Member Reviews

2/5 stars! This is the second installment in the Emily Wilde series by author Heather Fawcett. I really disliked the first book, but was hoping this one would be a better fit for me. Unfortunately, the same issues that plagued the first book remained. It still felt like the author was trying to prove how smart she is to readers by putting in unnecessarily dense comments and Emily continues to be uppity and unlikable to me. A lot of other people seem to like the series though, so hopefully it is a better read for them.

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I really love the idea of these books, however the 'romance' between Emily and the MMC is not there. To be married but no romance was dire. I have to give up with this series.

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Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands is a delightful follow up that builds on the quiet charm of the first book! With its cozy atmosphere, enchanting fae lore, and gentle sense of adventure, this sequel is absolutley perfect for readers which enjoy immersive world-building and character focused storytelling!!! This book may not appeal to those looking for a fast-paced and action-heavy plot. But if you enjoy reading thoughtful fantasies full of whimsical detail, you will absolutely find this sequel a satisfying and magical journey!!!

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A lovely afternoon of escapism spent reading this whimsical tale. "Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries" enchants readers with its delightful blend of fantasy and academia. The protagonist, Emily, is a captivating character whose scholarly pursuit of faeries is both humorous and endearing. The book shines through its imaginative world-building, vividly portraying faerie folklore that captures the reader’s imagination. The narrative's whimsical tone, coupled with clever dialogue, keeps the story engaging and light-hearted. Though some plot points unfold predictably, the charm of the characters and rich detailing of faerie lore ensure an enjoyable journey.

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Aside from the character development which I really appreciated, I just felt that for me, the story was too lacking in plot and pace. These books have such beautiful covers and I always find the blurbs intriguing but sadly I think I need to accept this series isn’t for me. I know plenty of people who adore these ones - I’m just not a cosy fantasy girlie it seems.

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Emily's second adventure, this time on the snowy slopes of the Austrian Alps and in a complex fairy realm.
Emily's life is never boring. In addition to the fact that her relationship with Wendell is now completely different than in the previous book, there is the small problem that Wendell's mother has found out that he is looking for a door and obviously feels threatened, as she sends her henchmen to eliminate Wendell.
So they go to check out the rumor that one of the possible doors is in Austria and in addition to the unhelpful locals, Emily's niece has also smuggled herself along on this trip. She is prone to get into trouble at any opportunity, but at the same time is still sharp enough to sometimes get Emily out of trouble.
When they finally go to fairy realm, they don't know exactly where they will end up, whether it is the door that will take them to Wendell's realm, or which fairy is waiting for them on the other side. Anyway, Emily manages to notice the important things in all this chaos, get lost, meet people she doesn't want to or shouldn't meet, and...

A very good series. The books keep getting more and more exciting and cute and humorous.
Book three, here I come!

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Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is a beautifully written, enchanting adventure that perfectly mix folklore and magic. The worldbuilding is rich, the fae are delightfully mischievous, and Emily’s character growth is compelling. With its mix of whimsy, mystery, and slow-burn romance, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy fantasy!

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5.0/5.0

I continue to be obsessed by the magic woven into the writing of these books - so charming and whimsical.

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Love this series! Cozy, witty, and romantic. I love the world the author has created and the character growth.

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Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reader copy! I absolutely love this series and find each book to be such comforting and easy reads - the perfect stories to snuggle up with in bed while enjoying one’s favourite hot beverage.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I LOVE this series. The world building is fabulous and the characters are very lovable and flawed enough to be interesting. I’ll eagerly await the 3rd book. Highly recommended!

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I enjoyed Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands even more than the first book. The banter between Emily and Wendell is at its best as their relationship evolves, and their personalities develop. It was also a pleasure to meet new characters helping Emily and Wendell on their quest. I especially liked Emily’s niece, Ariadne.

As the title suggests, this sequel delves deeper into the lore and folklore of this world and introduces us to new creatures and new lands. On the other hand, as was already the case with book 1, I found the pacing a bit inconsistent, especially towards the middle. I can’t wait to see where Emily and Wendell’s next quest takes them in the next book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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This book has evolved Emily! I enjoyed this one more than book one. I no longer felt like Emily was a little 'scatter-brained'. The stakes were much higher than in the first book but the book continued to match the pace with the blanket of magic, charm and hot-cocoa vibes I've come to love and expect.

Emily and Wendell's relationship blossoms and I love the back and forth that is woven throughout their relationship and journey. I'm so excited to see what comes next!

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First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore this series so far. The descriptions, while done from a scientific standpoint for the sake of Emily's journals, are beautiful and imaginative. The new characters are almost as great as those from the first book.

Wendell and Emily's relationship with one another progresses in this book and I do enjoy Emily coming to grips with her feelings. I love how matter-of-fact Emily is.

I just love how cosy this series is on the whole, I'm annoyed it took me so long to start this series, but I'm so glad I'm reading it now.

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Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is a delightful sequel that effortlessly combines whimsy, adventure, and folklore.

Picking up after Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, this installment follows Emily and her charmingly exasperating colleague, Wendell Bambleby, as they dive deeper into the world of fae. Emily’s research takes her to even more dangerous and enchanting corners of the Otherlands, and the stakes feel higher than ever as the mysteries surrounding Wendell’s past begin to unravel.

