I have mixed feelings about this, on one hand, I LOVE the literary references and all the mentions of books; there are so many gorgeous quotes, specially regarding the love of reading. I also really liked Iliad’s power, so much that my favorite part was when we learn about how she discovers her powers. Where the book loses points for me was the marriage plot, I really feel like he is an unnecessary addition; Iliad could just have gone to the palace to become the new storyteller and met Adil in the process, it would’ve made the romance much more natural and organic.

And speaking of… the fact that out of nowhere we find out that he can read everyone’s mind except for Iliad’s was just too Edward Cullen for my liking.

Finally, I felt very uncomfortable with how the book talked about mental illness and disabilities, specially in the the way agoraphobia was represented, and more specifically phrases like: “he doesn’t know how to write his own name, for he is touched in the head”.

Overall, I see a lot of potential in the book, specially at the beginning, but I think that it needs to understand better the direction it’s trying to take.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a little hard to get into but it really picks up around the middle of the book. It's totally worth the effort too.

The main character, Iliad, is a snatchwords which means she can literally bring words to life by simply reading them. She receives a strange proposal one day so she packs up and moves to the city of Babel where she meets a very taciturn man, and finds love.

It's a very sweet, cozy ya with a little bit of a mystery and a happy ending.

Thank you, #netgalley for allowing me to read #thestorytellerstale for providing a review.

I chose this book because of the interesting concept of snatchwords and the beautiful cover. The cozy vibes of the story were fantastic. What book lover doesn't want the ability to create visuals of books we read? The closest we get to snatchwords are generated pictures of our beloved characters in this age 😅 Kingdom of Esmeria is beautifully written, and I could get lost in the world anytime. I was not a fan of the Iliad at the beginning of the book, but she grove on me later. The whole romance part of the story reminds me of Beauty and the Beast's loose retelling, and there were decisions mainly at the beginning of the book (marriage with a stranger) that were putting me off, but at the end, I enjoyed the story very much. The writing style targets a younger audience; it is very easy to follow and is well-paced. I recommend this book to anybody who loves reading books and wants to cozy read with a beautiful story.

This book felt like watching a romcom anime tbh. Fun, though there were some parts that were rushed. Overall, 4 stars.

Loved this. Super fun. Solid plot. Strong character development. Couldn’t put it down and I’ll definitely recommend.

***I received a free advance reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own***

This was a pretty fun read that really appealed to the bibliophile in me. I was surprised to see that there were lots of real-world literature in this fantasy novel set in what I took to be a fantasy world. I’m nowhere near as well-read as the main character, Iliad, so having a reference section at the end of the book was a nice addition.

I didn’t feel that some of the characters were developed beyond surface level. I would’ve liked to know more about both the royal and Iliad’s family. I also wish that the world was explored more and that we were shown more of the fantasy elements that were briefly featured. For example, it seemed like everyone had some kind of minor magical ability but it isn’t always clear what they’re capable of.

My favorite part of this book was Iliad herself. Throughout the story, I wanted her to win and get her HEA. I even developed a soft spot for prickly Adil after a while and was happy to learn his backstory. As a couple, I felt that they complimented each other well and although they initially faced nothing but misunderstanding after misunderstanding, I didn’t feel that their relationship was forced.

All in all, this was an easy, enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to younger readers (maybe YA) or anyone who enjoys fantasy with a cozy vibe.

Iliad's word magic is well developed and unique. She reads from real world classic literature and poetry, with footnotes, so fans of the classics may enjoy all the references. Other types of magic exist but are mostly glossed over. Environmental descriptions are rich. Action description is, unfortunately, lacking. Characters tend to "appear" without any indication of how they got there.

If mysterious suitor from the royal family sounds romantic, I've got bad news. These characters have zero chemistry. If it sounds politically intriguing, you're in luck. Politics become the main focus of this book, though it takes a long time for Iliad to be looped in.

The setting seems 19th century but occasional modern slang pops up, like "kick butt" or "when we were kids." This issue is on the translation rather than the author.

I enjoyed this book so much.
It was funny, mesmerizing and wholesome.
I like that concept od world coming alive.
Highly recommend.

I liked the magic, the snatchword ability and the world that this book was setting up, and there in lies the problem. This magic and world wasn't really flushed out all that much instead most of the book is spent focusing on court politics and romance. The romance part didn't overly bother me as the synopsis tells you this book is a romance book. I just feel like there could have been a way to weave more magic and world building into the court politics and romance. The book could have been better pacsed as well as the last third of the book things were happening very fast. This story has potential but I think it needed a little more fleshing out to truly make it shine.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley for providing me this book!

I would like to rate this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s a great book if you are looking for a unique worldbuilding, comedy, poetries & a fast read. At first, I thought I wouldn’t like the book but once I got the hook of it, I finished it in a day. I have to say that I could not stop reading it once I started it.

But it was a fun casual read!! Iliad’s character felt very relatable as a fellow book lover myself. And for ONCE, unpredictable things were happening and it’s rare to find a book like that for me.

One thing is, I wish the book was longer. I feel like I would have rated it 5 if there was more to it. I wanted to get more deeply involved with the story, characters and well—everything!

