I'm not even surprised about the rating. I loved this book.

I am an avid fan of Heather’s writing, and I fell deeply in love with these characters.
It was slower than the other two books, and the plot felt a bit on the face at times, but I couldn't help but love it anyway. Just not as much as the last two.
Emily is still one of my favourite characters in this book, we followed her since the very first book, where she couldn’t even interact with any character and was only focused on pursuing her career. I truly enjoyed seeing her grow.
I loved the banter as usual, and there’s something so endearing about how much Emily and Wendell love each other. They were out to save the kingdom, and we as readers are rooting for them. And I do think that there’s something so special about creating characters that make readers care for them as if we knew them our all lives. And that’s what I did.
There’s an element of cosiness that brings back the feeling of longing for the slowness that the first book had.
Although! I was in between accepting that - yes, slow is steady, and Emily Wilde was never about being a complicated, action-packed book. And! , I want more action and more political intrigue. Maybe that’s why my rating reflects that conflict within myself.
The pacing was jarring at times. which weakened the book (for me), and lack of other character's POVs made it a bit less interactive with the world and more stale.

However. I still love this world and its characters dearly. And I wish it would never end.

I preferred Wendell in this book than in the previous two - but this could be because he is relegated to more of a side character. I’ve never really been a big fan of Emily and Wendell’s love story - I love Emily’s character (a strong, female neurodivergent lead) but found Wendell lacking. They don’t spend a lot of time together in this book and I wasn’t eager for their multiple reunions like I can be for couples who have been kept apart.

I enjoyed the return of the side characters from the previous books (wish we had more of Poe) but the side characters introduced in this book did not hit in the same way.

The pacing of this book was off for me - I ended up getting a bit bored by the half way point. It felt like not a lot happened even though the stakes were high (a cursed kingdom, an ‘evil stepmother’ to find) - but these were all quickly and easily tied up. I almost thought the book could have ended a couple of times before it did (like watching Return of the King!). The ending was quite open ended but I did appreciate what Wendell did for Shadow (best character by far).

In the previous two books, I most enjoyed the ‘action’ scenes but there were not really any in this book. Instead Emily spent a lot of time researching and journeying alone. Sadly, for me, this makes the book the weakest of the three.

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Books Group/Orbit for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales" is an absolutely charming and delightful return to a truly magical world. T. Kingfisher continues to weave her unique brand of wit and wonder, making this compendium a joy to read from start to finish. I loved delving back into Emily's meticulous (and often hilariously dry) observations, and the expanded lore of the fae was utterly captivating. Each tale felt like a perfectly polished gem, offering a fresh glimpse into the fascinating dynamics between humans and the hidden folk. While I adored every moment, I confess I sometimes wished for a more overarching narrative to tie the tales together, but this is a minor note in an otherwise brilliant collection. Highly recommended for fans of cozy, clever fantasy!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

I am once again 100% sure that I submitted a review aaaages ago but here we go again. Too little scholarship, too much fairy chaos when I am not particularly fond of Wendell as the love interest. Reversed established storylines made this a bit more fun but I am just not a fan of Wendell...

3 stars

A solid ending to the Emily Wilde series. Did I expect something...just...more? Yes, yes, I did. Could I tell you what that "more" is? No, I can't.
The third book concentrated mostly on Emily and her experiences. Don't get me wrong, I do love Emily, but I wish we had a bit more Wendell added to the mix. The plot was kind of...slow and a bit...boring? It was interesting to see more of the Faerie world and their politics, but it did drag a little.

I do enjoy Heather Fawcett's writing immensely and will definitely pick up whatever she decides to write next!

I'm so behind on reviewing books that it's not even funny. I'm reading but just not getting around to actually putting words on the screen about how I feel about the books in question - this is bad, but what can I do? Anyway, over the summer while I'm not working, I'm going to try and catch up with the backlog...

So, if you've been reading fantasy any time recently, then you'll know how big 'romantasy' is in that genre. To be honest, it's hard to avoid it, try as I might, but while the books in this series probably fit fairly comfortably into that sub-genre, for me it's about the difference between two things: a fantasy book with a romance sub-plot vs. a romance book that happens to have a fantasy world as its background. Like its predecessors, Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is the former rather than the latter, as its fantasy plot is strong enough to carry a romance sub-plot without it taking over.

This time around, Emily spends a significant chunk of this book in Faerie, as her fiance (and fae) Wendell takes the throne of his kingdom and she's forced to go on a quest to save his life/the kingdom from a curse. As usual, Emily is a capable and well-rounded character and everything in the plot holds together well. The relationship between Emily and Wendell is important in pushing things forward, mainly as he's one of the ones in peril, but it's not the main focus of what's going on (which is probably why I like these books while others more in the romantasy line leave me a bit cold).

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgally. This is my honest review of the book in question.

I loved being back in this world with Emily and Wendell. I fell in love with them and their dynamic since the very first book.
Emely Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is a cosy fantasy with magical folklore, intrigue, wit, romance and a wonderful cast of characters.
I would never not recommend this book and this series.

