I would like to thank netgalley and Little Brown for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this and can't wait for book 3.

The second instalment of Heather Fawcett's rich, folklore-infused series, Map of the Otherlands was just as enchanting as book one: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. While I ended up loving Encyclopaedia of Faeries, I actually found this second book faster paced and immediately more enjoyable.



I don't always get on with novels formatted as journal entries. I sometimes find it incredibly limiting, though in this context the format works. It allows Emily to insert footnotes and information about her academic learning and findings which she would not naturally explain to the characters in the books, since they are often also scholars. 



Without saying too much about the plot, I found myself much more endeared to the characters in this book, and I also really enjoyed seeing them in their Cambridge setting. It was so lovely to see the reappearce of some beloved characters from book one, as well as witness the gloriously addictive relationship between Emily and Wendell. Emily's sincerity combined with Wendell's humour and charm just make for the most wonderful scenes together. I am so excited for more of them in book 3.



This is such a perfect rainy autumnal day read, to curl up by the fire with a mug of something warm (like Wendell's favourite hot chocolate). I am so glad I got around to reading these books and thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for this copy.

Another wonderful installment of deliciously light and romantic regency style fairy tale.
These books make me so happy. They make the magic of the fae seem so very possible.
And the love story between the FMC and MMC is just so adorable.
The Emily Wilde series is an auto buy and I recommend it for anyone that loves romantasy, regency, and the fae!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had high expectations for this book and I was not disappointed. Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is the second book in the Emily Wilde series, and certainly lived up to the first, in my opinion. This time around Emily and Wendell are exploring the Austrian Alps, evading assassins and discovering the world of faerie doors.

This, to me, is Emily's book! I found I connected with her much more as a character in this story, as she delves into her own self awareness and nurtures her relationships with other characters. In particular, we see much more of Emily and Wendall's romantic relationship blossoming, albeit at a slow pace. I love the grumpy x sunshine dynamic in their relationship, I find it very wholesome! Though, on the topic of Wendell, I would've liked to have seen more from him as he was missed in his absences, thus we found Emily having to fend for herself much more.

Along the way we are met with friends, new and old, which was lovely to see. In particular, I loved Poe's cameos and found a new and extended love for Shadow.
However, some of the new characters fell a little flat for me- such as the Austrian villagers, whom I found to be ultimately pretty forgettable. I also think some more folk interactions (like Poe's in book 1) wouldn't have gone amiss.

Heather Fawcett’s writing style is truly beautiful, she creates some delightfully visual world building which really got my imagination to work (in the best way possible!) I appreciated the little nods and references to book 1, like the continued use of footnotes- there's something really cosy about those! I found the eloquence of her writing was lovely to read and consistent throughout, but some of the word choices were lost on me and pulled and me out of the story a little, at times. I also read someone saying that illustrations would be a great addition to these books and I absolutely cannot agree more!

I absolutely adore the whimsical vibes of this series, it just emanates warmth and cosiness, an ideal autumnal reads for fans of folklore, fantasy and light academia.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book.

In this sequel, we are following Emily, a scholar studying dryadology (faeries). She goes on an expedition to try to find a very specific door ( a nexus) that most people in dryadology don’t think exist, except Danielle De Grey. She wrote many papers but they were discredited and no one has heard from her since. Emily uses her work to try and find the nexus to gain access to Wendell’s kingdom.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel! Short, rather easy to go back to even after reading the first book a while ago and riveting.

It was nice to have Emily interacting with Ariadne, her niece, and learn a bit more about her family. I also love her relationship with Wendell.

I think my favourite character is Poe. Such a cutie! I love him so much. I already loved him in the first book, but having him in this sequel again was the cherry on top!!

The diary/journal format is still amazing! It adds a little something in the writing, especially when Emily narrates events that happened. I love the duality of feeling like we are living the event at the same time as Emily, but we also know that she is sitting down and writing all in her notebook.

This series feels like magic. It is so cozy with all the classical sense of faerie folklore, the quirkiness of characters, the immense world building, the little plots and twists of colliding faerie world and human world, it just pulls you in.

