Review: The Storyteller’s Tale
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: ⭐⭐
Details
Title: The Storyteller’s Tale
Author: Judith Bouilloc
Published: 21st of August, 2024
Published by: Rivka Publishing
Genre: Cozy Fantasy
Age Range: Middle Grade / YA
Big thanks to Rivka Publishing for providing me with this digital review copy!
Get the book
Cosy Bookworm Checklist:
Libraries & books
Gardens
Magic
Lighthearted