The world-building is just as enchanting as in the first book, if not more so. Fawcett expands on the lore of the fae with stunning detail, crafting a world that feels ancient, magical, and a little bit dangerous. The mix of academic fieldwork and fairytale wonder is truly unique, making every new discovery feel like a treasure.

Emily is as stubbornly brilliant and endearingly awkward as ever, and her relationship with Wendell continues to be a highlight. Wendell’s humor and charm balance Emily’s no-nonsense attitude perfectly, and the slow-burn development between them is as satisfying as the magical mysteries they uncover.

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands is a cozy, clever, and magical read that’s perfect for fans of faerie tales and academic adventures. It’s the kind of book that leaves you feeling both enchanted and eager for more.

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Thank you so much to Orbit Books and Heather for the opportunity to arc review Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands!

Was anyone else on a nail-biting precipice opening this book? I haven’t had so many butterflies in my stomach opening a sequel book in a very long time. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries was one of my favourite top reads of last year. A sequel to a book that is charming, creative, and brimming with reader delights can only do two things – thrill or disappoint.

Heather Fawcett nailed the thrilling and delighting, fulfilling all my expectations! What a rollercoaster of a book! Map of the Otherlands is even better than the first book, which was a charming, whimsical treasure trove of wintry fantasy and heart-warming romance with a sprinkling of academic rivalry between Emily and Wendell. Map of the Otherlands ups the ante by adding a fast-paced race against time, a deadly curse, more fascinating creatures and lore, new locations, and fresh faces to the cast of support characters, along with old faithful Shadow and the fae-creature Poe.

The writing is spellbinding with compelling storytelling, layers of story that unfurl and interwoven with our folklore mythologies to create a multi-dimensional complex world of break-taking and vibrant dimensions. The originality of the narrative using the journalistic style of writing is a refreshing voice that spins the story in an entertaining, light, and self-reflection. I love we get points of voice from both Emily and Wendell, with very clearly different styles and attributes to their chapters.

The characters are sculptured like masterpieces, Heather Fawcett has magic with her words to make her characters from Emily Wilde’s books, come alive and step off the page as wonderfully 3-dimensional flawed human and fae beings. Everyone is uniquely different; every character is memorable even if they are a handful of times in the story their mannerisms, looks, and feel will be distinct, right down to their irritations.

Emily’s character is endearing, relatable, and such a boss-energy. You can’t help but relate and resonate with Emily’s personality; feeling her vulnerability, aching over her doubts, love her grumpy curmudgeon ways, and love how comfortable she is with her introverted nature, self-sufficient and awkwardness connecting with others (save for the loveable Shadow). I love Wendell is her complete opposite with his foppish bold, sunshine dynamic- happy-go-lucky personality, friend to all, and loveable laziness.

The dynamic between Wendell and Emily; their antics are off the charts adorable. He’s such a windup merchant but their banter and teasing add to their romance. How they spark off each other, reveals how deeply feelings lie on both sides. The exploration of Emily’s uncertainties about her feelings is a lovely complement to Wendell’s losing control (being powerless to stop it) and needing to rely on others, not his Fae magic. This need strengthens their growth of feelings and brings out a heart-melting element to their romance.

Bring on book three, I will be applying for an ARC as soon as I can and pre-ordering the book as soon as humanly possible! Then counting down the days in eager anticipation until I can hold it in my hands. Please go read Emily Wilde’s books, you won’t be disappointed!

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I absolutely adored Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands! This sequel was just as charming and magical as the first, with Emily’s dry wit and Wendell’s infuriatingly delightful presence keeping me hooked from start to finish. The story takes them on an epic adventure through the stunning Austrian Alps, and I couldn’t get enough of the fae folklore, new magical creatures, and, of course, the growing tension between Emily and Wendell. Their banter is top-notch, and I loved seeing their relationship evolve, especially as they both face some truly tough challenges. The world-building continues to be immersive, and the mix of cozy academic vibes with enough danger to keep things interesting was just perfect. I can’t wait for the next book!

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The second book in this delightful series and it was beautiful and magical! Emily Wilde and her scholar Wendell Bambleby are on another adventure, this time seeking out another way in to his faerie realm. The dynamics between them continued to be hilarious and I loved the light steps into a slow burn romance potential. The writing is poetic and I cannot wait for more!

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It's as charming as its predecessor, While the tone was more cohesive this time, I found the initial part a little frustrating, as Emily seemed to have taken a step backward in some ways (the frustration with Wendell and Ariadne wanting to clean their shared space, when they're not even asking her to help, for example), compared to the end of the first book, but once the action really started, it became gripping and charming at the same time, and the conclusion was very well crafted and just immensely satisfying in how all the pieces came together. The new fox-like fairies were delightful. I am really looking forward to the third book and the way it will change the stakes.

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Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Another beautifully written, whimsical and fantastical book in this magical world; I loved it.

I will forever adore Wendell and Emily, they're the perfect bookish couple and wonderful characters in their own right. There was a found family vibe to this book which, always a favorite trope of mine, was an appreciated angle. Rose and Ariadne were great additions to Emily's scholarly group and were just as well developed as the brilliant main characters.

As with the first book, the mortal and faerie realms were both written wonderfully- immersive and magical with delightful side characters and new, intriguing faefolk. It was also great to see some of the characters from the previous book popping up (Poe, I'm looking at you!)

Overall a cosy, lovely read. I'm excited to read the next one!

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