I enjoyed this more than the first book; it has more action and more character development and although could possibly be read as a standalone, there are plenty of call backs to the first book in the series. I really enjoyed the two core plots in this one; the mystery of the nexus and finding Wendell's door. They are both big plotlines which unfortunately left me feeling the third act was a little rushed but I still enjoyed it as well as the slightly darker tone.

Although Emily has taken on some of the lessons she learned in book one she hasn't become a different person and is still very much the grumpy in this grumpy/sunshine cosy academic fantasy. I love Wendell; he just leaps off the page and makes the perfect counterpoint to Emily's drier style. Although the romance develops in this, it is not at the forefront of the story and works well in the narrative of Emily's journaling format. Their banter is a definite highlight and Wendell's dialogue made me laugh. I hope we spend more time in Cambridge in the next book too as seeing Wendell and Emily together on campus was quite sweet.

A strong sequel in a delightful series. I loved that we got to delve into Wendell's kingdom and that its horrors were so terrible that Emily sometimes couldn't write them down to describe. The chapter written by Wendell is once again fantastic, and his offence to Emily's horror is hilarious. This is a real gem of a series with a great structure, (it has footnotes! I can't resist a fantasy book with footnotes) creepy fae and cosy vibes, even with all the horrors. This sequel stands up well to the highs of the first, and I can't wait for the next one.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I could read endless books about Emily and Wendell! I loved Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and the sequel was just as delightful! It manages to strike the perfect balance between cosy fantasy and a darker undercurrent with dangerous faerie creatures.

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands sees Emily, Wendell and their companions head to Austria as part of Emily’s research mapping the faerie kingdoms. But the primary focus of the expedition is the search of a nexus, a portal to multiple worlds, which will lead them into Wendell’s kingdom - an increasingly urgent task due to several assassination attempts on Wendell. As this takes primary focus, the sequel moves away from the more scholarly focus of the first novel and interactions with the locals although it still retains the journal format with academic footnotes.

Emily and Wendell’s dynamic is charming and always makes me smile. The strong friendship built in the first novel adds greater depth to their relationship here. Emily is still her curt, socially awkward self but her growth over the course of the two novels has her opening up and displaying more emotion and affection with others. The sequel is also more romance forward but it poses questions about how the two can reconcile their backgrounds for a future together (fingers crossed). Wendell, as always, is entirely loveable - and a cat person!

While the stakes are higher, the trials the group face are all dealt with pretty conveniently (Emily is a genius after all and Wendell a fairy king) but I loved exploring the new location, characters and fae creatures (yes, I found the blood thirsty fox creatures cute).

The world Fawcett has created feels so real and warm and dipping into these stories is a comfort. I have a feeling book three will be even bigger and I can’t wait!

Thank you so much to Orbit for the eARC!

I am a bit of a latecomer to jump on the Emily Wilde bandwagon as Encyclopaedia of Faeries was my first read for 2024, but now I am absolutely hooked.

Emily Wilde is like a twee Edwardian Indiana Jones: half grumpy curmudgeony professor; half adventurer; all action with practical to-do lists and enviable, mad-journaling skills. Heather Fawcett has created such a delightfully magical and enchanting world. Map of the Otherlands was absolutely adorable and a lot of fun. It was the perfect rainy day read. I could honestly read a dozen books set in this wonderous world.


<spoiler>
However, there was an awful lot of foreshadowing about the potential death of one of our fae-adventure-crew (yes, dogs are totally included in squad headcounts). I was gnawing my nails down waiting for it to happen in Otherlands, and I'm going to bawl my eyes out if it happens in the next book.

I REALLY hope there is some faery or grim lore about Black Hounds being immortal and at the end of one "life" they immediately combust in a puff of brimstone and turn into tiny wee balls of fluff and fangs ready to start the regeneration cycle anew. Please Heather Fawcett, make it so and don't break our hearts. </spoiler>

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Heather Fawcett for the advanced copy of this book.

I put off reading this for a couple of weeks after I was approved the ARC as I loved the first one so much and didn't want to find that the second one was a disappointment, but actually, I loved it even more than the first one.

It had the same cosy vibes but felt more exciting and slightly higher stakes than the first one. I absolutely love Emily and came to love her fairy king more in this book.

Whimsical, academic settings with a cosy little adventure that includes many fairy miscreants. Looking forward to seeing where we go with book 3!

