Well written and captivating, the story behind Map of the Otherlands brought whimsy to it's diary entry-based design. I did feel somewhat lost upon realising that this was a sequel to a series I'd never read before, but I caught on quick enough to not get entirely disjointed from the plot.

This is fantasy and is the sequel to Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies.

After competing her encyclopedia, our female main character's next project is a map, but that becomes secondary to the fact that someone is trying to assassinate our male main character.

They both take another trip to a small village for research purposes - in one part to try and find out what happened to these 2 people who went missing 50 years ago, but also to try and find a door back to our MMC's homeland, to save him from his evil stepmother.

This was still enjoyable, although it does feel like a bit of a copy and paste from book one. The story is obviously told in the same way where it's her diary entries, but the whole setup of the story is essentially the same in both books.

Unusually, I think that I'd prefer more adventuring, less romance in these books as the 2 characters feel more like squabbling friends than romantic interests. This is a closed door romance.

And it does feel quite lazy to just skip over key parts of the story because the MC can't describe/look at/remember things when it involves the fae. It results in the wrap up of the plot being quite half hearted - why would you write your key diary entry while practically unconscious and then never go back to it?

3.75 stars. I'm not sure this should have been a series, and might have been stronger as a standalone.

Absolutely amazing. I love the whimsy of the story world that Fawcett has created. I find that the conflict is often resolved very quickly at the end of the story, but as someone who isn’t much of an action fan and prefers to focus on the character dynamics this works really well for me. The way the book is written as a series of diary entries makes it feel much more personal and really connects the reader to Emily. Wendell Bambleby is still the most enigmatic and entertaining book boyfriend. He’s like Cardan Greenbriar, Howl Pendragon and James Potter rolled into one.

I did not think that Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia could be equalled and certainly not topped but I must admit that I was wrong because Map of the Otherlands was everything that I could have wished for!

The book has all the things that I loved from the first book- diary entries, light academia, whimsy, awkward interactions, fairies but it's also grown and changed as you'd expect Emily and Bambleby are the same but they've grown and it was wonderful to see the relationship change- can confirm Emily is still painfully awkward and her interactions are heartwarmingly uncomfortable and Bambleby is always effortlessly chaotic and dramatic.

We are also introduced to some new characters in this book who absolutely bring a new dynamic and made me giggle especially one of their absolute disdain for Bambleby, and I loved that we had teh return of some of my favourites from book 1. This installment gives us an insight in to the Otherlands and also has a bit of a mystery that runs through it- what I also loved is that we have the ongoing saga of Bambleby and his family.

It's very difficult to give an outline without some spoilers but if you loved book one you will devour this, also this isn't the end I went in to this with some sadness thinking I need to make this last but there's more coming and I cannot wait!!!

DNF. i will attempt picking this book up at a later date but had to put aside for now as the plot was very slow moving for me. i’ve left it at a 3 stars as i understand the plot is supposed to follow as a diary and the genre of the book is cosy fantasy, but it doesn’t suit my personal preferences.

I definitely enjoyed this more than the first in this series!! But I am a little bit baffled by the fact that it’s a trilogy, rather than a duology! It’s really interesting in the way that there isn’t a main plot across the series all together, but little plots per book.

This series should not be categorized in Romantasy (just in case it is) as if you removed the romance there would be a plot that could stand up on its own. I realize I’m not a Picasso with my words, but I hope you understand what I mean.

I loved how Wendell’s and Emily’s relationship progressed, as it felt a little bit rushed in book one. The one thing that felt a little lack-luster was Aradne’s (sorry if I got the name wrong), Emily’s niece, inclusion in the story. It felt as though she was included just to show emily’s unforgiving, relentless side. Other than that her character didn’t do much.


I will definitely be reading the third installment of this series! Thank you for the e-arc!!

This author doesn't disappoint. I was super excited to read the sequel to one of my favorite reads of last year and I totally enjoyed it.
Emily is still such a delightful character. Reading from her pov is always beautiful and so fun. The romance is still charming and sweet as ever. I adored the banter in this one.
And I also appreciated the new characters. They added layers to the story and I found them to be lovely.

To be honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book. I did enjoy my time reading it but I just wasn't as obsessed with it as most of my social media friends. The reason for that was mostly because I wasn't invested in Emily and Wendell as characters and even less in their romance. I found Emily's journal entries to lack some emotion - which is why the second book really took me by surprise. I LOVED Emily's journal entries. Maybe because I already knew her voice or maybe I was just more in the mood for it now, I can't really explain it. But suddenly I found our main character very funny and endearing and was wholeheartedly rooting for her and Wendell. Their journey in this book was just as exciting as the one in the first book, maybe even more. I really like where the series is going and I can't wait to see what the future still holds for these two characters (and the secondary characters that grew on me too).

I enjoyed reading this book. Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read it

4,5 STARS - eARC - My opinion in this review is independent of receiving the review copy and is based on my honest assessment.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into the second installment of Heather Fawcett's trilogy, "Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands," and I must say it exceeded my expectations, even surpassing the first book in the series.

The seamless continuation of the story shortly after the events of the first book makes it essential to read them in order. I believe that reading the initial installment enhances the overall reading experience, providing a richer context for the narrative.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to draw readers in effortlessly. The characters we were introduced to in the first book undergo significant development in this sequel, adding an incredible layer of depth to the narrative. In essence, "Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands" not only maintains the momentum set by its predecessor but elevates the series to new heights.

I wholeheartedly recommend reading the first book before delving into this one to fully appreciate the intricacies of the plot and savor the evolving characters. Fawcett's storytelling prowess continues to shine, making this a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre. I eagerly anticipate the release of the third book in the series and can hardly wait to see where the story takes us next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group
for providing the review copy!

This is such a great sequel to the first book - a comforting dose of cozy vibes, academia and fantasy. Prepare to snuggle up with this and a hot drink when you need a hug in a book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this arc!

I really loved this book, I loved following Emily and Wendell’s journey again and I felt this book was moving at a faster pace. I think the plot from beginning to end went at a very nice pace and felt like I really connected to the characters.

I cannot wait to see what Emily and Wendell get up to in their last instalment!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review!

Oh boy. This is how you write a sequel.

I ADORED this book! From the amazing new snowy location in the Alps to the hints of the first book with Poe and the hints of the Ljoslanders, everything was so wonderful. Emily and Wendell's relationship really evolved beautifully in this book with their friendship remaining the unshakeable foundation. I adored the new characters of Rose, Ariadne, and especially Snowbell.

I loved Wendell's insane void of a cat, and I continue to be Shadow's number one fan. (If anything ever happens to him, Heather Fawcett, you will be hearing from my attorneys).

I will leave you with this quote which is pretty much the definition of romance: "'Em, I must confess- I am in awe of you. I believe I am also a little frightened.'"

If you haven't read this series yet, you're crazy. Get a copy and make your life better.

Five stars. I want the next book right now.

This was a great sequel. It sank me back deep in the world of Emily Wilde. I loved many of the same things as I did from the first book, the science of it all and the fact that Emily’s character was an introvert and sometimes got cranky, which is rare to see in books!

It wasn’t quite as good as the first though that might be nostalgia talking. The first one had a cosy charm to the cabin that Emily and Bambleby were staying in that just sang to my heart. This one, though it came close, was just missing a tiny bit from the first book.

I still loved it so much though. While not quite hitting the high standards the first book left, it did still have plenty of charm and whimsy that contrasted nicely with the action and led it to be a beautiful book.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

So firstly this was such a beautifully drawn up world and the vibe of light academia and cosy fantasy was perfectly balanced for me. I loved the way that this was written as journal entries for Emily Wilde’s research and especially loved the addition of the footnotes. It made for such a pleasant reading experience.

The characters were fully formed in my mind and I really enjoyed the quest they went on, where I normally don’t enjoy books that centre around travelling to a quest for most of the story but this one was enchanting. The banter between Emily and Wendell was a personal highlight for me.

I will say, I read this thinking it was a standalone novel, having not been familiar with the first book in the series and honestly even then it reads so nicely as a stand-alone and the story and background the characters is done so well that you don’t really feel like you’re missing anything. I had simply presumed that the story had started in the midst of the drama as so many stories tend to. I will definitely go back and read the first instalment and also any later sequels. It was a truly enjoyable read.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

The first novel in this series was one of my favourite books of 2023. Naturally I was super excited for this release and it did not disappoint. It has the same charm as its predecessor and I can't recommend it highly enough. I love the academic vibes, the footnotes are wonderful, all characters are unique and these books are just a hug in book form. Thank you so much for this eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Cute book, but not gonna be a favourite. The sequel didn’t quite grab me as much as the first, but it was still a fun read. My biggest complaint is the plot began to feel repetitive but it’s also a relatively breezy read for a fantasy. If you’re looking for some grit and bite to your fantasy series, this won’t work for you but if you enjoy cosy, mystical fantasy with a sweet romance then this would be a great series to read.

[4.5]

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is a sequel to Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, where we once again follow Emily and Wendell in exploring the fae world and its' mysteries.

Much like the previous book, the sequel is cozy, humorous, with immaculate vibes and loveable characters. Not only Emily and Wendell get to shine, we also get 2 new side characters who both have a connection to Emily, and it was endearing to see how they grow closer together despite not getting along initially. Can't of course forget about Shadow, and a mysterious fae cat that makes an appearance!

I really enjoyed seeing Emily develop in this book. She is still the no-nonsense researcher that prioritizes results over all else, but she gets confronted with some of her choices, and I love to see that. Also, seeing her open up to Wendell was very endearing and I really enjoy their relationship. Wendell, of course, is the star of the show for m. Oh what wouldn't I do for this loveable, precious man-child.

I grew to really love this series, and this book solidified it as my comfort read along Howl's Moving Castle. I can't wait to see what the gang is up to in book 3!

Thank for Netgalley & Orbit for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

Having really enjoyed the first book in this series I was so excited to get the arc of this!

It does have a bit of a slow start but I loved seeing Emily & Wendell again and their chemistry together just makes me melt and giggle. I loved the storyline that the queen is sending assassins after Wendell, but it did kind of take a bit of the story away that Wendell was sick for a lot of it, even though he was able to use some of his powers. I am worried about their relationship once he takes back his throne - if he does.

I didn’t connect as much to the villagers this time round, but the setting in the mountains I could just imagine it around me and the new fae we encounter - along with a reappearance of Poe!! - were awesome and shows how diverse this world is.

Emily’s determination is on par with the first book and I like that she was able to get out of faerie even if it was quite difficult. I didn’t expect to like Rose very much but him & Ariadne really did add a bit more to the story.

Very interested to see the conclusion to this in the next book and see Wendell finally in his homeland.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC of Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands.
Ohhh, I loved this book. It's everything you'll want. More Emily and Wendell. I loved the chemistry of these two characters.
Emily now wants to write a map book. While also looking for the door to Wendell's realm. So they'll have to do fieldwork. But they have to be careful. Not only because Wendell was poisoned. On his birthday. But also because there are assassins on the loose. Assassins sent by Wendell's stepmother who wants to kill them. Oh and then there are also faeries....
Overall the book is really fun to read and it's a fast read.
I can't wait to read the third book in this series.