A satisfying conclusion to a charming & cosy, light academia series

All of these books have been a delight to read and I've loved that the story is told through the diary/field journal entries of Emily, including footnotes and occasional entries from Wendell (although I don't think we had any entries from him in the last book sadly). Even when the story has moved to slightly darker or more dangerous territory, there's always been a lightness to the writing and characters.

This concluding part to the Emily Wilde trilogy picks up immediately from where Map of the Otherlands left us. The majority of this book takes place in Wendell's faerie realm and Emily's focus is trying to find variations on a tale to try to help solve a mystery. Oddly, it was this part of the story, the academic part that I'd liked previously, that felt a bit weaker to me. Emily's focus was very narrow and the tale itself was too closely followed - it limited the tension and made everything feel too convenient. A few unexpected twists or Emily getting something wrong and needing help, would have been a bit more exciting.

All our favourite characters return (special mention to Shadow for being the best boy) and we get to spend more time with the inhabitants of the faerie realm but I wanted Emily to spend more time with everyone, including Wendell.

Perhaps this lacks the whimsy and lightness of the earlier books and doesn't quite reach the same heights, but I won't ever not enjoy reading about Emily and Wendell's adventures and, if this is the end, then this book provides a satisfying conclusion to their story.

Oh my!
Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for giving me a chance to read this fantastic book before its release.

I can now easily say that I am a big fan of this series. There is just something rare to have a book to escape into, and that takes you away from your adult boring life, to directly transport you into a world that is so much what your childhood mind fantasized about.
This was it for me, it really felt like a warm cuddle, I am so in love with all these characters, unapologetically being their witty and silly selves.
Maybe I’m bias, but this really was my dream world as a child, I used to play with books about fairies and pretend to do my own research about a magical world. So this is so healing in a way, I would read a thousands more.
I also must say, as a scientist, the writing styles and how the story is told, is also very satisfying.

P.S. if you catch me getting a brownie tattooed after this, no shame.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars rounded down
The third book in the Emily Wilde series is recommended to read the previous books beforehand as this is written as part of a series, and various points maybe missed otherwise.
It was a reasonably good ending for the series, but it wasn’t all I hoped for in the last book. To start with the good parts, as always I love the academic diary style that it is written in, and the author stayed true to Emily’s voice, the development of the relationship between Wendell and Emily was also a highlight, although the scenes were more sparse than you would expect being the final book.
However, I felt the introduction of new characters wasn’t handled as well as it could have been, it is hard introducing characters in a final book as there is less space for readers to get to know them. But even still it felt like you barely knew them by the end of the book, so much so that there seems little sense in introducing them. Additionally, the ending felt a little underwhelming to me, especially considering this is the final book in the series it felt like a little bit of a weird and mundane place to leave off on.
Summary: Overall it was enjoyable, if a little disappointing.

I couldn’t wait to go back to Emily and Wendell story and their world.
Full of academia, fairies, magic, quests and love. The book did not disappoint.
The writing was magical. If you loved book 1 and 2 you will just love this even more 💖

And seeing them having challenges in their relationship especially when Emily’s theory do not align with Wendell was such a honest representation of any relationship really. Which I totally love.

I will never get tired of Emily doing her research and be able to be with her through the pages and Wendell just being himself with his magic and love for Emily.

I was so happy when I got approved to read this ARC, as this has been a series I’ve loved since the first book. Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales was everything I hoped for a final book in a series. It’s the perfect combination of cozy academia, whimsical adventure, and romance. The story picks up right after the events of the second book, with Emily and Wendell returning to his faerie kingdom to reclaim his throne. But, of course, nothing is ever that simple. A curse is spreading across the realm, and Emily must use her vast knowledge of faerie lore to find a way to stop it.

I’ve always loved the academic feel of this series, and this book has the perfect balance between cozy research, high-stakes action, and the eerie, unpredictable nature of the fae. The world-building was as immersive as ever, filled with magical creatures and enchanting details that made the world feel truly alive.

What stood out most to me in this book was Emily’s growth. She’s still the awkward, brilliant scholar we love, but this time, she finally learns to trust and lean on others. Watching her confidence grow was so heartwarming. And Wendell was charming, dramatic, devoted and protective as always. Their relationship has always been one of my favourite parts of the series, but I especially loved how Emily became more open with her feelings in this book. Seeing her show more affection towards Wendell, in her own way, made their bond feel more meaningful. And, of course, their banter was still as sharp and witty as ever.

