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!

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.