Emily Wilde is essentially a cultural anthropologist who specializes in ethnographies of fairies. Anthropologists have one job and one job only: to observe and report. It’s the Prime Directive. They are to observe their subjects and then report on them while making as little contact with the subjects as possible. The titular Encyclopaedia Emily Wilde considers her life’s work as she sets out on the journey within this book requires her to go one step further than your standard cultural anthropologist and become an ethnographer: an ethnographer spends a great deal of time researching the subjects of their research before setting out to not only observe and report, but also to make contact (every scientist’s dream is to be the one to make first contact) and learn all manner of things about their subjects and their society with as little cross-contamination between our world and theirs as possible.

Emily Wilde herself was the singular most enjoyable thing about this book, and the only reason I kept reading. She reminded me a great deal of both myself and my sister, owing to my sister being a cultural anthropologist herself and me being a cultural geographer. To female scientists such as ourselves, getting those rare opportunities to write groundbreaking research and getting used to all the men in the room talking over us and around us is something that’s all too familiar. Underestimation is the name of the game, and Emily Wilde is having none of it. When you’re a female scientist you get used to having trust issues and the feelings of having to push yourself to extremes in order to prove you can run with the big names, which are usually all male.

And this is where we have a big problem with the book: I was serious when I said Emily Wilde herself was the only thing I liked about this book. I love just about everything about her, from her passion for her work to her dry, wry banter with the enigmatic and charismatic Wendell Bambleby. I love how she has a very hard time people-ing and enjoys the quiet companionship of her books and her dog, Shadow, over anyone else. Her unimpeachable academic ethics and perseverance would make her my own personal hero, if I were a Cambridge student in this novel.

But this novel is set up as an epistolary novel, meant to be read as journal entries, and that’s where this book fails the most. It never once felt like an epistolary novel to me. The writing is too smooth, too linear, the entries too equal in size, and read too much like a traditional fantasy romance narrative to ever come across as journal entries. It was not only extremely annoying, as the promised epistolary format was one of the aspects of the book that enticed me the most, but it felt like since it was supposed to be in an epistolary format it ended up looking like a sloppy epistolary novel. Either way, it’s false advertising.

I also didn’t enjoy the character of Wendell Bambleby all that much. Not only was he barely sketched out as a character, in my opinion, but what was sketched out was shallow and flashy. I get that this seems to be the first book of a series, and maybe we’ll get to know him more in later books, but in this first one he might as well have been a flashy and well-dressed convenient plot point.

I hope this series grows to be much better than this first book has turned out to be. I think it shows promise, especially if author Heather Fawcett doesn’t make a single change to the fabulous Emily Wilde. Let Emily be Emily and the books will be all the better for it.

NetGalley, Ballantine, and Del Rey Books provided me with access to this title. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Thank you. As per my personal policy this review will not appear on social media or any bookseller website due to the 3 star or lower rating.

File Under: Folklore/Mythology/Fantasy Romance/Books in a Fantasy Series/Historical Fantasy/Epistolary

This was very slow moving. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it but I finished it just to finish it. It felt so long even though it isn't necessarily a long book. This read more historical fiction than fantasy but I did enjoy parts of it. If you love descriptive stories, this one is definitely for you.

When the academically obsessed Emily Wilde embarks on a journey into a small frozen town to make a breakthrough discovery of a hidden faerie species her knowledge and heart are put to the test.

The characters and environment were beautifully portrayed and distinct. The small town characters and atmosphere were endearing while the frosty setting was perfect for winter reading. The different type of Folk, their behaviors and traditions were also so distinct and fun.

Emily was a flawed character who’s passion for her studies makes her a formidable opponent but bad at making friends. I love how often she admitted she would be scared in her different situations if she didn’t have a kernel of knowledge to give her confidence. Her confidence and intelligence made her the most powerful person in the story. Love that for her.

Bambleby was also a wonderfully flawed but endearing character. As Emily peels back the layers of his story you can’t help but love him more and more and I loved when he was behind the pen in the journal entries.

This book is actually the first in a series and I feel like Fawcett could write a lengthy series with this set up. This book is labeled as “cozy fantasy” and I can agree with that label. There are a lot of small stakes and moments of intensity, that all come together to kind of a sudden and underwhelming finale. But I’m not mad about it. Sometimes a quick clean up can be a good ending. I would recommend this to anyone who loves (actual) faeries, or small stakes fantasy.

