Ah, how lovely it is to return to Emily Wilde and her wild adventures with her fae fiancé, who also happens to be the monarch of his long-lost kingdom. After their previous trials & tribulations, Emily and Wendell are finally on the cusp of returning to Wendell’s kingdom to restore order following the murder of the former queen. But of course, things are not easy going as they discover that report of the queen’s death has been grossly exaggerated. And so Emily may need to wield (ha) her scholarly knowledge of faerie tales once more to save her fiancé and the kingdom.

Without spoiling the rest of the story, I have to say that this was the perfect ending to this cozy fantasy with fae mythology & scholarly footnotes (lots of them!). There are new Folk myths and misadventures where things come full circle towards the denouement of the trilogy. There is plenty of snarky humor & banter that made me fall in love with the series in the first place. There is (finally) enough time for Em & Wendell to be happy with one another!

This wasn’t perfect, of course. I wanted more backstory for the oíche sidhe Folk, especially since a side character introduced in this hinted at something more re: their mythology (alas, that is the Wilde curiosity in me speaking). And yes, there were convenient plot points which meant that ultimately this felt more low-stakes compared to the first book, but after everything Em & Wendell had to go through? I welcome the happy ending, frankly.

Heather Fawcett comes back with the most romantic and faerie world-centered book! At first, it felt like reading a totally different story. I was missing the research aspect and chaotic scholar Emily. However, it was done with a point. Emily had to find herself in this new situation and stop acting like someone else. I really enjoyed what came after – the faerie court problems, secrets and all the stories!
However, sometimes the information they acquired seemed too convenient for the characters to appear so suddenly.
I couldn’t help falling even more in love with Emily and Wendell. Find yourself a partner who is so in love with you, that he sends you dramatic love letters full of yearning when you leave for a research trip.
I just want to say that Shadow deserves all the best.

Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for sharing this book with me in exchange for an honest review.

A warm thank you to Little, Brown Book Group, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for an honest review.

Our cozy series comes to an end with one final journey, complete with smatterings of whimsy and light academia. Emily and Wendell are as endearing as ever in their final quest on our pages! They work unravel the former faerie queen’s plots to save Wendell’s kingdom from a polluting sickness.

While the stakes are comparatively much higher in this novel’s plot, unfortunately it felt a little shallower and haltingly paced when compared with the previous two books. I do wish there had been greater time and depth lent to exploration of Emily and Wendell’s relationship which, but for the occasional kiss, seemed to have developed little beyond their collegial friendship in “Encyclopaedia of Faeries”. Tension in the plot was also low, with Emily’s unwavering brilliance meaning that a trip to the library is the only diversion required to unravel a complication.

All this said, I have loved these characters, the setting, and Heather Fawcett’s brilliant writing! It’s sad to see this series come to an end, but I can’t wait to see what Fawcett will feed us with next!

Thankyou to Netgalley and Heather Fawcett for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.

I am sadly unable to give feedback as the file did not work so I was unable to read or download a copy.

"If Wendell’s stepmother has us slain before I have a chance to contribute to the scholarly debate, I will be very disappointed."

Big thanks to the Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for granting me another ARC in this instalment.

Whenever I pick up this world, I know I will be wrapped in magical wholesome whimsy. :)

In this third part of Emily Wilde's adventures and stories, we are again greeted by a delightful cozy plot, where you just know everything is going to be just fine (yes, even in *those* parts). Wendell and Emily embark upon another adventure, this time in a different realm. Without giving away too much, you can expect the classical scholarly tendencies Emily has, as well as typical Wendell who is spoiled, chaotic, and very, very, very in love. :)

While this part was not as strong as the second book (for me!), I did find myself enjoying the little twists and turns and seeing how our characters would get out of certain troubles.

I really don't have a lot to say because this book was the perfect ending to an incredible trilogy. Emily Wilde is easily my favourite trilogy in recent years, it is such a comfort read, perfect for all seasons. I absolutely love Emily and Wendell as a couple in book 3, their relationship is so warm & gentle without dominating the story. As always the plot is full of hurdles to overcome and they do so with grace and thorough research.
I'm so sad this series is finished but very exited to see what Heather Fawcett brings us next!

I was so thrilled to receive an ARC of this book, I have loved following Emily and Wendell’s journey through the last couple of books so was so happy to get started on book 3!

