I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review.

I LOVED this book. it was very reminiscent of Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver, but at a quicker pace. I think the story is well done and the dread I felt with nearing the end of the book just makes me want more. This book follows Emily in her pursuit of knowledge about all things faerie. Along the way she quite the time gathering information about brownies, changelings, and small town culture at the beginning of the 1900's. The winter time imagery is strong and I loved reading it while cuddled up with my dog and some hot tea.

I definitely think the slow beginning and set up definitely pays off in the end. Right around the 40% mark the story and plot really picks up. I do like that all of the little stories add to the over arching plot line of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book. The main character, Emily Wilde, was a wonderfully written standoffish academic whose obliviousness and pursuit of knowledge above all else make the story very entertaining. I enjoyed the otherworldly depictions of the fae and the relationship between the FMC and the MMC. Overall. This was a great read and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.

This was thoroughly charming! This book is witty and energetic, with a compelling main character and a delightful supporting cast. I absolutely adore Wendell, which perhaps says rather more about my own questionable taste in men. ;D The journal conceit of the narration doesn’t *always* hold together, but it’s well worth riding through a few bumps.

~ 5 stars ~

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an eARC of this book.

Look, I LOVED this book. I did look at other reviews before going in, and they were absolutely right when it came to the distinction between types of Fae/Faerie. This is definitely NOT the Sarah J Maas type of Fae, but more like the Fae from traditional folklore and non Disney fairytales. We’re talking the tricky, manipulative, inhuman, sometimes cruel fae that you need to consider your words and dealings very carefully.

The book was written as a series of journal entries, which I was a little skeptical about, but it didn’t take away from the dialogue or the story whatsoever. So if that’s something you’ve seen that makes you hesitate, then do NOT fear! In general, the readability of this book is just fantastic! I was also a little intimidated that this was going to err on the side of “scholarly journal”, and while it has an air of it, by no means does that rule over the story taking place. The writing is a bit more formal/upper level than I thought, BUT for whatever reason, it was such an easy read. I do believe a lot of it had to do with the sarcasm and wit of the two MC’s . The banter is just top shelf, bar none. Because of this, I blew through this book so quickly.

There was something both so lovable and laughable about this woman going out into the wilderness and experiencing things she’s never had to deal with, including how to build and stoke a fire, how to chop firewood, sheep for friends and neighbors wandering in and out, and how to get along with the locals. I found myself laughing out loud while reading because I already know I’d be no better at any of these things. LOL. It was charming how relatable this all was and the FMC stuck in her books with her head in her stories and having trouble with the different aspects of reality. The dynamic of the MMC grounding and bringing the FMC into the world around her but perfectly happy to let her be herself and escape into her books. The fact that this relationship starts from a begrudging friendship. It’s definitely got that happy/sunshine trope going on. It also feels like it’s a fairytale within a fairytale with how it’s written, and I just adored it.

I would say the ONE very small dislike that was not answered in this book, was the fact that the MMC was known for his extracurricular late night activities with female guests…. But later on in the book, he says he’s been in love the whole time. There is a point where it’s brought up, but then glossed over/kissed away or redirected. And it just doesn’t make any sense to me/doesn’t endear me to him or his plight how much he put on display…. Unless it never happened in the first place and it was all just for show? To possibly make someone jealous? I’m not sure, but this would be the one aspect of this book that I didn’t love and didn’t get more of an answer to.

Otherwise, CANNOT wait for Book 2 and for the return of these characters. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Delightfully imaginative! This is a book about a scholar who studies fairies in a world just like our own except that fairies exist and everyone knows it. The fairies and magic were super unique and the different cultures and appearances of the fairies were so interesting. The main character is socially awkward and she knows it, which I appreciated, instead of the normal obliviousness most of these characters seem to have now a days as an excuse to act inappropriately. She knows it and owns it and tries to figure it all out. The story is told through her academic journal entries, but they are so filled with detail and conversation that I didn't really even notice. My only wish is that the book was illustrated, it would add so much charm and interest and it would have really pushed the encyclopedia concept; even if it was only rough sketches along with the journal entries - it would have been so much fun.

Holy smokes! I love anything to do with faeries, and I have since I was a little girl. With all the fae in books recently I felt that this was a refreshing take on them. (Not that there is anything wrong with the others, there isn't). At first when I saw it was written as diary entries I worried that it would read awkwardly.

