The finale to everyone's favourite cosy romantic fantasy series is here! I enjoyed this one just as much as the second one (and perhaps more than the first?). Emily and Wendell continue to be adorable and I felt like this was a satisfying conclusion to their story.

4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2025/02/24/review-emily-wildes-compendium-of-lost-tales-emily-wilde-3-by-heather-fawcett/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Love fae? Read this series

It’s as simple as that. If you love stories of the fae and their tricksy behaviour then the Emily Wilde series created by Heather Fawcett is an absolute must read. I’ve loved every minute spent reading these three books and to be totally honest I’m sad to have reached the end of the road. Hopefully the author will come up with some more fae tales to fill the gap left by the conclusion of this series.

With the third and final instalment Fawcett fully immerses us in the fae world. Wendell has returned to his realm to reclaim his throne and Emily accompanies him to become his queen. Of course, nothing can ever be that simple, which is perhaps just as well as there would then be no story to tell. One proviso must I state before you continue. Spoilers for the first two books may lie ahead so bear that in mind before reading on. (Although I do try to avoid spoilers for the most part).

So, Wendell and Emily return to fae, for what should be a relatively simple endeavour that eventually proves anything but. It seems that Wendell’s (wicked) stepmother had one last trick up her sleeve and has placed a dreadful curse upon his long lost kingdom. The only solution is too dire to consider and eventually Emily’s research leads her to conclude that the solution may lie in old stories from the past. With this in mind she sets about to do what she does best – dig around until she uncovers something useful.

I had a lovely time with this final instalment. It was so easy to read, the characters were once again a joy to read about and Fawcett manages to create a magical fantasy world that is as fascinating as it is dangerous.

What I really loved about this.

Well, I confess that Emily and Wendell hold a special place in my heart. They’re a fantastic couple and I love the banter between the two. The author manages to inject their story with romance and humour and the relationship between the two has simply gone from strength to strength.

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I love the writing and the fact that Emily tells the story through her journal. It’s definitely a style that I thoroughly enjoy and she’s managed to bring her two main characters on so well. As you might imagine, Emily has mixed feelings about returning to the land of the fae. Of course, the scholarly side of her is absolutely animated at the thought of all the material that will now be available for her studies but this competes with her more rational nature in that she is aware that this is a world full of danger, she will probably always be walking on a knife edge and on top of this she’s not absolutely convinced about this new version of Wendell – or more to the point the changes that she fears may come about, the losing of some of the ‘human’ traits he’s taken on board. Wendell is totally in love with Emily, I loved the way he tries to get his own way by any means of bribery he can come up with – along with little (or actually quite grand) gestures such as a little getaway, a cottage in the real world easily accessed by a fae door.

There is a return to many of the characters from past stories, both fae and human, and this always adds an extra level of depth to the story. And, we have a fae dog and cat – both fiercely devoted to their respective humans. I loved these two.

On top of this the conclusion is really well handled. Emily’s research plays out perfectly and the eventual finale is tense and satisfying.

I don’t think I have any criticisms at all. Perhaps there was a little less Wendell in this one and maybe the start took a wee while to gather momentum but to be fair I was totally absorbed.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Oh this was just the perfect ending to a wonderful trilogy. I loved watching Emily and Wendell’s relationship play out from the beginning to the end. I loved the letters and the whole trilogy is one that I will always recommend.

This was once again a fantastic book in an already incredible series. I am so happy I got to read this, the way it was written was amazing and the characters rhat I already grew to love once more had me just so excited to read this. Heather Fawcett really created an awesome universe with amazing characters, and I think this was the perfect conclusion to this series!

thank you netgalley and orbit for a review copy!

4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved the ending to this series and this book was the perfect conclusion! I always recommend this series and i am so happy to say that this book was just as amazing as the others! I do not want to spoil anything but the character development and writing was fantastic. I really enjoyed the plot but found the pacing odd at times but overall it was incredible i also liked seeing more of the world as the world building is wonderful!! The writing style is so unique and one of my favourite parts of this book! Overall this is a fantastic historical fantasy for anyone who loves faeries and magical worlds!!

