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.--

This was an adorable story. Who doesn’t love reading a book about another bookworm! Iliad is a strong, courageous, independent female lead character. Her journey to the capital to be the queen’s personal storyteller and a mystery suitor’s betrothed took an exciting turn. The unique magic, quirky characters & writing style is a great introduction for younger readers into fantasy.

I thought the incorporation of actual historical literature mixed into a fantasy world was truly brilliant.

I would have given this book 4 stars, but the writing was a little stiff and some plot lines felt very rushed. Characters seemed to abandon their own boundaries and forgive grievances too easily.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking to jump into YA fantasy.

4.5
Iliad has a gift. She can create illusions from the books she reads while she reads, so the queen invites her to work/read for her. She thinks she has no other qualities or skills, but she is kind, just, and brave. The job comes with an extra: a marriage to a man she never met. When she does, she sees first his outside ugliness, agoraphobia and how rid he was to her. But he is also a badass judge and the king's nephew who speaks the language of flowers more than being frontal. With many classics, stories, and references to fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast at the core this book takes us to a kingdom where the truth villain hides. It also hints to scenes from other known fairy tales, like when Iliad is comfronted in the woods like a big bad wolf. 

She ends up saving the kingdom. 

This is an entertaining, cozy, and sweet YA fantasy. Adil is sharp with adults, but he likes children and treats them well and is very protective.

Granny Cassandra "saves" Lyttelton (the idiot ex-fiance) from a fire with a good parasol beating. She is so cool. 

I loved Saving Ellipsis too.

An enchanting story about a young librarian who possesses the gift of bringing words to life. Iliad receives a proposal from a member of royal family and sets off to find out more about her suitor. It becomes apparent that her middle class background with no fortune or title has not prepared her for royal life.
Great characterisation and explanation about Iliad’s magical powers. Many other secondary storylines add to the overall journey that the reader will take. Full of magic, fantasy realism and laugh out loud moments.

4.5 stars – A Charming, Literary Escape

The Storyteller’s Tale by Judith Bouilloc is a delightful blend of cosy academia, Regency-inspired court life, and magical realism that swept me off my feet. I adored the protagonist, Iliad, whose ability to breathe life into words brings a unique magic system to this enchanting tale. With her eccentric grandmother by her side and a Darcy-esque love interest, this story reads like a fairytale with a modern twist.

Bouilloc’s love for literature shines through every page, with countless quotes about reading and clever nods to classic literature and fairy tales. As a lover of books myself, I found these elements particularly delightful. The stakes are relatively low, which makes the story feel warm and cosy—perfect for those who enjoy fantasy with a gentler touch.

Themes of imagination, storytelling, and the transformative power of books anchor this whimsical world, while Iliad’s journey into court life, complete with awkward faux pas and dazzling balls, is as entertaining as it is heartwarming.

At 272 pages, the story is perfectly paced, and the English translation preserves the charm and elegance of Bouilloc’s prose. If you’re looking for a literary escape with a touch of romance, The Storyteller’s Tale is a magical choice and I would highly recommend it to the cosy fantasy book lovers.

The Storyteller’s Tale is a cozy, enchanting novel that swept me away into a world of magic and charm. Iliad, the librarian with a gift for bringing words to life, is an utterly captivating character. Her ability to breathe life into stories makes her both extraordinary and relatable, especially as she faces the challenges of a mysterious marriage proposal from the royal family.

The story is a delightful mix of whimsy and warmth. Iliad’s awkwardness and lack of courtly experience make her journey all the more endearing, and her grandmother’s flamboyant support adds a wonderfully playful touch. The story weaves a sense of magic through every page, from Iliad’s encounters in the royal capital to the intrigue surrounding her suitor.

It’s a heartwarming and whimsical read that left me smiling long after I finished it. If you’re looking for a charming, feel-good story with a dash of magic and romance, The Storyteller’s Tale is a must-read.

Delightful read full of magic, mystery, and heart. Iliad’s journey will captivate readers, especially those who enjoy stories about self-discovery and finding strength in unexpected places.

The Storyteller's Tale by Judith Bouilloc tells the story of Iliad, a young woman with a special gift: she can make words come to life when she speaks them. This ability has made her the most famous storyteller in the kingdom of Esmeria. When Iliad receives a mysterious marriage proposal from someone in the royal family, she travels to the capital with her colorful and lively grandmother to meet her suitor.

Iliad is a lovable character, full of charm and vulnerability. Her journey is not just about discovering court life, but also about figuring out who she really is. As she faces challenges and uncovers secrets, readers will be rooting for her every step of the way. Her grandmother adds humor and warmth to the story, offering guidance and some fun moments along the way.