It did not. In fact, I really loved how the book read as diary entries. Emily was such an engaging character and getting to know her was lovely! I was impressed with Fawcett who was able to communicate so much through diary entries. Now, don’t think of the diary entries as you would, because they do not read like them. This makes the book flow better.

One side note because I love the way that it was incorporated into the book was how terminology and studies were introduced. I felt like it helped add a lot to the world we were getting to know. The fact that these are not necessarily hidden creatures, but part of the world was well done, it felt like it was more…natural? Really, it felt as if the faeries could actually exist in our world today. Don’t think Maas or Black faeries, think a bit differently than that. It’s very hard to explain without giving too much away.

The romance in this book was humorous. I loved how Emily approached romance and life, because I felt for her. Emily has a great character arc throughout this book, both internally and externally growing as a character. There are spots of humor in this book that worked for me and had me giggling at some points. Wendall is my second favorite character, and honestly he was the funny part of the entire book.

I LOVED the writing in the book, if that wasn’t clear. I was absorbed by it, and just got so engaged throughout the entire book.

The plot was spectacular and I loved how it unraveled, and I’ll say nothing else about the plot as it would lead to too many spoilers.

Another warning, is there are some darker aspects of this book. This is very much a historical fantasy book that has a dose of romance. It is NOT a romance book, so don’t go in expecting that romance will be the focus of the book, it is not.

I do wish the ending was a little bit longer, but it looks as if we’re getting a second book so I can only hope that maybe we get some more!

Some comparisons to this might be Olivia Atwater, Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik are a few that I can think of that have similar vibes.

Emily Wilde, a professor and researcher, in this charming fantasy has landed in a remote land to research the fey in that area. She’s joined by her annoying colleague, Wendell, and together they rescue a local youth kidnapped by the fey resulting in Emily’s starring role in her own fairy, or is it horror?, tale. Borrowing “cozy” from mystery to apply to this cozy fantasy, sure to appeal to readers of fantasy romance with a smart heroine.

Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor who specializes in faerie folklore and has been working on the very first faerie encyclopedia for nine years. She travels to a remote Scandinavian village to finish her book and finally get some material on the elusive "Hidden Ones". While there, she finds there is more than one secret to uncover.


First of all, let me start off by setting the mood. Head on over to YT and search for magical fairy forest music. Then make yourself a warm cup of coffee or tea and settle in with a nice cozy blanket. Extra bonus points if you have a pet to keep you company, it'll make sense as you read the story :)

This book was so incredibly atmospheric and the perfect book to read as we head into winter. It gave me huge Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them vibes in the sense that Emily is very much a female version of Newt Scamander. She doesn't have the best social skills but is very in tune with faeries and holds her research above everything else, except for her big furry buddy Shadow.

It's written in a diary format, taking place in the early 1900's, which I found refreshing, especially later on when we read some entries from another POV.

There is some light romance, but I appreciated that it wasn't excessive or forced. Instead, it felt natural and the banter was top tier.

The pacing was well done, particularly the second half where every chapter felt like something substantial was happening. There were actually quite a few reveals that genuinely took me by surprise. One of my favorite "oh wow" moments was when the author meticulously tied something that happens later in the book to some stories from early on.

One thing I do wish was included was a glossary at the beginning of the book that I could easily refer to when I came across a folklore/Scandinavian term I was unfamiliar with. The author did include a few descriptions in note form at the end of a chapter but by then I realized I had forgotten which part it was actually in reference to.

Overall, this was a 4 out of 5 stars for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.


(This review will also be published on Amazon on 1/10/2023, along with our instagram page once our Fairyloot edition comes in!)

Unfortunately, from very early on in this book I could tell that I was going to have mediocre feelings about it. There were some things I liked, some things I didn’t care for… but mostly, I felt no strong connection to the characters. Emily was okay, but Wendell grated on me.

This is told in diary entries, which I thought was cool. The pacing was too slow to start with and by the time it picked up I had lost interest and was skimming to get through.

I think this is a solid book… for someone else.

