I was instantly attracted to this cover which made me think of the Fairytale: A True Story movie. I thought it was going to be a cute story about beautiful, whimsical faeries … well I can confirm that that would be far from the truth.

This is a story of adventure, discovery and some quite sinister faeries. Emily is going to remote areas of the World to follow the tales of the faeries and try to interact with them in order to complete her studies and develop an encyclopaedia to share at a huge conference. During her journey she has her faithful companion, Shadow and Wendell, who is a bunch of fun. The village she arrives at to find the faeries has had years of fear from them with children being taken and lives being changed. The descriptions of them were quite vivid and I had a really clear idea of what the different faeries looked like. Pretty creepy!

The story is written in a diary format and I actually quite enjoyed this style which made for some interesting chapters when other characters wrote in the diary.

This was a great story and much darker than I had imagined; which had me hooked right until the end.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to receive this arc in exchange for an honest review. I will post to goodreads nearer the publication date.

Loving Heather's previous duology, I was very excited to read this new book. Alas, I found it pretty flat and even boring, especially at the beginning. The characters didn't spark any interest in me, consequently I didn't care for them nor their relationship. Another thing I didn't enjoy was the journal-style narration, I just couldn't get into it. I felt detatched from everything was happening. I really wanted to love this story but it didn't work for me.

This is a very entertaining book, easy to read and moves along at a good pace. The main character, Emily is highly intelligent and remarkably emotionally stupid, and the journey for her is really more about trust and friendship than any more intellectual or academic learning. The other main character, Wendell, is immediately more appealing, complex and charismatic.

The setting is well done, and very well described, particularly of the extreme weather and landscape close to the arctic circle.

Although set in the world of ‘fae’, it is really as much a book of discovery, or quest, so can be read as such. And while part of a series, it can be read stand-alone. I didn’t realise it was the first book in the series, as the background to the main characters is so well established, so extra points for that. The secondary characters are very well drawn. My favourite was Poe, and it seems likely he will appear in the next book. A really good start to a series.

This book was so delightful to read and I could not put it down.

‘Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries’ is set in 1909 and follows Cambridge professor Emily Wilde, who studies faeries (the traditional, tricksy, dangerous type of faeries) and who wishes to create the world's first encyclopaedia of the various types of fae folk, their folklore, their natural habitats and secrets. To do this, Emily goes to the icy town of Hrafnsvik for a few months to study their local fae so she can finish her research, but is interrupted by her rival and colleague Wendell Bambleby, who wishes to team up.

I loved both Emily and Wendell’s characters and their grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and the fact that, refreshingly, the female MC is the grumpy antisocial one and the male MC is the little ray of sunshine. The novel is written as Emily’s diary or field notes during their time in Hrafnsvik and is so whimsical and poetic to read. The later romance was also extremely enjoyable and I wish that there’ll be a sequel so that this is explored in more depth and more of Wendall’s backstory is delved into.

An extremely enjoyable read that I couldn’t put down even if I tried - 5 stars *chefs kiss*

[This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.]

Utterly delightful from start to finish, this book made me remember why I love reading.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is told through diary entries of the titular main character as she embarks on a field study of the fae in a small Scandinavian town.

I loved the characters of both Emily and the male lead Bambleby, and I loved their dynamic together. The writing style felt convincingly historical. The tone of the book was light hearted most of the time, with many funny moments. The plot was gripping and set up and resolved its mysteries very well. I could keep listing all the good qualities of the book, but to cut things short, if this sounds like the kind of novel you like then you will not be disappointed.

The story does not end on a cliffhanger and resolves most of its plot threads, but there is definitely room left for more stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this book! The lore and use of magical creatures was wholly unique and interesting. The characters were entertaining enough to read about, and the plot was really enjoyable. Can highly recommend!

I loved this so much. The writing was completely lovely, the characters so interesting and well realised, the world building so engaging and thorough. I want to live in this world (though not Ljosland, that's too cold for me), it sounds fascinating. Emily was such an interesting character and I love how she is completely herself. Wendell, Finn, Aud, Shadow, everyone else were also brilliant, the dynamics between the characters seemed so believable and true-to-life.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this book.

Thankyou NetGallery and little, brown book group uk for providing me with a review copy via netgalley.
Wow- what a book! When I was reading into the book, I wasn’t entirely positive that it would be a book I would fully love but that was foolish of me! I love everything about this book.
I am a huge fan of the journal entry format of the book and liked that it gave us a bigger insight to the main character. Speaking of which, the characters were all really thought out and despite being social awkward, knowing it and then not altogether caring too much about it, the main character is still very likeable and relatable as she accepts her flaws and differences with others around her.
The star of the book for me however is the male main character- he literally stole my heart and plastered a huge smile on my face from the moment he was even mentioned, and he didn’t disappoint me throughout!
The ending felt a little abrupt in the number of questions I still had… which led to a string of google searches to make sure a sequel is in the process as I will simply be devastated if not!
This book has a piece of my heart and is one of the best books I've read this year!

