TITLE: The Bookbinder’s Daughter
CHARACTERS: Sophie & Will
AUTHOR: Jessica Thorne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/20/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I actually enjoyed most of this book. The idea was very fresh and interesting. Any bibliophile would love living in a library and this would be a great one to stay at.
About Sophie. I had a bit of a problem with her. At times she seems so independent and at other times a wet dish cloth. I can appreciate that she and Will were able to rekindle a first love so quickly but it seems odd that she was ever even in love with Victor. She was just a doormat to him.
I enjoyed the “suspense” part of the story. Trying to figure out why one day her mom was there and the next day not. Why can she read a magical spell book when no one else can.
I felt that the library was in and of itself a character. And I wish there had been more magic in the special area of the library.
I think this story had a lot of potential and lived up to some of it.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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