Emily Wilde is a dryadologist from Cambridge on a research trip in the early 1900s on a tiny island in northern Scandinavia off the coast of Norway, researching their Hidden Ones, or their faeries, for her faerie encyclopaedia. One day, Emily’s academic counterpart Wendell (Is he a rival? A friend?) arrives at her cabin with his two assistants and insists on helping her with her field research. Their camaraderie and discoveries end up changing the lives of all those who live in the tiny village they’re staying in, as well as all those who reside through the door in the faerie realms.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia is a more academic-focused take on fae, at least for the first half of the book. Emily and Wendell are trying to learn as much as they can about the faeries that live in these northern regions, and the novel is written in journal-like entries that Emily is recording for her research. There are also footnotes, as if this book were a real academic encyclopaedia.

This book reminded me of a grown-up version of The Spiderwick Chronicles. It’s about fae, but it focuses more on the tiny sprite variety of faeries. There are “courtly fae” as they are called in this book, the adult romantic type, and there are “common fae,” the smaller varieties of fae found in the wild. The common fae are more the focus of Emily’s research, but both types are heavily present in this novel.

I really enjoyed the first 75% of the story and overall had no complaints, but the last 25% lost me. I wish the focus of the novel had remained on the academic side of common fae and less on the courtly fae toward the end. The whole Hidden King and courtly politics bit felt cliched and overdone, in my opinion, and it pulled the story in a different direction than felt natural. I thought Heather Fawcett had a unique idea for writing a fae story about the smaller more traditional types of faeries, but then the adult-sized romantic and courtly fae came into play, and the story kind of lost its magical quality for me and started to feel like all the other fae novels out there. I liked the beginning and middle a lot more when the story was more focused on the common fae and the research aspect.

The novel did not end on a cliffhanger, even though this is the first of a series. I have no idea what the sequel will be about since this volume tied up the plot it presented at the beginning, but I also don’t feel a large inclination to continue the series. I like neat endings, and since there weren’t any loose threads left, and since I was kind of turned off by the direction the story went in anyway, I am likely going to just treat this book like a standalone in my mind.

Overall, I did enjoy Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries quite a bit and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a soft and wholesome novel about faeries. The story features a mix of folklore, history, romance, and fantasy set in a lush and cozy wintery landscape. I thought the book was well-written and had good characters, for the most part. It read a little younger than I expected it to and the plot went in a direction I wasn’t entirely pleased with, but overall I still had a fun time reading this book and I think many people will really enjoy it as well.

Academia takes a charming turn in this magical series opener. Grumpy professor Emily Wilde wishes that she did not have to ‘people’ while researching the first complete encyclopaedia of faerie. However, a handsome fellow professor and the quirky townsfolk of Hrafnsvik conspire to create a crack in Emily’s well-guarded heart. Readers will be enchanted with the Fae, friends, love and cantankerous narrator found in this unique fairy tale. Like a wintry, cozy edition of the Lady Trent series. Highly suggest!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! A great fantasy about the Fae and some history behind the stories that Emily was writing about. I can't wait for Book 2.

This was such a gorgeous book. It has been a while since one has riveted me so fully. The combination of the scholarly tone with the magic and faerie lore was so enticing, and the snow-filled setting had me wanting to burrow under a blanket to read the whole thing at once.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

3.5 rounded up. This was a fun read--cozy, frenemy, found family, and folklore are all vibes I love. And who wouldn't want to start the winter season with a somewhat curmudgeonly professor finding a home in a community of quirky characters!

Minus a star because I wish that this was a standalone. I didn't realize until I was almost done that this was going to have a sequel, so I was somewhat disappointed by how rushed and "untied" the end felt. I'll definitely read the second one, but I do think that with some more editing, this could have been a really great contained story.

I was utterly delighted to reach the last page of this book and discover that there is going to be a sequel! Finishing a book and wishing for more is a sign that a book is well written and intriguing and full of lovable characters! Emily is a foremost researcher into the realm of faerie, and Wendell is her only friend (with a few secrets up his sleeve). Together they solve mysteries of faery kidnappings, rescue a child who was switched for a changeling, and manage to charm a whole town.

The themes of friendship and better-togetherness were just heartwarming. I will happily watch for the sequel!

I received an eARC via NetGalley, but all enthusiastic opinions are entirely my own!