It was great to spend more time in Faerie in this book, really getting to grips with Wendell’s realm and picking up immediately after the end of book 2. I love the way the realm is described, showing beauty but retaining the disconcerting elements.

I really enjoyed the way this book constantly links back to stories and folklore, it made for such an interesting theme throughout and it was so fun to see Emily in her element!

I wish this book had allowed a deeper look at Wendell & Emily’s relationship as it felt quite surface level (I still love Wendell though!). I don’t need anything explicit but some more intense descriptions of their romance would be great, otherwise it reads as a fairly platonic relationship to me!

I also think this one loses the dark edge that the previous books held, there is just a shallowness to those elements which make it less impactful… The Crimson Cloaked lady could have had a bigger/darker part to play!

I will definitely pick up any other books Heather Fawcett writes and continue to recommend this series to fantasy lovers

4 stars

Thank you so much to Orbit books for my e-ARC!

Really enjoyed it just like the previous two installments. No surprises. I do hope someone makes a full cast audio books of this series as I think it would be magical.

Emily is determined to assist Wendell in reclaiming his throne by overthrowing his stepmother and breaking the curse that grips the land. Yet, various fairy tales warn that such quests often lead to disastrous outcomes. Emily must devise a strategy to outwit not only the current queen but also the intrinsic mechanics of the fairy world, which seems designed to thwart mortals and their dreams of happy endings.
The tone of the narrative has become more serious, appropriately setting the stage for a perfect resolution to all open ends. We get some great new characters while also featuring brief appearances from beloved or feared characters from earlier in the series. What could have been mere fan service instead addresses every lingering plot line, bringing the trilogy to a satisfying conclusion while beautifully highlighting Emily's journey and growth since the very beginning.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is a lovely conclusion to the series, even though it didn’t quite capture the same magic as the earlier books for me. Emily’s growth is amazing; she’s still that smart, thoughtful person we love, but she’s definitely more open about her emotions in this one, which is a nice touch. Wendell and Emily’s relationship is still adorable and feels so real, with plenty of growth on both sides, which I really appreciated.

The book takes a darker turn compared to the previous ones, which is interesting, but the pacing can be slow at times. Emily spends a lot of time focused on these lost tales, treating them as the solution to everything, which eventually feels a bit repetitive and, in some ways, holds the story back. That said, the world of Faerie remains fascinating and atmospheric.

My main issue is that the plot feels too convenient: challenges are resolved too easily, and there’s not enough of the charming banter between Emily and Wendell that made the earlier books so enjoyable. The ending is particularly underwhelming, lacking the impact you’d expect from a series finale. The footnotes, while fitting for Emily's academic style, become excessive after a while (ironically, even Emily complains about footnotes in other books).

That said, I still enjoyed the book overall. If you’ve been following Emily’s journey, it’s a sweet and cozy read to finish off the trilogy. I'd give it 3 stars, it’s fine, but it could have been much more satisfying as a conclusion.

(Though I wouldn’t say no to another book, since this ending leaves some room for more stories *wink*...)

This series never ceases to amaze me, it's so cosy, romantic and mysterious. I really liked this third book! It's well-constructed, it doesn't lack adventure, mystery, cozy atmospheres and romance. The interactions between the two MC are fantastic and I love those two with all my heart. Wendell is so cute and hot, he's the perfect book boyfriend.
Thanks to NetGalley, OrbitBooks UK and the author for providing me with this e-ARC.

The third chapter in Emily Wilde’s mad hat yet still cosy adventures is a delight as always but doesn’t hit the highs of the previous instalments. The book starts immediately following the events of book two and to be honest I couldn’t quite remember all the specifics so I spent the first few chapters trying to remember who some of the characters were. Emily and her fae lover boy prince, Wendell, are back as their efforts to defeat his stepmother for the throne were in vain as the previous queen has left the Fae in a state of decay with inevitable destruction on the horizon. There are a few new characters but aren’t really given enough to do. In fact, I feel Emily isn’t really given enough to do. The stakes are very very low even for a cosy adventure. If you are a fan of the first two, I’d recommend it 100% to finish off Wendell and Emily’s story.

What a delightful third book! It has all the charm of books 1 and 2, with an all new adventure into the faerie realm. I’m just really enchanted by this series, such a cute, enjoyable read!

