I am so not ready to leave this series behind. The stories of Emily and Wendell might be my favourite ones of all time.

A fitting end to the series, but this one felt a bit slow at times and rushed in other places. I liked how Emily drew upon so many different story patterns.

A sweet conclusion to a series I've thoroughly enjoyed. If you're looking for some light fantasy with academics as the main characters, that's thoroughly wholesome, I highly recommend this series!

I guess it's part of her personality and also probably the attitudes of the time, but sometimes it feels like Emily really does not like Wendell?? The poor guy tries so hard.

I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. It's the perfect conclusion for this endearing cozy series that was solid 5 star comfort read material to me in its entirety.
I really hope to see more books set in this world in the future!

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a fantastic ending to the Emily Wilde trilogy, wow. These characters were already so dear to me based on the previous books, and this book cemented that.

Storytelling-wise, this book was very similar to the first two. You get journal entries from Emily, a researcher, with footnotes and all, and it’s just such a charming way of telling a story, that fits this one in particular very well. You really feel like you are reading Emily’s journal, and even though you wouldn’t expect footnotes in your average diary, it’s fully in line with Emily’s character.

And my gosh, Wendell, the man you are. I have so much love for him, and that despite the fact he’s blond. Just kidding, but god, he’s just so endearing.

I also loved seeing characters from previous books again, even though Emily is once again in a different place from the other two she was in in Emily Wilde #1 and #2. It really felt like the world was being built upon, rather than feeling fractured from each other, despite unfamiliar places.

I don’t have anything bad to say, this was all I needed for the finale of this trilogy. These characters are so so dear to me.

Firstly I want to thank the publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this excellent book.
It completely captivated me from the first page to the last. I must confess I had not previously heard of this author but now I will be sure to look out for any of their future work.

Another great entry to the series. I was anticipating this read hugely as devoured the others. Once again we are whisked away on a great adventure with Emily and Wendell. I was glad to see that this entry picked up where the last left off and we finally got to see Wendell fight for his throne. I champion these as a lighthearted break to darker romantasy and perfect for those who arent fans of smutty books.

I really appreciated the opportunity to read and review the 3rd in this lovely whimsical series where we join Emily Wilde who has spent her life studying faeries.
In this book, she is to begin her role as Fearie Queen and we join her and Wendell while they handle issues in the faerie realm including a nasty curse.

It was great to be back in the series. It's an easy cosy read - high stakes of course but in a relaxed way. I really enjoyed it as I have the rest of the series. If you're in to your cosy fantasy, this is a series for you.

This series has been one of my favourites so far and I definitely enjoyed this continuation. Love love love reading more about Emily and Wendell’s relationship. Also enjoyed the whimsical and interesting notes about fairy history and lore. Can’t wait for the next one.

This was…. Fine. I really enjoyed book 1+2 but 3 just fell a little flat for me? Its a fine conclusion to a good trilogy, and while I love the characters and the storyline, it just wasn’t my fav of all 3.

This series has been fantastic, from start to finish, fun, whimsical, engaging, entertaining….everything you could possibly want.
This book finished it so well, I know sometimes the last one can be a perfect hit or a total flop, this is definitely the former.
I’d recommend this to anyone.
Thank you.

Reviewed by Elloise Hopkins for the British Fantasy Society.

It has taken long and arduous research, but Professor Emily Wilde thinks she has finally found a faerie door that will lead Wendell back to his home, despite her peers frequently telling her that her theory on faerie doors is incorrect. It is a good thing that conviction in her own beliefs is one of Emily's strongest traits. Anyway, it is long past time for Wendell to return to his kingdom, despite what his stepmother may have to say on the subject. That would be the same stepmother that Emily previously poisoned, so no doubt she will be less than pleased to see Emily at her stepson's side as well.

At the same time, always the scholar, Emily, is working on her latest book, a collection of tales of the fae, which, as it turns out, will come in very handy for her as she encounters her next fae mystery. This time it will be her beloved Wendell in danger, but of course, with the utmost practicality, and little concern for her own safety, Emily will do what she must to set things right. Even if it means facing dangers and faeries, new and old.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is another truly welcome read from Fawcett's Emily Wilde series. The relationship between Emily and Wendell is sweetly growing in strength, and is, at times, hilariously contrary. Both are thoroughly invested in each other, and both are by now thoroughly aware of the others' most frustrating habits and deepest desires. Wendell's magic remains both an ever-unfolding wonder and danger to Emily, and his lack of knowledge of faerie politics, as they prepare to take their places as king and queen, beyond infuriating to her, and a witty contrast to her stoic and solid approach to life.

Emily's journal entries continue to inject the story with humour, and invite the reader to share in her frustrations with Wendell. He, of course, began back in book one as her academic rival, and has now taken a firm place in her heart, despite his sometimes flighty and whimsical approach to what Emily considers serious and consequential matters. The reader comes to quietly admire her strength and resilience. She faces some of her greatest fears as she prepares to become a human queen in a faerie kingdom, and tries to save Wendell from every danger he now faces as faerie king, including himself. Another absolute must read, and hopefully not the last.

Thank-you NetGalleyUK and the publisher for a free eARC in return for an honest review.

This is the third installment in Heather Fawcett's Emily Wilde series. Having read the first book when it was released, I somehow requested this eARC without having realised there was an intervening book, and then had to press pause until I had read that one. However, once I had read Book #2, I dove straight into this third part of the trilogy.

I'm not sure what I enjoy so much about these books. I suspect they aren't objectively excellent... and yet, I love them. And what is five stars for if not for a book you loved? The pace is quite slow, but the world-building is beautiful, and the characters, while infuriating at times, are fully fleshed out and I resonate with them. (What does that say about me?!) I enjoy the pseudo-academic storytelling about the various different types of fae and Heather Fawcett does a good job of making this feel organic and natural rather than pasted on.

I also felt that the relationship between Emily and Wendell in this third book was... healthier? More romantic? I appreciated it more and it irritated me less! I also appreciate their witty sarcastic back and forth and the way their human/fae interaction means they never quite see things in the same light.

5/5 Stars!!!! I am feral for these two!!!

There’s something rare about a book that makes you laugh out loud, ache a little, and feel completely at home all at once, and Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands (and the whole series, really) does exactly that. This finale was such a satisfying, emotional send-off for a world and characters I’ve grown genuinely attached to. And while I’m heartbroken it’s over, I wouldn’t change a thing, well, except maybe another book? Please? Hehe.

What’s always made this series stand out is the mix of rich faerie lore, whimsical world-building, and a main duo that feel both magical and deeply human. The folklore in this final book was especially well-woven, layered with unexpected twists and clever callbacks to past adventures. The tone walks this perfect line between cozy and dangerous, classic faerie chaos with emotional stakes, and somehow, the pacing kept me hooked even when the plot got a little tangled.

Emily is still brilliant, awkward, and quietly badass, even if she’s a bit more reserved this time around. Honestly, it fits. There’s real pressure on her in this book, and while some readers might feel she’s been dialed down a bit, it felt more like a reflection of her stress and growth. She’s still very much the person who can outwit ancient fae royalty and then get flustered by a simple compliment.

And Wendell… oh, Wendell. The dramatic, flamboyant fae prince who never lifts a finger, unless it’s for Emily. He’s hilarious, over-the-top, and utterly devoted, and I loved every single moment he was on the page. The letters. The protectiveness. The emotional meltdowns when Emily’s in danger. He’s a mess, but he’s her mess, and their dynamic remains the perfect mix of exasperating and endearing. Honestly, I’d read an entire book of them just having mundane conversations and sniping at each other lovingly.

Their relationship really shines in this final installment. It’s not about big romantic gestures (though there are a few swoon-worthy ones); it’s in the way they see each other, trust each other, and protect each other without question. It’s sweet, subtle, and completely believable. Every time Emily quietly fusses over Wendell or he goes feral when someone threatens her, it’s just... perfection.

Yes, some parts of the plot were a little hard to follow at times, and I wish there had been just a bit more time with the two of them together on the page. But the emotional payoff made it all worth it, and Wendell’s small written moments helped fill those gaps beautifully.

This trilogy has been pure joy; funny, clever, heartfelt, and full of magic in every sense of the word. Saying goodbye to Emily and Wendell feels like leaving behind a weird, cozy, chaotic little home. So yes, I’m begging: just one more novella. A bonus chapter. Anything. I’m not ready to let them go.

Thankyou so much to netgalley, the author and Little Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an arc in exchange for a voluntary review. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

I think this may be my favourite in the series. Despite him being blond, Wendell fully grew on me in this book until I couldn’t remember why I didn’t like him in the first place. I also loved seeing some of the characters from book 1 again and it reminded me of how cosy everything felt when I started reading this series earlier this year. Compared to books one and two, there is quite a lot less action in this book and instead Emily spends a lot more time researching on her own. Although the pacing in this book is also quite a bit slower, I think this was an amazing end to the trilogy.

Is this the perfect ending to a series? YES! So many series fall flat for me at the end, but Heather Fawcett managed to give us a compelling story with heart, character growth, and a mystery to boot. This is a series I will reread again and again.

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