A review by beckys_book_blog
The Book of Eve by Meg Clothier

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I was immediately drawn in to this story which starts with two desperate women seeking to be let into the convent walls to escape attack. One of them has a mysterious, powerful but dangerous book that she is determined to keep safe. It isn't long before the local preacher arrives seeking to find and destroy the same book. 
The convent librarian, Beatrice, has been entrusted with the book but can she decipher it before it's too late? 

I love historical fiction and this author really transports you to this claustrophobic place. It is such an atmospheric read. I loved the secrets and mystery surrounding the book. This is quite a slow burning mystery but the tension really builds towards the second half and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ordered, religious world inside the convent was fascinating. I don't usually enjoy magical/fantasy elements but the mystical elements really worked well in this story and I loved them.

This story is based around the Voynich manuscript which I now intend to research further! An original and captivating debut novel.