4/5 Stars – A Delightful Return to Faerie Mysteries

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is a charming and immersive sequel that once again showcases Heather Fawcett’s talent for blending academia, adventure, and fairy folklore. Returning to Emily’s world feels like slipping into a cozy, well-worn armchair—full of rich descriptions, whimsical charm, and just the right amount of peril.

This time, Emily finds herself unraveling more fae mysteries, with Wendell by her side in all his roguish, enchanting glory. Their dynamic continues to be a highlight, balancing sharp wit with genuine emotional depth. The novel expands the worldbuilding in intriguing ways, introducing new fae lore and creatures that feel both wondrous and eerie.

However, the pacing stumbles slightly in places, with some sections feeling a little meandering compared to the tightly woven intrigue of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Additionally, while the romantic and character-driven moments are lovely, some readers might wish for a bit more high-stakes tension.

Overall, this is a beautifully written, atmospheric, and deeply enjoyable follow-up. While it doesn’t quite surpass the magic of the first book, it remains a worthy and enchanting sequel for fans of cozy fantasy and fae folklore.

What a fantastic ending to the trilogy this book was. Emily Wilde has been from the beginning a series that had me enthralled and absolutely captivated and each book managed to pull the same feeling out of me over and over again.

I doubt I will ever be able to get over how amazing this series was. I loved it. I love it. And I will keep loving it. This book takes us back into the world the same way book two did. However, this time we are in Faerie and, to be honest, I loved being able to discover this new version of the world. To finally dive into it and discover what we have been able to discover and learn through Emily's research all this time. Wendell is as always a fantastic character, with so much subtle and not so subtle humor about him. Yet, he also has a darker side I always long being able to witness and read about.

Between the story, Emily and Wendell, the side characters, Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales once again pulls off what Book 1 and Book 2 managed to do and delivers a fantastic story I am sure to run back to whenever I have the chance.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

thank you to netgalley for an arc of this book!

What a great end to this trilogy. I adore the entire vibe of this books and the whole trilogy, it just always gives such a cosy feeling and never fails in making me laugh at points but also going to darker themes.

Wendell is just honestly amazing and I love his adoration of Emily and everything that she is. Reading his letters to her when she wasn’t with him were so cute and just made me melt. I loved seeing him come into his own when returning as a King of Faerie and although I was really worried he was actually dead, I’m so happy that Emily, as always, managed to find a way.

Emily is one of my favourite characters, she’s so confident and you can see how she has grown throughout the 3 books. She trusts her instincts and once again was proved right to do so.

It was great seeing some older characters from the previous books, and Emily going back to the Hidden King had a nice circle feel to the whole trilogy, going back to where we started. Reading this has made me just want to reread the whole series again and see how much these characters have changed.

A trilogy I have truly enjoyed reading is over, and this is a series I will definitely be recommending!

Heather has that cozy fantastical feeling down to a T. Being in Emily’s mind through her POV as she embarks on her journey was a welcome pleasure, as usual. The world was clear and fun, but you still had those reminders sprinkled throughout out that faeries aren’t always sunshine and rainbows. I don’t think I’ll find another book that encapsulates the feelings those series gave me!

No spoilers for this books but as its the conclusion of a trilogy, there are some for previous books.

Emily and Wendell are thrust into the court now expected to be in charge

Will the court accept the Prince and his human bride to be...

As well as navigating this, they are dealing with a curse on the lands from Wendells stepmother and what will it take to stop this... maybe more than Emily is willing to sacrifice

I think this was actually my favourite of the series, great conclusion and completed now so you can get caught up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Browm/Orbit for the review copy, all opinions my own

What an adventure! Wendell and Emily continue to be some of my favorite characters. Their story is the sweetest! If you're looking for a cozy time with a sprinkle of mystery, dark faeries, and suspense, this is the read for you. A perfect follow-up to the first two books in the series. I'm a huge fan!!

How I love cozy fantasy.

Not much can be told in this third part as it may be spoilers.

Emily and Wandell are a beautiful couple who have evolved greatly.

The setting has been the touch for me, I loved how the author creates all this magical background and all that academic mood (I wanted to immerse myself in this world) I just wanted to know more about the fairies as well as Emily.

The whole cast of secondary characters and in general everything Emily goes through has fascinated me, I just want more and more of her.

It has been phenomenal.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this amazing ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.