I really enjoyed this series from the very first book. It’s an atmospheric cozy fantasy with magical folklore, intrigue, wit, and romance and a wonderful cast of characters, especially the protagonist, Emily Wilde, a highly esteemed professor of Folk studies and now their reluctant queen, and the always charming heir to the throne Wendell Bambleby. I have loved Emily and Wendell’s relationship from the very beginning, with their banter, her resolve and scholarly attitude against his easy and striking disposition and the way their rivalry turned into love.

If you’re looking for a fantasy book with an immersive world then look no further.

Last month I finally got round to reading the next instalment in the Emily Wilde trilogy and it was just as cosy and whimsical as the first two!

A cosy fantasy, that still showcases the ferocity and fickleness of the faeries, Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales brings us another whimsical adventure for Emily, Shadow and Wendell.

It was so fun seeing more of the faerie kingdoms and Wendell’s old home. The prose was immersive and I adored the lore behind the kingdom and faerie stories and traditions. Seeing a human try to survive in a faerie kingdoms will never get old to me and I love that Emily is a scholar trying to make sense of it all.

The pace felt a lot slower for me so I definitely took my time reading this, that said I always love being back in this world.

Emily and Wendell’s banter and relationship never fail to make me laugh and I have really enjoyed this trilogy. I can’t wait to see what Heather brings next!

I’m not sure if Heather Fawcett is planning to end the Emily Wilde series with Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales, but it wouldn’t be a bad spot to do so, with Emily and Wendell retaking his kingdom and trying to settle down to rule it. As you’d expect in a fairy tale, it doesn’t go quite so easily (and also that wouldn’t make half such a good story).

I did get a bit stalled on this one, but it was due to life events, rather than being about the book — when I was in the mood to read it, I ate it up in big gulps, om nom nom. I love Emily and her determined, matter-of-fact nature, and I love Wendell and his fairy-strangeness (tempered perhaps by his time among humans).

I also loved getting to see more of Taran, and the fairy court in general, and the appearance of some old friends into the bargain. And for those who might worry about Shadow (Emily’s dog/eldritch beast), he’s doing just fine by the end.

I continue to love the format of a female scholar getting entangled in big events through pursuing her curiosity, though Emily charges into it a bit more directly than my other favourite (Isabella, from Marie Brennan’s Lady Trent books).

"Stories shape the realms and the actions of those who dwell there. Some of those stories are known to mortals." - Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales begins just where Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands finishes, with Emily (Cambridge's foremost dryadolgist) and Wendell about to step through the magic door that will lead them from our world to Wendell's, so that he can reclaim his fairy kingdom. Emily's irritating colleague Wendell is, we have learned, in reality and exiled fairy prince who has been searching for a way back so that he can challenge his stepmother for the throne.

This story is, then, rather different from the previous two because it's less Emily trying to solve a mystery in the course of her research than a deliberate and planned incursion (even if Emily's diary and reporting style are reminiscent of an academic field trip - you can take the woman out of Cambridge, but...)

Or so it would seem. In fact, once the two set foot in Wendell's kingdom, their troubles have only begun. It's less the battle for the throne, more the elusive and downright sulky nature of the kingdom itself. Oh, and the curse that his stepmother has laid upon it...

And that does take us closer to the earlier books, which might be oversimplifiedlified as Emily drawing on her knowledge of fairy lore to solve a situation. In Compendium of Lost Tales, it's a brutal one, the kingdom is dying, how will it be saved? Wendell has an answer, but his solution is likely to cost Emily everything. can she find, as it were, a loophole in the contract? Surrounded by shifty fae, whose loyalty and friendships change like the clouds on a windy day, and with Shadow also ailing, it's a tough challenge.

I enjoyed this book the most of the three Emily Wilde stories. Until now, the fairy kingdoms have only been visited briefly, events being seen through human eyes from our world. While Emily's and Wendell's strong central characters have dominated, the human angle has distracted - I kept trying to pick apart the differences between Fawcett's Earth and our own, and to locate her Cambridge and Emily's and Wendell's society in relation to our own. That isn't really the point of the books, I think. In contrast the full blown engagement with fairyland in this third book rather frees the imagination to engage with the tricksy business of fairy magic, fate and Wendell's complicated family relationships. It also brings a slew of fascinating new characters who I enjoyed meeting.

Great fun, and a fine ending to this brilliant series.

Though a big fan of the first two books, I just could not connect with the story of this, the third instalment. Though having all the elements I enjoyed previously (independent and brave Emily, swoon-worthy Wendell, capricious fairies etc) I think the focus of the story shifting to something Wendell wanted to achieve rather than a purely academic pursuit of Emily’s contributed to my lack of enthusiasm.

Our intrepid fairy academics venture back to Wendell’s kingdom to reclaim is lost throne, and much of the book is devoted to Emily’s endless observations about the court’s denizens and culture. Though she’s ostensibly using these to write another paper and achieve more academic kudos, it does feel like her work is de-centred by the focus on Wendell and his position. She thinks he is ill-equipped to navigate the politics and complex relationships of being a ruler when actually he’s pretty comfortable in what is his natural environment.

