Delightful cozy fantasy which warmed my heart. Loved the cute romance as well. Perfect read for the winter time. Thank you for the arc.

This was such a fun magical read, i really enjoyed it. I had so much fun reading it 3.5! Would recommend.

This was such a refreshing faerie fantasy read! I loved following Emily, a hard-hearted meticulous scholar, who is very far off from the typical chosen one female protagonist that is drawn to the faerie kingdom to save the handsome prince, or somehing along those lines.

The story is told by Emily through entries in her research journal as she travels to a small northern village to study their faerie and complete the project that has taken up her last 10 years: the world’s first encyclopedia of faerie lore. I found it a little slow to start with but, once it got moving, it made up for an atmospheric and cozy low-stakes fantasy with intricate characters and a completely different perspective. It reads like a fairytale of its own.

I loved all the characters and cannot wait to read more about Emily and Wendell in the next book.

I found Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries to be a whimsical, delightful read. Fawcetts attention to detail in her folklore research really shows. The romance is cute and the story felt cozy.

I adored this book. It was such a cozy read for me, I loved all of the characters and the journal style of writing was different, but written in such an engaging way.

Emily is a loveable (if flawed) narrator and the side characters were so cute. I love banter between characters and her interactions with Wendell definitely fit the bill in this respect. I also loved meeting all the different folk.

The world itself is also very enchanting and immersive. As an Australian who rarely sees snow, reading of a wintery, snowy world always fascinates me and this book was no exception.

I can’t wait to read the sequel and dive back into this world. I’ll definitely be checking out Heather’s other works as well.

Disclaimer: e-Arc provided by Little Brown Book Group UK, Orbit, via Net Galley for Review. All thoughts are my own. My thanks to Orbit, for providing me with the arc for review.

Plot
Emily Wilde follows Emily who works in Academia and is an expert on Faeries. She visits a remote village to research the local faeries in the area. She is soon joined by her annoying colleague Wendell.

Rating
3.5 Stars

Thoughts
This book is fun. I found the magic system a bit convoluted at times for something that I thought would fall under the ‘cosy fantasy’ umbrella.

It falls somewhere between traditional fantasy and cosy fantasy. I would consider it to be a step above cosy fantasy books, and would recommend it if you liked the level of magic in ‘A River Enchanted’ by Rebecca Ross.

Overall, I am interested in picking up the sequel, but I don’t think I’m gonna rush out to read it.

Romantic, enchanting and a wildly original take on faerie lore, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries was a gripping wild ride through the eyes of a fastidious academic. I cannot wait to read the sequel!

Academia, the wild dark world of faerie, an arctic setting, and a scientific heart warmed by hearth fires, blossoming friendships, and slow-burn romance.

This book is so me, I can't believe it's took me so long to read i, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel.

The main character, Emily Wilde, is an introverted, inquisitive, intelligent academic writing the authoritative study of faeries, despite the distraction of her academic rival, and effortlessly charming Wendell Bambleby. The setting is cold, the faeries are shadowy, wild, and dark, if they are seen at all, so the book has an edge, a bite of chill against the cosy cramped quarters and firelight vibes.

I don't think it's a spoiler to mention that there's romance in the story, the blurb pretty much gives that away, it's very gentle, non-explicit, slow-burn romance. For me, it isn't entirely believable, but I don't tend to mind that, this is fantasy fiction, and I don't need my characters to have realistic love lives to still get excited for them and where they're heading. If I think about it too much, other than comments about his good looks (which do have context, so there is reason to comment on them), there isn't much else to explain why Emily develops feelings for him. There are no personality traits that she seems to like, or even come round to like, though a strong protectiveness is mentioned. Just putting that out there, because I know that some readers can't stand that, I quite like it, but I do wish there was just a little more to it that amazing hair and a daring rescue.

I always write more in my reviews about aspects I'm a little less fond of, because I really like to explain why they might have bothered me, or struck me, but despite that one small thing, I just loved this so much, so take that last paragraph as just as aside. I loved that Emily isn't an all-powerful, all-intelligent female character, she is strong in so many ways, clever, instinctively good, brave, but she also has flaws, those that she knows about - her social awkwardness, and those that she comes to learn about through the story. This is as more about her journey, than about the 'adventure' or 'romance' parts of the plot, and I think if you go into this expecting a traditional fantasy romance, where the fantasy world, or the romance, takes centre stage, then it might feel slow-paced to you.

As someone who also struggles in social situations, Emily's surprise and emotion when connections appear to be made, or kindnesses are shown, is something that really touched me, and I found myself welling up a couple of times.