This book was a truly satisfying conclusion to the series. Heather Fawcett’s writing is whimsical, immersive, and full of depth, and I already know I’ll miss this world and these characters so much. If you love cozy fantasy, rich folklore, and a romance that sneaks up on you in the best way, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

5 stars
Content warning: character death, family betrayal, injury

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that this series is my favourite, and I've anticipated this book for the longest time. I loved it so much that I cannot wait to reread it when the audiobook is released.

This third read in the series is very different in initial setup from the other two. Now settled into the harrowing world of Wendell's kingdom in Faerie, Emily's more out of her depth than she cares to admit. There are huge changes for Emily, more than her location, as she struggles with her role as a scholar and Faerie Queen. This made the step back into the series slightly harder to settle into for me, even though it's the same format of a new adventure for Emily to embark on. I guess you could say that Emily's unease by the things she couldn't quite fathom and her insecurities around her role at Wendell's side as a human in a strange and rather deadly kingdom was easy to understand but stilted some of her normal journalling ways. Thankfully, this didn't last for long, because if there's one thing we know best about Emily is that she's not one to sit on her problems for long and will discover the answers to what she craves to understand no matter the length she must travel to do so or risk upon her.

I love how this series and subsequently the author has developed Emily from someone who solely relied on herself, and whilst she still has the merit and finds comfort in doing so, she now welcomes support from her friends and colleagues. Emily has truly blossomed before the reader, and I feel that we're all just as smitten with her as Wendell is. Her dry humour and matter-of-fact way of approaching dilemmas continues to make her a delight to read. She's a formidable ally or enemy to have, depending on who is faced with her, which I love. There is more vulnerability written in Emily's journal entries this time though, which I thoroughly enjoyed navigating with her, and my heart was so warm watching her find her feet with the people or creatures around her and making sure they all heard what she had to say. I also adored how she found who she was in Faerie, how she wanted to see herself, and not how she thought she needed to be seen. It was a great character arc for her to go through.

Compendium of Lost Tales is the most romantic book of the three, and fans of the romance plot in this world are very well-rewarded. I loved seeing Wendell continue to look upon Emily with hearts in his eyes and give her everything she requires - of course in a needlessly extravagant fashion. The fact that his best gift to her is one discovered at the very end and had me sobbing along with Emily. My favourite part with him was his letters, especially the ones at the last portion of Emily's journey away from him. He is completely head over heels with her, and I love how steadfast he remains in his feelings for her from the start of this series until now. I found this instalment to be a satisfying place to end their tale, with the knowledge that they're both still prepared to do anything to save and challenge each other.

The return of well-loved characters from the prior two books rounded out the book for me, providing delight in tense moments, and continuous support or different viewpoints to aid Emily as she uncovered the answers behind the curse on Wendell's kingdom. I loved these characters more than the ones we meet in Faerie, but I also appreciated how the newcomers were necessary and sometimes really cathartic to read about, especially at the height of Emily's distress. I think there are a lot of other tales that could be started from the viewpoints of these characters, as well as there being some doors left open for the author to perhaps return to at a later date with Em and Wendell. But if this is where our journey ends with Emily and her journals, I'm thoroughly impressed with how Fawcett wrapped this world up, and left me smiling fondly at this beautiful story. I cannot wait to read more stories by this author now with other characters and hope the Emily Wilde series remains a fond world for me for many years and rereads to come.

This third installment takes us to a point that we have been waiting for since the first book, and that is to finally get to know Wendell's realm in depth. It will be a great challenge for Emily and Wendell to rule a kingdom that is slowly falling apart. Now it's their job to save it from a curse created by the former Queen. This enchanting tale takes an unexpected turn as it tries to solve this disaster through myths that predict future events, and death plays a pivotal role in it. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book, and it was good to read these beloved characters again, but in my opinion, this book is not up to the previous ones. I feel that this book was missing something, and I don't know how to explain it properly. Pacing has always been inconsistent since the previous books. The plot was going down a path that felt predictable, where there were no higher stakes for the characters and that everything was easily resolved. Arna's antagonistic change was so anticlimactic that it reduced the weight she was supposed to have in this book. However, there were many things I liked about the book. Some plot twists that were good enough for the story to progress smoothly, and the imagery was on point. The world-building is still just as impressive, it is further solidified by being surrounded by magical creatures and being in the fairy realm. Moreover, using Emily's footnotes as a reference for a more profound understanding of what she thinks. Emily and Wendell still have a unique dynamic, and it was fascinating to watch the development of both characters. Their scenes together are the best in this book and their affection, devotion and mutual yearning were endearing. That heartfelt bond of love can be seen in Emily's unwavering loyalty, cared and trust for Wendell and Wendell's attentiveness, devotion, and honesty for Emily. This is probably the most romantic of the three books, and it was a blessing to read those sweet but vulnerable moments of their relationship. I liked the introduction of new characters, they were interesting and fun, as well as seeing old characters, which was nostalgic. Undoubtedly, in addition to Wendell and Emily, Shadow and Orga stole the show for me with their scenes. I'm not sure if this is the end (I thought it would be a trilogy) since it appears that it was an open ending which leaves possibilities for more adventures, but I wouldn't complain about reading these characters again.


Thanks Netgalley for this ARC

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
⭐⭐⭐ 3.25 stars
Publication date: 11 February 2025

Thank you to Little Brown Books and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm-as its queen.

The action picks up where book 2 ended, which was quite the challenge seeing as I (probably tellingly) could hardly remember a thing about the 2nd book, which I only read a year ago.
This was fine, just fine. I enjoyed the descriptions of the Fae realm and of its inhabitants, I liked Wendell and Emily's relationship and we even got to meet some old friends again, which was lovely - I will never not love a good found family. And Shadow, the grim, is the goodest boy and the highlight of this book for me.
But… this wasn't very well-paced at all, and the second half felt a bit rushed. There were a couple of very high-stakes situations that were resolved so easily and so conveniently that they fell completely flat. The sense of danger, of villainous menace, just petered out into nothing. Everything felt so anticlimactic that I wasn't feeling very engaged with the plot or with the characters, which is a little sad considering this is (from what I've heard) the last book of this series.

Reviewing the third book in a series is tough without risking spoilers - but what I will say is that if you've enjoyed the series so far, you'll enjoy Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales.

And really, isn't that the main thing you want to hear for the end of a beloved series? This was a great conclusion to the Emily Wilde books - Fawcett managed to write a compelling mystery and plot while still keeping everything rooted in the academic whimsy I loved so much from the first book.

But on top of that we got more of an opportunity to explore Fawcett's faerie world in Compendium of Lost Tales, and what a faerie world it is! It reminded me a lot of the fae realm in Holly Black's 'Folk of the Air' series, another series I adore. Enchanting but dangerous, with fae who may not be actively malicious but have such a different sense of being and morality it puts humans at risk nonetheless. This type of faerie just hits ALL the right spots for me 🥰

So while I'm sad to say goodbye to Emily Wilde, Wendell Bambleby, Shadow, and the rest of the cast and setting I've come to love, I'm thrilled they got a fantastic send-off.

5⭐️

Finishing a beloved series always feels so bittersweet, but I am happy to say that this was the most perfect ending to this series that I could've asked for, and I am so honoured to have been given the opportunity to read and review it early. This series will always be my go to recommendation for cosy fantasy, and I am so glad to say that this entire series has been full of 5⭐️s for me.

The stakes are higher in this book than they have been in the previous two, and I found that worked really well for me, as we built towards the culmination of all of Emily and Wendell's academic adventuring and whimsical wonderings. I really enjoyed how folklore and mythology was woven into this book, and especially loved the inclusion of Irish faerie mythology, as this is something that has always fascinated me. I found that this heightened inclusion in comparison with (what I can remember, as it has been over a year since I read book 2) the previous books worked really well with the faerie kingdom setting of this instalment, and helped to craft the beautiful, whimsical, and yet ever shifting and dangerous world that Emily found herself in. I found the plot of this book absolutely fascinating, and was so intrigued by how stories and storytelling and fate was such a crucial element of the plot. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat (especially one moment around half way through, which had me STRESSED but so completely and utterly hooked) and, even though I know there have been some complaints about the pacing of this finale, I didn't find any issues of the sort that bothered me. I have so much more I could say about the plot (and the twists), but I'll say no more out of fear of spoiling this incredible final adventure.

With the setting of Wendell's faerie kingdom, I thought this book provided great space for the expansion of the whimsical worldbuilding in this series. I enjoyed greatly seeing even more varieties of folk of all kind and their peculiar (and morbidly gruesome) ways, and I found that Fawcett's setting descriptions were particularly vivid and beautiful in this book, and almost fell as in love with Wendell's realm and all its majestic natural beauty as Wendell himself.

