This book was an absolute delight to read. Heather Fawcett never disappoints in creating remarkable characters and exciting, magical adventures.

I've never been a huge fan of fae/faerie books, but I can say without a doubt that I am a fan of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. This book is such a fun, fluffy read. It's a blend of historical and fantasy with a dash of romance and mystery. Basically, it has all the elements of a good story but keeps everything a little more on the light side, which I think we need more of in adult fantasy.

I love the characters. I love Emily's narrative voice and the journal entry format. I love Wendell, despite how ridiculous and conceited he can be. I love their relationship and how it slowly evolves over the story. While this book doesn't include the typical adult content, there is definitely enough romantic tension to satisfy.

And I love the world. It just feels so fresh and lived in. Like it’s perfectly acceptable that fae exist and professors from Cambridge study fae and write research papers and books about them and teach classes on them. And I love how all the different fae discoveries Emily uncovers tie together in intricate ways. It's all so fascinating and fantastically written.

This is the type of adult fantasy books I want more of. I want light, fluffy reads with adorable romance and delightful characters and just a dash of excitement. I want characters and worlds that feel realistic despite being about magic and mythical creatures. I want just enough romance to make it thrilling without going overboard. I just want more!

This book is targeted for adults, but other than swearing and some violence, the content is pretty light. It would be appropriate for younger readers who find the story interesting.

Wow. I don't know what I was expecting with this book, but it far exceeded my expectations! The world-building here is incredible -- if you're a reader of fae stories there are elements here that you'll recognize, but the author fully makes it her own. I also love the "academic/journal" story-telling style here and I'm excited to read the next book in this series. Thank you to Del Ray and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor who specializes in the study of faeries and on her latest research project she finds herself in for more than she could ever imagine, especially since her academic rival has turned up as well to assist her. Emily Wilde loves her work, she is focused on getting her enclyopedia of faerie lore done and with her last stop, it’ll be the last chapter in her book before she goes off to present it. Despite being so academically gifted, she has one problem, she’s horrible at understanding people and has a lack of social cues. She come off as cold, calculated, and rather singularly focused. So when she goes to a village to study their fae folk she has the villagers disliking her within a week and she can’t understand what she’s done to offend them.... cue Wendell Bambleby, her academic rival who is as handsome as he is charming... so handsome and charming that he has Emily suspecting that he is a fae himself because of all the things that occur around him. Wendell is gorgeous, a social butterfly, and the essential opposite of Emily (He honestly gave me Howl vibes, the man loves his looks, is magical, has a ton of paramours/conquests and is charming as can be). Wendell has showed up as a surprise to Emily and states that he wants to help her yet she knows there must be an ulterior motive. Yet the more time they spend together the more Emily gets closer to not only uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones- the most elusive of all faeries that live in the shadowy forest outside of town, but also to uncovering the secret of who Wendell truly is and what he wants. Soon she’ll find herself doing things and feeling things she’s never had before, from rescuing villagers to getting multiple marriage proposals. This was a super fun cozy fantasy with some light romance, I think it would be perfect for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle. I can’t wait to see where the next book goes!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries: Book One of the Emily Wilde Series by Heather Fawcett is an enchanting journey into the world of faeries. From the mysterious origins of these mythical creatures to their captivating powers, this book provides an in-depth exploration of the faerie realm. With vivid descriptions and captivating illustrations, readers will be enthralled by the magical world of faeries. Heather Fawcett's writing style is both engaging and informative, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the mysterious and captivating world of faeries.

3/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a nice read! It's original and interesting, Emily and Bambleby are great characters, I loved the setting. The format of the book was interesting as well, and the romance was well developed. Emily clearly knows what she's talking about and I loved seeing her so excited about her research.

My complaints are that the townspeople all felt very similar to me, and only Emily and Wendell had fleshed out personalities. I also couldn't quite connect with the writing, though that's on me.

I'm just happy to read a faerie book with actual faeries, not just hot dudes with wings.

I've always been a little skeptical of the Grumpy-Sunshine trope, but something about the way Heather Fawcett fit curmudgeonly Emily Wilde and the sunny chaos of Wendell Bambleby is whimsical. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is definitely a faerie story. I was so glad to see faerie folklore included in the story: names are powerful, bargains are struck, and doors between worlds come and go, The story starts out deliberately, and we get a very myopic perspective of Emily's faerie fieldwork through the diary she keeps. Don't take that to mean as dull, it's far from dull, Emily has a dry sense of humor, and combined with the hijinks Wendell provides, adventure abounds. As the book continues, there is plenty of action pay-off and a delightful romance subplot. I'll definitely be waiting for the next release.

Wow! I really, REALLY enjoyed this.
SO much fun.
Emily is a curmudgeonly scientist who embodies the left brain mentality: she is science-driven and misses those pesky EQ details. Like for example the fact that the villagers WANT to engage with her outside of her research. Or the fact that her colleague Bambleby is madly in love with her. She is a lady Sheldon Cooper and I LOVE her.
Emily is researching Nordic fae on a (sub)arctic island and bites off a little more than she can chew. Frankly every page was a delight and I will be purchasing this for my own collection as well as my library as soon as it's available. I was *thrilled* to see #1 next to the title: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me that there are more Emily adventures coming this way! First in line right here! 🙋‍♀️

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. What I expected to be a simple sweet story about a woman cataloguing faeries turned into a heartfelt story of love and community that had me rooting for Emily and Wendell at every step of the way. The journal-entry writing style fit the book perfectly and the witty footnotes made me even more immersed in what was happening. I recommend this book to anyone who loves wintery vibes, heartfelt romance, and any kind of cozy fantasy.

I wish someone would have told me how funny this book turned out to be. I read about it being a very academic centric book about fantasy creatures, how it was set up as a unique journal, and even how it had a touch of romance... but somehow I missed the note about it being one the smartest comedic books I have fallen into in years. Our main character is Emily Wilde (obviously) and she is brilliant, awkward, and hilarious. As an autistic adult, I sometimes find myself struggling to relate to characters, but Emily made perfect sense to me. She struck out on an adventure for knowledge with her dog and her journal and maybe bit off a little more than she planned, but she was amazing throughout.
As far as the love interest... I didn't find myself falling for him like I do with most fictional males, but I think with this character it will take time, just like it has for Emily. I think I also went into this book thinking this was some kind of enemies to lover scenario, but it isn't and I think that shaped my view more than it should. This is a competitive friendship that turns into a comfortable bit of more, if that makes sense. It's more believable and it grounds the book in the real world.
Now that I've said real world, I need to touch on what worked the most for me in this book. It is a fantasy book with faeries and folklore, but every other aspect of the book is not only believable, but relatable. This isn't like falling into a fantasy world and never coming up for air... this is the real world fully entwined with the fantasy and it was beautiful.

I have tried my best not to spoil this book because I think anyone who enjoys faeries, academic based fantasy reads, or just anyone who enjoys an intellectual woman delving into the unexplored to learn MORE should read this book. I think it really goes beyond genres and shouldn't be just for any type of reader. (I also suggest reading the first 30 pages before making any rash decisions because it does build slowly and then you find yourself sucked in and unable to walk away.)

I received an ARC of this and I am so glad I did! This book had a bit of a slow start but it really grabbed my attention at about the 25% mark. Emily is a wonderful character. She's intelligent, has a dry sense of humor, and is a really great representation of someone on the spectrum. I loved the academic feel from this book with the fantasy world mixed in. The world building was phenomenal and the characters we were introduced to were fleshed out beautifully. I truly enjoyed this book a lot and can't wait to see more from Heather Fawcett!

The Story:
Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor who is an expert on Faeries. She is writing an encyclopedia of faerie lore and decides to travel to the small village of Hrafnsvik to further her studies and add to the knowledge in her encyclopedia. On the trail of the more elusive faeries – The Hidden Ones – she also discovers another mystery that will take more than her genius and research skills to solve.
My Reading Experience:
I found this story to be enchanting. Written in the more formal language of a Victorian novel, it often reminded me of Sherlock Holmes and his stories. This is fitting, considering how brilliant Emily Wilde is and how meticulously she researches things, much like Sherlock Holmes. But the content matter is faerie folk - which adds an unexpected burst of whimsy to her otherwise academic journal entries. The story is an intriguing blend of fantasy, a cozy mystery, history, and even a few elements of a romantic storyline.
I especially liked that the fairies are more as you find them in lore, which means there is a bit of darkness. They can be tricksters, and they can also be deadly, and this also makes the need for an Encyclopaedia that much greater.
This is the first book in a series, and I loved how it ended with a soft conclusion. A little nugget offered will make you eager for the next book but not at the expense of a satisfying close to this part of the story. So often, I fuss about cliffhanger endings, but not this time.
Characters:
The characters are so well developed – all of them. It is as though they could jump off the page and stand beside you as you read their adventures.
Emily Wilde is book-smart and thorough, but she needs to learn how to connect with people. This ineptitude makes her so endearing to me, especially as I watched her more easily commune with Poe, the Brownie, who had a way of fleshing out Emily beyond what was merely adequate.
Wendell Bambleby is a charmer, and boy, did he charm me. His relationship with Emily brings much humor to the story in surprising ways. I loved the banter between these two so much!
Narration & Pacing:
The narration is done through journal entries by Emily, but it reads as fluidly as any other style of narration rather than the disjointedness that can happen with this style. The POV changes briefly, but that is entertaining and the cherry on top of this already scrumptious story.
The pacing, for me, was more medium. I never felt bogged down by the story, and, at times, it sped up rather nicely, so I’m settling for a medium pace. You will want to savor this story, not rush through, and the pacing is just right for that.
World-Building:
The world-building is also phenomenal. I’ve never learned so much about fairy lore nor been as quickly immersed in the world as I was with this story. The details feel authentic and bring the world to life. The world-building is simply enchanting and quickly draws the reader in.

Read if you like:
• Faery lore
• Mashup of genres
• Enchanting writing

This book was really sweet! I loved all the detail and how it was written as her journal. The world building was so great, with all the detail I could really picture everything!

I loved Emily and Wendell’s relationship. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book. Side note, this book would make a magical movie!!

EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett is an absolutely charming tale selected for the January LibraryReads list. The start of a new series, this novel features a young, ambitious researcher named Emily Wilde who heads to Hrafnsvik, Ljosland, a place of snow and winter, in her quest to learn more about fairies and both common and courtly fae. Wilde believes "one doesn't need magic if one knows enough stories" and she is hard at work (very singularly focused) on completing her encyclopedia. The villagers have a mixed reaction to Emily until she is joined by a colleague named Wendell Bambleby. They make a formidable team although, much like the duo of Ms. Scarlet and the Duke on PBS, the two often exasperate each other in an amusing fashion. Emily's vast knowledge and Wendell's unique skills combine to rescue some local people who have been captured by the fairies and that leads to even more adventures with the villagers. Fawcett does an excellent job of world-building and sharing various myths and legends as events and observations are recorded in Emily's research journal. The best part, however, is observing Emily's fits and starts at "fitting in" and caring about those in the real world. Her future escapades promise to be very entertaining. EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES received a starred review for Library Journal and is recommended for "readers of cozy fantasies" by Kirkus.

This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. I loved everything about Emily and the structure of this novel, and I can't wait for future installments. I'll be recommending this book everywhere.

What a treat that you'll be able to start your 2023 with this brand-new gem of a book! Cambridge Professor Emily Wilde is working on an expansive Encyclopaedia of Faeries. She journeys to the tiny European town of Hrafnsvik deep in the northern mountains to catch sight of some rarer fae and winds up entangled with a particular fae king she didn't expect. Along the way is a slow-blooming romance between her and a colleague, the eccentric Brambleby, who shows up to help her studies...but not in the way Emily expects. A charming, cozy read perfect for a magical cold winter day!

A fun and whimsical fantasy with a slow-burn romance. I loved getting to know the characters and getting to see Fawcett's interpretation of Faerie.
Perfect for fans of A Marvelous Light

Going into this book and reading the first chapter I thought I was really going to enjoy this book. We meet Emily Wilde and her faithful canine companion on their way to a small village to research their Hidden Folk, or as we know them Faeries. However, I quickly found myself bored. The story itself wasn't bad, I just didn't really connect with the characters, or get any chemistry between them, and there weren't any high stakes to keep me invested. I think some of it had to do with the way the book was written in journal format. At first, I liked it but after a while, I lost interest and it made it hard for me to want to continue.

Even though this book wasn't for me, I think a lot of other people would really enjoy it.

I didn't know I needed a cozy, scholarly faerie story, but this was incredible! The story is told by Emily Wilde as notes in her journal from her academic exploration to investigate Nordic faeries for the encyclopaedia she is writing. I loved the academic tone of the story, even as she describes the complicated romance as it develops. The characters are so lifelike through her descriptions, and I loved how they jumped off the page as I read. I also loved that it was a cozy fantasy. The characters face significant challenges and stressful situations, but because the story is told through her very objective descriptions, it is easy to relax while you read the book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I have never read a book like this before, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Interesting romance story. Very nicely written as in a journal format. I was expecting something from what the title portrayed,. However, after I began reading more and more, the story lone was very attention, and I found myself wanting to know what happened at the end of the journal.

Good book for romance lovers.

I think this may very well be my favorite book of 2022. And how fitting that it was my last. You can tell the love Heather has for fairy folklore!

My first book I read that contained faeries was Tithe by Holly Black, and it is what got me sucked into fantasy reads. This book by Heather just pulled me so much more into the realm of faerie.

I have seen many reviews calling this a cute story, but for much of my time reading this I couldn't help but feel the ominous undertones. The way some creatures are described, the habits of the tall ones, and more, just eludes creepy like true folklore. I also LOVE how vast her knowledge of many different cultures of fairy folklore is.

I highly recommend this book and I can not wait for the next one!