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The Bookbinder's Daughter
The song surrounded her now, the murmuring of the library insistent, and her foot took the first step on the winding stairs. She knew it wasn’t entirely a dream. It was the library calling her, its magic driving her.
When Sophie is offered a job at the Ayredale Library – the finest collection of rare books in the world, and the last place her bookbinder mother was seen when Sophie was just a teenager – she leaps at the chance. Will she finally discover what happened to the woman she’s always believed abandoned her?
Taking in the endless shelves of antique books, the soaring stained-glass windows, and the grand sweeping staircase, usually shy Sophie feels strangely at home, and is welcomed by her eccentric fellow binders. But why is the Keeper of the Library so reluctant to speak about Sophie’s mother? And why is Sophie the only person who can read the strange spells in the oldest books on display, written in a forgotten language nobody else understands?
The mysteries of the library only deepen when Sophie stumbles upon an elaborately carved door. The pattern exactly matches the pendant her mother left behind years ago, engraved with a delicate leaf. As the door swings open at her touch, Sophie gasps at the incredible sight: an enormous tree, impossibly growing higher than the library itself, its gently falling golden leaves somehow resembling the pages of a book. Amidst their rustling, Sophie hears a familiar whisper…
‘There you are, my Sophie. I knew you’d come back for me.’
An absolutely spellbinding read about long-hidden family secrets and the magic that lurks between the pages of every ancient book. Perfect for fans of The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Night Circus and The Binding.
When Sophie is offered a job at the Ayredale Library – the finest collection of rare books in the world, and the last place her bookbinder mother was seen when Sophie was just a teenager – she leaps at the chance. Will she finally discover what happened to the woman she’s always believed abandoned her?
Taking in the endless shelves of antique books, the soaring stained-glass windows, and the grand sweeping staircase, usually shy Sophie feels strangely at home, and is welcomed by her eccentric fellow binders. But why is the Keeper of the Library so reluctant to speak about Sophie’s mother? And why is Sophie the only person who can read the strange spells in the oldest books on display, written in a forgotten language nobody else understands?
The mysteries of the library only deepen when Sophie stumbles upon an elaborately carved door. The pattern exactly matches the pendant her mother left behind years ago, engraved with a delicate leaf. As the door swings open at her touch, Sophie gasps at the incredible sight: an enormous tree, impossibly growing higher than the library itself, its gently falling golden leaves somehow resembling the pages of a book. Amidst their rustling, Sophie hears a familiar whisper…
‘There you are, my Sophie. I knew you’d come back for me.’
An absolutely spellbinding read about long-hidden family secrets and the magic that lurks between the pages of every ancient book. Perfect for fans of The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Night Circus and The Binding.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2021
1274 people are currently reading
1491 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Thorne
12 books244 followersJessica Thorne watched far too much sci-fi and read far too much fantasy at an impressionable age. And it was awesome. She writes fantasy and sci-fi romance with a steampunk edge and just refuses to face reality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
September 17, 2021
This was a pleasant and entertaining read but maybe I have read too many books now about magical libraries and this one did not have enough weight to stand out in any way.
The main character, Sophie, is a very talented bookbinder but her personal life is going off the rails when she gets the chance to move away and work at a very special library. It turns out that she is actually going back to where she was raised and where her mother died in mysterious circumstances. There she meets a number of interesting characters including her childhood sweetheart, Will. She also begins to realise that the library is calling to her for a reason.
Everything is set for a great book but some of the best possibilities are never followed up. There are too many people keeping secrets from each other and the tremendous potential for characters such as Will and Tia is missed when we only see their reality briefly at the end. Mind you, the finale is pretty exciting!
Basically a good book to escape with from reality for a few hours.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The main character, Sophie, is a very talented bookbinder but her personal life is going off the rails when she gets the chance to move away and work at a very special library. It turns out that she is actually going back to where she was raised and where her mother died in mysterious circumstances. There she meets a number of interesting characters including her childhood sweetheart, Will. She also begins to realise that the library is calling to her for a reason.
Everything is set for a great book but some of the best possibilities are never followed up. There are too many people keeping secrets from each other and the tremendous potential for characters such as Will and Tia is missed when we only see their reality briefly at the end. Mind you, the finale is pretty exciting!
Basically a good book to escape with from reality for a few hours.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 4, 2021
3.5***
Sophie Lawrence is a bookbinder. She’s lost, is with an emotionally manipulative partner, and her dad has recently died. Her mother disappeared when she was 15. She also suffers from very weird dreams and memory loss from t he first 15 years of her life. Her bookbinding is her only sanctuary, until one day, her Uncle Talbot offers her an exclusive job at Ayrnedale Special Collection library and within their Sophie sets out to discover the truth about her mother’s disappearance, her missing memories, and some magic.
This book was highly whimsical, a small dose of fantasy and mythology too! With amazing descriptions of the library and some magic too. This is definitely a book to read if you love enchanted libraries.
This book held some really fascinating ideas and the last 20% I was trying to speed through the book. However, the plot to begin with didn’t have me gripped to the book and I found myself getting exasperated with the mc’s naivety at some points, or certain decisions she makes.
This book is definitely for those who enjoyed A Discovery of Witches and Sorcery of Thorns!
Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC!
Sophie Lawrence is a bookbinder. She’s lost, is with an emotionally manipulative partner, and her dad has recently died. Her mother disappeared when she was 15. She also suffers from very weird dreams and memory loss from t he first 15 years of her life. Her bookbinding is her only sanctuary, until one day, her Uncle Talbot offers her an exclusive job at Ayrnedale Special Collection library and within their Sophie sets out to discover the truth about her mother’s disappearance, her missing memories, and some magic.
This book was highly whimsical, a small dose of fantasy and mythology too! With amazing descriptions of the library and some magic too. This is definitely a book to read if you love enchanted libraries.
This book held some really fascinating ideas and the last 20% I was trying to speed through the book. However, the plot to begin with didn’t have me gripped to the book and I found myself getting exasperated with the mc’s naivety at some points, or certain decisions she makes.
This book is definitely for those who enjoyed A Discovery of Witches and Sorcery of Thorns!
Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC!
September 21, 2021
What reader wouldn’t enjoy a book about a mysterious, magical library? But is that enough to keep you hooked? Nope! And therein lies the reason this book faltered a little.
Story:
Where the book worked for me:
• The library, obviously, ranks as the biggest pro point. I loved how its sentience was weaved into the story. I also enjoyed all the details of the book binding process as we saw it through Sophie’s eyes. Any bibliophile would enjoy those parts.
• The story is lush with such vivid imagery that you can picture the entire world in which Sophie resides. The descriptive part of the writing is mesmerising and the world-building, fabulous.
• The plot, regardless of its flaws, keeps you hooked from start to end, thereby resulting the book going by very quickly.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
• I wish the characters were more multi-dimensional. Most of them are a clear black or white. I couldn’t connect with Sophie much; some of her decisions are so questionable that one can’t help want to smack her on the head. Tia, the archivist, was outstanding and easily the best character in the book, but some of her decisions didn’t make sense in the broader picture. Will was clearly written as having some deep, shameful secret but with many obvious clues scattered throughout, it took no genius to figure out what his secret was. Sophie’s uncle was a disappointing character; he had so much potential to be a memorable main character but succumbed to a clichéd turnaround whenever required by the plot. Sophie’s mum, Elizabeth, was intriguing but hardly had any role to play, quite ironically as she’s the bookbinder referred to in the title. The rest of the characters don’t even deserve a mention.
• There is a lot of repetition in the dialogues, which worsens with the recurring flashbacks. The editing should have been a lot tighter.
• The title fell flat for me. I can’t pinpoint why but it somehow sounds makes the book sound like a historical fiction. The cover too, with the girl facing away from the reader, doesn’t convey the right feelings. A fantasy reader who looks only at the cover and title will surely not pick this book up. Both of these needed to be more magical, more enigmatic.