This was such a fun conclusion to this unique trilogy! I absolutely love the relationship and the growth between Emily and Wendaell throughout this series and the ending did not disappoint. I loved reading Wendell's letters to her! The faerie lore is one of the main things that hooked me on this series besides the romance. It was so interesting learning about faeries and I loved following these two on their last grand adventure of the trilogy. I Can't wait to see what Heather Fawcett brings next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC of this book

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is somewhat comforting and nostalgic whilst echoing the anxiety and melancholy of the darker world they are exploring. By far the most romantic entry to the series, and a wonderful ending to it.

This book is the perfect conclusion to the Emily Wilde series. It is probably more romantic than the other two, while Emily and Wendell’s relationship remains a sweet and adorable subplot. The plot also revisits this series’s main places and characters, which I found to be a nice addition.

My only complaint is that the characters spend most of their time in the Faerie realm. This was fascinating to read and differentiated the novel from Emily’s previous adventures, but I think I fell in love with the borderlands. I loved the realistic setting and the research expedition blended with the magical realms and creatures. Especially in the second book, where it seemed like one wrong step could lead to years spent trapped in the mist, somewhere between the two worlds. In Compendium of Lost Tales, the Faerie was stripped of its mysteries and allure for me.

Still, I loved this book and would read more from this author.

every book in this series is a 5 star read for me, it's just so comforting and cosy and beautifully written that it quickly became one of my all time favourite stories. it's like a warm hug from a lifelong friend, i feel i know these characters and i am not ready to say goodbye to them

i can't say too much because it is the 3rd book in a series but it was such a fun adventure, the stakes were higher, we saw more of the courtly fae and faerie and i still very much adored the journal writing style. Wendell has fermented himself in my top 5 book boyfriends, he literally just gets better and better with each book and the way he always puts Emily first makes me melt into a big puddle&? i can't believe this is the last of the emily wilde series but what an ending... going to cry now.

thank you to @littlebrownbookgroup_uk &@netgalley for letting me read this ahead of time, ilysm

Emily Wilde’s review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5- An amazing end to this fantastical and whimsical trilogy. Such fun characters and most beautiful world and creatures 🥹

I was not prepared to say goodbye to this world and finish this trilogy off but the excitement for finding out what was next for Emily and Wendell left me unable to wait.

Yet again I absolutely loved this book and the world created by Heather Fawcett. The world building is absolutely amazing and I loved picturing all the wonderful places within this series.

Emily’s development over this series is incredible and the final book really solidified her growth and strength. From book 1 to now in book 3 she has overcome so much and the journey was so much fun.
The academic side of this book really intrigued me. I loved the little notes and side comments made throughout and I loved getting a deeper insight into Emily’s thoughts and feelings. It was like reading her diary.

Wendell’s character is so good. His and Emily’s relationship really develops in book 3 more and it made me giddy. I love them so much. Also him being a fae king…. Yes please 🥵

Heathers writing style is so gripping and beautiful. Her words had me gripping the pages and desperately trying to find out what’s next. I was unable to put the book down.


And now I’m sad to say goodbye to this series because it was so whimsical and fun and beautiful.

Thank you so so much to Netgalley, orbit and Heather Fawcett for the ARC of this amazing book 💜💜

10/10 no notes. Honestly, I love Emily, and I love Wendell and this universe the Heather Fawcett has created. It was really awesome to finally see Wendell's realm and watch Emily navigate living amongst the fae. Filled with new and familiar faces this was a great addition to the series and hopefully not the last!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.

“Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales” is a truly magical continuation of the series which has been extremely enjoyable to read. The combination of romance, adventure and the outstanding way in which it’s written turn it into an incredible read.

This series is definitely one of my favourite series of all time. I just can't get enough! I love Emily and how blunt and funny she is, she really just wants to study everything, even at the worst moments! Wendell is a delight, I was quite worried at some points that his character was going to turn, but it all worked out in the end (my heart when THAT scene happened though... nearly threw the book at the wall).
I'm happy with how this trilogy ended but I would LOVE more from this world. Even a novella or following a new scholar... I just love how its interwoven with real world places/mythology as well as with its own magic.

"Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales" by Heather Fawcett is a magical and romantic story filled with adventure and folklore. Emily and her fiancé, Wendell, must face new challenges as he takes his place as a faerie king. The book has charming characters, rich world-building, and a mix of academic research and fantasy. While some parts could be explored more, it is a satisfying and enjoyable read. A great choice for fans of cozy magical tales!