The world Bouilloc creates is rich and detailed, and the contrast between Iliad’s simple beginnings and the complex royal life makes for an interesting and exciting adventure. The themes of finding your place in the world and the power of storytelling are explored in a way that feels fresh and engaging.

I really wanted to love this, because the concept is everything I love in a book that bridges that middle grade/YA bracket, but I found the writing painfully plodding and the general shape of the story very rough in how it was told. Unfortunately, this was a DNF at 20% for me, as I just couldn't click with it.

A very wholesome story with an interesting plot and a fun main character. I really enjoyed the main character's ability - it was different and definitely something I've never seen before!
Although I would have liked a bit more substance to the story, it was still fun and I'm glad I took the time to read it.

This book was creative and fun. I wanted more from this book. From Iliad's ability to speak stories into existence to her grandmother's breathing fire to the magical setting of the city, I wanted to immerse myself more in the characters and setting. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this but would love to have the book another hundred pages to further develop the plot and setting. I hope the author is planning a sequel.

I found this book great! The world was imbued with an enchanting quality, sprinkled with an European influence evident throughout the Esmeria universe.

Although the plot was not particularly innovative, it was still quite solid and able to captivate me nonetheless. The novel's greatest strength is undoubtedly the character of Illiad's passion for books, stories and words. The manner in which it reflected on her magical abilities, along with the references to literature, was particularly well-coinceived. The whole concept of taking the image projection one does when reading and turning it into a fantastical illusion for other to see was, in a way, to say that reading is some kind of magic in itself. That is truly wholesome 💖

The underlying topics of female power, equality and democracy were also a really positive point, making the intrigue intense, high-stakes and yet, charming and engaging. The characters were interesting and seemed like real people with depth. I enjoyed getting to know them along the way. Overall, I had a fantastic experience!

I would give this 5 stars on the whole, but there are two things I'm not sure about.

The only thing I'd change is the references. In the e-book, they were all at the end. It made the process a little tricky, with the reader having to jump between chapters. I'm not sure if it would be possible to incorporate them as footnotes, but if this book goes to print (which I really hope it does, it has such a gorgeous cover too), it would be worth bearing in mind!

The second thing was the tone of the book overall. I know it's aimed as YA, but it sometimes felt more like a middle-grade book to me. I think the fast pace in the last quarter made me think that, along with all the references to literature. What I mean is that I thought this would be a great book to introduce to students to get them interested in classical literature, or to get them talking in class, which is why I thought it would be good for a younger audience. It's not a bad thing, per se, I just found it a little confusing.

I just finished reading The Storyteller's Tale and I'm still reeling from the experience! This middle-grade/young adult fantasy novel swept me off to the enchanting kingdom of Esmeria, where magic, romance, and self-discovery blend together perfectly. Iliad, the protagonist, has an incredible gift - she can bring words to life with her "snatchwords" ability. I loved watching her grow from a small-town storyteller to a confident, court-savvy individual as she navigates the complexities of royal life. The mysterious suitor and slow-burning romance kept me hooked, and the quirky characters (especially her flamboyant grandma!) added a delightful touch. If you're a fan of fantasy, adventure, and strong female leads, you'll adore this charming tale of self-discovery, love, and the power of storytelling.

Thank you rivka publishing, netgalley and Judith bouilloc for providing me with the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

5 stars

The Storyteller's Tale is a captivating story that takes us on a journey in the art of storytelling. The story weaves together my love for magic, heartwarming happily-ever-afters and adding a fresh twist to classic storytelling. A fast paced and enjoyable read, I only wish the book was longer.

It’s a very cozy YA fantasy that’s perfect for this time of year. The characters re very lovable, with an interesting magic system.
I really enjoyed myself while reading this one.

cute. VERY very YA and falls victim to telling not showing quite a bit but i liked our main couple and the magic ideas. 3 stars. tysm for the arc.

I have a few mixed feelings about “The Storyteller’s Tale” but let’s start with a summary first.

Illiad is a snatchwords which gives her the ability to take words from the pages of books and animate them to entire scenes. When a Royal Messanger invites her to the capital named Babel, to be the queens storyteller she doesn’t say no. That is however not all she is asked to do, as the King wishes for her to marry one Lord in the Royal Family.

Concerning the writing style the book was quite quickly paced. Almost too quick sometimes as i felt that there sometimes were a few jumps after i turned the page.
The “forced marriage” was actually not forced at all which i loved. Illiad always had the possibility to say and do what she actually wanted to.
The Author also included quite a lot of humorous moments, that didn’t feel out of place though.

Overall, this was a truly special Story which i thoroughly enjoyed, even if i found some aspects that didn’t quite fit my personal taste.