Ah, this series just puts a smile on my face.
The humor and the banter mixed with ferociousness and darker vibe of the fae folk, journal entries of scholarly curmudgeon, the vain Howl-like fae lord and a nonstop adventure.
It's just a charming, wrapped-in-a-blanket-with-a-cup-of-tea, cozy delight.

The second book takes Emily, Shadow and Wendell to Alps where Emily suspects they may find a fairy door that will lead to Bumbleby's realm. It is more than necessary to find them since Wendell's mother tried to assassinate him at Cambridge and the encounter affected him more than he lets on. They are joined, against their wil,l by her nice Ariadne and a rival professor Rose on this expedition who both want to be present for the possible breakout dryadological discovery since the village St. Liesl in Alps is also where famous Danielle De Grey disappeared.

I actually mentioned De Grey in my review for the first book as someone I want to find out about more which I guess just proves how invested I am in footnotes. They infused the worldbuilding with so much fun and indeed, the gravity because Fawcett never lets us forget that faeries are dangerous and there is a lore or an event that advise caution when dealing with them. This is one of the biggest reason this series is so appealing to me: it's cozy and charming, but cloaked in duality of wonder and horror and the other-worldliness of fae folk which makes the stakes high.
And yes, it's what makes the romance which should be easy to root for considering how lovable Wendell is, that much intriguing. Emily is, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, still risk-prone, but perhaps a little more experienced and thus, wiser. I adore both of them. Additions of Ari and professor Rose is welcome because they, each in their own way help develop Emily's character further. I especially liked Fawcett showed how deep and loving her connection to Shadow is. Emily is definitely less grumpy and antisocial than she was in previous book and you have a feeling it's because of her experience in Hravsnik.
The overall mystery of disappearances in Alps and looking for fae doors was perhaps not as exciting or creepy as it was in previous novel, but the story around Wendell and the ending got me really excited about the next one.

So, in case you wondering if Fawcett can repeat the magic from Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, rest assured. She has a firm grip on these characters and this world and she has a lot more adventures for Emily up her sleeve.
Recommended; this book is just as good as the first one, if not better.
This entire series is so enjoyable and cozy Wendell wouldn't have anything to fuss about.
It's so charming it would tease a smile even from Emily.
It would please any fae as an offering.
:)

'Map of the Otherlands' is the sequel to Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. It
initiates right away as the first volume ends and things are still very prickly when comes to Emily's refusal of marriage. Poor Wendell... But new adventures are afoot! Will this pair of lovebirds survive all that will came to their way? And will their love thrive even amidst all the banter, mysteries and magic?
Read the book and you will find out.
I highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley this ARC.

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
Publication date: 18 January 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde and her fellow scholar and former rival, Wendell Bambleby, must uncover their secrets before it’s too late.

In this book, Emily proves she's no damsel in distress; she's capable, knowledgeable but she's also so very stubborn! I still like her, though, and her banter with Wendell is still good fun.
This was a bit more action-packed than the first book (Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries), with some exciting fight scenes, but I think the writing was still slightly chaotic in places. I also wish the Danielle de Grey storyline has been more fleshed-out; it was supposed to be a great, decade-long mystery, almost legendary and yet, it was resolved in no time at all, seemingly without too much trouble. That was a bit disappointing.
But this is still overall a delightful, cosy fantasy with lovely characters and lovely descriptions of scenery. Just like the first book, I spent a lovely time in the company of our intrepid academics (and a grim named Shadow! 🥰)

I had the best time reading this book. I love the relationship between Emily and Wendell and their interactions make me laugh. This is such a cozy, whimsical story full of so much adventure!

The first book had a found family aspect but this book was more focused on the two main characters and it allowed me to understand each character really well. This series is so unique and you really never know what is going to happen next.

When reading this book you kind of get lost in this magical world full of so many mysteries and possibilities.

I am looking forward to the next book!!

Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the chance to read this early!!!

This book certainly did not suffer from middle book syndrome - it was totally fab!

I was so glad to be back with the grumpy/sunshine pair, Emily and Wendell and of course, Shadow! There's also 2 new additions to the gang, Emily's niece Ariadne and Dr Farris Rose!

Emily finds herself on another quest and this time to help Wendell and also to complete her book on the map of faeire realms but it doesn't all go to plan!