Ahoy there me mateys!  The crew has been raving about this one and I see why.  Emily Wilde studies the fae of the old-school style - malevolent, tricky, and otherworldly.  This book showcases her journal entries written while doing field research in Hrafnsvik near the Arctic Circle.  Scholarly research on the fae in this region is nonexistent.  Emily sets out in the spirit of adventure and learning with only her dog, Shadow, as companion.  Unfortunately Emily's personal skills aren't the best due to her solitary nature and she inadvertently upsets the village.  Matters are made worse when her academic rival Wendell Bambleby shows up unexpectedly, takes over in his insufferable usual way, and begins charming everyone.  Shenanigans ensue.

I very much enjoy Emily with her intelligence, self-regard, and no-nonsense approach.  I loved her interactions with the fae and her quick thinking.  Wendell was disliked at the beginning but managed to become rather weirdly personable in the end.  This story kept me guessing and I do not want to give spoilers.  The ending was delightful.

One of the main highlights for me were the stories and myths about the fae woven through the journal and Emily's adventures.  I thought this was excellent.  This be the first book of a series and I want the next one already.  Arrrr!

On paper this seemed like my type of book. Fantasy, world building, slow-burn, epistolary, academia. And while I did find this overall whimsical and funny, the plot moved a little too slow for me. Almost DNF'd at 50% but generally happy I pushed through because I did enjoy it at the end. I do think I might like the second book better, as everything has already been established and I'm hoping for a smoother, faster-moving plot.

Unfortunately, despite my piqued interest in this title, I did not get the chance to read it in time to publish a review before the full release.

I absolutely loved this cozy read for the beginning of the year. I will be honest that it took me a couple tries to actually get into the story. The old language threw me off and I really wasn’t invested in the main character. But when Wendell came into play the two of them really shined. I can see why we had to establish the characters grumpy and introverted nature. But the book really took off about 60 pages in. Which for a 300 page book is quite a lot of time. You can tell the author really did her research on fairy lore and the diary entries was a unique way to tell the story. Overall I loved the book and can’t wait for the next adventure.

A great beginning to a fun new series! Very cozy and great to read during the colder months. Filled with tons of research information, tales and adventures.

I’m excited to see what new troubles are ahead for Emily and Wendell!

You already KNOW i'm sucker for enemies to lovers but to add how funny it was & faeries?? this book was perfect i found myself grinning and even laughing out loud several times

The nitty-gritty: A magical story full of humor and heart, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries will charm even the most jaded of readers.

After reading so many glowing reviews of this book, I was thrilled to discover that everyone is right! Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries was a delight from start to finish, an upbeat breath of fresh air after some recent dark and heavy reads. Heather Fawcett’s writing has such a cozy feel to it, and I was immediately smitten with the characters, especially Emily and Wendell. 

The story is told in journal format and written by Cambridge professor Emily Wilde, who is writing a definitive encyclopedia of faeries and their lore. As part of her research, she’s visiting places around the world where faeries have been spotted, and when the story begins, she’s traveled to a small Scandinavian town called Hrafnsvik, enticed by rumors of the Hidden Ones. Despite the freezing temperatures, Emily is thrilled to be the first scholar to investigate faerie sightings in the area, and so she settles into a local cottage with her trusty dog Shadow to begin her work.

But it isn’t long before a surprise visitor arrives: her frustratingly annoying (but extremely handsome) friend and Cambridge associate Wendell Bambleby, with two teaching assistants in tow. At first, Emily is irritated that Bambleby has followed her here, but she grudgingly agrees to let him help her with her research. But interacting with the fae is never easy or safe, as Emily and Wendell are about to discover. 

There isn’t anything terribly original about the plot, and in fact the plot itself isn’t that complex. But trust me, the reason to read this book is for the characters, who practically leap off the pages. Emily is a delightfully messy woman. She’s a brilliant scholar with an insatiable appetite for learning, but she struggles to connect with people on a social level. She’s much more at ease with her dog, and even with the various types of fae creatures she meets along the way, than the local village folk. She’s self-deprecating and modest, her hair is always falling out of its bun, and she certainly does not have any feelings for Wendell, despite his impeccable style and perfect, wavy hair. Wendell is her exact opposite, a man who is most comfortable in front of a crowd of people, telling outlandish stories or attracting the attention of every woman in the place. Together these two reminded me of characters in an old 1940s movie, constantly bickering and exchanging witty banter. The dialog is laugh-out-loud funny, and even as Emily is pushing Wendell away, you know they will eventually get together. Because yes, this is a slow burn romance, sweet and satisfying.

Emily has suspected for some time that Wendell “isn’t quite human,” and that adds a wonderful layer to the story. I also suspected that Emily’s dog Shadow is more than meets the eye, and I was right! Once these fascinating details are revealed, the story becomes even more engaging and hard to put down.