I really loved the academic style, the footnotes, the stories, and the focus on Emily. A lot of research and thought has gone into this, and I highly recommend it. This is YA, but with a bit more to it than many I've read so far this year.

I'll be re-reading it this year as the nights deepen, and the cold sets in, and I can't wait for the next book!

If you want to know what it would feel like traipsing down a remote island searching for faeries, this is the book for you.

It's a cozy read and it's perfect to pair it with your hot chocolate.

I adored this book and it constantly made me feel like i'm wrapped up in a big warm hug, or on the couch with a hot chocolate blanket - i am ALL FOR COZY. The first sentance had me hooked and drawn in. I feel this story and polot are quite unique, with the author writing things well so that you can visualize what was on the page. The novel is presented in the form of a journal that documents expeditions, throw in some fun footnotes, and strong character voices pending on who's writing. The characters have great histories and a well thought out development across the book. Definitely a re-read and excited for book two!!!

3.5 This really was a cozy and comfortable read, perfect for the colder months. I immensely enjoyed the lore and the little stories we got throughout the book. My favourite part of this book were by far all of the side characters including Wendell. They gave the book this cozy and loving atmosphere that I enjoyed very much.

But Emily… I didn’t really like her that much? I found myself annoyed and irritated by her more than I would like from a main character. Especially the way she talked and treated the other humans made me dislike her because she felt ignorant and cold until very far into the story. Wendell might find that charming but I don’t.

But I still enjoyed the story and the different fairies we met (Poe 🥹) and look forward to going back into this world for the second book.

This book is wonderfully written. Worth the hype that's been around this book. I wondered how can a fiction be of journal type. But the writing was so good. I loved the cozy magical world I travelled in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I'll admit, I was a little unsure when I heard the entire book was written as a journal. That style of writing has never been my favorite, but the blurb for this one enticed me anyway.
This was an utterly delightful read, the perfect whimsical, cozy fantasy with magical and curious beasts, foolish and foppish faeries, and an unflappable mortal academic all traipsing through a wintery wonderland.

I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the likes of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - similar cozy mystery vibes, a real-world (but with added magic!) setting, and extremely likable characters. More books like this, please!

Everything about this book was perfection. I loved the format, the characters, the magic, and the banter. I didn't want it to end.
The romance, whilst a subplot, worked well in among all that was happening. I loved the slow pace of it brewing constantly in the background, and how rewarding it was at the end. I liked the side characters and the storylines they added to this world too.

This was my first time reading something by Heather Fawcett, and I couldn't stop raving to anyone who would listen as I did so. I highly recommend this book and will be checking out others written by the author.

I've really liked this book. I like this more scientific approach to faeries, as well as a bit unique main character. I could actually relate to her in a few ways.
The atmosphere was really magical and cozy, even though the plot wasn't necessarily such. I feel like it reads like a fairy tale for adults and I tend to really like these!

If you've read A Study in Drowning, I would recommend this book as they have shared the overall vibe in my opinion.

The only reason it isn't 5* is because I didn't necessarily like the teasing of the main character for some of her actions or attitude. I felt like it wasn't a two way banter in some cases and felt a bit icky sometimes.

“Herein I intend to provide an honest account of my day-today activities in the field as I document an enigmatic species of faerie called “Hidden Ones.” This journal serves two purposes: to aid my recollection when it comes time to formally compile my field notes, and to provide a record for those scholars who come after me should I be captured by the Folk.”

My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group U.K. Orbit for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries’ by Heather Fawcett.

Emily Wilde is the foremost expert on the study of faeries and is currently writing the world's first encylopaedia of faerie lore. She may be a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher, yet Emily Wilde is not very good when it comes to dealing with people.

In October 1909, she begins her latest fieldwork arriving with her canine companion, Shadow, on the Scandinavian island of Ljosland. All Emily is interested in is her research and has no intention of befriending the townspeople of Hrafnsvik. Still, it proves hard for her to ignore their offers of assistance.

Her peace is further disrupted when her dashing yet insufferable academic rival, Wendell Bambleby, turns up on the doorstep with a pair of his graduate students in tow. While her goal is to uncover the secrets of the Hidden Ones - the most elusive of all faeries - she finds herself on the trail of another mystery: who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want?

This novel was enchanting with its playful take on Edwardian academia. Emily Wilde peppers her journal with scholarly footnotes on the field of dryadology. It feels as though Heather Fawcett had great fun writing this faerie romp. I certainly enjoyed reading it.

