First of all i’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS OVER

Emily wilde’s was one of the series where from one of the very first chapters, the story managed to drag me right into it, and not let me go until I finally finished it. I mean how could it not? It seemed it have taken everything I love to see in stories and just sprinkled it right onto every single page of the entire series. So yeah, i’m a bit sad that it’s over now. But satisfied nonetheless. Managed to give me that bittersweet feeling where you have to fight your tears while closing the book at the end, not due to the ending being tragic, but simply cause it ended.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the romance between Emily and Wendell dialed up a bit in this book! Emily is definitely not a very emotionally driven character, so the romance has always been a bit more lowkey in the previous installments. That’s what made these moments of tenderness between them even more special to me (since I myself am a very romance driven person).

Emily herself will always be one of those characters I’ll hold close to my heart. Something about passionate scholars just hits the spot for me. She always stayed true to herself and yet managed to get out of her comfort zone quite a few times during the series, and it almost feels as if I’ve watched a long term friend blossom into their true self.

And last but not least, Wendell <33
Safe to say, he made the top spot on my (very short, yet very important) list of blonde men I admire.

While the story wrapped up quite nicely, i’ll still be praying the the fae gods for a new book (travel novella collection me thinks)

2.5⭐️

Emily continues her adventures with Wendell, this time through Faerie itself.

I found it difficult to vibe with this book. It felt slow and didn’t pull me into the story. The story continues in much the same manner as the first two books, so readers who loved those are likely also to love this! I had hoped the third installment would suck me in moreso than the others, but while the final 20% did find my interest, the first 80% did not.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The third and final book of an absolutely awesome trilogy !

When I learned that I had managed to get my hands on an ARC, I was OVER THE MOON ! This series is so unique and fantastic, I couldn't wait to see how Wendell was going to get his kingdom back ... And I absolutely loved it =D

What I particularly liked :

- the universe which is AWESOME ! The details about the different Fae, their customs, their stories ... I loved all these little details so much !

- the plot with the consequences of Emily's actions in the previous book and therefore the revenge of the former queen (which was so twisted !!) AND THIS END !! I LOVED IT !!

- the characters who are terribly endearing >< Emily remains my favorite because she is so normal and yet she shows such courage !
Special mention for Lord Taran who I loved ! I'd love to have his story !

- the romance so cute and adorable but also terribly romantic ! I love how Wendell knows her so much (the gift of the cottage <3) and of course, the letters !

- the style with the footnotes that I DEVOURED !

In short, a last book of a historical fantasy series with an adorable romance and an absolutely magical universe that I recommend to everyone !

For fans of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell or simply fantasy with awesome universes, a must-read !

📚 Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett 📚

Release date: 11.02.2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Let me just start by saying that this was absolutely an fantastic conclusion to the series and I'm so not ready to say goodbye to this world and these characters!

Compendium of Lost Tales picks up right where the previous book left off, with Emily and Wendell off to seize his throne back. Most of the novel takes place in Faerie, where the protagonists face expected and unexpected dangers, including a deadly curse laid on the realm by Wendell's villainous stepmother. We get to see a lot more of Wendell's realm this time, as the two travel at length for a variety of reasons, giving us the chance to meet many whimsical creatures and landscapes.

The MCs have grown so much throughout this trilogy and their relationship was such a delight to read. A mix of banter and loving exchanges, the two seem so well matched by now! Wendell proves to be the most attentive and thoughtful fiancé, always giving Emily whatever is in his power to make her happy - sometimes he goes overboard, but always out of good intentions towards her. On the other hand, his ruthless Faerie nature also pops up many times, baffling Emily with her too-human-for-Faerie feelings and way of handling situations 😂 Emily herself has grown hugely, too - she's ready to accept help from others around her, be it Folk or human friends.

The story is well-paced and beautifully written. Heather Fawcett continues to delight with the academic tone she gives Emily in these "scientific journals", while also giving her space to ramble to herself and express her thoughts. The footnotes remain some of my favourite things about the series, making it so unique and reminding me so much of university times.

I assume that, if you're reading this review, you've probably read the first books in the trilogy... but either way, I'd highly recommend you pick it up because it's a brilliant light academia romantasy with fun characters and lots of unique elements!

A satisfying conclusion to Emily's journey in Faerie, with unexpected twists and turn on along the way. Emily and Wendell's relationship is focused on more in this installment, which I enjoyed. Their grumpy/sunshine vibe is still very much present. We get to see a little more of some old faces too.