• The first 70% or so of the book kept me absolutely hooked, but the last section becomes too complicated, though it has its fair share of surprises. One theme running through the book is that of ‘contained chaos’, and towards the end, the writing itself was like ‘contained chaos’. It became a bit over-ambitious and couldn't sustain its own momentum.
Most readers remember a book by how it made them feel at the end; this book will make you feel great at the start but the end doesn’t create any impact. Overall, it is a great plot but needs a bit of fine-tuning to go from ‘good’ to ‘memorable’. For me, the end would deserve just 3 stars but the rest of the book would get 4 stars. Hence, I’ll go with the average of the two ratings and allot 3.5 to this interesting novel.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
When Sophie Lawrence, a bookbinder, is offered a job at the Ayredale library by her estranged uncle, she grabs at the opportunity, not just because she sees it as an escape from her manipulative, cheating boyfriend but also because she wants to discover what happened to her mother at the same library fifteen years ago. Once she is there, she realises that things are not quite as they appear. No one wants to tell her the secrets of the past. The presence of her first crush Will Rhys only serves to add to the mystique. Will she find out the secrets that no one wants to reveal to her?
Where the book worked for me:
• The library, obviously, ranks as the biggest pro point. I loved how its sentience was weaved into the story. I also enjoyed all the details of the book binding process as we saw it through Sophie’s eyes. Any bibliophile would enjoy those parts.
• The story is lush with such vivid imagery that you can picture the entire world in which Sophie resides. The descriptive part of the writing is mesmerising and the world-building, fabulous.
• The plot, regardless of its flaws, keeps you hooked from start to end, thereby resulting the book going by very quickly.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
• I wish the characters were more multi-dimensional. Most of them are a clear black or white. I couldn’t connect with Sophie much; some of her decisions are so questionable that one can’t help want to smack her on the head. Tia, the archivist, was outstanding and easily the best character in the book, but some of her decisions didn’t make sense in the broader picture. Will was clearly written as having some deep, shameful secret but with many obvious clues scattered throughout, it took no genius to figure out what his secret was. Sophie’s uncle was a disappointing character; he had so much potential to be a memorable main character but succumbed to a clichéd turnaround whenever required by the plot. Sophie’s mum, Elizabeth, was intriguing but hardly had any role to play, quite ironically as she’s the bookbinder referred to in the title. The rest of the characters don’t even deserve a mention.
• There is a lot of repetition in the dialogues, which worsens with the recurring flashbacks. The editing should have been a lot tighter.
• The title fell flat for me. I can’t pinpoint why but it somehow sounds makes the book sound like a historical fiction. The cover too, with the girl facing away from the reader, doesn’t convey the right feelings. A fantasy reader who looks only at the cover and title will surely not pick this book up. Both of these needed to be more magical, more enigmatic.
• The first 70% or so of the book kept me absolutely hooked, but the last section becomes too complicated, though it has its fair share of surprises. One theme running through the book is that of ‘contained chaos’, and towards the end, the writing itself was like ‘contained chaos’. It became a bit over-ambitious and couldn't sustain its own momentum.
Most readers remember a book by how it made them feel at the end; this book will make you feel great at the start but the end doesn’t create any impact. Overall, it is a great plot but needs a bit of fine-tuning to go from ‘good’ to ‘memorable’. For me, the end would deserve just 3 stars but the rest of the book would get 4 stars. Hence, I’ll go with the average of the two ratings and allot 3.5 to this interesting novel.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
September 18, 2021
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Bookouture Audio! This book was perfection in every way.
I was approved for the electronic and audio versions of this book and will review them both separately below. However, spoiler alert, THEY ARE BOTH FIVE STARS allllll the way!
The Book—excuse me while I swoon over the absolutely brilliant writing of this story. The imagery was spot on and the characters were so dynamic I even loved the ones I hated! I could visualize the Ayredale Library so vividly that I thought I was standing among the books myself; able to smell the old leather covers and ancient papers bound between them.
Their was just enough of a “love” story to keep me interested, as I am an unapologetically hopeless romantic. Yet, there was so much more to this fantasy. I think this book would be perfect for those who love fanciful book that keep you on your toes and for those who like something a bit more general fiction. It totes the line but is not overly supernatural as to turn anyone off. (But I am a fantasy reader, so what do I know?)
The Audiobook—keep everything you read above then add the most fantastic narrator I have heard since Jim Dale into the mix. Mind blowing is what you get.
I have a long drive to and from work every day and love having audio books to whisk my mind away from the mundane drive. However, I am soooooo picky when it comes to audiobooks. I almost always hate them. Books I would have normally liked get ruined and characters become grating. But, not this time. I loved Charlie Norfolk’s reading so much I am going back just to listen to other books she has read.
Overall, there is so much to love. Read it, listen to it, or both. But make sure you get it! I can’t wait to order my physical copy just to have it on my bookshelf. I loved it that much!!!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Bookouture Audio! This book was perfection in every way.
I was approved for the electronic and audio versions of this book and will review them both separately below. However, spoiler alert, THEY ARE BOTH FIVE STARS allllll the way!
The Book—excuse me while I swoon over the absolutely brilliant writing of this story. The imagery was spot on and the characters were so dynamic I even loved the ones I hated! I could visualize the Ayredale Library so vividly that I thought I was standing among the books myself; able to smell the old leather covers and ancient papers bound between them.
Their was just enough of a “love” story to keep me interested, as I am an unapologetically hopeless romantic. Yet, there was so much more to this fantasy. I think this book would be perfect for those who love fanciful book that keep you on your toes and for those who like something a bit more general fiction. It totes the line but is not overly supernatural as to turn anyone off. (But I am a fantasy reader, so what do I know?)
The Audiobook—keep everything you read above then add the most fantastic narrator I have heard since Jim Dale into the mix. Mind blowing is what you get.
I have a long drive to and from work every day and love having audio books to whisk my mind away from the mundane drive. However, I am soooooo picky when it comes to audiobooks. I almost always hate them. Books I would have normally liked get ruined and characters become grating. But, not this time. I loved Charlie Norfolk’s reading so much I am going back just to listen to other books she has read.
Overall, there is so much to love. Read it, listen to it, or both. But make sure you get it! I can’t wait to order my physical copy just to have it on my bookshelf. I loved it that much!!!
September 28, 2021
This book is not exactly what I would usually pick up, but I’m glad I did because I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.
What I loved about this book:
• the magical library
• the writing style
• the whimsical, dreamy feeling of the story
• the vivid descriptions
• the romance (though there was space for improvement)
• the plot and surprises towards the end
• the narrator
What I didn't like:
• Sophie felt a bit unrelatable. I wanted to be excited with her about the library, but she barely had any reaction at all.
• Her relationship with her ex didn't make much sense.
• The side characters weren't bad, but they could have been much better.
• The soft magic system
If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of The Bookbinder's Daughter by Jessica Thorne in exchange for an honest review.
What I loved about this book:
• the magical library
• the writing style
• the whimsical, dreamy feeling of the story
• the vivid descriptions
• the romance (though there was space for improvement)
• the plot and surprises towards the end
• the narrator
What I didn't like:
• Sophie felt a bit unrelatable. I wanted to be excited with her about the library, but she barely had any reaction at all.
• Her relationship with her ex didn't make much sense.
• The side characters weren't bad, but they could have been much better.
• The soft magic system
If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of The Bookbinder's Daughter by Jessica Thorne in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2021
3.5 You Were Always Meant to be Here Stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for both the ebook and audio versions
The Book Binder’s daughter is an interesting tale of a woman just getting out of a bad relationship, heading to the magical place she left when her mother was mysteriously killed. She has forgotten so much about her childhood there but it is all about to start come crashing back to her in unexpected ways.
The Ayredale Library is one of a kind. It houses a fantastic collection of rare books unlike any else in the world, the people who work there are quite unique and there is a magic tree just growing behind an arched door. When Sophie remembers more of her past and reconnects with her first love as well as the people in the library, she starts to remember more about the magical world she left behind and her place in it.
The ideas in this book are really good. I like the concept of the library and a goddess bound to it along with families that have looked after it for years. Sophie herself is someone you really like and want to protect. She has been through a lot and you can tell that all she has ever wanted is to be loved. She has some emotional scars coming out of an abusive relationship and sometimes it is hard since she just doesn’t trust herself. But I rooted for her the entire time hoping she would find the courage she needed to become the woman she was supposed to be.
I enjoyed the story but felt like it had much more potential than what was shown. The ideas of the world were really fantastic and could have been built out a little more.
Narration:
Charlie Norfolk is a new to me narrator but fit the style of the book and the English setting well. The characters came to life under their vocals and the performance was one that made me feel like I was at Ayredale library discovering all of it’s secrets too.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for both the ebook and audio versions
The Book Binder’s daughter is an interesting tale of a woman just getting out of a bad relationship, heading to the magical place she left when her mother was mysteriously killed. She has forgotten so much about her childhood there but it is all about to start come crashing back to her in unexpected ways.
The Ayredale Library is one of a kind. It houses a fantastic collection of rare books unlike any else in the world, the people who work there are quite unique and there is a magic tree just growing behind an arched door. When Sophie remembers more of her past and reconnects with her first love as well as the people in the library, she starts to remember more about the magical world she left behind and her place in it.
The ideas in this book are really good. I like the concept of the library and a goddess bound to it along with families that have looked after it for years. Sophie herself is someone you really like and want to protect. She has been through a lot and you can tell that all she has ever wanted is to be loved. She has some emotional scars coming out of an abusive relationship and sometimes it is hard since she just doesn’t trust herself. But I rooted for her the entire time hoping she would find the courage she needed to become the woman she was supposed to be.
I enjoyed the story but felt like it had much more potential than what was shown. The ideas of the world were really fantastic and could have been built out a little more.
Narration:
Charlie Norfolk is a new to me narrator but fit the style of the book and the English setting well. The characters came to life under their vocals and the performance was one that made me feel like I was at Ayredale library discovering all of it’s secrets too.
October 26, 2021
I fell in love with this book the moment I started reading it but it started disappointing me as it went on hence the three-star rating.
I wanna start with positive aspects. This book is original and fresh. I honestly enjoyed the beginning of this book way too much. A magical library, a mother mystery, and a hot boy with dark hair? Sign me up! I actually loved the style of the author too. It was in a way that confused you but did not annoy you. It made you wonder. To be honest I loved many things about this book but my favorite was Will Rhys.
Now to the not-so-pleasant parts. First of all, the rushed romance. Will and Sophie's whole dynamic was rushed. They were childhood sweethearts, yes. But they got separated for fifteen years with no contact whatsoever. Plus, Sophie got into a long-term relationship with another man in those years so like... It should've taken longer than a few days to develop feelings or redevelop if you will. Plus they were teenagers back then, they're ADULTS now. Maybe it's because I don't like insta-love but I really wish they got to spend more time together and have more chemistry.
I also would like to mention, I disliked the erasure of dyslexia. For context, Sophie is dyslexic and she struggles with it. I honestly loved the representation and it made her more realistic. Then her uncle comes and tells her she's not dyslexic, she's just different. (Add sparkle emojis here.) That was quiet annoying honestly.
This book definitely lacked world-building and a magic system. I'll let the world-building slide but the magic system bothered me because there is literally no magic system. The info you get about magic is that it exists. That's it. No explanation, no limits, no rules. Nothing. The magic was supposed to be a big part of this book, at least that's what I thought, not this. Plus people rarely used magic. We get to see people casting spells like five times and I'm not being sarcastic. Literally five times or less.
I also would like to mention how repetitive some dialogs were. I honestly don't wanna read what Arthur said or what exactly happened on that day like seventeen times with the exact same words. EXACT SAME WORDS. I can't begin to explain how much it annoyed me. I can repeat what Elizabeth said that day by memory and I have the memory of a fish. Somebody needs to edit those parts out, please.
I would like to rant a little bit here, so spoiler warning.
Overall, I like this book. It could've been better but I have high hopes for the author and I'll be following her from now on. She has a new obsessive fan.
(I changed my original three-star rating to a four-star rating. Upon rereading my review, I noticed I only gave this book three stars because I hated how stupid the MC was so I was being petty.)
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanna start with positive aspects. This book is original and fresh. I honestly enjoyed the beginning of this book way too much. A magical library, a mother mystery, and a hot boy with dark hair? Sign me up! I actually loved the style of the author too. It was in a way that confused you but did not annoy you. It made you wonder. To be honest I loved many things about this book but my favorite was Will Rhys.
Now to the not-so-pleasant parts. First of all, the rushed romance. Will and Sophie's whole dynamic was rushed. They were childhood sweethearts, yes. But they got separated for fifteen years with no contact whatsoever. Plus, Sophie got into a long-term relationship with another man in those years so like... It should've taken longer than a few days to develop feelings or redevelop if you will. Plus they were teenagers back then, they're ADULTS now. Maybe it's because I don't like insta-love but I really wish they got to spend more time together and have more chemistry.
I also would like to mention, I disliked the erasure of dyslexia. For context, Sophie is dyslexic and she struggles with it. I honestly loved the representation and it made her more realistic. Then her uncle comes and tells her she's not dyslexic, she's just different. (Add sparkle emojis here.) That was quiet annoying honestly.
This book definitely lacked world-building and a magic system. I'll let the world-building slide but the magic system bothered me because there is literally no magic system. The info you get about magic is that it exists. That's it. No explanation, no limits, no rules. Nothing. The magic was supposed to be a big part of this book, at least that's what I thought, not this. Plus people rarely used magic. We get to see people casting spells like five times and I'm not being sarcastic. Literally five times or less.
I also would like to mention how repetitive some dialogs were. I honestly don't wanna read what Arthur said or what exactly happened on that day like seventeen times with the exact same words. EXACT SAME WORDS. I can't begin to explain how much it annoyed me. I can repeat what Elizabeth said that day by memory and I have the memory of a fish. Somebody needs to edit those parts out, please.
I would like to rant a little bit here, so spoiler warning.
Overall, I like this book. It could've been better but I have high hopes for the author and I'll be following her from now on. She has a new obsessive fan.
(I changed my original three-star rating to a four-star rating. Upon rereading my review, I noticed I only gave this book three stars because I hated how stupid the MC was so I was being petty.)
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2021
This book had me at “magic library,” but I don’t think he magic was quite enough. The narrator did a good job, but the characters weren’t as deep as I wanted. The main narrator Sophie was very hard to relate to. What kind of person finds themselves at a magic library and doesn’t get even a little bit excited?? I thought there was a lot of potential in this one, but I had expected and hoped for more. I did really like Will’s character, actually out of all of them he was the only one I completely just liked. Sophie and her parents used to live at the Special Collection library. Until one day something terrible happened and her mother disappeared. She had a mental break and her father took her away from the library and refused to speak of it again. Sophie is just getting over her father’s death and getting back to life at a job she loves and her boyfriend (who quite obviously is using her). A mysterious uncle she hasn’t seen since she was a child comes and makes her another offer and she finds herself returning to the Special Collection.
September 3, 2021
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This book is a perfect example of an intriguing and eye-catching premise gone wrong with the execution. The Bookbinder's Daughter is my first book by Jessica Thorne. From the synopsis, I had expected a story filled with magic, unspoken family secrets, a library to get lost in, among others. The mention of a magical library attracted me to request this book in the first place, but That was also the aspect of the story that let me down. I wanted more of the aesthetic and aura of the library to feed my fantasies.
I never felt like sympathizing with Sophie in the first place. Her character rubbed me off the wrong way. Sure, she was always the submissive one in her relationship with Victor; and one would always find her justifying his actions. Sophie would always put Victor before her in her personal as well as professional life, and I was relieved when she finally decided to go to Ayredale; however, the circumstances under which this happened looked very rushed to me. The unnecessary repetition of Sophie's circumstances did not help, and her soliloquies are the same in all instances.