Emily and Wendell are grumpy x sunshine in the very flesh.
Emily Wilde, what a passionate professor you are. Her curiosity, eagerness to go beyond for her research, all the while being super socially awkward, and little (yet so big for her) acts she does for Wendell are all charming and inspiring.
And Wendell Bambleby, he is an icon. He is a star. I love him and his princess acts so much, well he has been a prince and king all his life after all. The way he and Emily annoy each other with all the jabs while being supportive and secretly affectionate is quite swoony. I love how he loves Emily and she is absolutely clueless about her effect on him. Still. Maybe she knows a little more now.


In this story, they follow a lead for a door to Wendell’s realm in the Alps, of course it is a huge adventure with all kinds of near death experiences as well as so much being served for Emily’s research. I know some about Austrian/Alpine folklore on Krampus and their festivities, it was fun to read glimpses of it.
For the majority of it Wendell was poisoned and half conscious, I wish we had more of him and more of Emily/Wendell adventures. It is not like he was absent, he was there quite a lot and jumped up on his feet in very critical moments coming rescue even and they still had quite a few cute, bickering, intimate and fun moments. I love seeing them having more romantic moments even though the story does not focus on their romance. I love seeing them together getting along as this one definitely has more romance than first book.

I also loved how, especially Emily, keeping up with the old friends and making more here. Her bond with Lilja from first book and Ariadne here. I loved seeing little cameos from the characters from the previous book as well as Poe and Snowball and their huge help here. Emily finally becomes more open to socialising and relationships in general rather than solely focusing on her academic life, her character development is quite impressive.

Shadow is the best magic dog, and most loyal. I love that we have Orga now, Wendell is of course a cat person, and his cat is as snarky as him. I would love to see them more in the next book based on the little glimpse in the end.

And lastly, the writing is magical as ever. I believe it is the biggest impact on the story feels this magical and cozy because of that. It is so vividly descriptive yet not overwhelming with that world/magic building. I love even the footnotes adding so much to that sense. The characters having distinct and consistent voice all the while their development is visible. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Thank you so much Orbit and Netgalley for providing me this ARC for my honest opinion.

I’m so in love with this book! The author’s writing beautifully balances whimsical faerie lore with Emily’s personal growth, making each page both intriguing and emotionally resonant. The intricate exploration of faerie doors and romance creates a captivating journey that’s as thought-provoking as it is charming.

Aaah I love these books so much!! Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with the eARC. I adored the book.

Map of Otherlands is the second book where we follow faerie scholar Emily Wilde. Go read the first book if you haven't already!

<spoiler>In the second book we continue the search for Wendell's realm. This brings them to Austria.

I love Emily and Wendell so much! The new charactes Ariadne and Rose were also great. I like the aunt-niece dynamic between Ariadne and Emily.

I also really enjoyed the mystery surrounding De Grey and the ribbon man.

And I just cannot wait for the third and final book!</spoiler>

If you love whimsical books with the Fae, a slow burn romance, and some scholarly words, these books are definitely something you need to pick up!

Firstly, I just want to say how much I love this universe. The cosy, fairytale, light academia setting is so welcoming and warm, the characters are likeable and the way it is written is totally immersive.

It is not as intense as some fantasy reads, it is low stakes and feels like it would be a non-threatening introduction to anyone curious about dipping their toes into the world of the Fae.

After reading the first book, I had wished that there was more depth and development of both the world and the characters, however I felt that this second instalment in the series was successful in developing those aspects further. I loved that it didn’t waste time rehashing the events of the previous book, and flowed nicely at a good pace.

The charm, wit and overall style of the writing is refreshing and interesting, and I very much look forward to reading the third book.

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!

I really liked this book it was an easy read. It had funny bits and read like a fairytale.
I loved Shadow I also liked Emily and her thoughts and the fact she wasn't scared to speak her mind.
I hadn't read the first book but as the author refers to previous things when needed I didn't feel confused.
I do intend to go back and read the books in sequence.
The author describes both creatures and scenery very well.
The book kept me reading and I particularly liked the exchanges between Emily and Wendell which are fun.
I also liked Ariadne who brought enthusiasm and brightness.
I am really looking forward to the next book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley

I have one sentence for this book: I loved it, and I wish I could reread it from the beginning. I adored the first book, but given my experience with other series, I started the sequel reluctantly, afraid it might not deliver. I'm happy to say I was wrong. The second book is a brilliant continuation of the first, and I genuinely couldn't put it down (I think I finished it within two days—an accomplishment, considering I had to interrupt my reading for work).
Where do I begin? The new setting in the Austrian Alps? The latest Folk introduced, woven beautifully into the vibrant world Fawcett has been building with this series? The storyline and the adventures (and troubles) that Emily, Wendell, and two new characters find themselves in? The development of these characters? Emily herself is a relatable protagonist—some might disagree, but I particularly connected with her, especially during her awkward moments. In this book, we gain a deeper understanding of her, and through her adventures and moments of tension, we see her reflections on friendship, belonging, and love.
Another aspect worth mentioning is the world-building, both in this book and the previous one. The Otherlands are described in great detail, making it easy for readers to visualise the lush landscapes, eerie forests, and mysterious faerie courts, along with the various types of fairies and magical creatures. The blending of folklore with the author’s original ideas gives the book a unique and captivating feel that made me wish I could be part of this world.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I cannot wait for the third one.

Title: Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde Book 2)
Author: Heather Fawcett
Pages: 369
Rating: 4/5*

Arc Copy - review left voluntarily
Paperback publish date - 5th September 2024


I've gone from a dark academia to a light academia with Emily Wilde's sequel. We join Bambleby and Wilde on the adventure to the Austrian Alps in search of Wendell's door. Not only that - it seems he's been poisoned - and on his birthday too! Emily is rushing against time to save him.

With a high intense plotline the story is quite slow paced and relaxing. Like the first, I did struggle to warm up. However,, I see this as a reflection of Emily as a character as she is quite top the point and very blunt without need of social niceties.

I loved there were visits from past characters and we got to see what they'd been up to and the world building always makes me feel like I'm wrapped up in a cosy blanket as it's so beautifully written.

I laughed in some situations, and felt myself get annoyed at some of the characters in others which is always a good sign of well written work. Wendell's laid back isms offer light relief and he is almost the irritating lovable rogue.

I enjoy that it's based on journal story telling.

I'm very much looking forward to the third installment of the series!!


Have you read it? What did you think?

Just as delightful as the first book! With a new location we get to meet some new types of faeries, and we learn some more about Wendell and his family. The ending left me very excited for the next book.

I enjoyed every page, and if you liked the first book you will like this too.

Ahhh this book is genuinely adorable and fairie-core at its finest. I absolutely adored this novel from beginning to end - all the enchanted Fairie and folklore references - I do love a fantasy novel that has some of its setting in Ireland and harks back to all the legends of the fairies and folk. Emily and Wendell are the sweetest pairing - finding that they have to save his realm from his evil Queen stepmother and how they go through everything to stop her. World building was exquisite and the simple fact the book has an appendix at the back is everything. I cannot wait for the next book in the series! Would happily reread and recommend!

This novel was kindly gifted as an e-arc by NetGalley for an honest review.

Adventurous, whimsical, dark, yet cheery - this book was captivating from page one, and I can't wait for the third installment!

When I read Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, I wasn't totally engaged. I found the first book oddly paced, slow and meandering, and a bit aimless overall. However, all the problems I had with that first volume were sorted in Map of the Otherlands. The plot was much more focused, the characters' aims and emotions were balanced from the start, and the pacing was much better overall.

I loved that certain characters made a return in this book, as it helps keep everything cohesive, but the new ones were a bit forgettable. The village played little to no role in the story which was disappointing, and we got little in the way of their experiences with the Folk. That being said, I felt I was able to connect more with Emily this time around since she was more self aware. Plus, the relationship between her and Wendall progresses nicely here which was rewarding to see.

The atmosphere was fantastic, with a much more dynamic and dark vibe from the start. They are attacked by assassins, nearly killed by multiple magical creatures, and are haunted by missing scholars. It's so packed full of action, but it still remains true to the academic interests of Emily as she attempts to think logically and record every detail.

I'm curious to see what the repercussions are for Emily's actions in book three, and how the story will continue. Also, will her map include the nexus points or will she decide these are too dangerous to include? Her next steps are going to test her rigid 'research first' ideologies, and I'm excited to observe how she continues to change...

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!

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!

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.

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!