The pace was glacial and I must admit to listening to the audiobook on super-fast speeds by the 3rd act. I had some troubles with the structure as well with the story feeling like it was ready to conclude but in reality being only 80% done.

Fans of the series will enjoy this book despite these critiques, as it’s still full of danger, evil villains, treachery and heroics we’ve come to expect from the series.

A phenomenal end to the series- this cured my reading slump and made it to my fave books of all time- I adore them and can’t wait to reread because i alr miss them 🥺🥺

Beautifully written and a great ending to the trilogy. I love this world so much and I'm.sad it's over

A beautifully atmospheric conclusion to the series, Compendium of Lost Tales delivers faerie intrigue, academic musings, and a slow-burning romance—but at a more measured pace than its predecessors.

✨ A scholar turned queen 💫 Faerie politics & hidden dangers 📚 A richly woven world of magic

Fawcett’s prose remains immersive, and Emily’s journey into Wendell’s faerie kingdom is filled with fascinating lore. However, the slower pacing and heavy focus on faerie politics make certain sections feel drawn out. While the emotional stakes are high, the narrative doesn’t always maintain the momentum of earlier books.

If you love intricate world-building, fae mythology, and scholarly protagonists, this is a solid, if slightly uneven, finale.

“I have learned there is one thing a person never tires of, no matter how long they live. And that is being in love. All else is ash and ember.”

A beautiful conclusion to the Emily Wilde books. The Compendium of Lost Tales is the third and final book in the series and while I am sad to see it go I think the ending was full, well rounded and satisfying to read while leaving it just open enough for another potential book in the future

This book keeps its cosy fantasy vibes while showing a different more darker side to faeries really leaning into actual folklore and myth. I loved seeing even more progression to the main characters Emily and Wendell and how they navigated there relationship being tested as well as a few appearances from characters that had been in previous books.

While I did enjoy the book and was happy with how it concluded I was a little crestfallen in that there didn't seem to be as much adventure as the previous books, the dialogue and academic explanations can be fairly wordy and the journeys and adventures they go on usually gives the books a nice balance but this instalment seemed to be slower paced than the previous and when something interesting sparked it got resolved a little too quickly.

That being said I still think the series as a whole is wonderful, its incredibly unique and I will miss the world and it's characters (especially shadow)

A lovely conclusion to a witty and lovable series. I really enjoyed all of the books in this series and often recommend it to others
Excited to read more from the author

A perfect ending to a great series. One thing that drew me in about the first book was the different approach to fae stories. Even when Emily and Wendel venture in the Fae realm, Emily's observant nature kept things interesting for me. The court intrigue didn't affect her as much and she played into it well, gently guiding and manipulating the players so they would do what she wanted. She's truly fit to be a queen of faerie, especially as a human queen. She knows the loopholes, sees then, exploits them. But she needs the help of others as well. The major mystery of the story she can't solve without help. I truly enjoyed the last third of the book as they work it out. The ending was deserved in so many ways.

Long shall they live, Queen Emily and King Wendell.

Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Heather Fawcett for the advanced copy of Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales via NetGalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review. Quick note: I don’t recap plots in my reviews, as it’s easy enough to read the book’s synopsis and blurbs, I purely focus on my feelings & opinions of how the books makes me feel.
This book is the third in the trilogy. The first book (Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries) was on my list of favourite reads of 2023 and I gave it a solid 5/5. The second book (Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands) held strong at 4/5.
Unfortunately—for me—the trajectory continued down, rather than up. Perhaps too hastily written to follow on from the previous two, the Compendium just feels flat and like it’s going through the motions.
There was none of the truly adventurous spirit that I encountered in the first book, or the daring and spirited character of the second. There was a lot of info-dumping that perhaps the author *really* wanted to cram in there, or perhaps just to fill space, but I found myself glossing over it, rather than getting stuck in and actually reading it. And I LOVE folklore.
The tropes were a bit lacklustre and obvious, and overall it all just felt like it was just an exercise of crossing the Ts and dotting the Is before tying it all up in a neat bow. No pizazz, no surprises, no beauty or sparkle like the previous books.
And it made me sad! I absolutely ADORED the first book, and it’s one I’ll re-read many times. I’ll likely re-read the second as well. But this one – sadly – will not be.
Moods: adventurous, dark
Tropes: fairytale/folktale retelling, grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, peril
Pace: slow
Character development: weak
Plot or character driven: 50/50
Diversity: high
Rating: 3/5

A wonderful conclusion to a trilogy I have enjoyed.

I requested this book being a fan of the previous two and it did not disappoint. It continued the cosy whimsical academic fantasy from the first two.

It did have the hard task of tying up plot points, some of which were done well and other felt rushed and disjointed.

There was more of a focus on the main romantic interests which I enjoyed and there were more new characters which interested me.

A well executed conclusion