Coming to Sophie and Will Rhys, I get that Will is handsome but I don't want to read how lost Sophie feels in his eyes on every other page. Where is my magic library?
I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a perfect example of an intriguing and eye-catching premise gone wrong with the execution. The Bookbinder's Daughter is my first book by Jessica Thorne. From the synopsis, I had expected a story filled with magic, unspoken family secrets, a library to get lost in, among others. The mention of a magical library attracted me to request this book in the first place, but That was also the aspect of the story that let me down. I wanted more of the aesthetic and aura of the library to feed my fantasies.
I never felt like sympathizing with Sophie in the first place. Her character rubbed me off the wrong way. Sure, she was always the submissive one in her relationship with Victor; and one would always find her justifying his actions. Sophie would always put Victor before her in her personal as well as professional life, and I was relieved when she finally decided to go to Ayredale; however, the circumstances under which this happened looked very rushed to me. The unnecessary repetition of Sophie's circumstances did not help, and her soliloquies are the same in all instances.
Coming to Sophie and Will Rhys, I get that Will is handsome but I don't want to read how lost Sophie feels in his eyes on every other page. Where is my magic library?
I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2021
I purchased this book because of the ‘bookbinder” in the title. I did enjoy the beautiful restoration descriptions in the story. I liked the development of Sophie and Will’s love story. However, the greatest part of the story was so fantastical, it was beyond me. I’ve occasionally read fantasy, but I simply couldn’t make heads or tails out of this particular plot. The Tree??? This is certainly not to say that someone else won’t understand and love this story.
September 20, 2021
I loved this book. It was about a library which always gets my vote. But, it had a touch a magic running through it. Another plus for me. This was my kind of book. The characters were likeable and the whole book was just a delight to read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
September 16, 2021
3.7 Stars
Sophie gets a job offer to work at the Ayredale Library as a bookbinder. Her uncle, Edward, holds a prominent position at the library. Her mother has last disappeared from the same place fifteen years ago. Her father, too, used to work there until the incident made him break his ties with the Library and everyone associated with it. Sophie has little memory of the past but wants to find the truth.
Getting away from a manipulative ex, Sophie finally begins to feel at home in the strange Library. With Will, her childhood friend and first love, being the guardian, Sophie starts to reestablish herself and dig through her memories to fill the gaps. The Library and the antique books have always called to her. In fact, they sing to her, luring her into a place of no return.
However, the ancient power demands sacrifice and control. As Sophie’s memory returns in bits and others fill in the blanks, can she give what it takes to be the Binder of the Library?
The premise and the cover were enticing, and I couldn’t resist requesting the book. The story starts with Sophie in London, living with her ex and working as a binder at another prestigious library, albeit a non-magical one.
After much hesitation and a reality check, Sophie accepts the offer to work at the Ayredale Library. She realizes that she can remember much more than she imagined, and Will occupies a good portion of them.
The writing is engaging. I wasn’t sure of the insta love between Sophie and Will, but it worked decently well in the overall plotline. Will’s character sure helped to see their love track in a positive light. The imagery is vivid and easy to imagine.
The pacing went a bit up and down; sometimes slow, sometimes too fast. A couple of other characters were interesting enough but could have had more depth. They don’t ‘come to life’ in the book. The same goes for Sophie, in a way. Somehow, it feels odd that she would choose to live with someone like her caricature-bad ex, even when none liked him. Only Will seemed to be ‘real’.
Of course, my favorite character is Tia. I could visualize her and Sophie’s mom, Elizabeth, with ease. Sophie paled in comparison, and even during the climax, her presence didn’t really elevate the scene. She just didn’t seem strong enough despite the scene being written for her to prove her worth. That diminished the impact a little, but Tia's presence made up for it.
To sum up, The Book Binder’s Daughter has a lovely premise and beautiful world-building. The premise demands nothing less than the best, and the story needed better execution. It’s good but doesn’t make me go wow.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #TheBookBindersDaughter
Sophie gets a job offer to work at the Ayredale Library as a bookbinder. Her uncle, Edward, holds a prominent position at the library. Her mother has last disappeared from the same place fifteen years ago. Her father, too, used to work there until the incident made him break his ties with the Library and everyone associated with it. Sophie has little memory of the past but wants to find the truth.
Getting away from a manipulative ex, Sophie finally begins to feel at home in the strange Library. With Will, her childhood friend and first love, being the guardian, Sophie starts to reestablish herself and dig through her memories to fill the gaps. The Library and the antique books have always called to her. In fact, they sing to her, luring her into a place of no return.
However, the ancient power demands sacrifice and control. As Sophie’s memory returns in bits and others fill in the blanks, can she give what it takes to be the Binder of the Library?
The premise and the cover were enticing, and I couldn’t resist requesting the book. The story starts with Sophie in London, living with her ex and working as a binder at another prestigious library, albeit a non-magical one.
After much hesitation and a reality check, Sophie accepts the offer to work at the Ayredale Library. She realizes that she can remember much more than she imagined, and Will occupies a good portion of them.
The writing is engaging. I wasn’t sure of the insta love between Sophie and Will, but it worked decently well in the overall plotline. Will’s character sure helped to see their love track in a positive light. The imagery is vivid and easy to imagine.
The pacing went a bit up and down; sometimes slow, sometimes too fast. A couple of other characters were interesting enough but could have had more depth. They don’t ‘come to life’ in the book. The same goes for Sophie, in a way. Somehow, it feels odd that she would choose to live with someone like her caricature-bad ex, even when none liked him. Only Will seemed to be ‘real’.
Of course, my favorite character is Tia. I could visualize her and Sophie’s mom, Elizabeth, with ease. Sophie paled in comparison, and even during the climax, her presence didn’t really elevate the scene. She just didn’t seem strong enough despite the scene being written for her to prove her worth. That diminished the impact a little, but Tia's presence made up for it.
To sum up, The Book Binder’s Daughter has a lovely premise and beautiful world-building. The premise demands nothing less than the best, and the story needed better execution. It’s good but doesn’t make me go wow.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #TheBookBindersDaughter
October 14, 2021
Who doesn't love a good book about books?
The Bookbinder's Daughter is a whimsical tale of one woman's journey of self-discovery and her yearning for a place to call home. I have always considered libraries to be places of wonder, where one can escape to a multitude of realities with just the turn of the page and, I believe the author perfectly encapsulated this ideology.
In The Bookbinder's Daughter, Sophie returns home, to the Ayrendale library, the place where she tragically lost her mother in a mysterious incident that has plagued her since childhood. As the library begins whispering to Sophie and secrets buried within the past start unraveling, Sophie begins learning the truth of her origins and is faced with the startling reality that everything is not as it seems.
My inner book lover rejoiced at the author's ability to bring the library alive. The worldbuilding, specifically as it relates to books stemming from a tree of knowledge that slowly trickles into the world to spur creativity and innovation was utterly brilliant. The author has a very lush and descriptive writing style that complimented the wonder of the storyline. This was further enhanced by the versatile and daresay quite posh voice of the narrator, Charlie Norfolk. There was a very welcoming and calming quality about the voice that enhanced the story for me.
While I enjoyed the narrative, I believe the secondary characters (Will, Tia, Sophie's uncle, the keepers, even the cat) deserved to be developed further as these backstories could have enriched the story that much more and added some context to the inner workings of the library. The writing also felt slightly monotone and repetitive in certain areas. I believe the first 60% of the book could have been compressed to make way for more expansion in the second half of the book where the real action starts unfolding. The last 5% of the book flew by and it was slightly confusing with all the ideologies and explanations being crammed into this short space.
I believe in the essence of this book and adore the concept and truly believe that with some adjustments to the execution, this story could be fantastic.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Bookbinder's Daughter is a whimsical tale of one woman's journey of self-discovery and her yearning for a place to call home. I have always considered libraries to be places of wonder, where one can escape to a multitude of realities with just the turn of the page and, I believe the author perfectly encapsulated this ideology.
In The Bookbinder's Daughter, Sophie returns home, to the Ayrendale library, the place where she tragically lost her mother in a mysterious incident that has plagued her since childhood. As the library begins whispering to Sophie and secrets buried within the past start unraveling, Sophie begins learning the truth of her origins and is faced with the startling reality that everything is not as it seems.
My inner book lover rejoiced at the author's ability to bring the library alive. The worldbuilding, specifically as it relates to books stemming from a tree of knowledge that slowly trickles into the world to spur creativity and innovation was utterly brilliant. The author has a very lush and descriptive writing style that complimented the wonder of the storyline. This was further enhanced by the versatile and daresay quite posh voice of the narrator, Charlie Norfolk. There was a very welcoming and calming quality about the voice that enhanced the story for me.
While I enjoyed the narrative, I believe the secondary characters (Will, Tia, Sophie's uncle, the keepers, even the cat) deserved to be developed further as these backstories could have enriched the story that much more and added some context to the inner workings of the library. The writing also felt slightly monotone and repetitive in certain areas. I believe the first 60% of the book could have been compressed to make way for more expansion in the second half of the book where the real action starts unfolding. The last 5% of the book flew by and it was slightly confusing with all the ideologies and explanations being crammed into this short space.
I believe in the essence of this book and adore the concept and truly believe that with some adjustments to the execution, this story could be fantastic.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Bookature Audio for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book was okay. Not outstanding, but not terrible. It just doesn't stand out to me and I probably won't remember much of it. Honestly, this "I have no parents and didn't know I possessed magical powers" storyline has been done so many times and this one blends in with the crowd.
In this book we meet Sophie, who's mother disappeared when she was a teenager. Upon the death of her father, she returns to where her mom disappeared. There's a magical library, evil villain, unexpected witch and predictable love story contained in the book, which made it one of many for me. The writing was good, but the plot wasn't original enough for me.
The audio was good. I really liked the narrator. She managed to engage me in the story better than if I had been reading the print version. All in all, 3 stars.
This book was okay. Not outstanding, but not terrible. It just doesn't stand out to me and I probably won't remember much of it. Honestly, this "I have no parents and didn't know I possessed magical powers" storyline has been done so many times and this one blends in with the crowd.
In this book we meet Sophie, who's mother disappeared when she was a teenager. Upon the death of her father, she returns to where her mom disappeared. There's a magical library, evil villain, unexpected witch and predictable love story contained in the book, which made it one of many for me. The writing was good, but the plot wasn't original enough for me.
The audio was good. I really liked the narrator. She managed to engage me in the story better than if I had been reading the print version. All in all, 3 stars.
June 12, 2022
A book about books built to beguile bookworms. A slow start for me as I couldn't initially connect to the characters and I thought the memory loss plot was a bit convenient. But, then something clicked and I was reminded of the joy of fictional magical libraries. If you liked The Binding by Bridget Collins or The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, I think you'll like this as well.
January 3, 2022
I loved Thorne's first two novels, I thought they were laid out well and had good characters with depth and growth, so I jumped at the opportunity to read her new book. Unfortunately, I had a very hard time getting into the book. It was not written in an appealing way and the characters are written in a way that is difficult to get behind. Sophie seems like she is in a cloud, walking around scared and unsure and unaware of decisions she should have made and be making. She seems almost content or comfortable in really unhealthy situations and gives others control over her. I also don't know what to think about Will, he seems ok, but he's hiding something. Overall I am sure its a good story, but I think the beginning needs some work and Sophie needs some character trait that people can get behind from the beginning.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
September 18, 2021
A completely different read from my usual crime/psychological thrillers but I really liked the sound of this book, and it didn’t disappoint.
Sophie is contacted by her Uncle and offered a job that she can’t refuse. It means leaving her boyfriend behind, but she soon realises he’s not worth worrying about.
Sophie is taken to Ayredale Library and immediately feels like she’s come home.
Her mother disappeared when she was a teenager from this very place and the memories start to come back to her.
The library is filled with secrets and magic and it’s all a bit overwhelming for her at first.
Will is on hand to support Sophie and her memories of him also start to come back, as they grew up here together.
Many of the books hold magical secrets and there are people who will do anything to get hold of them.
Sophie, Will and her Uncle have a fight like no other on their hands to keep the library alive.
This is a great read with magic and love at it’s centre.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Sophie is contacted by her Uncle and offered a job that she can’t refuse. It means leaving her boyfriend behind, but she soon realises he’s not worth worrying about.
Sophie is taken to Ayredale Library and immediately feels like she’s come home.
Her mother disappeared when she was a teenager from this very place and the memories start to come back to her.
The library is filled with secrets and magic and it’s all a bit overwhelming for her at first.
Will is on hand to support Sophie and her memories of him also start to come back, as they grew up here together.
Many of the books hold magical secrets and there are people who will do anything to get hold of them.
Sophie, Will and her Uncle have a fight like no other on their hands to keep the library alive.
This is a great read with magic and love at it’s centre.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
September 8, 2021
I am torn between 3.5 and 4 stars, because I devoured this ARC and would recommend it, but the plot could use some tightening and I thought Sophia could have had more personal growth. RTC.
UPDATE:
Full review at Sam's Beach Reads.
What I Loved:
The Ambiance. A mysterious library in the outskirts of London, a dreary town at the end of a subway line that hides all of the world’s rare books and knowledge. A girl with spotty memories and a dark past who speaks the language of the leaves, and who dreams of golden leaves that turn into pages. Binder’s Daughter screams spooky, autumn ambiance. I loved diving in right in time for the pseudo beginning of fall. How can you not love a book set in a gigantic library with stunning staircases and expansive grounds while the wind and the rain howl outside? This book allows you to fully imagine yourself there.
Will and Sophie. I am a sucker for a “reunited lovers” trope, but throw in a dash of amnesia and sprinkling of fate, and you have the recipe for an epic romance. It helps that Will is adorable like a puppy (but in a good way) and he strikes the perfect balance between being protective of Sophie while giving her enough room to fulfill her destiny and emerge as the strong woman she is destined to be. Sophie, in turn, doesn’t remember Will at first, but instinctively knows he is one of “her people” and knows she can trust him. Watching her remember their sweet youthful romance while also starting the next phase was so beautiful to read.
What Didn’t Work as Well:
The Pacing. While I loved the ambiance and mood of Book Binder’s Daughter, there are places where the descriptions get repetitive. There are swaths of the book that I skimmed because the descriptions of Sophie’s mental state or the beautiful imagery repeated, while in other places, it felt like a whirlwind with how quick the plot advanced. This was particularly true when we approached the climax.
The Villains. I don’t need a particularly complex villain in general. Villains are villains, and black and white suits my Scorpio nature. However, Victor is written as such a caricature of a shitty human being, that it is hard to see what Sophie would have ever seen in him. When Victor pops up again later in the book, it isn’t even surprising because he is clearly Big Bad. It makes you respect Sophie less the more you get to know Victor.
UPDATE:
Full review at Sam's Beach Reads.
What I Loved:
The Ambiance. A mysterious library in the outskirts of London, a dreary town at the end of a subway line that hides all of the world’s rare books and knowledge. A girl with spotty memories and a dark past who speaks the language of the leaves, and who dreams of golden leaves that turn into pages. Binder’s Daughter screams spooky, autumn ambiance. I loved diving in right in time for the pseudo beginning of fall. How can you not love a book set in a gigantic library with stunning staircases and expansive grounds while the wind and the rain howl outside? This book allows you to fully imagine yourself there.
Will and Sophie. I am a sucker for a “reunited lovers” trope, but throw in a dash of amnesia and sprinkling of fate, and you have the recipe for an epic romance. It helps that Will is adorable like a puppy (but in a good way) and he strikes the perfect balance between being protective of Sophie while giving her enough room to fulfill her destiny and emerge as the strong woman she is destined to be. Sophie, in turn, doesn’t remember Will at first, but instinctively knows he is one of “her people” and knows she can trust him. Watching her remember their sweet youthful romance while also starting the next phase was so beautiful to read.
