First of all, I thank NetGalley for giving me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Before reading this third installment of Emily Wilde’s Compendium, I had to go back and read the first two books, which I hadn’t initially planned to do. However, I’m glad I took the time to catch up on the series. This trilogy has been an interesting experience overall, especially because I had never read anything quite like it before—structured like a diary, with Emily documenting her discoveries about the faerie world. It’s a unique concept that I appreciated.

That said, I gave this book three stars because, while enjoyable, it didn’t fully capture my enthusiasm. Compared to the first two books, I found this third one overly long and, ironically, somewhat lacking in events. Despite its length (significantly longer than the previous installments), it felt like fewer things actually happened. The story could have been trimmed by at least a hundred pages without losing anything essential.

The writing itself is solid, and the book still carries the charm of Emily’s perspective and her academic approach to the fantastical. However, it felt a bit hollow at times, and while it was pleasant enough to read, it’s not the kind of book that will stay with me for long.

In conclusion, it’s a nice read but not a memorable one.

ps. I did however appreciate Wendell Bambleby’s presence in this book, i find his to be a particular male character not seen very often in fantasy books, i do love him dearly.

I really liked this. Not as much as the first one, which was an instant five stars but I still liked a lot about this one.

This book was not for me. Whilst I enjoyed the story i felt a bit out of my depth with it.

I enjoyed the characters. Would I go back for more? No I don’t think so.

Loved the conclusion to this series, even if I did find it a little slower than the others. Funny, cosy and romantic, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up. Especially if you enjoyed books one and two.

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Orbit. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales.]

Rating: 5/5

Having loved the first and second book, it should come as no surprise that I absolutely adored the conclusion to the Emily Wilde series. What else can I say other than that my heart is full? This series is pure whimsical comfort, cosy fantasy at its finest, and I'm so thankful to have read an early copy. Heather Fawcett strikes the perfect balance between academia, mystery and romance, leaving readers with a beautifully magical story to get lost in.

In this conclusion, Emily embarks on her most dangerous project yet; studying the inner workings of a faerie realm as its queen. Along with Wendell, her former academic rival-now fiancé, they travel to his long-lost Kingdom so that they can seize the throne from his murderous stepmother. But with a curse brewing on the horizon, it'll take all of Emily's scholarly knowledge to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

Emily and Wendell are one of the sweetest pairings I've ever encountered, and I love how accepting they are of each other in these books. Wendell is never shy of showing how much he loves and cares for Emily and I don't know if it's because of my own neurodivergence, but every scene where he dotes and fusses over her just gives me the biggest heart eyes. In Compendium of Lost Tales I was worried knowing that a lot of the romantic tension has now been resolved, but new plot developments make up for that with ease and I was still as enchanted with their love in this book as I was in the previous instalments.

I also love the focus of each book, from building an encyclopaedia, creating a map of the Faerie world and finally, collating all of the different tales within it; each topic is explored perfectly and ending the trilogy on the importance of finding meaning in the various faerie stories felt like an excellent full-circle moment.

Out of all the books in the series, the stakes are definitely much higher in the finale. This removes just a smidge of the cosy element when you’re reading but fear not, Emily continues to be an incredibly pragmatic narrator so even when the plot reaches perilous heights, we still see it through the lens of a scholar solving a mystery.

The only thing that I feel this book was missing that we saw previously was a snippet of Wendell’s point of view. I would have loved to get back into his head for a moment but this is just a very minor complaint from someone who simply wants endless content from this series.

This series will go down as an all-time favourite for me, and I'll be recommending it to anyone looking for the perfect light academia/cosy fantasy. I'm going to miss Emily, Wendell and Shadow (I might miss Poe even more) but l can't imagine it'll be long before I start a reread. If you're on the fence about starting these books then let this be a sign to boost them up your TBR asap!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

Ooooooh, I love Wendell. And Emily. And Shadow. Everyone - I love everyone. We all need an Emily who is so smart and intelligent. She refuses to back down in the face of all the absurdity that is Faerie, and she doesn't let anyone see how scared she really is. Emily truly is the perfect heroine in this book. She's grown over the last few and is someone who is aware of her limitations yet has also had her mind opened by the people she's met. She's more caring for the little Folk and uses her mortal awareness to unveil answers from places that the courtly Fae wouldn't consider. Not only that, but she's so well-read in the stories of the Folk that she has multiple stories to guide her through every interaction.

If I had to sum up this trilogy, it's that knowledge is power.

Wendell, as you might expect, is an absolute darling. Seeing him back in his home realm was a delight, but it was equally as delightful to see how he'd been affected by his time in the mortal world and also how his love for Emily has informed his thought process. If I had to describe how Wendell thinks, I think it would be something like 'WWED?', aka What Would Emily Do? Thankfully, Emily is a level-headed person with plenty of common sense, so he'll never go wrong there. He also knows her very well, and I adored seeing him be a little nervous in this because he's afraid of her reaction or that she won't like something - despite the fact he does know her SO well. It's charming, especially from a faerie King and even more so when you realise he's not afraid of anything in his scary realm except Emily's disapproval.

Shadow...sweet boy. The unsung hero of the series. The bestest boy.

We also get to see previous characters come back and get their time, and I really love how obvious the influence Wendell and Emily have had on each other. She's more open-minded and accepting of people's thoughts and worries for her, whereas Wendell is more aware of his status and power.

In terms of the story, we follow on directly from the end of the second book and basically don't stop. The story is pretty fast-paced, and I felt there were fewer footnotes in this than in the other books. This made sense, as this book felt less like Emily trying to discover something and more personal. Everything was written just as beautifully as last time, and trying to imagine some of the bizarre things that Emily sees must have been hard and yet I could visualise everything perfectly.

If you didn't enjoy the previous two books, then you likely won't enjoy this (and honestly, why are you even trying? lol). But if you liked them, then feel confident in this book being just as good, if not better than the others.

This book felt like a love letter between Wendell and Emily, and I truly enjoyed seeing Emily love him so openly after holding him at arm's length for so long. The troubles they go through in this are very intense (prepare to feel sad), and it's like we're taken on a mountainous journey of emotion (much to Wendell's annoyance).

I'd love to see more of these in the future, but for now...it was the perfect end.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

If you’re into faerie tales, magical worlds, and some seriously cute romance, Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett is an absolute treat. It picks up with Emily Wilde, the brilliant but awkward dryadologist, diving headfirst into her biggest challenge yet—becoming queen of a faerie realm. And she’s not alone; her fiancé, Wendell Bambleby, is by her side, bringing his usual mix of charm, magic, and unpredictability.

What I loved most about this book? Emily and Wendell. They’re just so fun together. Their relationship has this perfect mix of snarky banter, sweet moments, and real teamwork. Wendell’s flair for the dramatic and Emily’s no-nonsense approach create this great balance that makes you root for them both. Honestly, they’re “insufferably cute” (and I mean that in the best way).

The faerie realm itself is like stepping into a dream—and a nightmare. Heather Fawcett nails the atmosphere, from the glittering, otherworldly beauty to the dark, dangerous edges lurking everywhere. It’s one of those settings that feels so vivid you almost expect to look up from the page and find yourself there.

One thing that really stuck with me was Emily’s journey of figuring out how to fit into this wild, magical world while staying true to herself. She starts out doubting if she’s queen material (spoiler: she is), and watching her step up and own it is such a satisfying part of the story. It’s a good reminder that sometimes you’re way more capable than you give yourself credit for.

If you’re into magic, romance, and adventures with a good dose of heart, definitely check this out. And if you’ve been following Emily and Wendell from the start, you’re in for a treat—they’re at their absolute best here.

This book wraps up the story of Emily, a scholar of faerie lore, and Wendell, her fae prince fiancé.as they travel to the faerie realm to reclaim Wendell’s kingdom. The story is full of action, and humour…. with a sprinkle of romance.
A great conclusion to a truly enchanting series!

This was another of my most anticipated reads. I adore the Emily Wilde books and their vibes so much, and it's a world I wanna live an and take Shadow for a walk.

This conclusion of the trilogy is heavier in plot than its predecessors, and it brings everything to a really good ending with some good plot twists of high and low stakes.
It's got a bit of Cruel Prince vibes, which is fine, but to me it takes away from the Emily vibes a bit. I'd loved to have more of that very unique magic.
I love the style of the academic diary and the snarky voice in it. I dig it and there's as lot of it in it. I especially love the passages when Emily gets a bit lost, entranced by the magic of faerie.

I'm down for everything the author decides to write in the future. And I'd also love to read more about Emily and her world.

4/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for the eARC!

#EmilyWilde #Netgalley #Bookstagram

Emily and Wendell attempt to reclaim Wendell’s throne from his step-mother. They face assassins, politics, poison, and - the worst - hairdressers!

<b>“It’s been a while since I had so much fun.”
“He nearly decapitated you!” I exclaimed.
“Yes, but besides that, Em,” he said patiently.
</b>
This is more introspective, with Emily worried she isn’t enough for Wendell, that she doesn’t fit in with the Fae lands. How will she convince anyone she is a queen?

I did like how Emily finally realises she doesn’t have to take on the world alone. Not only does she have Wendell with his magic and her own ingenuity against a realm teeming with monsters, she has friends in human world and small folk who are willing to help as much as they can.

<b>If Wendell’s stepmother has us slain before I have a chance to contribute to the scholarly debate, I will be very disappointed.
</b>
This one sadly disappointed me. It didn’t draw me in as much as the first two and the dynamic between Wendell and Emily that was so endearing previously felt stilted now that their relationship has been established and tested.

The dialogue was a lot better the first 1/3 and I was excited that this would revert to what I loved. However, the action and mystery took more precedence over the light cozy academia.

<b>And so, Em, when I say that I am wretchedly ill at ease without your company, that I feel as if I am missing a limb, that I cannot be content even amidst the wonder of my realm, you will understand the depth of my feelings. Surely you must miss me a little as well? I know your heart by now, Em; it is not all stone and pencil shavings, as you are wont to pretend.
</b>
The writing felt more factual and rather than the whimsical magic that Fawcett had employed before. Furthermore, I felt the footnotes didn’t add as much interest, reading a lot more like references and notes rather than adding to the world and our knowledge.

I missed Poe :(( Sharp toothed Snowbell did not make up for loyal, sweet Poe.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group for sending me the arc in exchange for a review!

The first two books in this series have been brilliant and I can vividly remember just how much I enjoyed reading them. So the gift of a third book in the series is a treat.

I love how scientific our main character is (I appreciate that as a scientist. I think I would be the same if entering a fairy realm and wanting to scientifically record and research all I came across!). Wendell is an entertaining character too and in this one, they have a wartorn realm to reclaim.

The main story was great and I seriously love this authors writing. It’s so alive and vivid, it really takes no effort to get into the story at all.

This book a was a great balance between action-packed and deliciously slow paced immersive. It was also great to rejoin a few familiar faces from the previous book and especially towards the end, I literally could not put the book down. It was a great addition to the other two fab books in this series.

So grateful I was able to receive the eARC of the last installment in what is now one of my favorite series of all time!

I adore these characters and I'm going t0 miss them SO much. Heather Fawcett, I'm begging, consider writing something else in this gorgeous, cozy, world!

Emily has really cemented herself as one of my most beloved female main characters - I appreciate how she was able to grow and change in some ways, like learning to be more open with people and trust them, but also stayed ultimately true to her character. She's a scholar, and she's a badass (honestly, the Veil must have been terrifying!) and she's a queen! Even if not in the traditional sense.

Wendell kept reminding me of my all-time favorite book boyfriend Cardan from The Folk of the Air, except in a different font! I mean this in the best possible way. He's so fun and extravagant, he's not afraid to show his vulnerabilities to her, and despite his Fae nature, I swooned how his love for Emily is stronger than any of that. It was so clear and sincere through their every interaction. The fact that his temper and loss of control mostly happens when Emily is in danger speaks volumes. And his letters!!!!!! Argh, he's the best.

As someone who has lost her dog this year, his wedding gift to Emily made me emotional. I'm so happy the author decided to give Shadow more time.

Overall, the story was as intriguing as the previous installments (I must confess the first one remains my forever favorite though), and though the pacing wasn't always perfectly balanced, I had a tremendous time. I'm so sad to be done with Emily's adventures, but happy to have experienced them alongisde her <3

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I have no other way of starting this review other than to say how much I didn't want to finish this book. Heather Fawcett's beautiful writing has a way of hooking you in her stories without you even realising you're getting completely lost in the amazing world she created. Everything is so whimsical and enchanting - much like it has been in the past two books - that I just found myself wanting more, more and more. In a way, this book reminded me of TFOTA trilogy, simply because of the way both these series manage to evoke fairytales and folklore and create these dangerously intriguing worlds that almost make you mourn their inexistence.

Emily and Wendell's banter was as delicious as ever, and I absolutely loved every single time these two had a moment together. Their relationship is adorable, their dynamic as delicious as it was in the past couple of books, their humour is funny and I love how comfortable and familiar and vital they both have become in each other's life.

This book definitely felt like a goodbye of sorts, but I truly believe this is one of those worlds that could just keep on giving, if Fawcett was ever so inclined.

Thank you for this eArc Netgalley! This review is influenced by nobody but myself.

It seems that Heather Fawcett ups her game with every book. When I started this book I thought it was going to be about Wendell reclaiming his throne, but that was only 15% of the whole plot. Throughout the story I had to manage my expectations because there was a lot more plot than I thought there was going to be. And I mean this entirely in a good way.
I love the character development Emily has had over the three books Heather Fawcett has written about her. I highlighted numerous sentences, because they were so funny! I love the dry humor in this book.
The story is rather complex and you need to remember a whole lot from the previous book in order to appreciate this story fully. This is, of course, a good thing too because now I want to reread all three of the books immediately! I would love it if there was an extra book with Wendell's perspective too!
Spoiler alert: the cat and the dog remain completely unharmed.

R E V I E W

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales

☆☆☆

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Little Brown Book Group UK | Orbit via Netgalley

Similar to my review of the previous book in this series, I would say these stories are definitely not for everyone. Whilst they can be defined loosely as 'fantasy' due to the prevalence of faeries, the academic-journal/diary-entry style of the prose, combined with the formal language style of the 1900s often makes you forget the genre entirely, with your focus being on simply getting through it. Or rather, getting to the next important plot point - as these are few and far between.

Don't get me wrong, I love Emily's aloof, driven personality and its stark contrast with Wendell's endearingly indolent nature. Their relationship however, whilst now fully established, is never at the forefront of the narrative, with Emily being who she is, and all scenes of an intimate nature are sadly off-page and only briefly alluded to (a real shame if you ask me because I imagine it is one of the main reasons we have all stuck with this series).

Did I enjoy being reunited with Emily, Wendell and Shadow? Absolutely! Do I think this adventure could have been condensed into fewer, but more exciting journal entries? Potentially. I did take a few breaks whilst reading this as the writing is quite dry, and I was not convinced much would be missed if I simply skipped to the end. I didn't do this, though I did disregard all of the starred theory passages and felt my read wasn't worsened by this omission.

I was looking forward to this finale of the Emily Wilde trilogy, which was one of the best in recent years in my opinion. Unfortunately, however, I was disappointed. The first part of the book really dragged and I could hardly continue, then fortunately it kicked off and was saved by the skin of its teeth, but compared to the first two books, this third volume is really poor in both adventure and plot in general. If this is the way the author intends to continue, it is a relief that this is the last volume. Too bad really, Wendell and Emily were a really good couple. Maybe I'll just reread the first two volumes when I feel like it.

Apettavo con ansia questo finale della trilogia di emily Wilde, che é stata una delle migliori degli ultimi anni secondo me. Purtroppo peró sono rimasta delusa. La prima parte del libro si é proprio trascinata e non riuscivo quasi a continuare, poi fortunatamente ha preso il via e si é salvata per il rotto della cuffia, ma paragonato ai primi due libri, questo terzo volume é veramente povero sia di avventura che di trama in generale. Se questo é il modo in cui l'autrice intende proseguire é un sollievo che questo sia l'ultimo volume. Peccato davvero, Wendell ed Emily sono stati veramente una bella coppia. Magari mi rileggo solo i primi due volumi quando ne ho voglia.

I received from the Publisher an Advanced Digital Review Copy, in exchange for a honest review.

She's baaack!

This book starts where the previous book left off, with Emily, Wendell and shadow in faerie, on their way to claim the throne. As always, chaos happens and faerie stories provide the answers.

In Compendium of Lost Tales, the story (as far as I know) comes to it's conclusion. The stakes are higher, the plot is more action packed and there is less meandering. Emily's voice narrating the events is very much the same, and I adore it! More than in the previous books, she is very firmly the main character, and we see less (though still plenty) of Wendell and others.

For me, this book is probably the strongest of the series in terms of plot, and the weakest in terms of the lovely meandering vibes - they are all incredible, and which book you prefer is a matter of taste rather than quality.

Book 1 and 2 had been unread on my shelves for month when I got my hands on book 3, so I read the entire series in about a week. And I am so glad I did! I'm ridiculously impressed by how well these books work together as a series (apart from liking them individually). There is a very clear overarching structure, and book 3 is definitely the grand finale. I probably wouldn't have noticed this as much if I'd read them all a year apart, and it's given me a whole new appreciate for Fawcett as a writer!

A really good conclusion to a series I will almost certainly end up rereading more than once. My preorder of this one has been placed :)

Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group & Netgalley for the ARC - I had an excellent time.

As cute as the others but slower - much slower. I love Emily and Wendell but my mind wandered more reading this installment. Solid, but a little too slow.

3.5.

Hello! Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group I had the opportunity to read "Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales" by Heather Fawcett, third volume in the series dedicated to the driadology scholar Emily Wilde that will be released on February 11, 2025.

After much research, (dis)adventures and much study (by Emily), finally Emily and Wendell have found the door that leads to his kingdom.
Returning to the kingdom is only the first step for Wendell, the stepmother who’s trying to kill him is still a problem. But Wendell has a secret weapon at his side, the wise Emily, who has found allies and, thanks to the help of books and stories, a way to defeat the queen.
Becoming the queen of a fairy kingdom means unlimited research opportunities and the possibility to tap directly into sources, but it also means saying goodbye to Cambridge, her office, and her books. Is Emily ready to change her life?
Moreover, if stories are the backbone of Faerie realms, does it mean that Wendell will end up like many kings before him, irrevocably changed by power?

What a wonderful read! Once again, Heather Fawcett transports us into a magical, romantic story full of adventures. I couldn’t close the book, too curious to find out how Emily would solve the situation, anxious to get to the happy ending and at the same time sad because it meant finishing a very sweet series, with adorable characters, rich in mystery and magic, in Academy and cozy to the bone.

Emily and Wendell are a power couple, perfect for each other because they complement and improve each other.
Wendell, as a faerie, thinks in peculiar ways, fortunately there is Emily that analyzes and studies every detail.
Emily, who no matter how great her love for Wendell and her desire to study his kingdom, feels unsuited to be its queen.
Wendell, who despite her stepmother and a kingdom to be conquered, always has Emily and her happiness at the top of his mind. When Emily least expects it, here is Wendell giving her something absolutely unexpected, but caring and perfect.
When Wendell tries to save his kingdom, here is Emily, with her theories and studies, finding the perfect story to solve the situation... and the others that may arise.

I loved every single page of this book, every note and explanation.
I don’t know if there will be other volumes in the series, even though the material would be there because I’m sure Emily will never stop writing in her diaries. I would read it for sure!

Can we sign a petition to get MORE and MORE books from this series? PLEASE?! I'm so sad it's over. This book DE-LI-VERS.

If you think the author might be out of ideas, you're WRONG. Heather Fawcett is incredibly creative! The Silva Lupi realm is interesting, I absolutely adore Emily and Wendell's relationship, the new characters add fresh perspectives to the story, and you'll love the presence of beloved characters from the previous books again.

I'll miss Shadow, Snowbell, and Poe. OH POE! I hope you'll laugh as much at his parts in this book as I did. 😂🥰

The book is the perfect closure. I'll miss this universe so much, what an incredible journey it’s been! 🧚‍♂🍵

- "I was thinking of you, Em. You were my first thought, as well as my last."

- "Have you not shaken a kingdom to its foundations, found a door to a distant otherland, overthrown a queen? Hand you the right storybook, and you are capable of anything."

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.