Part academic journal, part investigative story, this is an alt-historical fantasy that I had the most marvelous time with. The Fae folklore is energetically conveyed and quaint in its academia. Most of the culture will probably be recognizable to anyone with even a passing interest in European faerie lore and tradition. As someone who is not well-versed in these fantasy beings, I didn't find the "science" to be overbearing or dry. It was actually wildly amusing.

But, in fact, I came for the promise of a good pairing. Like most opposites, Emily and Brambleby have a well-established chemistry: she's a driven loner, he's a charming layabout. Additionally, Brambleby considers them friends while Emily does not, and all this together spells a recipe for endlessly entertaining moments.

A delightfully sinister, unexpectedly cozy first foray into an enchanting alternate 1909, where fae princes may walk among mortals yet the greatest illusions are still those of our own making.

I loved everything about this book. The characters, the setting, the hilarious back and forth between our 2 main characters. The faeries themselves were both wonderful and absolutely terrifying. There was nothing I disliked about this book. The pacing was nice, and while there were definitely some stakes specific to Emily's profession and her obsession with faeries, it still felt like a cozy fantasy story that I could lose myself into on a cold, wintery night with a couple cats curled by my feet. There was just enough whimsy and just enough dry humor and ridiculous shenanigans to balance out the underlying sense of danger that was present whenever Emily went out to explore. Ugh, I wish I could read this book for the first time again. I NEED MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS, DAMMIT.

I'm so thankful to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book! Obviously, this does not influence my rating in any way.

Having the entire book written like you’re reading from the main character, Emily’s, academic field journals was really unique if somewhat clinical at times. Though that’s to be expected from the character. Even so the story still managed to be very whimsical at times (I mean it’s about faeries, how could it not be?) I did enjoy all the folklore and the fact that faeries are a known species in this world and I loved the Scandinavian setting. Emily was definitely different than most heroines I’ve read about and that was refreshing! Not to mention her banter with Bambleby was top tier.

Do not judge this book by the first few chapters. They were boring and dry… BUT enter Wendell and things get interesting!

This book was full of faerie lore new and old, and a complex (probably autistic) heroine and a more complex-than-he-lets-on hero.

I loved the interactions between Emily and Wendell. I loved how the story very naturally shifted gears from a woman who just wanted to study the fey and write her encyclopedia to a full on adventure!

Absolutely a surprise hit!

Huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free e-copy to read and review!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett. This books just did fairies so well—mysterious, beautiful, horrifying, mischievous/sometimes malicious creatures, but also you can study them at Cambridge. Emily was just delightful in all her awkward, straight-forward ways and she was an excellent grumpy to Wendell's sunshine. Oh, and he just so happens to also be a very hot fairy king. No big deal. I loved how she slowly went from being ostracized to winning over the icy little Nordic town she stayed in just by being herself. I loved how she's so smart but also got herself way too involved in dangerous fairy nonsense. I loved all the pining, banter, and tension between her and Wendell and I want there to be more because I didn't get enough physical pay-off! I still can't complain that much though because I really just enjoyed it so much, down to the journal format of it. Definitely recommend.

4.5 stars. I loved this book so much. It reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle and the Folk of the Air. Emily and Wendall are a riot. I was laughing so much during their scenes. They balanced each other out well. I never felt overwhelmed with Emily being a staunch academic or Wendall acting like a drama queen. I love how Emily's character development didn't depend on the love interest. It was so refreshing to read about a fantasy FMC who, in Emily's words, is a "foremost expert" in the fantastical subject, in this case faeries. The supporting cast were heart-warming and the courtly fae were rightly terrifying. Also Shadow, Emily's dog, stole the show.

Emily was brave but most of the times not stupidly so, it was so exciting to find out her plans and see how she used her wits. She went to great lengths for her research, which was an interesting experience to read. I think she was neurodivergent so reading her journal, as opposed to reading in traditional 1st or 3rd person, helped a lot with immediately warming up to her. She also had a great sense of humor. I appreciated her bluntness. I also think she's demisexual and not at all apologetic that the most important thing to her is her research.

It could have been a standalone but I'm really happy this book is part of a series so that I can spend more with these characters. There's also just enough loose ends to continue this adventure.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC. This in no way impacts my rating.

Sadly, this one was a DNF for me fairly early one. The academic journal style writing but also full dialogue was off putting, to say the least. The plot was not interesting, despite high hopes.

I won’t recommend or review elsewhere.