Fawcett has created a world so enriching and vast that I really didn't want this series to end. Grab a blanket and a hot chocolate, this series is the perfect autumn/winter comfort read.

While funny and full of witty banter, I did not enjoy this Emily Wilde book quite as much, as I enjoyed the previous ones. Still this was a delightful quick read.

Thanks to @netgalley, I was able read Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales e-copy (pub date 11 Feb)

This being one of my most favourite series of the last couple of years, had me jumping of joy when I wad approved!

@heather_fawcett didn’t disappoint!! The third book in Emily Wilde’ series is just as full of whimsy, imagery, adventures and witty banter as the last two!

Wendel in his full faery monarch form, Emily being the genius that she is, Shadow an absolute sweetheart and my favourite, Orga, just the purrfect sassy companion.

I finished it in two sitting because it’s one of the series that always have me spellbound. Loved the conclusion to this whimsical, cosy fantasy journey. Will not be giving any spoilers

Cannot wait to get hands on the hardcover to paint the edges and add it to the collection ❤️

Title: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales
Author: Heather Fawcett
Pages: 368
Rating: 4/5


"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 studying the inner workings of a faerie realm-as its queen."

Another book that started slow but picked up.

It always amazes me how invested I become in this series and how well written it is. Especially from a journal perspective.

I also see the slow warming to Emily as a reflection of her character. She confesses that she isn't very good with socialisation and friendship.

Wendell and Emily have taken back Wendell's kingdom, but his evil step mother has cursed the land. Emily and her handy notebook, and research skills are to the rescue to find out how to save their kingdom. And of course the wonderful shadow (and Olga) are along for the ride. I was so invested in shadow too.

It was a lovely, warming read. Predictable. Cosy and left open ended for a book 4. (I hope)

You'll love this book if you like
- slow burn romance
- revenge
- love conquers all
- fairy tales
- fade to black intimacy
- journal perspective
- found family
- unexpected friendships
- animal companions

I am very grateful to Little, Brown Book Group, Heather Fawcett and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this ARC and it came as a total surprise.

I have only recently read the first two Emily Wilde books, so I couldn’t wait to see how the story was going to end and I had therefore high hopes for this one, and I’m thrilled to say it didn’t disappoint. I can easily say that Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is easily one of my favorite reads this year.

Once again written from Emily’s perspective through her journal entries, the book takes us on a new and exciting journey as Emily and Wendell set out to reclaim Wendell’s rightful kingdom. Emily must navigate her insecurities about becoming a mortal queen in Faerie and adjust to the challenges of living there full-time. Meanwhile, she uses her intellect and determination to confront the curse placed on the kingdom by Wendell’s vengeful stepmother.

The author once again surprises and amazes with her beautiful writing style. Her descriptions of the magical world are lush and captivating, transporting readers effortlessly into its enchanting yet perilous depths.

Wendell is as charming and flamboyant as ever, and his playful dynamic with Emily adds humor and heart to the story. Also, it was so sweet that every time she was leaving his kingdom, he bombarded her with letters.

Following Emily and Wendell’s journey through this trilogy has been an absolute joy.
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is a magical, heartwarming book filled with twists, surprises, and characters that leave a lasting impression.

The Emily Wilde series continues to be a triumph! Although I think this was my least favourite of the three books so far, it still had the usual distinct and quirky style of storytelling, and the characters I've come to adore. An easy recommendation for anybody looking for a good fantasy!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

’Yet I suppose that one cannot spend one’s life half in love with Faerie without wishing to be part of it, to wonder if it might feel like home in a way no mortal place ever had.’

Whimsical and wondrous, bewitching and beguiling, brimming with allure but laced through with a macabre edge Heather Fawcett’s depiction of the fae and their realm is utterly enchanting and fits the vibes that I’ve come to associate with tales of such beings perfectly. These books are the perfect mix of their beguiling wonder and their razor sharp teeth; there’s undeniably something utterly alluring about the faery realms and their residents here but with a macabre edge that can send shivers down your spine. Plus it’s all wrapped up in this gloriously cosy feeling journal format that never fails to delight me. There’s something truly mesmerising about this series that makes me feel that it holds universal appeal and this latest instalment was an absolute delight.

If you’ve read the previous books in the ‘Emily Wilde’ series then I’m sure you’ll already be well aware of the charm and wonder of these books (and if you haven’t I highly recommend picking up the first within the series as soon as possible). This instalment once again manages to capture the tone of the fae perfectly, creating a tale that has a wondrously enchanting feel to it with a macabre undercurrent running throughout. Unlike the previous two books within this series this one takes place mainly within their realm – rather than trekking through an area of the mortal world in search of them – but this worked for the overall narrative given where the series has been heading and I loved every moment of it.

Truthfully I don’t feel like I can say overmuch plot wise as I don’t want to give anything away. As the previous books have done this one highlights the importance of stories for the fae though; heading in a direction that left me with an impending sense of doom. Whether the overall result was devastating or delightful I naturally can’t say for obvious reasons but the journey to get to that ultimate ending was glorious, leaving me smiling – and shivering – throughout. The depictions of the trees can’t help but make you recoil slightly whilst the gifts featured at times left me beaming ridiculously.

Fans of the series will be happy to hear that there are lots of Emily and Wendall interactions throughout. He doesn’t get hold of her journal this time around, unfortunately, but there are letters from him included to give a sense of his voice (his efforts of swaying Emily in one of them utterly delighted me) and plenty of banter between the two. This book made me feel as if I was falling for this pairing, and Wendall’s charm in general, time and time again.

Other old favourites, like Poe, get a chance to a grace the pages with their presence whilst an another intriguing dryadologist is introduced in the form of Niamh. In the previous book I wasn’t overly fond, frustratingly, of some of these famous figures that were introduced but this time round I adored the addition and the scholarly friendship vibe that she managed to strike up with Emily. Seeing her bond with someone who she shares such passion for scholarship with was delightful.

During ’Emily Wilde’s Map Of The Otherlands’ there were times when Emily’s attitude towards her niece grated on me slightly but I’m thrilled to report that, that wasn’t the case here. Instead I found this a faultless addition to the series which I utterly adored. There is a personality change for one individual at one point admittedly but given the circumstances involved this managed to ring true to me happily.

Honestly I’d love to say more about ’Emily Wilde’s Compendium Of Lost Tales’ but think it’s best not to as I don’t want to give anything away. Let’s just say it’s a gloriously taut journey that managed to delight me throughout, even as a sense of dread continued to mount. If you’ve enjoyed the previous instalments of the series then you’re sure to find yourself enchanted once again. And if you haven’t picked the previous books up yet what are you waiting for? This series is an utterly charming, cosy delight with the perfect depiction of the fae, stories within stories (always a favourite feature of mine), a macabre undertone, a charming enemies to lovers romance and so much more. Needless to say I can’t wait to see what the author will write next (and already have my eye on her similarly charming sounding 2026 release).

I absolutely loved Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales, which I'm not surprised that I do because I have loved every previous installment in the series. This book was whimsical, funny, and so full of heart that I was constantly smiling while reading it - I think even more than when I read Map of the Otherlands! I also really liked how we finally get to read more about Wendell in the series, and I think the development of Emily's and Wendell's romance was just soo good. Do I want more of it? Yes probably but the short scenes that we got of them were enough for me. I also loved seeing familiar names and friends in this one!!!

As far as I know this is the last book in the installment? If not and I'm wrong (which I'm hoping I am), then I hope Heather Fawcett continues to write Emily's adventures. If yes, then I thought this was a great ending to the installment.

While I am very sad that this is the last book in a wonderfully fun trilogy, this book does wrap things up very nicely with one last adventure for Emily and Wendell as they return to Faerie to reclaim Wendell's kingdom from his stepmother who definitely made a mess of it. Emily an d Wendell really complement each other, with Emily using her vast knowledge and cleverness to find a solution to all their problems and Wendell finding the magic, plus protecting Emily at all costs (even if it is a bit extreme sometimes). This is the book where they find out if they can make it work together in a new land also while trying to end the curse that is corrupting that land. Yes, there are heartbreaking bits, but also coziness and wonderous sights to find, as well the the always entertaining antics of Shadow and Orga who also are totally awesome!

There are so many new fanciful and sometimes creepy beings to meet, Snowball and Poe returning and other characters from the previous books. I love the vengeful snails! Emily really shines in this book, despite being a mere mortal, and we have a cozy happy ending with much joy, though I really wish there were more books coming!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this wonderful book in a fantastic trilogy! Heather Fawcett is a great writer!

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group, Heather Fawcett and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this eARC.

I absolutely adored the first two Emily Wilde books and this one is no different. Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is easily one of my favourite reads this year.

The book is once again written from Emily’s POV in the form of her journal entries and this time we follow hers and Wendell’s journey to reclaim Wendell’s Kingdom. Whilst Em wrestles with her insecurities about being a mortal queen in Faerie and adjusting to living in Faerie full time, she must also use her intellect and wit to try and stop the curse placed on the Kingdom by Wendell’s vengeful step mother…

Heather’s superb writing brilliantly captures the awe and wonder of Faerie, with timely reminders that Fae are not governed by the same morals as most humans.