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the advance Reader copy of this book.

The story follows Cambridge professor Emily Wilde a genius and scholar intent on writing the world's first encyclopaedia of fairy lore. Her research takes herself and her dog Shadow to the village of Hrafnsvik. Despite being a scholar Emily is not good with people and does not intend to befriend the townsfolk. Unfortunately her academic rival Wendell Bambleby arrives into town, he manages to charm the townsfolk and get right in the middle of her research.

While studying the secrets of the Hidden Ones (the most elusive of all faeries) in the forest outside of town. She finds herself being drawn also to uncover the mystery of Wendell Bambleby and what he really wants.

I wasn't sure if this book was for me on reading the synopsis but reading the arc completely changed my mind I absolutely loved it.

The book itself is set out in a diary or journal format where Emily is keeping notes of her research and finds in Hrafnsvik. This format made the book itself a quick and engaging read with short chapters or diary entries.

The slow burn dynamic between Emily and Wendells characters works really well with a ton of clever dialogue. You can't help but have a complete soft spot for Wendell throughout the whole story he is definitely a loveable rouge type character. He was definitely my favourite character.

I thought I was done with my faeire fantasy fiction phase but this book just dropped me straight back into it. This story it one I would recommend for fans of The Cruel Prince or Namomi Noviks work.

Overall this was an incredibly heartwarming and cosy read that reminded me a tad of watching a comfort show or a Studio Ghibli film. I would definitely recommend giving this a read and I will be looking out for more of Heather Fawcett's work.

Absolutely loved this book, the world is so fascinating and I literally want to read Emily’s encyclopaedia and learn all about the Fae etc in this world. The romance was so good and I want more of these characters! Amazing!

A kind thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC.

I am a huge fan of Orbit as a publisher, and I'm ecstatic every time they approve me of ARCs. This particular book sounded like a fun, quirky light adult fantasy that would brighten my reading nights. Sadly, it wasn't for me at all.

Yes, it's quirky mainly because of Wendell's witty comebacks and way of life, and a little because of Emily's no-nonsense attitude. Wendell is the character I liked the most, and I believe it's his POV we should have been following because his journey and his life were much more interesting.

Plot-wise, not much happened in the first half of the book. Just lots of walking into the woods without actually seeing the woods. It focused mostly on Emily's lack of social abilities. I'm sure that many will find it delightful and entertaining, but I just didn't like it. I've read other such characters and I did enjoy them a lot, but Emily either annoyed me or made me not care, which brings me to the biggest trouble for me. I didn't care either way; if she'd succeed or how. The fantasy elements were, sadly, not enough to keep me invested and some parts were confusing, i.e. the different kinds of fairies. (And I do love fairies!)

I don't know if it was the author's or the publisher's intention, but this book was basically described as "fairies" plus British/Scandinavian elements. I am Scandinavian myself, and according to my personal experiences, I didn't feel like the Scandinavian elements were accurate. Emily and Wendell went to Ljosland (which is a real Norwegian town) and/including Hrafnsvik which is an Icelandic word. It feels like the Scandinavian countries, languages, names, cultures were interchangeable and all blended together as if we're a monolith. Also, I didn't feel like the people/humans living there resembled Scandinavian people and way of life. It truly felt like a British way of life with Scandinavian names. Someone else might feel different and disagree with me, which is fine, of course. This is just my personal opinion regarding the text in the book.

However, as I said before, I'm sure many people will find it whimsical and entertaining and a reprieve from "darker" adult fantasies.

And I do look forward to more books from Orbit!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ebook in exchange for a review.

Emily is a professor at Oxford university and embarks on a field trip, to complete her encyclopaedia by documenting the famous tall ones.

The Folk were of another world, with its own rules and customs and to a child who always felt ill-suited to her own world, the lure was irresistible.

I loved Emily as a character: she’s introverted, better suited to reading than interaction and is as curious as they come. Sound similar to some of bookworms?

“You'd rather sit here with your nose in a book?"
"Vastly," I said, and he shook his head at me, not in disgust but utter bemusement.

There was also the presence of grumpy/sunshine troupe, and I loved how the woman is considered the unsociable, less delightful one. Even though I love Emily to pieces.

This book reads like a fairytale. Even the descriptions are full of folktales and atmospheric comparisons.

I was among the first to sight the snowbound mountains rising out of the sea, the little red-roofed village of Hrafnsvik huddled below them like Red Riding Hood as the wolf loomed behind her.

