Member Reviews

I loved Emily's and Wendell's new adventure! Their dynamic is so fun to read about!
Emily's slowly warming up to people while Wendell keeps being his charming self.

Such a great cozy fantasty and I CANNOT wait for the next one!

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I really enjoy the Emily Wilde series and I cannot wait to dig into the third book. Emily is so matter of fact and to the outside can seem cold and uncaring but the little moments she has with the eccentric Wendel just become more special.
The scene towards the queen near the end was so easy to picture and I look forward to the fallout from it.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book!

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More cosy cottagecore fantasy

As we return to Emily Wilde's world of academia and fairies, we get more of the same, and that's nothing to sniff at. Returning to Cambridge after her adventures in Faerie, when her erstwhile Fae lord suitor Wendell Bambleby (that's more of a hobbit name, but never mind) starts to receive unwelcome visitors, Emily siezes on the chance to find a way for Wendell to regain his kingdom—in Austria. BUT, it's the most delightful cottageporn you'll ever read (that is, cottage, none of the other), and, of course, she has to dare the worlds of the Fae again on quest to save her lover.

Fawcett has worked out how to make the sophomore novel in a series work, that is, giving us more of the same, but deepening it. Both Emily and Wendell gain even more roundedness in this book, and their new companions, although less outré than in the first, are just as interesting, and will probably crop up in the next book. I thoroughly enjoyed the relative opaqueness of the pseudo-Victorian journalling and I'm looking forward to the next book already.

One to consume: four stars.

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I enjoyed this so much, I love how academia meets fantasy in this book. We get more new creatures and new land to discover, plus a threat in the form of Wendell’s family.

This book picks up with our favourite duo facing rumours and scrutiny plus the fairy threat from family members. I really enjoy the new dynamics as we gain new characters along for the journey, Emily’s neice adds wonder, excitement and slight naivety and Dr Rose adds conflict and growth to the story.

I look forward to book 3!

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A new book, a new story but with the same beloved characters. I liked how it followed a new adventure while still maintaining an overarching plot, tying in nicely with the encyclopedia of faeries and creating a good set-up for the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for giving me access to this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

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Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown for gifting me this early ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Emily & Wendell - what's not to love about them? I liked book two way more than book one, the amount of swooning and cuteness this book made me feel, illegal, and deep down simply sublime.

The cottage core in this book is real, even if they had some moments where I was actually scared of the folk in this book, but apart from that nothing gruesome. The only reason this isn't a 5 star is that the title mentions Emily's map of the Otherlands, but in the book the actual map wasn't actually taken into consideration for 95% of the time. Unlike book one where the encyclopedia was a main focus of the book (and like here was in the title) here the map wasn't much mentioned, which would have been nice seeing Emily with a few more scenes of her drafting the map.

Taking that out. I NEED BOOK 3. I NEED MORE WENDELL. How can I wait till January? It's so unfair that I could cry.

4.25⭐️ 0🌶️

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I love receiving ARCs from later books in series because it makes me read more of my tbr list that may have sat on my shelf for a while! This book was absolutely dreamy like a hug or a cup of hot chocolate, absolutely delightful cute fairytale vibes and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone!

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1000 STARS! I cannot recommend this book and series enough. I really love how focused and not whimsical Emily is, even though she is dealing with faeries. She's just so reasonable. I really think anyone who enjoy romantasy would like this book because even though it's a slow burn we are talking down bad for Emily throughout. With this being the sequel I liked the world expansion and some trickier plot lines that got flushed out. I am impatiently waiting for the next one!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

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This series continues to be an absolute triumph!

I was given an arc of this book, ahead of its UK paperback release.

Everything about this book felt like a natural continuation from the first, and I really enjoyed seeing Emily and Wendell's relationship develop. The introduction of new characters, particularly Rose and Ariadne, was a nice addition to the cast, and I loved seeing their interactions with Emily in particular. Emily feels like the perfect heroine, with just the right amount of flaws to make her feel both relatable, and likeable. Her dedication to her work fuels the plot, and I wish there were more characters like her!

As a sequel, this did lack some of the novelty the first Emily Wilde book held, but was still a hugely entertaining read. The cosy elements are all still there, and the worldbuilding only seems to strengthen as the series progresses. I will definitely be carrying this on with book 3!

If you enjoy a cosy fantasy, but with a few more sinister touches, this series is a great one to go for.

Books with similar vibes - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne, and A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft.

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Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the enchanting second novel in this whimsical series. I loved this book just as much as the first novel. The magical world building and storytelling is so charming and enjoyable to read.

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Any book that starts with ‘The foot would not fit in my briefcase, so I wrapped it in cloth and wrestled it into an old knapsack I sometimes carry with me on expeditions’ is almost guaranteed to be up my street, and so it proved with Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands.

I enjoyed it as much as the first book in this series, if not more as we get to know Emily and Wendell more and learn additional information about faerie lore and their worlds. It hardly took any time at all for me to remember what had happened in Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, and it was great to see a couple of characters reappear in this instalment. Emily’s narrative voice is a comfort to read, and I had a great time following the adventures of the motley crew in Austria. I hope it’s not the last we see of Snowbell, I have a soft spot for him!

The denouement is satisfying but left me wanting more - bring on the third book!

Thanks to Orbit and to NetGalley for providing me a copy to review.

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One of the joys of reading a series back-to-back is the comfort of returning to characters you’ve already grown fond of. "Emily Wilde's Map to Otherlands" felt like a warm hug or a hot cup of tea, bringing me back to the delightful world I enjoyed so much in the first book.

Emily is thriving after her previous adventures. With her encyclopedia published, she’s now working on a map of the faery lands—a true overachiever, and I love her for it! Wendell is right there with her, continuing their adventures together. Their dynamic is as charming as ever, filled with cutesy flirting and banter (though, let’s be honest, only one of them is really flirty).

I thoroughly enjoyed the new quests and adventures, along with the introduction of new characters to the expedition. It was also great to see familiar faces return from the first book (Poe, you still have my heart 💚). Watching the characters grow and evolve was a real treat.

The new village setting wasn’t quite as captivating for me as Hrafnsvik from the first book, but it still had its own charm.

Overall, I had a wonderful time with this sequel. It was cozy, exciting, and just the right read for an upcoming Autumn day.

4/5 ⭐

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Sunshine academia may have taken my heart and placed the previously loved dark academia because Heather Fawcett has done it again! It is magical, endearing and cosy in a way I cannot explain. Story building was perfection and as always the plot keeps you engaged from the get go.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a digital copy of this book in advance of the paperback publication.

I am so in love with this story and the world of Emily and Wendell. A not so cosy, quite haunting faerie world in which Emily is documenting the various magical kingdoms and their creatures. The characters are so gorgeously portrayed, the settings and world building is perfect. The entire book is *chefs kiss*, amazing.

I can’t wait for book #3 next year… will happily read an ARC of it 😏 if not will definitely be buying it!!!

Highly recommend this for any dark fantasy/ academia/ romantasy lovers, you will not be disappointed, absolutely lives up to the hype.

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This was a very worthy follow up to the first Emily Wilde book. You'll like this if you're a fan of cosy fantasy with lots of fantastic creatures and lore. Emily Wilde is a very loveable, unique character. She is a strong-willed Professor of Dryadology, or the study of Fairies and Folk, with little patience for other people... especially Wendell! Emily reminds me of a cross between Eleanor Oliphant and Temperance Brennan/Bones (TV version). Her relationship with Wendell is an absolute highlight of the books for me and I love reading their interactions. My only complaint about this book is that the final climax of the book seemed to resolve itself a bit too quickly and easily, I would have enjoyed a bit more tension and more time in the world of Faerie!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

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A worthy following story to the first book. I really enjoy this fantasy universe.
Synopsis :
Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore, and has catalogued many secrets of the Hidden Folk in her encyclopaedia with her infuriatingly charming fellow scholar, Wendell Bambleby, by her side.

