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A review by purplelorikeet
The Book Binder's Daughter by Jessica Thorne
3.0
Sophie is an accomplished bookbinder, taught by her father, also a bookbinder. It happens that her mother was also one too. Once upon a time, they lived at Ayredale and life was good. But then, some trauma occurred where Sophie's mother disappears and Sophie forgets most of the details of her life before the trauma. Since then, Sophie has never been back to Ayredale, mostly due to her father's wishes. But after her father dies, Sophie is contacted by her uncle Edward, brother to her mother, and offered a job at what is called the Special Collection.
There are a few aspects of this book that follow some common tropes. There's the memory loss after trauma. There's the special power. There's the dirty scoundrel of a boyfriend that is finally realised. The last is the one I found most interesting here because it's from this understanding that Sophie finally starts to live her life on her own terms. The other stuff may be what drives her to stick to her plan, but she has definitely tired of being manipulated by her long-term boyfriend.
Of course, there is magic involved in the story which I enjoyed for the most part. What didn't quite work for me was the Arthur/Victor arc that comes out towards the end. Those characters on their own were both some ugly pieces of work in their own ways and I could totally buy those stories. But the connection that comes out at the end, seems a bit far-reaching. I'm also a bit uncertain what I think of some of the secrets of Will Rhys. I just didn't feel some of the revelations seemed right in this universe.
Sophie's past trauma is an interesting part of the story along with the reawakening of her role in the library. She does prove to be a good heroine and is quite determined to follow the path that is right for her. The relationship with WIll is also quite nicely done and mixed with the roles they each play, I found they worked pretty well together. They definitely have a long-standing chemistry and it's obvious they are meant for each other.
The narration on the book was quite enjoyable. Charlie Norfolk does a lovely job of capturing the characters along the way and her voice was quite soothing.
Overall, this was an entertaining and pleasing read and I give this 3.5 stars.
There are a few aspects of this book that follow some common tropes. There's the memory loss after trauma. There's the special power. There's the dirty scoundrel of a boyfriend that is finally realised. The last is the one I found most interesting here because it's from this understanding that Sophie finally starts to live her life on her own terms. The other stuff may be what drives her to stick to her plan, but she has definitely tired of being manipulated by her long-term boyfriend.
Of course, there is magic involved in the story which I enjoyed for the most part. What didn't quite work for me was the Arthur/Victor arc that comes out towards the end. Those characters on their own were both some ugly pieces of work in their own ways and I could totally buy those stories. But the connection that comes out at the end, seems a bit far-reaching. I'm also a bit uncertain what I think of some of the secrets of Will Rhys. I just didn't feel some of the revelations seemed right in this universe.
Sophie's past trauma is an interesting part of the story along with the reawakening of her role in the library. She does prove to be a good heroine and is quite determined to follow the path that is right for her. The relationship with WIll is also quite nicely done and mixed with the roles they each play, I found they worked pretty well together. They definitely have a long-standing chemistry and it's obvious they are meant for each other.
The narration on the book was quite enjoyable. Charlie Norfolk does a lovely job of capturing the characters along the way and her voice was quite soothing.
Overall, this was an entertaining and pleasing read and I give this 3.5 stars.