This was a quaint, fast read filled with discovery, intrigue and magic. I loved every second of it and each page felt like a breath of fresh air. Or like sitting by a fireplace with a mug of steaming hot chocolate at Christmas time.
I would say this would be a delightful book to read during the Winter months with the snowy backdrop and frosty weather, and I spent every minute feeling whisked away into the arctic landscapes of Hrafnsvik.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
by Heather Fawcett


Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and Fantasy,

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this – it proved to be a real treat. Fabulous world building, both “this” world and the fae one felt so incredibly real. The characters too, some were lovely, others grumpy and dislikable, and Emily herself comes over as very brusque and uncaring. In fact she's not, she just sees the world very differently. I empathised with her a lot, often I feel I'm adrift from others, that I'm not sure of the right actions – or reactions.
Then there's Wendell, who's something of a mystery, Emily sees him as something of a lightweight and is at a loss at to why his work is so highly regarded, and yet he seems to admire her, is always around her somehow – she's not sure how he manages that- and oddly how she's without him she seems to miss him. Still, its Wendell, he can't let Emily go on an adventure without him.
I adored this story, so full of fantasy, mystery and imagination and yet wound in threads of reality. I was taken along for the journey, hoping, crying, upset, happy along with the characters. And cold, it practically jumped off the page. The perfect ending too. Next time I read this I'm saving it for heatwave not chilly October!
I'd love to read more from this author, she has created just the kind of worlds I love to read.

Stars: Five, an amazing book, fantasy but very real feeling and a great tale.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

This just wasn’t for me unfortunately. I enjoyed it to begin with and loved the chemistry between Emily and Wendell. It’s sweet to see how much he cares for her without her really realising. However, it just felt a bit tedious the more it went on. The matter of fact tone of the narration just didn’t work for me and made everything feel incredibly anti-climatic.

Interesting story; I would recommend picking this up if you like light academia books!

P.S: Link to the full review will be posted closer to publication date as the post will be scheduled on our blog.

I would like to thank the publisher Orbit and Netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Not really for me. I found the language a bit flowery and I just couldn't get into it. The main character was a bit annoying from the offset.

This book is unlike others within its genre. It is written from the perspective of Professor Emily Wilde as she fathers information to include within the Encyclopedia of Faeries.

The romance took a slight back seat, tending to focus on the experiences, landscapes, discoveries throughout. Even still, it's a heartwarming, enjoyable read with the perfect amount of chemistry to keep you invested.

I didn't know what to expect, and I really enjoyed this book, despite the fact that fairies have never been one of my favorite characters. Emily Wilde is a researcher and takes on the world with her notebook, and although her brain is then what saves her, she has some decidedly peculiar adventures and encounters in the process. I can't wait to read the second volume in this series!

Non sapevo cosa aspettarmi e questo libro mi é piaciuto moltissimo, nonostante le fate non siano mai state uno dei miei personaggi preferiti. Emily Wilde é una ricercatrice ed affronta il mondo con il suo taccuino e anche se poi é il suo cervello quello che la salva, nel frattempo le capitano avventure ed incontri decisamente particolari. Non vedo l'ora di leggere il secondo volume di questa serie!

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

The novel is written in the style of a scholarly work, as Emily is, after all, writing the first encyclopedia about fairies. A charming, entertaining, romantic story takes the reader into the world of fairy tales, folklore, myths, and legends.

As an explorer, Emily Wilde wishes to know the unknowable, to see what no mortal has seen. Her studies bring her north to a small arctic village where she immediately alienates her host, acquaints a brownie, and confronts the changeling.

Emily tries to keep her journals professional, yet on this expedition, she finds herself continually struggling to meet this standard. Of course, she blames charming Bambleby, her colleague from Cambridge. One must expect some blurring of boundaries when one works with the Folk.

Enchanting and magical reading with lovely, brave, witty characters, and a stunning cover. Totally "hygge".

Highly recommended.

Oh where do I start with this lovely book, the cover? Isn’t it gorgeous! I can visualise it in hardback on my shelves right now!
I have never felt a book that was so perfect for curling up with a cuppa than this. Blankets. Candles chocolates. Such a fitting scene.
I absolutely couldn’t stop reading, there was just something pulling me to read just a bit more.
I become invested in the academia side with Emily’s research, her lack of finesse sometimes in people approach haha.
Then Enter Wendell bumbleby just brilliant!
I think my only critique and it’s a small one was the end scenes could have been way more , more oomph. More fighting faerie finale ! Just more!
It seemed to be a bit rushed/glossed over and I felt that was such a shame because it could have been magnificent.
Still I did love it and when I think of this book it makes me smile.
Brilliant!