Honestly, I was really drawn in by the premise. It sounded like something I'd enjoy. But once I got into it, the execution just didn’t work for me. I gave it a fair shot, hoping it would pick up, but reading it felt more like a struggle than something I could actually enjoy. The writing is overly wordy, which made the whole thing drag, and I couldn’t connect with the main character, Emily. She came off emotionally distant and really flat, which made it hard to connect or care about her journey. I usually don’t mind a slow pace, but here it felt like nothing was really moving forward, which made it hard to stay engaged. I also couldn’t get into the romance subplot between Emily and Wendell. It was clearly aiming for a slow burn, but the chemistry just wasn’t there for me. Even though I really tried to get into it and gave it many chances, I just couldn’t stay engaged and ended up not finishing it. I can see how this might appeal to the right readers, but sadly, it just wasn’t for me.

I had such high hopes for this book and although I felt very invested in the characters and the storyline initially, I was quite honestly bored by the midway point onwards. Emily and Wendell are very fleshed out characters and I also enjoyed the fairy lore of the world, my favourite plot point being that of the changeling. I just felt the book was too ‘cosy fantasy’ for me, which I’m realising isn’t my vibe, and I need something a bit heavier in plot and stakes. I know many people adore this story so if you’re a cosy fantasy lover don’t let my opinion put you off picking up this one!

Even though Emily Wilde's first book starts slowly and maybe even boringly, you soon forget about that slow start. All those villagers and little fairies that Emily meets and then when Wendell comes, things get even more interesting, because the way the villagers and the fairies treat her should immediately make it clear that everything is not quite as it seems, but Emily is a scientist, she doesn't see life the way an ordinary person does, meaning she doesn't see what's right under her nose until it bites her :)
Anyway, all those adventures that Emily gets into looking for those Hidden Ones and those curses that she solves thanks to the fact that she has read a lot of fairy tales and mythologies, they are so exciting. A complete pleasure! Those little jokes. Emily and Wendell's relationship. A very good read.

I loved this book.
The world building, the characters, the setting. All were brilliant. It’s a cosy read but still packed full of interest and a brilliant story line. I loved the fae and all their differences and how the main character adapts to life when she is stretched far out of her comfort zone.

A most heartfelt thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for giving me the chance to read "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries" by Heather Fawcett in exchange for my honest review. 

A story told with a unique style of writing through journal entries, tells us of the adventures of Emily Wilde in the village of Hrafnsvik as she tries to complete her life's dream as a scholar and create an encyclopaedia of faeries. What she didn't expect in her field study was the multitude of odd people on Hrafnsvik ,the arrival of her academic rival Wendell Bambleby and the unexpected secrets of Lyosland to come to light in the duration of her vivit. 
Beautifully written, with a vibe of cotagecore and ghibli studio fusion,with what was a cute dash of light academia vibes,  it was a most refreshing read. Every character brought their own uniqueness to the plot and I loved that.Emily was the epitome of introvert. Her constant antagonising Bambleby was adorable. My favourite character  was -of course- Bambleby and that's because a. I didn't expect the plot twist of his origin story and b. because he was so theatrical in everything he did, it was cute and oh so funny. His banter with Emily made my reader heart so so happy,especially at certain points in the story that highlighted their chemistry and connection. 
Definitely recommend to everyone who enjoys a lighthearted, cosy and heart-warming story. 

This review will be cross-posted on my IG (@niasendlessbookshelves) as well as in my personal goodreads and of course in IkarianCorner, the blog I write reviews at (under the Nia Unhinged category)  as of February 13th (for links, check my profile).

This book charmed me from start to finish! One of the standout aspects was the narrative style—written as scholarly journal entries by the protagonist, Emily Wilde. It’s such a unique way to tell the story, and it really helped me connect with Emily and understand her thoughts and feelings. The balance between her academic musings about faeries and her reflections on her personal experiences was spot-on. As a science girly myself, I especially loved the bits of faerie lore woven throughout, as well as the clever footnotes from other fictional researchers in Emily’s world. It added an extra layer of depth and made the world feel so rich and lived-in.

The little touch of romance in the book was adorable. Emily and her love interest had such great chemistry, and I found myself smiling at their little moments together. The slow burn was especially satisfying, as it gave them the space to grow from professional acquaintances to friends, and possibly to something more. Their connection felt natural and authentic, and it was so enjoyable to watch it develop.

It’s worth noting that the plot is on the slower side, which might not appeal to everyone. For me, though, the pace really worked. It added to the cozy vibe of the book and allowed more focus on the characters and their relationships, which are definitely the heart of the story.

The pacing was a bit weird and the characters felt a bit flat and distant until like halfway through the book, but it really had me smiling and warming towards the end. Really cute and cozy and a good rec for the winter season!

This book is a delightful escape, perfect for curling up with on a chilly evening. It’s a must-read for fans of whimsical fantasy and anyone who enjoys a story filled with heart, magic, and a touch of romance

This book was an enchanting read, which captured me immediately. The characters Heather Fawcett has created are genuinely likable, and I would argue the best part of the book, making up for the slightly slower pace. Overall a great read for lovers of anything fantasy and folklore related, with a pinch of whimsy and charm to boot.