Emily Wilde is a scholar at Cambridge in the early 1900s studying faeries from all over the world. Her latest research for her encyclopaedia brings her to a remote village in the cold Scandinavian north where fitting in with the locals is a challenge for her introvert nature. In swoops her colleague and rival Wendell Bambleby. Wendell immediately befriends the villagers and settles in for the oncoming winter. As Emily reaches out to locals, both faerie and human, she is suddenly thrust into the role of expert and fixer of all things faerie. With Wendell’s help (or non-help), Emily ends up getting more than she bargained for on her latest research expedition.

I enjoyed this novel, especially the format of journal entries that each chapter takes. It provides a unique perspective to the adventure that Emily ends up going on through her research. You get to see her doubts and frustrations as well as how she solves each of the situations that arise. Emily’s odd personality comes out and really makes her that more lovable of a protagonist. The premise of the novel is also unique and interesting. I enjoyed the idea of faeries as research subjects for academia and grant funding. A fun, enjoyable read with a warm fuzzy ending. Definitely interested to know what adventure Emily goes on next. 5 stars.

Review based on a digital ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!!

This has got to be the best book I've read in years. I mean, this author encapsulated not just faeries and magic, but seeing this brilliant world through a scholar's eyes which is an absolute fantasy of mine.

Emily is a Dryadologist and is an expert on the Folk (Faeries). She has a very clinical mind so when she comes to a small and freezing cold country to study their Folk, she takes her duties seriously. Emily may understand the pursuit of knowledge, particularly Faerie knowledge, but she is not so good with human interactions. Thankfully, the ever graceful and handsome Wendell shows up to assist and although she may feel more competent on her own, Wendell seems to have the ability to offer some spectacular insights.

This is a Faerie story dream come true. When I had to put this book down (bc life), I was immediately looking forward to picking it back up. I simply could not stop thinking about this story and I am so so pleased that there is more to come!

Highly recommend for fans of fantasy!

Out January 10, 2023!

An absolutely enchanting story that I did not want to end.

Told through a series of diary entries, Emily notes her discoveries on the local lore, including footnotes and references to other works in her universe, finds herself getting invested in the people of Hrafnsvik and their hardships despite her aloof exterior, and begins to unravel the enigma that is Wendell Bambleby. There is a lot of humor and banter, particularly between Emily and Wendell, and some of it is quite swoon-worthy. I think this book contains one of my favorite subplot romances ever.

After reading many, many books on the Fae at this point in my life, I can honestly say that the portrayal in this book is fantastic: I enjoyed the historical fiction threads, the folklore, and the fantasy aspects involving faeries. There are points in the story that takes on a darker shade and I loved it. Somehow Fawcett managed to write a book that is both so cozy and ominous at the same time–really a perfect mix for me.

Traveling to the far north Scandinavian town of Hrafnsvik, Emily Wilde an antisocial academic is intent on publishing an encyclopaedia of faeries. While there, she chronicles her research in diary form. Unwillingly joined by the enigmatic Wendell Bambelby (rival and only friend) they begin their investigations together. Both the town and its people are coldly uninviting and the fae are unkind. Yet the otherworldly Bambelby charms the villagers and in turn Emily. Relying on each other and new found friendships Wendell and Emily come to the aid of the town and each other.
If you are charmed by the stories of Holly Black, Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden this is a must read. The characters and well developed and the story is endearing. Received this ARC from DelRey Books for an honest review.

I'll start this review off by saying that as a child I had a field guide on fairies that I used to take fastidious notes on my evidence of the fae in my neighborhood. So, you can imagine my excitement at the premise of this book.

This book was a great start to my winter reading list, perfect for reading by a fire with some hot chocolate. I finished it the same day I started reading it. The story follows an introverted professor's journey to finish her research for her encyclopedia on fairies. It was simultaneously a cozy winter story, creepy with dark fairy magic, academic with footnotes, and had hints of romance. Think of it as dark academia but sprinkled with fairy dust, which I now want as an entire genre..

I found the main character, Professor Emily Wilde of Cambridge, to be relatable. Bookish, witty, passionate, and a little prickly, but someone who ultimately values community. Wendell is equal parts charming and infuriating. The side characters are also very well written, bringing a lot of life to the cold, ethereal scenery. Poe is poefect.

I'm glad there's a sequal in the works, though I hope there's even more footnotes in the next! My nerdy brain quite enjoyed the elements of fairy folklore woven into the footnotes.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley.