it puts the convent and its inhabitants in danger. Men fear the power of the book and the worship of the Mother which underpins it and will do everything in their power to suppress it.

Full of dark moments and emotions this is a book which will stay with me and one which I will be recommending.

3.5 (rounded up) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to Headline and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.

I think I will need to come back and re-read this book. At times it wasn’t clear what was going on and I thought I had missed something, but it’s just that the writing often leaves things to be ambiguous.

I loved the setting, the way the author used aspects of our world, which have it a grounded setting, but it was still set in an alternate universe. As someone well versed in that time period and religion I could see the clever parallels and inspiration, so I think people also like me will find the book more enjoyable for all of this. I can see how this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is definitely mine!

Love a fantasy historical fiction read, what is not to love?! Another book about magical books. I highly recommend this.

Meg Clothier has woven an amazing story around the mystery of the Voynich Manuscript in The Book of Eve. To take a manuscript from history that’s shrouded in the unknown and create a world that is so rich in magical realism within the perfect setting is inspired. I’m in awe of her imagination!

It’s not often I’m stuck for words but I’m struggling to convey just how powerful this story is.

Beatrice is a strong character for what’s to come. Once the green shoots and fruits of the chestnut tree appear in the book we see her changing. An outsider and a loner, she is the daughter of the recently dead Duke. Her step-mother and sister eat at the convent and the tension is palpable.

Tomis supplies inks and parchments for the library and is perfect for introducing us to just how important the book is.

Brother Abramo is charismatic, able to whip up the hatred of the men for the women of the convent. He’ll do literally anything to get his hands on the book. Mother Chiara has history with him.

The convent politics are interesting … I took everything at face value so was really surprised when we dig down more layers!

Not an easy read at times (the depths others go to when you cross the patriarchy …), there is darkness, sacrifice and betrayals. But there’s also truths, hope and the strength of a community of women.

The Book of Eve was a page turner for me. I was so invested in where the story was going and needed to find out where it would all lead. I was not disappointed.

Highly recommended!

I love stories about magic books and this one seemed right up my alley even if the blurb made me think about the Name of the Rose.
It's a good story with a lot of potential it's a bit too slow and sometime it didn't keep my attention
Eve is an interesting character and I liked her. The book is the most fascinating object
I think it's one of those book that you will rate according to your mood. I'm sure it would be different in another moment.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

A magical story about female empowerment and the strength of friendship and loyalty.
I loved Beatrice as a character- strong and determined she was single minded in her determination to be true. Her relationship with her family was a difficult one and again with her sisters in the convent, she seemed to jar against the norm. Her one sanctuary was in her library with her books. I loved the imagery in this story, Meg Clothier has a way with words and descriptions to make the very pages come alive and I loved the idea of the book talking and giving hope. The strength of these women was admirable and I really enjoyed how their support for one another came through time and again

📚 #NetGalley ARC review 📚

Title: The Book of Eve
Author: Meg Clothier
Release date: 02/03/23

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the chance to read this ARC ahead of its release.

This book should have been right up my street - it's about a librarian, religious texts and environments (which I've become increasingly intrigued by in the past year or so), history, and a splash of the mysterious. I should have loved it.

Alas, for some reason I just...didn't. Don't misunderstand me, it's not a bad book by any means - the characters are well-drawn, the environment well-constructed, but I just felt indifferent for some reason. I felt like it took a long time to get going, and by the time it did I wasn't emotionally invested in Beatrice's struggles. I didn't much like her as a character to be honest, and wasn't particularly rooting for her - or anyone - until very late on, by which time I felt a bit 'late to the party', as it were.

My other stumbling block was late in the story when things get somewhat unnatural, shall we say (no spoilers). I know the description mentions 'an ancient power', but I wasn't expecting this to manifest in the way that it did, and found it jarring. I had to re-read various passages to be sure they meant what they seemed to be implying, and this took me out of any sense of immersion I might have been building.

As I say, it's absolutely not a bad book whatsoever, and I do feel bad critiquing it. The plot itself is really interesting, and the writing style is beautiful. But overall it just didn't deliver what I was expecting, which yes, may be a Me Problem, but hey - I'm the one reading it 😅 If you go in with the expectation that there'll be some paranormal type gubbins then you'll probably have a better time of it!

3/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

I could give a synopsis, but I'm not entirely sure what it was about or what genre it's meant to be. Beatrice is a sister, not sure where as it wasn't explicitly stated, who works in the library and tends the books. After two women arrive at the convent and die, Beatrice finds herself looking after a strange book. The local zealot desperately wants to destroy the book, and the strong females of the convent.

The book started unbelievably slowly, but the pacing did improve about 30% of the way in. Then the fantasy element began and I just got so confused about what was going on. I'm not sure this is the book for me, though I can see why others may like it.

Beatrice is not exactly likeable at the start of the novel as she's cold and thinks only of her books. There were a lot of other characters and I lost who was who in the convent.

This one gets 3 stars from me. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review.

Following Beatrice, a sister librarian at a convent in a Florence-esque city, as she comes to possess a book that changes everything. Of course, with a powerful book (inspired by the Voynich Manuscript), powerful men who want possession of it will follow and as Beatrice keeps hold of it, a zealous preacher will make her suffer for it.

I was excited about this book but found it a little underwhelming. It’s slow-paced and though I don’t generally mind that as long as I’m having fun with the prose, the writing didn’t click with me either. I did love the feminist aspect of it – the idea of men trying to possess the power women have found for themselves, the irritability that follows when they can’t get their way and how they turn to hurt. I found Beatrice interesting and loved that she claimed who she was, but overall I couldn’t fall in love Book of Eve.