Overall, I found ‘Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries’ a delight. It is beautifully written, well paced, and incorporated plenty of Scandinavian lore on elves, trolls, fairies, and other supernatural creatures into its narrative, including cautionary tales about human-Fae interaction. I felt that the romantic elements were well integrated into the plot without overwhelming the fantasy.

The next book in the series, ‘Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands’ will be published in January 2024 and I can hardly wait.

4.5 stars.

Really enjoyed the book and the overall story arch. Up to the 65% mark I was loving everything, even the characters who were initially unlikable. The side characters and the setting itself felt so real and so easy to understand.

Then at around the 65% mark a couple of things happened that really gave me the ick, they weren't major but felt like the characters went from 0 to 100 in a situation rather than taking realistic steps in it, and honestly i'm just not about that.

After that point alot of plot was happening, that made the writing feel choppy but it felt stylistic and like a choice, however at that point I wasn't enjoying it quite as much all I could think was give us a second pov so we the reader can understand whats going on here.

To me we then had our major issue we had to solve and get away from and the solution to me seemed very obvious and it wasn't even the way they solved it and it was disappointing how they did with how clever our characters are.

Unfortunately I then felt like the story just ended, we were about to do something, then done. Although everything was technically wrapped up it didn't feel it to me.

Now I loved the characters, our setting, poe and the dog. and felt like overall it was a great time but due to the few things that I didn't like I couldn't give it 5 stars so 4.5 stars it is but i'm very excited about the sequel and to see where we end up going in the next story.

Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cosy historical fantasy with whimsical faeries and rivals to lovers romance, taking place in the 1900s.
Emily is a grumpy scholar studying faeries when she needs to make a research trip to the Nordic village of Hrafnsvik to write her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. However, her rival/frenemy and fellow Cambridge scholar, the charismatic Wendell, also joins her on this trip.
However there is dark magic in Hrafnsvik and secretive villagers as Wendell and Emily must work together to uncover the mystery of the Hidden Ones (the most elusive of all faeries).
Overall, this was a cosy, romantic, fantasy with some light academia vibes (and a magic dog!) and I really liked it!

𝐸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝒹𝑒’𝓈 𝐸𝓃𝒸𝓎𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓅𝒶𝑒𝒹𝒾𝒶 𝑜𝒻 𝐹𝒶𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 - 𝐻𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝐹𝒶𝓌𝒸𝑒𝓉𝓉

Emily Wilde, a faerie expert, visits Hrafnsvik, an unfriendly village, to research the elusive Hidden Ones. She’s not fond of the villagers or her handsome academic rival, Wendell Bambleby. While uncovering faerie secrets, she’s drawn into Wendell’s mysteries and her own heart’s desires.

This book isn’t one I thought I would pick up but I am so so glad I did. In a genre often filled with doom and gloom, “Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries” offers a refreshing, humor-infused take on the fantasy genre. It’s a heartwarming and humorous journey into a world where enchantment meets laughter, making it a must-read for those seeking a magical escape with a good dose of comedy. Wendell and Emily’s relationship was such a stand out to me, her straight to the point attitude mixed with his pampered princess act was so well thought out.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for my copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly didn't get to review this book in time, however I will definitely benrrading in the future as from what I've seen and heard about this book it is definitely something I am interested in and sounds perfect for me

Anyone who knows me will also know that I tend to run from anything that gets described with words like 'whimsical' or 'heart-warming', as this is usually (for me at least) the kind of vocabulary that covers more saccharine attempts to play on the emotions of readers. So, I was a little sceptical about this book and unsure how it would work for me, only to be pleasantly surprised, especially partway through when some of the plot started to unwind.

Our basic premise is that it's the story of the eponymous Professor Wilde, who doesn't really get on well with most people and focusses instead on her study of the fae. One of the people she doesn't get on well with is one of her colleagues, the perenially sunny Bambleby, who always seems to land on his feet and finds accolades falling into his lap while Emily struggles to get anywhere. All in all, pretty much describing academia of the period in which the book is set and maybe even still today.

Having set off for a set of distant islands to further her studies, Emily is understandably less than impressed when Bambleby turns up, though the plot progresses a bit more when something she'd suspected about him turns out to be true and the fae of the islands take more of an interest than is entirely healthy. All in all, it's an entertaining enough read and sufficiently so that I'll probably check out the sequel if I can easily get my hands on it - 4 stars probably flatters it a little but 3 stars seems a bit mean, so there we are.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.