I was very excited to read this as it immediately became so popular and I love the found family trope. I liked the world building, especially with all of the different characteristics of the various faerie species. I loved Wendell and the villagers. Emily is an interesting protagonist (similar to Temperance from Bones though she perhaps could have displayed more emotional depth); most importantly she shouldn’t be let anywhere near an axe! I did overall enjoy this book but in all honesty the pacing was a bit slow and I didn’t feel there was much tension or plot drive. That said, it’s a fun story with little twists and turns so if it sounds like your kind of cosy cottage fantasy then do give it a try.

I know that this is an extremely popular book and that lots of people adore it, hence why I wanted to read it. I went into this eyes wide open, knowing that it could be a miss for me as this style of writing isn't something that I'm usually into. Although that was the case, I was still able to enjoy it and I enjoyed the story and the characters.

There is not a huge amount of plot to this book. The plot almost felt secondary to the whimsical writing and descriptions. There was a simple plot though and it was easy enough to follow. What I enjoyed most about it was the sense of community and growing friendships. Many of the locals were not happy about Emily's presence and weren't particularly welcoming to her, but gradually, that all changed.

I struggled with any strong sense of "liking" towards any of the characters as I didn't feel like I got to know any of them well enough. Emily was intriguing enough, but I also did find her stoic personality a little bit annoying. I liked Wendell a little bit more as he had a little more something about him. He had a sense of humour and a back story that interested me.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but it was a little on the slow side for me personally and although I could appreciate the beautiful writing, it wasn't something that made me want to pick up this book at every spare moment and keep reading. I can see why lots of people love this book for sure, but for me, it was middle of the road.

soft-dnf @ 47%

i’m not going to lie, i’ve had so many troubles getting into this book that i almost feel bad about soft-dnf’ing this book because so many people love this story.

i feel like the story was so long-winded, took too long to get to a point where something exciting happened and even then everything was boring as hell. sadly emily and wendell were also just not the couple goals i expected…

still, the world is very unique, i loved the setting and the setup sounded super promising, which is why i’d give it 1.5 stars even when dnf’ing instead of no rating. might pick it up again in the future who knows

This was a really hard book to rate. The language and place names took a while to get used to making it a really slow read for the most part but in the end the story made up for it and I ended up really liking it

"Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries" is a captivating and enchanting read that will appeal to fans of fantasy, folklore, and character-driven narratives. Heather Fawcett has crafted a tale that celebrates the magic of the natural world and the wonder of discovery. Emily Wilde is a heroine for the curious and the brave, reminding us that the pursuit of knowledge is a journey filled with both peril and enchantment. This novel is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt the allure of the mystical and the unknown.

Emily Wildes Encyclopedia of Faeries is such an enchanting and cosy book perfect for winter reading.
This book has a fantastic host of characters who'll fall into your affections in some shape or form.
Emily Wilde and her trusty dog Shadow are on a research project in Ljosland for her book ; Emily Wildes Encyclopedia of Faeries, and haven't gotten off to the best start. After unknowingly insulting the head woman of the village, her accommodation is less than inviting, and she can't even swing an axe to chop her own firewood. When her colleague Wendell Bambleby turns up on her doorstep with his two assistants, Emily questions the reasoning for him to decide to accompany her. Bambleby seems to know much more about the fae than he lets on, and Emily has her suspicions about him.
As Emily starts to get somewhere with her research, people are taken by the fae from the village, and Emily sets out to get them back hopefully in one piece.
This was an enchanting, captivating, and funny book with some great surprises and loveable characters. My favourites besides Emilyvwere Poe, Shadow and Bambleby. I'll definitely be getting book 2 ASAP.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeriesis a cozy fantasy book set in 1909 that follows a grumpy Cambridge University professor specialized in dryadology—the study of faeries—as she goes to a remote village in Ljosland to document a mysterious type of faeries so she can finish writing an encyclopaedia of faerie lore she’s been working on for almost a decade. She’s soon joined by the charming Wendell Bambleby, her only friend—as she puts it—and fellow scholar, whose assistance will help her uncover the secrets of the faeries in that part of the world and their connection to the disappearances taking place in the village.

I’ve said before that low-stakes fantasy books aren’t my favorite, but after a year hearing so many fantastic things about this one, I had high hopes for it. I was fairly entertained at the beginning, especially once Wendell—the only character I liked—comes into the picture. But my interest waned in the second half to the point where I tuned out the story in the last few chapters. I see why a lot of people loved this book, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me and I won’t be picking up the sequels.

Ich habe das Buch nach etwa 2 Kapiteln abgebrochen, da mir der Schreibstil absolut nicht gefallen hat und die ganzen Fachbegriffe auf ein mal viel zu viel waren und man absolut keinen Durchblick mehr hatte

thankyou to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading Emily Wilde and meeting her! She's a very complex character, very strong minded and independent and I love that. The structure of the book was interesting, something I'm not used to and had to get used to over the course of reading it. Overall I really enjoyed the light academia and whimsical characters and i want to pick the next one up!

Emily Wilde Encyclopaedia of Faeries was so far one of my favourite reads of the year! Cozy, intimate, and unique fantasy in the world of unnecessary smut and terrible plots, this one stands out. Will definetely be reading the sequel!

I absolutely loved the world and the writing in this book. It was atmospheric, gripping and wonderful to experience. I also loved the magic, and how seamlessly woven it was in the fabric of the world and the story, so much so that it really felt like I was reading a historical fiction novel. I grew to love the characters, and Bambleby is just hopelessly hilarious. However, the plot in the last third of the book just lost me. It felt like a was reading a different story, from a different character, and I found it jarring. I will still continue on with the series though.