Fawcett includes footnotes in Emily’s journal (sparingly), which I found fascinating. The bits of faerie lore scattered throughout the story made it feel like a real journal, since Emily is literally creating the world’s very first encyclopedia of faeries. She mentions things like how to spot a faerie door (look for “out of place” occurrences in nature like a ring of mushrooms or a tree that looks different from all the surrounding trees) or the difference between common Folk and courtly Folk, or tricks to protect yourself against enchantment like turning your clothes inside out. Emily is particularly interested in the stories of the Folk, and I loved the way the she comes to understand the fae by paying close attention to these stories.

The fae we do meet are quite varied, from a cute brownie named Poe that Emily befriends early on, to the terrifying courtly fae who can enchant humans and force them to do whatever they want. Despite the lighthearted tone of the story, there is an underlying sense of danger lurking just below the surface, and like most readers, I find these darker versions of the fae to be much more interesting. Emily throws herself into dangerous situations without thinking first, as she’s determined to learn everything she can about them for her book.

Emily and Wendell have several thrilling adventures together, including trying to save a couple of local girls who have gone missing, and trying to rid one couple’s home of an evil changeling. At the same time, Wendell’s goal is to speak at the prestigious International Conference of Dryadology and Experimental Folklore in Paris, only a few months away, and he wants Emily to go with him. This timeline gives the story a sense of urgency, as Emily is determined to spend as much time in Hrafnsvik as she can in order to finish her Encyclopaedia.

There are lots of characters and events I haven’t even touched on in this review, so rest assured there is plenty more to discover. The feel-good ending is just as satisfying as you might imagine, and Fawcett wraps things up nicely but leaves plenty of room (and a few unresolved plot points) for the next book in the series. I can hardly wait to visit Emily, Wendel and the others again, who ended up feeling more like friends than fictional characters.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

This book was not at all what I expected, but that is not a bad thing, just a totally different thing. I had expected an "encyclopaedia" that somehow also managed to tell a story. This was a charming story about the author of the encyclopaedia as she is researching for it.

First things first. This is written in a diary format. While it does manage to still tell a very cohesive and engaging story, there are definitely plenty of times where big swaths of time are just skipped over with a "I woke up back in my room and have no idea how I got there," kind of moments. Most of the time this was not a big deal, but I did find myself at some of the more high stakes moments wishing we could have seen more of the action. If this kind of storytelling is not your thing than be warned.

Having said that, the character work in this book is just outstanding. Even the characters who are secondary are just brought to life in an amazing way. Honestly, that is probably what overcomes some of the weaker plot points for me. It's almost like the characters just apologize and we all just move on.

I will also mention that there is a lot of Fae in this book, but not in the same way that a lot of other current books are handling them. They are for the most part very foreign and can be very dangerous. Not just beautiful humans that happen to also have powers. I actually found this incredibly refreshing. It's set in our world and really plays on the actual myths most cultures have around Fae.

Lastly, the plot. It wasn't hard to follow at all. However, it was kinda confusing. I felt a little like it didn't follow a normal rhythm. Not that all books have to be the same, and I didn't really mind this, but it was something that I felt until the end. There would be moments that felt like the final conflict and that the book should be ending, but then it didn't and we got another big conflict. I went like that a few times where I was sure this was the end and it wasn't. I also didn't realize this was a series while I was reading it. Just like each time I thought the book was surely over, the book itself seemed nicely wrapped up. I assume that this will be an episodic series like Dresden as opposed to one continuing plot, which based on the premise could actually be really fun.

All in all, I would consider this an excellent, cozy, story. The characters are amazing, the set up for a continuing episodic series is fun and the world of researching Fae is just intriguing enough to keep me coming back. There were definitely stakes to this story, but I wouldn't call them "high" stakes. Just enough to keep you reading, but not enough to make it less of a cozy read.

The characters and the story that Fawcett spun in this novel were wonderful, set against the cold and intriguing village of Hransvik in the far north. The intricacies of our world in tandem with that of the faerie world was delightful, especially as seen through the eyes of Emily Wilde, a professor who studies the faeries.

I wish I would have loved this book more than I did. I was expecting it to be super amazing based on all the reviews but my heart just wasnt in this book. I think if I reread this book later in the year I might enjoy it way more.

I loved the writing style of Emily WIlde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. It is written in first person narrative in journal format by Emily, a Cambridge professor working on her latest project....a book about her study of faeries. Emily travels to study faeries in their natural habitat. This journey and the research she conducts will complete the last chapter of her book.