Ever since I read Ember and the Ice Dragons, I've been a fan of Heather Fawcett's ability to blend storytelling with endearing characters, and this book is no exception. The banter between dryadologist Emily and Wendell is as entertaining as ever. This time, their relationship finally gets the resolution many readers have been waiting for, and it's handled in a satisfying, although somewhat predictable, way.
While Compendium delivers on the charm, the structure feels a bit more scattered than previous entries. The writing remains the star of the show though, making this a worthwhile read. If you enjoy cozy, character-driven fantasy with a dash of romance, this series, and its conclusion, are well worth your time.

Thank you to Heather Fawcett, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first book and devoured it in one go. The second book was a little weaker but still good. This one was extremely disappointing. I understand it is supposed to be a cozy fantasy but the pacing was ridiculously slow. I wanted to dnf multiple times and it was only my love for the first book that pushed me on. Emily and Wendell are completely lifeless and one dimensional and nothing actually seems to happen until 50-60% of the way into the book. How can the book set in Faerie be the most boring of the trilogy?

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is the finale to the Emily Wilde trilogy - a cozy light academia fantasy that follows curmudgeonly Cambridge dryadologist Emily Wilde as she aims to unlock the secrets of the faerie folk.
With the trilogy now complete, I can say this is a solid light-hearted read and a series worth reading in full, even if this final entry did feel slightly weaker than the previous novels for me. While the charm of Emily’s character persists, it lost a lot of the coziness present in the previous entries, and the scholarly elements felt a little forced, with the plot much grander in scope. This didn’t necessarily make the book weaker on its own, but just took away some of the unique charm present in the first two.
That said, the cameos in this book were brilliant, and it effectively ties up the loose threads in the series and is well worth reading for fans of the previous books.

3.5
I fell in love with the first book, and adored the second. This final(?) instalment in the trilogy(?) however, I'm a bit more ambivalent about. Fawcett's writing continued to be poetic and painted some truly awe inspiring and intimidatingly scary pictures of worlds I could only imagine. That part was still as wonderful as before. I loved the humour that is Emily's approach to... everything.

The book started well, picking up where the last installment left off, and ended in a way fit for the story and Emily's life. A sweet and semi-realistic happily for now.
However, there were times in the story where the pacing felt off. One thing after another clunkily moving on, and making me question why so many pages are dedicated to these smaller events, when a more concise approach seemed like a better option. Suggesting perhaps the book was a tad short and the instances were spread out and filled to add some length.

And then there's Wendell.
The romance is very much a side plot throughout the whole series, and that is A-ok. But it felt actually ignored here. It's always been a slow burn, and the tension but clear admiration between them, was vital to me. It seems like now that they were officially together, all that was lost, and then he's tossed aside for a large part of the story, essentially being frozen, until Emily can come back, and then there's a rush of things. And at no point is there any tension, or reflection on the enjoyment of being together, more than a brief mention. It just feels a bit flat. (This is not saying I wanted smut. While I do enjoy my smut, I did not want nor expect it here. Just that there was more thought Wendell's changes than mentions of actually enjoying being a part of a couple. Which was odd to me, if deciding to use a romance plot to drive the rest).

All in all, I love the world, the characters, and the writing. It's not my favourite end to a series, but it doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the rest of them either. And I hope to hear more about Emily work and travels. Perhaps through novellas or later work, or stories about their adopted children, or Ariadne's work??

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

Okay, where to start with this one. I love the Emily Wilde series- there’s something about Emily’s curmudgeonly nature that brings me so much joy. Her absolute disdain for emotions is iconic and I love her dearly. Her overall drive for academia even as she navigates the fae realm and her relationship with Wendell is so authentically her and I love it so much. Even on the third book, her characters has developed in a way that feels both realistic and authentic. I also love her footnotes where she goes off about the certain details of the Fae she is referencing. It’s reminiscent of my degree but in a fun way- lol. I need cozy fantasy badly and this is one of my favourite fairy series of all time. Because honestly “gallows goblins” it’s no question why I love it so much. If you are looking for a cute fantasy read, with lots of adventure and a grumpy FMC and sunshine MC- not to mention not one but TWO animal companions. This is the book for you, read this series, you won’t regret it.

Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for this eARC.


I’m in love with the entire Emily Wilde series so far, and Compendium of Lost Tales was no exception. The perfect blend of light academia, romantasy with YEARNINGGGG, and truly stunning prose. Fawcett never misses!