But Bambleby is more than just a brilliant and unbearably handsome scholar. He's an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother, in search of a door back to his realm.

By lucky happenstance, Emily's new project, a map of the realms of faerie, will take them on an adventure to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambleby's realm, and the key to freeing him from his family's dark plans.

But with new friendships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors, and of her own heart.

My thoughts:
I fell in love with the story building in the first book and this one kept up that enchantment. And what I appreciate the most is that the romance doesn't overrule the storyline. All in all this was a great sequel and I can't wait to read the third book.

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Just as good as the first, I was not disappointed with this at all!

I love have fantastical Heather Fawcett’s writing is, it just feels so beautiful and I can’t put her books down once I start.

My favourite arc to date!

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The second installment was even more magical, inventive, and cozy than the first! It ticked all the boxes: engaging characters (one of the secondary characters introduced is the dean of Emily and Wendell's institure, and, as everyone working in academia knows, the elders in one's field can be a bit behind where new findings are concerned. But even here Fawcett gives us a heartwarming relationship between Emily and a newfound mentor that is build on respect and admiration for the other's work - all the hallmarks of caozy academia). The plot gets a bit convoluted at times, but OI think this only adds to the story when fairies are concerned. The romance is definitely dialled up in this one, but in such a way that it is neither cloying nor raunchy. I really cannot wait for the third book.

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Emily Wilde’s Map of Otherlands is an extremely adventurous, comforting and whimsical read. The action in book one ensues in this sequel when Emily and the gang from Cambridge visit an Austrian village near the alps and uncover even more mythical creatures! I love how these books are wrote in the style of a diary entry. It makes you feel so much more immersed in the story and the characters.

I learnt an extensive amount about Folk Lore whilst reading this book, but Heather executes it in a way that is still extremely entertaining whilst being educational.

This book is centred around the 4 main characters (Emily, Wendell, Rose and Ariadne) however I would have loved to see more of the local villagers involved in the action like they were in the first book. That being said, Poe from the first book did make a few appearances!

Emily & Wendell’s relationship is so incredible, the lengths that Emily goes to for Wendell in this book shows how much she loves him. I sincerely hope Heather carries on this series as I would love the see how their relationship blossoms (and hopefully see a faerie wedding!)

If you are looking for something easy to ready, autumnal vibes with a lot of folk lore and incredible action, then you need to read these books NOW!

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If you're looking for a cozy fantasy that will wrap you in warmth and charm, the Emily Wilde's series is exactly what you need. Map of the Otherlands is the second book and is an absolute delight, even better than the first book, brimming with whimsical worldbuilding and a refreshing take on the fae.

From the very beginning, the world that Heather Fawcett crafts is nothing short of enchanting. The fae in this series have a quirky, silly charm that sets them apart from the usual portrayals in fantasy literature. The author's attention to detail in creating this magical world is impeccable, making it feel vibrant and alive.

The pacing of the series starts on the slower side, gently easing you into the rich lore, however, as the story progresses, it gradually picks up the pace.

The characters in this series are, without a doubt, one of its strongest aspects. They are so wonderfully lovable, each with their own quirks and endearing qualities that make them feel like old friends. Emily Wilde herself is a standout protagonist—intelligent, determined, and so relatable.

What I personally love the most about this series is its ability to evoke a cozy, comforting feeling that lingers long after you've turned the last page. It's the kind of book that you want to curl up with on a rainy day, accompanied by a warm drink, and lose yourself in its magical world. The combination of whimsical worldbuilding, lovable characters, and a story that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside is a rare gem in the fantasy genre.

In short, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves cozy fantasy. It's a series that will make you smile, laugh, and feel a little bit more magical. Highly recommended!

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