Something that stood out particularly in this book was the characters and their relationships. I loved how Emily developed as a character, and as always felt a deep kinship with her that has made my reading of this series so enjoyable, and of course was delighted to see my beloved Wendell Bambleby again. Their relationship really stood out to me in this book, as in book 1 and 2 it was still developing whilst here they are a fully formed couple, and I loved reading their interactions and seeing their love written so clearly in every word and glance. Emily and Wendell are truly one of my favourite fictional couples, and I adore how healthy and supportive and so full of love and whimsy their bond is. The side characters really stood out to me in this book, and I enjoyed their varying personalities and relationships with Emily, but, as a disabled woman, the one who stood out to me most was Niamh. Though I do not have the same disability as Niamh, I loved seeing disability representation in this book, especially as this was done so casually and with so much respect and care, and I adored seeing how her disability accommodations were so easily, yet carefully, woven into the magic of faerie. I really hope to see more of this inclusive representation in the wider fantasy space.

Overall, this conclusion gave me everything I could've ever wanted and I adored it so much. This series has been firmly cemented as one of my favourite series of all time, and I cannot wait to recommend it over and over again. I urge everyone to pick up this adventurous and whimsically wonderful finale when it releases next week, and loose themselves in the magic of faerie one more time.

I'm so sad this is over as I need more Emily and Wendell!! I was completely hooked from start to finish, I loved the world building and the Irish Folklore which is so magical, along with the absolute joy of Emily who has a perfect symbiotic relationship with hilarious Wendell and their romance is so wholesome and heartwarming. Please write more!

Thank you so much for this ARC copy!
When Otherlands concluded, Wendell and Emily were on the verge of invading his ancestral home to reclaim his throne. I wasn’t anxious about the battle or the possibility of anyone dying: I was anxious that Wendell and Emily wouldn’t possess the same narrative momentum now that they had confessed their love for one another. Honestly? I was concerned that they would need to be apart, or that Wendell’s new role as King of the Fae would transform him into a terrible person simply for the sake of the story. But as I mentioned, I should have simply placed my trust in Fawcett.
I cherish that Emily remains true to herself; I cherish that Wendell is still true to himself. I cherish the impact stories have on the series' plot. And I’ll never become weary of Emily’s research journals!
Let’s just say that most of this book revolves around Emily trying to rescue Wendell from himself, while still being unable to suppress her scholarly inclinations.
Look, if you appreciated the first two entries in the series, you’ll appreciate this one as well. The only thing I would have liked to see more of is Wendell taking over the journal in a couple of more pages! I enjoy reading from his slightly warped perspective.

Heather Fawett has done it again! I absolutely ADORED this third installment of Emily and Wendell's journey into the magical realm of Faerie. There is just something so undeniably cosy about the way the author has written this world, it feels like I could step forward and suddenly find myself in the places she writes about 📖

No spoilers from me but if you enjoyed the first two books in the series, you won't be disappointed in where this story takes you! The stakes feel higher but the grumpy/sunshine romance and the light academia feel of the writing feel like going home ✨

Another brilliant story I devoured it just like the first!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book

3.5 stars rounded up.

What's more difficult than saving the person you love from an evil fae queen? Becoming a queen and restoring the realm you helped save...

Emily Wilde 3 is just as magical as the other parts of the series, and as the story takes place almost entirely in the realm of faerie, there is something whimsical and horrific around every corner. I loved seeing more of this world, but unfortunately the narrative felt really scrambled so I wasn't always able to fully appreciate the wonderous setting.

Unlike book one which has a very scholarly tone and methodical plotting, or even book two which dips into the emotional turmoil Emily is feeling about Wendell and the villagers and captures a search and rescue vibe, this volume is episodic and kind of all over the place. Is this a story about restoring the kingdom? Is it about revenge? Is it about documenting the experience? Emily herself can't seem to decide. Even her research ideas change frequently...

While the plotting was meandering, the characters were developed a bit more so I could truly appreciate the relationship between Em and Wendell. They're both openly warmer towards each other and it was enjoyable to read. Plus, it was interesting how things started coming together, almost like Emily's life has become one of the stories she has spent so much time studying.

The real hero of this book is Shadow though. Honestly, he does all the heavy lifting and deserves all the cuddles and snacks.

A magical return to the faerie realm with more beautifully rich imagery and loveable characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group and Orbit for the e-ARC.