Unfortunately, I struggled with this book and stopped reading half way through it. Fantasies are not typically a genre I enjoy, but the blurb for this book caught my attention. I was really hoping to like it. I can understand the love for this book as it is very well-written.. It just was not for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions above are my own.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the e-arc!

I found this fairie-centric academia book very charming and enchanting. Loved the awkward, endearing, and clever protagonist and the found family dynamic.

I could not put this book down. Emily was such a joy of an MC, and Wendell was a GIFT. I loved this scientific and academic take to the fae, and while I never would’ve thought I would like this form of writing, I really did enjoy it. Emily, despite trying to remain an unbiased narrator, was still very much a personable and heartfelt writer to tag along with for this story. I am frothing at the mouth for book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a magical delight!

I'm always a sucker for a curmudgeon, so after a quick synopsis of a curmudgeonly professor who travels to a small town in the North to study faerie folklore and discover dark fat magic, friendship and love, I knew that this was just the story for me.

It was the most cozy, heartwarming read perfect for reading under blankets and soaking up the story. Emily is a scientist at Cambridge University, who studies faeries and is just the greatest character! She really doesn't like socializing with others, and finds herself happiest when she can be alone in the library.

*many thanks to PRH/ Ballantine and netgalley for the gifted copy for review

This is the kind of book where as soon as you get to the end, you just want to flip back to page one and start it all over again right away. I’ve found one of my new favorite books!

A fantastic fantasy adventure with fantastic characters, realistic character growth, adult characters that actually act like adults, humor, witty banter, fae trickery, fae that actually act alien, multiple strong female characters, a little bit of love-triangle-free romance, and great main character.

The complex strong female protagonist (who's a scholar/researcher and actually acts like one), other great characters, and extremely clever plot make this story especially memorable.

THE PREMISE:

Emily Wilde, top scholarly expert in the Faerie Folk, travels to a remote village in Norway to study the illusive fae known as the Hidden Ones to complete the final entry of her academic Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Her and her dog have traveled around the world doing fieldwork, collecting firsthand observations, and recording stories of encounters with the Folk. She never thought she’d get caught up in the center of one of those stories.

When she accidentally offends the entire town, her charming colleague Wendell Bamblebly (who may or may not be human) unexpectedly joins her, and the Faeries of this town prove to be particularly dangerous and odd, she just might be in over her head. Soon she’s caught up in rescue missions, Courtly Fae politics, and even a little romance. (Although, all of the above prove to be incredible research opportunities.)

THE PROTAGONIST:

I absolutely love Emily Wilde. She’s so d*mn clever and crafty and quick on her feet. Who wouldn’t love a character that outsmarts a spell by tricking the spell into helping her break it? She’s so clever that it’s a little bit scary.

Emily talks like a scholar. She thinks like a scientist and researcher. But, at heart, she’s an explorer. (It’s always a rare treat to see a female scholar/researcher/expert that actually acts and thinks like a competent one in fantasy fiction.) She’s armed with finely honed instincts (for dealing with fae, she’s hopeless when it comes to people). She’s got just a bit of arrogance, the kind that comes with being highly skilled and experienced, as well as confident enough to know it. She carries the curiosity, ambition, and reckless streak of an explorer.

She reminds me of Susan Calvin from Isaac Asimov's books, but instead of figuring out how robots think and outsmarting them, she does the same with the fae. Plus, they’re both a little bit ruthless. And a little terrifying. They’re both likable, incredibly well written, and complex strong female characters. They’re both brilliant, confident, bold, intelligent, clever, and imaginative. Top experts in their fields.

She understands the Faerie Folk better than anyone else – a lot better than she understands people. If there is any order, reason, or logic that governs, predicts, organizes, or explains the actions and nature of the folk, it’s stories. She just never thought she’d get tangled in the center of one. She never thought she’d have to think her way out of one. She also never thought that she wouldn’t have to save herself alone. She never thought she’d find herself so… not alone anymore. She is still very independent, but she also learns that having some allies, a little help from some friends is… nice too. She still saves herself in the end, with a little assist from some friends. (Frankly, she probably was even clever enough to do it alone, but this time she didn’t have to.)

Ever careful to remain an impartial observer (like a social anthropologist), Emily never expected to get attached to the townsfolk or go on a mission to help them (even with the ulterior motive of it being a great research opportunity). She definitely never expected them to get attached to her. She certainly didn’t count on the distraction of possible romance with her colleague and academic rival/ally that may or may not be human.

But, people change and life surprises you. Emily goes a long way in terms of growth, making friends, opening up, and considering romance. But, she maintains her independence, ambition, strategic genius, and cunning instincts through it all. Emily’s definitely not done exploring the faerie frontier (pun intended).

