Book Review: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

“And you shall shut yourself away forever in those old stones with your books and your mysteries like a dragon with her hoard, having as little association with the living as possible and emerging only to breathe fire at your students.”

Heather Fawcett, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Review:

This book was initially recommended to me by a friend because of the historical and academic tone, but I’d put it off being intimidated by the faerie storyline. When it ended up being selected for a group read, I decided not to put it off any longer. Definitely different for me, but a nice different! 

Faerie expert Professor Emily Wilde makes a research trip to the northern village of Hrafnsvik to study the local faerie folklore and continue work on her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Things are going all right until her colleague (and rival) Wendle Bambleby shows up without an invitation. Emily feels threatened and increasingly annoyed by Wendell’s presence, and yet, she also has to admit that she finds a certain comfort in having her only friend around. 

Her research continues and makes strides, but she also finds herself trying to figure out the mystery that is Wendall Bambleby. She has had suspicions about her past, and this trip may finally bring things to light. 

This book screams to be read with a hot drink on a snowy day. It’s so cozy and, in the beginning anyway, low stakes. The story picks up quite a bit after the halfway point. Admittedly, this is where I grew lost having been more interested in the theoretical portions in the beginning. I also didn’t care about the romantic plot, but I can take or leave it. Overall, I enjoyed it though I felt like it took me a long time to get through it. I think this is the first fantasy book I’ve annotated so I consider that a win. I plan on reading the next book soon! 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The cozy historical and rustic vibes.
• I found Emily’s level of introversion super relatable.

What I didn’t like:

• I get confused when realms start getting involved.
• I could not for the life of me stop picturing Wendall as a haggard old man despite descriptions to the contrary? I have no idea what that was about and is 100% through no fault of the author and the result of my brain.

Afterthoughts:

I initially planned on starting the sequel in December, but I don’t think I’ll be getting to it until after the first of the year.

This was the November group read with The Global Book Nook on Discord!

Where to buy the book: