The Bookbinder’s Daughter by Jessica Thorne

Posted September 17, 2021 by jrsbookr in Fantasy / 0 Comments

by Jessica Thorne
The Bookbinder’s Daughter by Jessica ThorneThe Bookbinder's Daughter Published by Bookouture on September 20, 2021
Source: Netgalley Arc
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary, Fiction / Fantasy / General, Fiction / Fantasy / Historical, Fiction / Fantasy / Romance, Fiction / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Fantasy, Fiction / Women
Pages: 337
Find the Author: Website, Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon
Format: Ebook Arc
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

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.

 

‘Wow, wow, wow!... A showstopping book that was hard to put down… An addicting adventure you will not want to miss out on.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Took my heart out of my chest, stomped on it and then put it back, while whispering, "Keep reading"… I sat and ugly cried for 15 minutes.’ Awesome Alitza, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I’m speechless… my heart was breaking… the whole ending was just me switching between the sobbing, mind blown, shocked, angry emojis… There really isn’t a calm moment in this book, and it keeps you turning the page… you’re going to fall in love… kept me up until the light started shining in through my window. Perfect binge-able books. Have I convinced you yet?’ Writing the Universe, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I don't know what to say. I still haven't recovered yet… kept me in complete suspense… led me to despair and back to earth again… At some points I was completely devastated and I couldn't believe what I was reading. I went through all the possible feelings through this story… amazing book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I devoured this book and stayed up into the early hours of the morning just to finish it… completely blew me away… My heart broke… I found myself shouting nooooo more times than a little… be prepared for a heart-wrenching emotional journey… It's a page-turner… sure to be a bestseller… brilliant book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘Captivating… I simultaneously wanted to power through it but didn't want it to end… it's fantastic. It's brilliant. I love it… I have several notes in my Kindle app from emotional scenes where it's purely emotive responses of ""AWEEE"", ""OMGGGG"", ""WTF IS THIS?!”… a beautiful piece of fantasy fiction that should be on everyone's tbr list.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review

Reading my reviews for a while, you know books about books or libraries or both are an extra particular favorite of mine. The bookbinder’s daughter encompasses everything I could want descriptions about old libraries, a mystery or two to unravel, and complicated relationships. Our main character has a crappy, controlling boyfriend, and she receives a mysterious letter from her uncle, who she barely remembers. She grew up in this famous research library but was forced to leave it when a terrible accident occurs her mom. Past is back in her life, and her boyfriend, a book seller, wants to control every aspect of how she goes about reading it and deciding what to do with her life. She accepts a new job and gives the boyfriend the boot, and we are off to the races and exploring this ancient library through the eyes of a bookbinder. Books about books are so great cause we get glimpses into the process of how books come to life. This library is extra special, and discovering how our main characters fit into all is a treat to read.

 

four-stars

About Jessica Thorne

Jessica 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.

Rating Report
Plot
4
Characters
3.5
Writing
4
Pacing
4.5
Cover
5
Overall: 4