What Didn’t Work as Well:
The Pacing. While I loved the ambiance and mood of Book Binder’s Daughter, there are places where the descriptions get repetitive. There are swaths of the book that I skimmed because the descriptions of Sophie’s mental state or the beautiful imagery repeated, while in other places, it felt like a whirlwind with how quick the plot advanced. This was particularly true when we approached the climax.
The Villains. I don’t need a particularly complex villain in general. Villains are villains, and black and white suits my Scorpio nature. However, Victor is written as such a caricature of a shitty human being, that it is hard to see what Sophie would have ever seen in him. When Victor pops up again later in the book, it isn’t even surprising because he is clearly Big Bad. It makes you respect Sophie less the more you get to know Victor.
September 15, 2021
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Thoughts*
Jessica Thorne's The Bookbinder's Daughter introduces readers to a magical library that holds all the secrets and mysteries of the world since the beginning of time. For hundreds of years, the Special Collection held a place at the heart of the library and archival world. The library is right up there with the Library of Alexandria and the Vatican SecretArchives for its mystical properties and secrecy. Sophie Lawrence works in the Conservation Department for the Academy in London. The Academy has always been Sophie's refuge from the world. Sophie works on rebinding, repairing, and restoring older books.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Thoughts*
Jessica Thorne's The Bookbinder's Daughter introduces readers to a magical library that holds all the secrets and mysteries of the world since the beginning of time. For hundreds of years, the Special Collection held a place at the heart of the library and archival world. The library is right up there with the Library of Alexandria and the Vatican SecretArchives for its mystical properties and secrecy. Sophie Lawrence works in the Conservation Department for the Academy in London. The Academy has always been Sophie's refuge from the world. Sophie works on rebinding, repairing, and restoring older books.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
September 20, 2021
Sophie still grieving her father goes to work for her Uncle restoring books. She spent a lot of time in this library growing up. It’s a magical place, she hears whispers and is able to read books no one else can. This place and the people in it have secrets and all is not what it seems.
This was a really good book, I enjoyed it so much! It was fast paced and kept my interest to the end
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
This was a really good book, I enjoyed it so much! It was fast paced and kept my interest to the end
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
September 22, 2021
A magical library. Secrets. Danger.... what's not to love!? This was a wonderfully magical read and is the kind of book that you totally lose yourself in! I know I did!
Sophie is at the heart of the story and is desperate to make her father proud who she has recently lost, whilst wanting to learn more about her mother who disappeared from her life when she was younger. The more she discovers about the mysterious library where she gets a job as a bookbinder, the more the mysteries of the past become a little clearer. And why is she the only person who can understand the language of some of the oldest books in their care?!
When her dreams start to lead her towards uncovering secrets from the past, she is unsure of what she will find or just who to trust along the way and you find yourself anxious on her behalf! I loved the mystical feel of it all and the way the story flows and how she begins to emerge from the shell she had found herself living in because of the past trauma she'd gone through.
I was enchanted by this story and just loved the magical library setting alongside a cast of intriguing characters.
Sophie is at the heart of the story and is desperate to make her father proud who she has recently lost, whilst wanting to learn more about her mother who disappeared from her life when she was younger. The more she discovers about the mysterious library where she gets a job as a bookbinder, the more the mysteries of the past become a little clearer. And why is she the only person who can understand the language of some of the oldest books in their care?!
When her dreams start to lead her towards uncovering secrets from the past, she is unsure of what she will find or just who to trust along the way and you find yourself anxious on her behalf! I loved the mystical feel of it all and the way the story flows and how she begins to emerge from the shell she had found herself living in because of the past trauma she'd gone through.
I was enchanted by this story and just loved the magical library setting alongside a cast of intriguing characters.
October 4, 2021
I haven't read that many books dealing with magical libraries and I found the synopsis of this book quite interesting to give it a go. Plus, I opted for the audiobook and after listening to it I think I made the right choice. With an ancient library with antique, magical books and a magical Tree of Knowledge at its core, the book has plenty of twist and turns and interesting characters who all have a special purpose to serve and safeguard the library's secrets to keep the narrative engaging and the narrator Charlie Norfolk does a great job of bringing the whole book to life with her splendid narration. I particularly loved how the climax of the book was written and Charlie's narration helped me visualise the entire book in a much better way.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author Jessica Thorne for the audio ARC of the book.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author Jessica Thorne for the audio ARC of the book.
September 13, 2021
This was very whimsical and full of beautiful prose. The main character had me literally yelling at her to stand up for herself and when she finally did it felt victorious! The relationship between her and the library could have been developed more, then I would have felt more satisfied with the ending. Honestly, Jessica Thorne could have made a trilogy out of this and the history behind it. I did feel like it resembled A Discovery of Witches at different points in the book but honestly it wasn’t wrong to. 3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for this arc of The Bookbinders Daughter in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc of The Bookbinders Daughter in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2021
More on Chill and read
Sophie has a job she likes and a relationship to come home to. She is a bookbinder, a very good one indeed and she was taught by her father. Times are not easy for her these days, as she had lost her mother years ago and only recently she lost her father too. She is glad to have someone like Victor to take care of her. Until one day, her uncle Edward arrives and offers her a dream job. A job at Ayredale Library. The Special Collection is a library that consists of the rarest books in the world and it is also the last place her bookbinder mother was seen alive. This strikes to Sophie as the perfect opportunity to work at a dream place while at the same time she has a chance to discover what actually happened to her mother.
Sophie used to live at Ayredale with her parents when she was little. They only left, after what happened to her mother. Which is something Sophie cannot really recall. So, when she returns, the Library seems to welcome her. Bit by bit, her memory of the place comes back to her as she meets with people she used to know from when she lived there, but also the Library itself. The strange thing is that the sense of being at home is very strong, to the point that Sophie believes the library sings to her. It’s as if it drags her to the depths of its mysteries, until she comes upon a carved door that resembles the pendant her mother left her. The pendant that seems to come to life when it is close to that very door.
I love the secrets of the past and the magical aspect of the book. Being a book lover, I couldn’t not appreciate the fact that the story evolves around a Library with magical aspects, one that holds the secrets of this world, one that offers the knowledge humanity now seems to possess. There was a mystery around the Library itself, how it was created, what secrets did it keep, what kind of languages the books are written in and who can actually read them. But there was also a mystery around the people living and working in the Library, that made it all the more interested.
I really liked the memory loss theme. It was not caused only as a post traumatic reaction, but it had its own root in the Library as well. Another theme that I liked was the overly controlling long time boyfriend, who was nothing more than a manipulator. In the beginning, Sophie only left Victor because of what she saw with her very own eyes and because she had somewhere to go. But as the story progresses, the shy and introvert protagonist, finds herself and the strength to keep toxic people out of her life.
The narration was a big plus for this story. Charlie Norfolk did a wonderful job bringing every character to life. It was very easy to understand the characters speaking every time, as they sounded so very different. Her reading added to the atmosphere that the book already created, making the audiobook even more appealing. I highly recommend the audiobook, if you like having someone else read a book for you.
The Bookbinder’s Daughter comes out in September 20, so go grab your copy now!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.
Sophie has a job she likes and a relationship to come home to. She is a bookbinder, a very good one indeed and she was taught by her father. Times are not easy for her these days, as she had lost her mother years ago and only recently she lost her father too. She is glad to have someone like Victor to take care of her. Until one day, her uncle Edward arrives and offers her a dream job. A job at Ayredale Library. The Special Collection is a library that consists of the rarest books in the world and it is also the last place her bookbinder mother was seen alive. This strikes to Sophie as the perfect opportunity to work at a dream place while at the same time she has a chance to discover what actually happened to her mother.
Sophie used to live at Ayredale with her parents when she was little. They only left, after what happened to her mother. Which is something Sophie cannot really recall. So, when she returns, the Library seems to welcome her. Bit by bit, her memory of the place comes back to her as she meets with people she used to know from when she lived there, but also the Library itself. The strange thing is that the sense of being at home is very strong, to the point that Sophie believes the library sings to her. It’s as if it drags her to the depths of its mysteries, until she comes upon a carved door that resembles the pendant her mother left her. The pendant that seems to come to life when it is close to that very door.
I love the secrets of the past and the magical aspect of the book. Being a book lover, I couldn’t not appreciate the fact that the story evolves around a Library with magical aspects, one that holds the secrets of this world, one that offers the knowledge humanity now seems to possess. There was a mystery around the Library itself, how it was created, what secrets did it keep, what kind of languages the books are written in and who can actually read them. But there was also a mystery around the people living and working in the Library, that made it all the more interested.
I really liked the memory loss theme. It was not caused only as a post traumatic reaction, but it had its own root in the Library as well. Another theme that I liked was the overly controlling long time boyfriend, who was nothing more than a manipulator. In the beginning, Sophie only left Victor because of what she saw with her very own eyes and because she had somewhere to go. But as the story progresses, the shy and introvert protagonist, finds herself and the strength to keep toxic people out of her life.
The narration was a big plus for this story. Charlie Norfolk did a wonderful job bringing every character to life. It was very easy to understand the characters speaking every time, as they sounded so very different. Her reading added to the atmosphere that the book already created, making the audiobook even more appealing. I highly recommend the audiobook, if you like having someone else read a book for you.
The Bookbinder’s Daughter comes out in September 20, so go grab your copy now!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.
September 22, 2021
The Bookbinder’s Daughter by Jessica Thorne is a fantasy novel.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Sophie Lawrence returns to Ayredale Special Collection Library, where her mother disappeared, where she lived until she was 15, where her memories are few. She left London behind. Her father is dead, and her lover not worth her time. Was she truly coming home? Uncle Edward offered her the book-binding job in the most prestigious library, that had the finest collection of rare books in the world. Her parents both worked there in the past. Now she could too.
When her mother disappeared, Sophie lost herself. She remembers very little of the Library, or the people who still inhabit this expansive estate. But things are coming back to her. Her father had refused to speak of her mother, and Sophie now hopes that someone here can tell her what she needs to know.
Will Rhys returned to the Library eight years ago, and is now cataloguing and indexing, working with the researchers who came here and fielding enquiries. He and Sophie were once close.
However, there are some strange things in this Library. The Keeper of the Library seems to be keeping secrets, as do others. They seem to be reluctant to speak to her about her mother. What are they hiding? Why can Sophie read the strange spells in the old books, when no one else can?
My Opinions:
First, I loved the cover, and although I don't usually pick a book by it's cover....this one definitely caught my eye. I have never read anything by the author before, so the next thing that caught my eye was the blurb, which appealed.
Then, I really enjoyed the book. The plot, atmosphere and imagery were good. As were the characters, especially the Tree. I loved both Will and Sophie (once she stood up for herself). Even the romance angle was okay. Yes, the book is about magic. It is also about love, family, and re-birth. Then there is the darker side of it. Manipulating, bullying, and the need for power. Add a few secrets, mix them together, and end up with an an interesting read.
Overall, it was a very captivating story, and although a little repetitive at times, the book held my interest from start to finish. I was almost surprised to find that it was a stand-alone novel.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
September 16, 2021
3.5 stars
Books are themselves a subtle magic with libraries mysterious places full of stories waiting to escape and infiltrate the minds of the readers.
The Book Binder’s Daughter by Jessica Thorne weaves all of these together into a magical story with a few surprises.
Thorne is an excellent writer and the first few chapters were immediately gripping and engaging, full of intriguing characters, mythology and peril. It’s entirely believable as we see Sophie find her strength and escape her controlling relationship and return to her childhood home where she belongs.
Nothing is as it seems so we are suspicious of everyone and questioning everything to try to understand what is going on. The fantastical elements appear rather suddenly, considering the first part of the book is considering family relationships, but once I started to appreciate the mysterious magic of Ayredale, I found the two blended seamlessly. The attention to detail when it comes to the descriptions of each element are stunning and my mind’s eye could picture everything clearly. I would have liked to see more magic, once it became a central theme, but it seemed almost secondary to Sophie’s memory of her mother’s disappearance, which was a shame.
Will and Tia are excellent characters, strong yet intriguing with plenty of secrets to hide. Sophie felt weak for a large portion of the book and I really wanted her to face her fears and regain the confidence from her youth. I did think that Victor and Arthur needed a bit more depth, as they seemed to morph from manipulative, arrogant men into full-on villains quite quickly.
The finale is a little rushed and chaotic, and I think it could have been structured slightly better so it fitted better into the rest of the book. Perhaps Thorne was not confident enough in the ending and chose not to devote the same time and meticulousness of her word choices to the last few pages.
That said, I was engrossed in the characters and the magic of the library and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
I was provided with an ARC by NetGalley. All opinions my own.
For creative book and theatre reviews, visit @Paradise_Library on Instagram and @Paradi5eLibrary on Twitter.
Books are themselves a subtle magic with libraries mysterious places full of stories waiting to escape and infiltrate the minds of the readers.
The Book Binder’s Daughter by Jessica Thorne weaves all of these together into a magical story with a few surprises.
Thorne is an excellent writer and the first few chapters were immediately gripping and engaging, full of intriguing characters, mythology and peril. It’s entirely believable as we see Sophie find her strength and escape her controlling relationship and return to her childhood home where she belongs.
Nothing is as it seems so we are suspicious of everyone and questioning everything to try to understand what is going on. The fantastical elements appear rather suddenly, considering the first part of the book is considering family relationships, but once I started to appreciate the mysterious magic of Ayredale, I found the two blended seamlessly. The attention to detail when it comes to the descriptions of each element are stunning and my mind’s eye could picture everything clearly. I would have liked to see more magic, once it became a central theme, but it seemed almost secondary to Sophie’s memory of her mother’s disappearance, which was a shame.
Will and Tia are excellent characters, strong yet intriguing with plenty of secrets to hide. Sophie felt weak for a large portion of the book and I really wanted her to face her fears and regain the confidence from her youth. I did think that Victor and Arthur needed a bit more depth, as they seemed to morph from manipulative, arrogant men into full-on villains quite quickly.
The finale is a little rushed and chaotic, and I think it could have been structured slightly better so it fitted better into the rest of the book. Perhaps Thorne was not confident enough in the ending and chose not to devote the same time and meticulousness of her word choices to the last few pages.
That said, I was engrossed in the characters and the magic of the library and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
I was provided with an ARC by NetGalley. All opinions my own.
For creative book and theatre reviews, visit @Paradise_Library on Instagram and @Paradi5eLibrary on Twitter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2021
ARC REVIEW
2,75/5
This book is about a mysterious library, surrounded by mysterious people. Sophie lived there as a kid but left and lost her memories. After the death of her dad, she receives a letter that somehow will help her understand what’s been missing in her life.
The characters are bland and could have been much more developed. It is even more disappointing when you finally learn more about the magic of this library and the different powers everyone has to deal with at the end of the book.
I think there was a lack of description and the plot was not carried out with enough intensity even though powerful forces were discovered as the book progressed.
2,75/5
This book is about a mysterious library, surrounded by mysterious people. Sophie lived there as a kid but left and lost her memories. After the death of her dad, she receives a letter that somehow will help her understand what’s been missing in her life.
The characters are bland and could have been much more developed. It is even more disappointing when you finally learn more about the magic of this library and the different powers everyone has to deal with at the end of the book.
I think there was a lack of description and the plot was not carried out with enough intensity even though powerful forces were discovered as the book progressed.
April 24, 2024
Started with so much promise!
I was so excited to read this. A magical tree and a library, book binding, sounded great.