This third installment of the Emily Wilde series sees Emily as a reluctant monarch over a less-than-enthused faerie populace, and a curse ravaging Wendell's kingdom.

There was a lot to love about this book. As Wendell is my favourite character I was thrilled to see more of the faerie side of him, yet he retains all that made him loveable. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic still prevails, yet Emily shows her love in rare emotionally vulnerable moments which were appreciated. Wendell is so clingy it's both hilarious and endearing—they're one of my favourite book couples because of how chalk and cheese they seem.

And Shadow! I wanted to sob for this old dog, and the innumerable creatures who help Emily on her quest.

As usual, the world is filled with beautiful imagery, the footnotes only adding to the richness. There is just the right amount of plot to keep the story going and I felt the pacing just perfect. Without spoiling anything, the final quarter or so was tense, but I knew Emily would find a way.

Overall a very enjoyable read and perfect addition to the series.

4.5 stars rounded up.


Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is like a hug. It's very comforting and exciting to again be following Emily's travels and curious quests.

What an absolute delight this book is. The worldbuilding, the story. the characters. It's safe to say that this book filled that Emily Wilde shaped void in my heart that the second instalment of the series left.

I find that Emily's character has grown immensely from when we first met her in the first book, something that adds a star in and of itself for me. While I found her obnoxious earlier, she's now someone who takes more consideration, lets herself be more vulnerable, even if it's just in close quarters with Wendell. I love that she's suddenly out of the shallow water and now has to figure out most on her own in an entirely unknown world to her. She's been cast out at the deep end and she's learning how to swim. I adored the new set of characters too, even if some were more obnoxious and melodramatic than others, they all fit very well into the chaos that is Emily's life in Faerie.

I especially felt the worldbuilding was strong in this book. It builds onto the already established rules and stories we were taught in Map of the Otherlands and Encyclopaedia of Faeries, and then pushes even more stories and trickeries on us without making it overwhelming for the reader. And in true Emily fashion, the footnotes are a very nice supplement for understanding what she's journalling and thinking so frantically about at times.

The plot never feels like it's lagging to me, although I do feel like it rushes too fast into a few events, only to pivot and change its course suddenly. I wasn't looking too hard for the foreshadowing (and they might have just escaped me in earnest), so to me I felt like I was being dragged along by the hand trying to keep up with Emily's thinking. I'm chalking this up to fit her character, even it if felt weird to me at times.

All in all, I really loved this book as an end to the series. It's comforting and I'd give a lot just to have a bit more of Emily and Wendell's future quests.

Just as cosy and suspenseful as expected from an Emily Wilde story, I liked this entry but it seemed less eventful compared to the two previous. I liked the hunting for myths to predict how events would play out, as well as the twist about Death however, it all seemed to be solved a bit too easily. I adored Wendell's wedding gift to Emily although I was worried for a minute!

I felt that this booked lacked what made me fall in love with the first instalment of the series. As much as I love Emily as a characters, the overall cast was too small for me to care much about the progression of the plot. Emily is so interesting, a 31 year old scholar who doesn’t abandon her passions and interests and has a unique insight into this new world to which we’ve been introduced.
The pacing was quite slow which would be considered appropriate in many ‘cozy’ fantasy stories but I feel like this book lacked stakes and intrigue, it might just be because I felt as though the two main characters had already ‘won’ and my expectations as to the plot wasn’t met.
While not the strongest in the trilogy, I’m still very happy with the ending and am very grateful to have had the opportunity to read this as an ARC before others (trust me, I got intense bragging rights)

Having loved the previous two instalments, I was so excited to jump back into Emily Wilde's world. This time, we follow Emily and Wendell as they work together to try to save Wendell's realm from ruin.

It was great to see some more of Wendell's kingdom. I saw on Heather Fawcett's Instagram that the main inspiration for the kingdom was Killarney National Park in Ireland, where I actually went on holiday last year. I was really able to picture it while reading. Of course, the beautiful prose helped a lot, too! Heather Fawcett has an amazing way of writing that feels so authentic to Emily's character and the academic world of dryadology. It's made me want to reread the whole series again because I've had such a great time with it.

The only reason that this book wasn't a 5* read for me was because the stakes felt a bit low for Emily. Many things seemed to happen quite easily for her, so I would have liked to see her struggle a bit first! However, this story was so cozy and full of Wendell's signature charm. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes some higher stakes in their cozy fantasy.