The idea of words coming to life is so magical to me, and the book is full of beautiful descriptions that make you feel like you’re walking through libraries and gardens.

While I did like Iliad, her grandmother is a fun, fiery character who really steals the show in this book.

The only issue I had was that the romance feels rushed, and the story wraps up too quickly. The beginning is slow and detailed, but the ending doesn’t leave enough time for everything to feel earned. But that's not too weird when there's 200 pages. Still, I really liked this light and whimsical read!

A cute story and quick read. Very appropriate for young teens. This book has natural writing with imaginative descriptions.

I really enjoyed this one, the visual imagery was lovely and I felt fully immersed in this world. It was a cosy book you could easily read in one sitting. I liked the main character and her gift was amazing. I was concerned it would be abit like Inkheart but this was quite different. I would happily recommend this book. The front cover also was really eye catching and just lovely.

This was a cozy fun read about a librarian and magic books. It was a quick read, and I thought the world was immersive and engaging. I was able to fly through it quickly, and I found myself quickly and easily growing fond of our characters. Overall, I had a good time with this and I'm glad I picked it up!

I didnt hate this story, but didnt love it.
The magic was most interesting, I found the translation of “snatchword” took me out of the story each time. Tbh I personally wish another word had been chosen. The main couple was cute wish there was just alittle more to there interactions but overall a cute cozy quick read.

While I loved the concept of this story, it unfortunately was not for me. I thought the characters should have been more fleshed out - while Iliad’s powers were interesting, there didn’t seem to be much to her beyond that. I also think the plot could have been more present at the beginning. Instead, most of this story was focused on characters, with only the last chunk of the story being driven by plot. Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

Plot Overview

Iliad is no ordinary storyteller—her words have the power to come alive when spoken aloud. This extraordinary talent has made her the most celebrated storyteller in the kingdom of Esmeria. When she receives a mysterious marriage proposal from a member of the royal family, Iliad embarks on an adventure to the grand capital of Babel, accompanied by her eccentric grandmother.

But court life is far from what she expected. With her quirky style and lack of noble upbringing, Iliad must navigate a world of intrigue and danger. As she uncovers the truth about her enigmatic suitor, she learns that the power of her gift—and her own courage—may hold the key to her future.

Review

This was such a short, cozy, and heartwarming read. I loved how it emphasized the joy of reading and the magic of books, all while showing how Iliad stayed true to herself in the end. The romance between Iliad and Alid was especially sweet—they loved each other for who they truly were, and their journey to a happy ending felt wholesome and genuine.

While there’s some political intrigue and a bit of drama toward the climax, the overall vibe of the book is more comforting and tender than suspenseful.
It’s the perfect pick for anyone who sees books as more than just stories—if reading feels like your whole personality, you’ll definitely connect with this story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Charming and quirky delivered at a lightning pace. Set in a fantasy kingdom with real-life literary references (don’t ask me how this works) and storytellers who can literally paint a picture with words, this is a book for book lovers. A few extra scenes would go a long way in terms of fleshing out the story, particularly Iliad’s relationships in the second half, but the familiar romance plot offers some fresh twists along the way. And who doesn’t love a mysterious benefactor?

Translation always comes with quirks, and in this book I think this clearly manifests in the presentation of dialogue. Some conversations are notably light on dialogue tags, or narrative woven into the verbal back and forth. From my limited reading, this is common to other modern French novels. To conclude this tangent - I found the style difference to be initially distracting, but came around to it as a linguistic heritage.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

"The Storyteller's Tale" by Judith Bouilloc is a mesmerizing narrative that captures the essence of storytelling. The protagonist, Iliad, is a gifted librarian with the extraordinary ability to make words come alive into actual characters, a talent that sets her apart as the most renowned storyteller in the kingdom of Esmeria. Bouilloc beautifully weaves an enchanting premise that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the magic of storytelling itself.

As Iliad embarks on a life-altering journey to the capital to meet her mysterious royal suitor who wishes to marry her, the vivid descriptions bring to life the contrasting worlds of her humble beginnings and the opulent yet perilous court. The dynamic relationship between Iliad and her flamboyant grandmother adds a delightful layer of humor and heart, making their adventures all the more enjoyable.

However, once she meets her soon-to-be fiance, she is beyond disappointed, and he does not seem happy with the marriage proposal either. Why did the King send for her to marry this man? What unfolds reminds me a little of the story Beauty and the Beast.

Bouilloc’s writing brings readers into a lush and imaginative world where words are not just ink on paper but living entities with the power to shape reality. Iliad's character is charming and vulnerable, and I found myself rooting for her to navigate the complexities of love, court life, evil royals, and saving the King.

This enchanting novel is truly geared toward Middle-Grade Young Adults and anyone who cherishes the magic of stories and the journey of a young woman finding her place in a complex world.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #JudithBouilloc, #RivkaPublishing, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #thestorytellerstale.

A cute little story about a librarian who finds herself thrown into court life. I loved how this was set in ancient Babylonia. It even talked about the famous gardens. The love story in this book was so touching and is what every person dreams about having.

--I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.--