This was a delight to read! The unique mix of folklore, academia, and romance left me not wanting to put the book down. The banter between Emily and Wendell is amusing and I am very much looking forward to their next adventure.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC!

This writing style was unique to me - I normally don't go for books written in the journal style (journal entries) but this was done so well that it didn't feel choppy or off-putting. It was actually quite whimsical and magical, I loved the world Heather Fawcett created. An unexpected delight! Picking up a physical copy when it comes out!

This book is such an unexpected delight! It's told in an epistolary style- journal entries, with you the reader being an outside observer to events that have already happened. However, Heather Fawcett's style of writing is such that it seamlessly blends with the narrative and you forget entirely that you're reading a journal! It's cozy, heart warming, absolutely page turning, and will leave you both satisfied and wanting more. It's unique, enchanting, and one of my favorite reads of this year, perfect for anyone who loves fantasy and especially the fae!

a delightful tale full of whimsy and magic. i have to say i love some good old-fashioned fae trickery, à la The Cruel Prince trilogy, and this book certainly delivered! the journal-style writing added to the fun of the plot, as well as an interesting perspective on the actions of characters! i’m very excited to see what comes next in this series, particularly getting to see Emily and Wendell’s relationship grow and where their journey will take them next!

Emily Wilde is an academic in the field of Faerie studies and since it is 1909, her work is not rated that well by all the men in the field. She is finishing up her Encyclopaedia of Faeries and it should finally give her some standing in the field. However, to try and finish it up she has journeyed to a small village in Scandinavia in hopes of making contact with some of the creatures she is writing about. Emily is smart and knows her subject, but she is not a people person. In fact, she does a pretty good job at rubbing most people the wrong way which can interfere in her work at times. It just reinforces her belief that she does well if she is left alone.
She does have one good friend and colleague, Wendall Bambleby, who is fawned over by most of her academic community even though Emily suspects that he does not work nearly as hard as she does. She is surprised when he shows up in the small village with some grad students and is eager to help her so that she can finish the Encyclopaedia and join him at a professional meeting in the spring to present it.
This fantasy does a wonderful job of creating the faerie world and its inhabitants and you are left at the end waiting for another volume in Emily Wilde's adventures.

As a fan 0f the Fantasy genre, I was happy to see this title available. The concept is unique, in that the book is presented as a journal of research field notes. Although the approach seems to be scientific, albeit in an unscientific arena, a narrative unfolds. There is mystery, romance, and fairies of all types!
I was engrossed in the people of this frozen town and the metaphorical unfreezing of the main character, Emily.
A great read!

I was mesmerized by this book. It is entirely unique and yet draws you into this strange world of the fairy folk and those who live in a neighboring community. I enjoyed every one of the quirky characters.of Hrafnsvik, but especially Wendell Bambleby and, of course, Emily Wilde.

Initially, I found Emily a bit unrelatable (even though I loved her dog Shadow). But ultimately, I loved how the people of this town drew out a depth in Emily, that even she was previously unaware of. Poe was a delightful character anddition, and Thora and Aud were characters of real substance adding much to the development of the story.

Most of all, I loved the relationship between Wendell and Emily and hope this is the first of a series about their lives.

If Cambridge professor Emily Wilde had her way, she would avoid small talk entirely, and spend all of her time researching the fae. Working on the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore, she finds herself in the gruff and freezing town of Hranfnsvik, far away from her handsome and insufferable academic rival, Wendell Bambleby.  She's perfectly content to stay as far apart from the townspeople as possible, but as she finds herself getting closer and closer to discovering the secrets of The Hidden Ones in the local forest, Wendell arrives and brings his unique blend of charm and as an interruption to Emily's research. The problem is, Emily is starting to think Wendell isn't there by accident, and that his behaviors might make him something so much more than a Cambridge rival. 

I have fallen madly in love with this exciting world created by Heather Fawcett. Not only do her fae feel well researched, but they are also fun to read about. Emily Wilde is a believable curmudgeon, and the townspeople are both hard scrabble and charming. Wendell Bambleby is the type of character that drives you crazy at first, but then worms your way into your heart.  Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is the first book in the Emily Wilde series, and I can't wait to read more. 

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is available from Random House January 10, 2023.

I love this book!. I loved Wendell and Emily’s banter. Wendell’s unrequited love at the beginning 😘 I adored Wendell! The adventure the characters go through is gripping. I hope we get more of Emily, Wendell and Shadow after this book!

CONTENT WARNING: blood, violence, murder, gore

I was originally drawn to this book since it was promoted as comparable to Naomi Novik’s writing. And while there were definitely some similarities to Spinning Silver, this book definitely stood on it’s own legs, and it was both fascinating and enchanting in equal measure.

It’s written entirely in journal entry format, beginning with Emily Wilde’s journey to the distant Northern village of Hrafnsvik to study the Hidden Ones and other Fair Folk of the region, in order to complete her encyclopedia. But things don’t exactly go her way from the start. She immediately manages to offend basically everyone in her path, and even worse, her frenemy and academic peer Wendell Bambleby arrives suddenly, throwing off all of her plans.

I found Emily to be a really likable character, even as she struggled to be a people person. It wasn’t that she didn’t have anything to say, because according to her journal entries, she had plenty to say. She’s observant, articulate, and brilliant, yet she’s socially awkward, and possibly even neurodivergent. I was fascinated with her interactions with Wendell, who appeared to understand her better than anyone else. Often, when he would ask her a question, she would snap at him quickly, or if he asked her a question that involved a serious answer, she required additional time to organize her thoughts and provide an answer. I loved how Wendell just patiently waited and allowed her the time to consider what she wanted to say, without pushing her to answer him. This is especially evident towards the end of the book. The two of them seem to be especially well-suited for each other—him basking in the attention that she dreads, and her lacking in social graces that he has loads of. And they just seem to get each other at such a deep level.

The story takes place in the early 1900s, and it has a great balance of academia, fantasy, and folklore, which then easily transitions into mystery and suspense with bits of action and romance, which made for an incredibly compelling read. It’s written in both an academic style, yet beautifully descriptive and never dry. I was able to picture all of the fantastical things that were written about, and loved all of it—the exposure to the faerie world, the gorgeous setting of both the human and fae world, and the interactions that all of the characters have.

For me, the strength of this story was watching Emily grow. Initially, she’s exceptionally closed off, focusing on her academic goals and Shadow, her dog. Her entire life is consumed by her work, and while she isn’t lonely, her life is solitary. But over time, and with the addition of Wendell’s presence, she learns how to open herself to others. It happens slowly over the course of the book; so slowly in fact, that she doesn’t even realize that it’s happening, until she’s surrounded by not only people, but actual friends who care about her and her well-being. I loved watching her learn her value not only in academia but also as a human being with emotions and more to offer than her knowledge of the Fair Folk. I’m delighted to see that this is the start of a series, and I can’t wait to find out more of Emily (and Wendell’s) future!

I have so much love for this book. SO MUCH LOVE.

Emily Wilde is a researcher and she's proud of the work she does. All she really wants is to catalogue different types of fae and be respected among her peers. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the greatest personality. She only cares for herself and her pursuit of knowledge about all things fae. The first 15% of this book was Emily struggling in her new environment, a cold Northern village that she is visiting in hopes of adding to her book. The villagers don't like her, and it's hard not to blame them- Emily doesn't make herself very likeable.

Enter Wendell Bambleby-- Emily's only friend and fellow Fae researcher. He arrives at the village unannounced-- and the story picks up pace until the very end. Wendell is everything Emily isn't- he's charismatic and fun... and he's a lazy researcher. I loved that even though there is a romantic element to the story, it is NOT a romance. There is no smut-- barely even hand holding. The fantasy plot carries the whole story and I still fell in love with both characters.

The ending was satisfying, but this is obviously book one in a series. I finished this morning--- only to realize that because this is an arc, it doesn't even come out till January 2023! I am (obviously) looking forward to the release of "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Fairies" and hope that there is a lot of hype for it around publication. Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced e-arc of this book. Emily Wilde is the female protagonist of a story I didn't know I needed, and I want everyone who loves fantasy to read this book.

Recommended for readers who enjoyed books like: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Baker

Finally a book that lives up to its cover! I absolutely loved that design and was afraid the story would fail but it didn't. I'm also glad to read this as an adult novel (not that there is anything racy or profane in it - a great title for teens too) instead of a YA. The story focused on the Folk, on the charming town and its people, and on the low-simmering romance between Emily and Wendell. I hope this is a start to a series!

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

This is a fun and snarky fantasy read. Emily is a wonderful character….dry, academic, driven. Not much of a people person. The whole interplay of characters revolves around Emily’s determined efforts and her less than skilled communication abilities. Her mentor and sometime nemesis is a reveal. The plot zigs and zags somewhat wildly but I was absolutely on board for the ride. I’d read the next book if this becomes a series. It was very entertaining as a fantasy lover and a quick read.