Wendell is his usual charming and flamboyant self, and of course frequently does things to make Em question his good sense:
“He nearly decapitated you,” I exclaimed.
“Yes, but besides that Em.” he said patiently.

I love Emily’s dry wit and humour, her musings and attention to detail in her journal entries. I love how you can feel her excitement through her writing when she discovers something new and interesting for her research. She is a beautiful and pure soul. Wendell is unashamedly himself and you can see how much he adores and respects Emily. Faithful sidekicks Shadow and Orga are of course their usual fantastic selves.

Following their journey through the course of these 3 books has been an absolute joy.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is a truly wonderful book, filled with magic, awe, twists and turns and characters that make my heart happy and full. I would highly recommend this book and the entire series to readers everywhere.

This was difficult for me to get through, because it just felt like the same thing all over again compared to the first two books. I kinda preferred the new setting over the previous one, but the writing was still so dry and I just can't manage to enjoy the romance at all and there isn't enough plot to keep me interested.

The perfect conclusion to this trilogy, Emily and Wendell's adventures come to a fitting close as they finally make it into Faerie - to stay.
Heather Fawcett's writing, as usual, is gorgeous. The prose made this feel like slipping into Faerie itself; every character's voice was distinct and the descriptions were deliciously fantasical. Emily's dedication to her research and Wendell's whimsy kept me turning right up to the end.

I was able to read this early via NetGalley - thank you Orbit and Little, Brown!

This is my most anticipated book of 2025 and I adored this. Returning to the world of Emily and Wendell was like sinking into a warm bath: comforting, pleasant and cosy. Emily is one of my favourite fantasy protagonists and returning to her narrative voice was like greeting an old friend. Wendell, meanwhile, is the epitome of excellence and I loved seeing more of the soft, romantic moments between the two as well as more of Wendell’s Fae power. This book’s plot is excellent, weaving fairytale plots with Emily’s academic rigour in researching a mystery.

Definitely an excellent conclusion to this trilogy. Definitely recommend!

Emily Wilde is once against on a whimsical adventure to deeply understanding the Folk while she and Wendell go to reclaim his throne. A story that touches on a lot of the key points of the series - magic, the importance of stories and a good sprinkling of romance throughout the book. I really enjoy their characters but also that of other characters in the story - there are some nice throwbacks to previous books but also new ones such as Delilah and Niamh. This book ends neatly but also allows for the future possibility of further books - 3.5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Book three is just as whimsical as the first two books, only with way more action and high pacing. We are still reading Emily’s story through her journal entries, which immediately brought be back into the story. This book starts at exactly where we ended in the last one. Emily and Wendell head back into Wendell’s realm to take back the crown from Wendell's stepmother. I was obsessed with the descriptions of the fae realm, the magical feeling was written perfectly!

I loved the aspect of the curse upon the land, it felt like the stakes were way higher than in the first two books. Of course, Emily would not rest until she figured out a way to solve the problem. The riddles from the lost tales are so fun to read and figure out along with Emily, her figuring out parallels with the story and their situation and the curse was not something I had read before. Since book one we have heard of all the stories of the fae, it seemed fitting that the answer was in them after all.

I really like seeing Emily finally getting out of her shell and I loved seeing characters return from the first book. The banter between Emily and Wendell is still top-notch, though there is some tension between them while adjusting to this new life and environment.

The end of this book could be a really satisfying ending. Emily and Wendell are happy together, though there is a hint of future conflict brewing. So if Heather Fawcett would like, I could totally see another installment in the future. We will see…

This book was a fantastic end to the Emily Wilde trilogy. Book 3 sees a return of Emily and Wendell’s adventures, this time to claim Wendell’s throne in faerie.

This book was perhaps the most whimsical and magical of the series, with charming and witty humour. The majority of the book is set in faerie, which makes it feel a lot like an adult version of the Folk of the Air series. The faerie kingdom is pure chaos which is at times bizarre but fun. Wendell’s character growth is evident, his devotion to Emily and their relationship is endearing. I really enjoyed his character in this more than the others. I loved that we got to see characters from the other two books, with more of Shadow and Orga’s fun animal hijinx. Emily’s narration is beautifully and expertly written.

I would say the footnotes don’t seem particularly necessary but are in keeping with the academic journal theme in the book. There were times when I think the narrative slowed a little. I liked that the finale brought the ensemble of side characters together. Overall a fantastic book and my favourite of the series.