Although historical and cozy still, I think this book was a bit darker than the first book (which I was here for!) and there was more romance - Wendell stole my heart in book 1 and he kept hold of it for this book as well!

This was such an addictive read and I especially loved the footnotes of Emily's journal and, of course, Wendell's contribution!

Book 3 please (and I'd love more Poe!!)

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett: 5⭐️

I hardly know where to begin. First of all thanks to Netgalley for allowing me access to this ARC!

What a thrilling sequel!!! My only gripe with the previous book was its pacing, the set up was a bit slow for me but then my goodness did it fly from there! This one, however, did not let me go from end to end - I felt like Fawcett’s words had dragged me into Faerie!

This book is perfectly escalated and I really enjoyed the development of Wendell and Emily’s relationship, the cheeky comments and banter between the two is so natural and easy that you really get swept up in it all.

I also particularly enjoy the way Faerie just throws up more questions. You feel in the safe hand of Emily Wilde, an innovative and constantly curious dryadology scholar but despite her intellect, she is constantly discovering something new! You never feel like you’ve learnt everything there is to know, Fawcett’s Faerie is endless, just as it should be.

I’m really lost for words, I enjoyed this book so thoroughly (though I knew that I would) that I have no doubt i’m going to hit a slump after this 😅. Please can everyone read these books?!?!?

This was a perfect sequel to Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. I thought Emily and Wendell's relationship developed so beautifully this time around. the new characters, Rose and Ariadne, brought new dynamics to the research expedition and I found that I started to enjoy their company the more I read.
I loved the concept of De Grey missing in Faerie, I though it added an extra complexity to the story line and an extra level of problem solving Emily to delve into.
Emily's wonderfully expressive narration continues to make to me love her character and Heather Fawcett does an excellent job at finding her voice. Once again, I am glad that we get to hear some of Wendell's thoughts this time around. Their relationship is beautifully written.
Looking forward to the third book in the series!

𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞'𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐰𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐭 (spoiler free review).

The gang's back and Emily on another adventure. This time the team back trying to find Wendell's door and the mysterious disappeance of De Gray.
I love being back in this world. I love the dialogue of the characters. I love Wendell dry sarcasm (my kind of guy) which was so funny and inappropriately times. And Emily's perculiar ways.
We meet some new faces and and see some old ones and we dive back into the land of the faeries. I had a really good time reading this and I'm so excited for whats next to come.

There is a romantic aspects which I adore and it was so so sweet but is also a side plot. The book is set out similar to book one, like a journal for Emily's academic finds.

I highly recommend this one to those who love a cozy chill fantasy- and fans of
- legends & lattes
- the very secret society of irregular witches
- the house in cerulean sea

In this second instalment in the Emily Wilde series, Emily and Wendell find themselves on a new adventure. This time, they travel to the Austrian Alps to look for a nexus, a type of door that connects to more than two places and will allow Wendell to return to his realm. They are accompanied by another one of their colleagues and by Emily’s niece, Ariadne.

This series portrays the folk as dangerous tricksters you shouldn’t cross. Yet despite the presence of fae assassins and species that would devour humans if given a chance, the easily maintains an overall cosy and whimsical feel. It continues with the journal format and all the footnotes Emily likes to add – a format I thoroughly enjoyed. The continuation of the romance between the two protagonists was spot on, and Emily’s dry remarks and wit, particularly in her interactions with Wendell, were an absolute highlight.

I can’t wait to see how this series continues – an instant favourite!

"Map of the Otherlands" by Heather Fawcett is a stellar sequel that takes the magic to a whole new level. The enchanting journey through this whimsical world is packed with even more captivating creatures than the first book – a true fantasy lover's dream. It's not just a story; it's a delightful experience filled with charm and wonder.

What sets this book apart is the significant growth in character development and relationships. Emily Wilde evolves from an academic to a more understanding individual, adding a genuine touch to her character. The relationships between characters deepen, and the introduction of new characters injects a fresh dose of charm into the narrative.

Beyond the magic and fantasy, the book also brings in humor, making it a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable read. The witty moments are perfectly woven into the enchanting tapestry of the story, providing a delightful balance.

As the plot unfolds, we get more glimpses into Emily's family and Wendell's mysterious past, unraveling layers that add depth to the overall narrative. It's not just a sequel; it's a continuation that enriches the story, making it even more engaging for those invested in the characters.

In conclusion, "Map of the Otherlands" is not just a book; it's a magical adventure that exceeds expectations. Heather Fawcett has crafted a world that's not only mesmerizing but also heartwarming and humorous. For fans of faeries and fantasy, this is a must-read. It's a charming escape into a fantastical realm, and I wholeheartedly recommend it for a delightful and magical experience.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THIS.

Let me just say: Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia Of Faeries was one of my favorite reads of 2023. High up in the Top 5 even. So to be fair I came with high expectations.

This book just didn't do the same for me. I don't know why. Don't get me wrong, it's still a really lovely and whimsical book. But I just wasn’t as enchanted and it took me half the book to really get back into the story.

Of course the writing style is still beautiful. But I felt like it was just a little less poetic than in the first book.
Of course I still love Emily and Wendall. But their banter just didn't feel as natural this time around.

Seeing all the other positive reviews, I am starting to think that I just wasn’t in the right mood, though.

MAYBE IT'S ME NOT YOU, EMILY!!! I'M SORRY!!! I am coming back for you at some point to verify and I'm still looking forward to the third book.

Special shoutout to Poe, this cute little faerie has my heart forever and ever.

3.5/5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a fantastic follow-up from the first one, and in my opinion, better than it!

Here, we follow Emily and Wendell again a few months after the last book. Without giving too many spoilers, they find themselves in need to leave the comfort of Cambridge University and head to the alps to find a fairy door, which of course leads to all manner of chaos.

What i like with this one is we have 1 overarching story, rather than the first book that seemed to be lots of shorter stories that added to the overall plot. We see the introduction of new characters - i particularly liked Snowbell - and the relationship between Emily and Wendell finally develops into a romance.

Emily is still headstrong and stubborn, and I enjoy that she sticks to her guns and doesn't listen to anyone. Wendell, whilst spoilt and lazy at times, has a roguish charm to him, and I love his interactions with Emily, who holds him accountable for his behaviour when he is difficult.

I did struggle at times to keep up with the plot, mainly as it is in journal format, and sometimes Emily skims over the details, but overall, i enjoyed the cosiness of this book. The landscapes are described vividly. My only main critique is i want more details of the fae that are encountered so I can imagine them better!

Ahhhhhhh this book was everything!!!

I love this book more than I did with the first book, which I didn't know if I would when I started. This book was so wholesome and had such an interesting plot I was hooked. For me, Emily was incredible to read about in this book, compared to where she was in book 1. She was a force to be reckoned with, quite literally after poisoning the queen for her man. Ugh, I love it. How she and Wendell come to each other's aid but also give each other a reality check is so refreshing and cute to see.

I love how Emily is with the faerie folk, at one point I found it amusing when she has another one be besotted with her. She really was collecting them all like pokemon. I can't wait for book 3 to see how Emily and Wendell are doing now they are back in Wendell's kingdom.

4.5 stars

This book was so good!! It's magical and fantastical, and I adored every minute of it.
If you liked book one, let me tell you, you're in for a treat!
This whimsical story will capture you from start to finish.
I love the slow burn romance between these grumpy-sunshine couple but also the friendships they get along the way.
I love Emily's relationship with her niece. How it grew and how both benefit from it.
I have to say I liked this more than book one too because at times it got gritty and you didn't know what's going to happen (the twists were amazing and also unpredictable!!)
Overall, this was fantastic, and now I can't wait for the next chapter in Emily's story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review .

𝔼𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕪 𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕖’𝕤 𝕄𝕒𝕡 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕆𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕤 was an absolute joy to read and I’m so pleased to say that I loved it just as much as the first book ✨📖

We join Emily and Wendell (and Shadow too, of course 🫶) as they search for the faerie door that will lead them back to Wendell’s kingdom. The journey takes them to the Austrian Alps and, just like in the first book, the descriptions of the scenery and local villages are so brilliantly video that you feel as if you’re right there too!

No spoilers for this one but I feel like the stakes were even higher this time and the romance was 👌❤️ I loved how fast-paced the last few chapters were after the slightly slower start to the book (no complaints on that though, it fits perfectly with the research and exploration the gang were doing).

I would recommend both books in the series to fans of romance with academia and also fantastically whimsical vibes! 🌙📚

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @orbit for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!

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