It hooked me in right from the beginning with its rich descriptions and world building. When Sophie first went to Aryedale, her wonder was captured so well. Unfortunately, from about chapter 12, everything started falling apart.
I wasn't impressed that the School of Night was used, or Ashmole. I felt it was a rip-off of A Discovery of Witches. The School of Night wasn't even explained, and I don't know why it was mentioned and why Arthur was in it?
All the characters were one dimensional, and Sophie got on my nerves. It was obvious Victor was awful, and I didn't trust Arthur from the get-go.
Will was the only one with any substance, really. I didn't feel like him n Sophie were almost 30 years old??
I was left with so many questions. Lots of plot holes. Most of the story felt so disjointed . The most important information was bought in right at the last minute.... what, in fact, WAS the language of the birds? IF tia was bound, why was the tree still being chaotic? WHY did it take Elizabeth? It was never explained.
I read mainly fantasy and magical realism is my favorite but , It's left me scratching my head and feeling mega confused, unfortunately.
I was so excited to read this. A magical tree and a library, book binding, sounded great.
It hooked me in right from the beginning with its rich descriptions and world building. When Sophie first went to Aryedale, her wonder was captured so well. Unfortunately, from about chapter 12, everything started falling apart.
I wasn't impressed that the School of Night was used, or Ashmole. I felt it was a rip-off of A Discovery of Witches. The School of Night wasn't even explained, and I don't know why it was mentioned and why Arthur was in it?
All the characters were one dimensional, and Sophie got on my nerves. It was obvious Victor was awful, and I didn't trust Arthur from the get-go.
Will was the only one with any substance, really. I didn't feel like him n Sophie were almost 30 years old??
I was left with so many questions. Lots of plot holes. Most of the story felt so disjointed . The most important information was bought in right at the last minute.... what, in fact, WAS the language of the birds? IF tia was bound, why was the tree still being chaotic? WHY did it take Elizabeth? It was never explained.
I read mainly fantasy and magical realism is my favorite but , It's left me scratching my head and feeling mega confused, unfortunately.
October 30, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Bookbinder's Daughter is an atmospheric YA/NA fantasy/romance by Jessica Thorne. Released 20th Sept 2021, it's 248 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is an engaging and well written romance/fantasy. The author has quite a lot to say about bullying, entitlement, elitism, and the meaning of honesty, integrity, and family. Protagonist Sophie has a personal history of submissiveness and passivity after personal tragedy has left her with post-traumatic holes in her memory. Several current crises cast her into a new professional life back at the scene of her earlier trauma.
The character development and plotting were a bit two dimensional and linear in most places. There weren't a lot of deviations or alternative subplot stories to explore. The antagonists were -completely- irredeemable and the protagonists were paragons. The dialogue was often wrought (not cringe-worthy, but definitely stilted) and I found myself being yanked out of my suspension of disbelief not infrequently. On the other hand, I'm not the target audience (I found my way in via the "biblio-fantasy" door, not the clearly marked romance one). Readers who appreciate fresh, well written YA/NA romance will find a lot to like here; especially readers who really enjoy a healthy dose of draaama with their stories. I, on the other hand, found myself wanting to shake some of the characters.
Three and a half stars, rounded up for technically adept writing and an engaging premise.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Bookbinder's Daughter is an atmospheric YA/NA fantasy/romance by Jessica Thorne. Released 20th Sept 2021, it's 248 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is an engaging and well written romance/fantasy. The author has quite a lot to say about bullying, entitlement, elitism, and the meaning of honesty, integrity, and family. Protagonist Sophie has a personal history of submissiveness and passivity after personal tragedy has left her with post-traumatic holes in her memory. Several current crises cast her into a new professional life back at the scene of her earlier trauma.
The character development and plotting were a bit two dimensional and linear in most places. There weren't a lot of deviations or alternative subplot stories to explore. The antagonists were -completely- irredeemable and the protagonists were paragons. The dialogue was often wrought (not cringe-worthy, but definitely stilted) and I found myself being yanked out of my suspension of disbelief not infrequently. On the other hand, I'm not the target audience (I found my way in via the "biblio-fantasy" door, not the clearly marked romance one). Readers who appreciate fresh, well written YA/NA romance will find a lot to like here; especially readers who really enjoy a healthy dose of draaama with their stories. I, on the other hand, found myself wanting to shake some of the characters.
Three and a half stars, rounded up for technically adept writing and an engaging premise.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 10, 2021
“She was chaos and wildness, and all the madness of creation.”
Sophie is stuck. She can’t move on from the mysterious circumstances that took her mother from her fifteen years ago, left with a distant and recently deceased father and all-consuming dreams of a mysterious tree, all her questions remain unanswered. Add that to a controlling boyfriend and a lack of any real friends, Sophie gets by through her love of bookbinding, putting all her care and love into her work. Yet, when a mysterious letter appears that invites her back to the Ayredale Library, the place where it all started and home of the largest collection of antique collectable books, Sophie might finally get the answers she’s been craving for so long. The library is alive with history, mystery and colourful figures from her past and Sophie will have to navigate the lies and secrecy to discover the truth.
There was a lot to like about this book, it had a great pace with action, conflict and reveals that kept you reading to get to the heart of the library and its secrets. I really enjoyed the various twist and turns. Thorne can also be seen to have woven in well-researched areas of history, linking in myths, religious aspects and famous libraries, as well as bookbinding and the care of books. This made it feel that much more vivid.
However, it could have been so much more. It often felt rushed with characters and settings that I wished we could have explored more. The library constantly had little hints dropped about its unpredictable nature and almost haunting spiritual awareness but, actually, like a lot of the book, I felt told this rather than shown it. There was no real atmosphere to the book and the characters, whilst colourful, felt lacking in depth. I also think it really missed a trick in creating a found family, all the platonic relationships were stilted and strained. This meant I felt less invested in the character arcs.
Ironically, this was the opposite for Sophie, she was one of the few more developed characters with a sweet and well written romantic relationship that grows over the book, but unfortunately, I found her personal transformation throughout the book lacking. I really feel like she could have embraced herself and really come into her own person more. The ending didn’t make as much impact without it. Although I still enjoyed where the plot took us and how it ended.
I was provided with an ARC by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Sophie is stuck. She can’t move on from the mysterious circumstances that took her mother from her fifteen years ago, left with a distant and recently deceased father and all-consuming dreams of a mysterious tree, all her questions remain unanswered. Add that to a controlling boyfriend and a lack of any real friends, Sophie gets by through her love of bookbinding, putting all her care and love into her work. Yet, when a mysterious letter appears that invites her back to the Ayredale Library, the place where it all started and home of the largest collection of antique collectable books, Sophie might finally get the answers she’s been craving for so long. The library is alive with history, mystery and colourful figures from her past and Sophie will have to navigate the lies and secrecy to discover the truth.
There was a lot to like about this book, it had a great pace with action, conflict and reveals that kept you reading to get to the heart of the library and its secrets. I really enjoyed the various twist and turns. Thorne can also be seen to have woven in well-researched areas of history, linking in myths, religious aspects and famous libraries, as well as bookbinding and the care of books. This made it feel that much more vivid.
However, it could have been so much more. It often felt rushed with characters and settings that I wished we could have explored more. The library constantly had little hints dropped about its unpredictable nature and almost haunting spiritual awareness but, actually, like a lot of the book, I felt told this rather than shown it. There was no real atmosphere to the book and the characters, whilst colourful, felt lacking in depth. I also think it really missed a trick in creating a found family, all the platonic relationships were stilted and strained. This meant I felt less invested in the character arcs.
Ironically, this was the opposite for Sophie, she was one of the few more developed characters with a sweet and well written romantic relationship that grows over the book, but unfortunately, I found her personal transformation throughout the book lacking. I really feel like she could have embraced herself and really come into her own person more. The ending didn’t make as much impact without it. Although I still enjoyed where the plot took us and how it ended.
I was provided with an ARC by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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