THE STYLE:

The format is an unfiltered field journal documenting her research progress for her to reference when writing the last chapter of her encyclopedia. It devolves into more of a diary as her professional mission devolves into a personal quest.

Emily really does talk and write like an academic. You get to see some drafts of Encyclopedia entries, professional field notes, and relevant background research. You also see Emily bouncing theories around and simply jotting down thoughts to clear her head. You also get a few entries written by Bambleby, helping you get to know him too.

The start is a bit slow, but it was laying necessary groundwork and I was never bored. Things pick up, but never feel rushed. You get plenty of action, adventure, and clever plot twists. The plot is definitely unpredictable, but not in an irrationally ridiculous was.

A good sense of humor is infused into the whole story. There’s lots of laughter, banter, and comedic drama. It’s clear that this book was written with a good sense of humor.

THE ROMANCE:

It’s got a love-triangle-free slow burn romance that’s charming, inevitable, and healthy. Wendell is both adorable and ruthless. He and Emily are sweet together even though they’re both a bit sour as individuals. They’re good for each other, accept each other, and push each other (in the right direction) just a bit. They make sense even though they shouldn’t. They balance out each other’s weaknesses. They’re a great team. They’re each other's intellectual equal. They honor each other’s boundaries and independence. Last but not least, the pair have the great banter and hilarious debates that never fail to entertain. The romance doesn’t overshadow the plot.

THE WORLD AND OTHER GOOD THINGS:

The world and fae lore are well developed (no surprise considering the main character is a fae expert). The Faeries in this story really do think and act differently from humans, instead of just acting like humans that happen to have some magic.

The villagers will steal your heart. The village is full of strong female characters, including an impressive matriarch. The dynamics in the village are both amusing and realistic. There’s some wonderful slowly developed friendships that I loved just as much as the romance. The friendship and romance paired well to develop the theme of Emily learning that she doesn’t have to be alone anymore, even if she can take care of herself. Opening up to new friendships and romance are a big part of her character’s growth arc.

It’s got some casual LGBTQ+ rep with a lesbian couple (side characters). I loved both of those strong women and their heartwarming relationship.

Characters are adults and they act like it. There’s some drama, but no melodrama.

The story is refreshingly free of homophobia, toxic masculinity, controlling men, etc.

THE ENDING:

Perfect as a standalone. A complete story with a fitting and satisfying end. A happy ending. No loose ends that would drive you nuts. There’s still room for further books with the characters and world.

WARNINGS: kidnapping (think changings), violence (mild), mind control (think spells, nothing too creepy)

I received a free eARC via NetGalley. I am writing this review completely honestly and voluntarily.

4.5 Stars — Please tell me book 2 is going to be published in 2023. Wishful thinking? I can’t wait a whole year or more. I need more from this world and characters.

This was such a fun cozy fantasy with flashes of darker twists and turns. While the tone is cozy and light, the setting is harsh and cold, reminiscent of The Bear and the Nightingale. The entire story takes place in a remote, snowy village and then in a literal ice palace. I loved just how jam packed the story is with faerie lore.

The romance is a minor subplot but it was developed so well. I loved Wendell’s sunshiny personality against Emily’s reserve and dry sensibilities. The romance is more of a friends to lovers pairing but Wendell’s secret definitely adds a fun spark.

I absolutely fell in love with Wendell. He’s charming, a bit arrogant, indolent, handsome, but also caring and funny. I just loved how Wendell understands Emily so well. He teases the right amount and is never condescending or dismissive to her. You get the sense that he has great respect for her as a person and as an academic scholar. Emily is total girl crush material too. She’s unabashedly ambitious and isn’t afraid to expand her knowledge even at the expense of her safety. But her actions are done out of intellectual curiosity and not recklessness, which just made me love Emily even more.

I do wish there was more tension and angst between Emily and Wendell but their relationship was developed quietly and steadily. I hope we get more romantic passion between them in the next book. But even if there wasn’t quite enough of romance for me, the rest of the story is filled with magic, action, wonderful cast of characters, and a heartwarming found family. Highly recommend it!

I loved this. It starts fairly slow and lonely, but it definitely picked up. I'm glad I stuck with it. This was delightful and surprising. I really enjoyed the writing, especially in the chapters "written" by Bambleby! Wendell is my favorite! He really elevated the book and was an integral part of the story, although I've said it before and I'll say it again. He has a dumb name. I know, I know, there's a reason for that (no spoilers!). Still, every time I read his name my brain said bumblebee. All that being said, the storyline was fresh and exciting.
I really enjoyed this and I can't wait for book two! 4.5 🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This title is available now!