A very delightful story about true love. Love of the fairies or the humans? Read and discover! I finished it in one sitting and eagerly await the next.

In a world where researching Faeries takes place with the support of a large academic community, Cambridge professor Emily is diligently completing the field work to finish her guide to faeries. With detailed research into variations based on region and environment, Emily just need to complete her research in a small remote Icelandic village of Ljosland. It is here that the story begins. The story is told through Emily's field notes which she takes with scholarly seriousness. Emily has trouble relating to other people and while she can interact correctly with many faeries due to her intense research, she just doesn't have the same knowledge of people. Emily's personality grew on me as the story progressed. She is independent and is determined to complete her work and take care of herself while doing it.

It isn't long before Emily's colleague Wendell shows up in town. Wendell is Emily's opposite. He is charming and fun to be around, easily making connections with the people in the village. Wendell isn't afraid to use an academic short cut either.

What follows is a delightful story. This story includes adventure, faeries, a changeling, missing girls, and an unexpected engagement. The author has created a interesting world with a unique premise. I really enjoyed learning about the faeries that inhabited the area around Ljosland as well as seeing Emily become part of their community.

Thank you Del Rey Books for the opportunity to read an ARC on Netgalley. This is my honest review.

I've been looking forward to this book since I saw it announced ages ago and I am so excited that I was able to read and review an early copy because this book is pure magic!

I was charmed from the beginning by Emily, Wendell, and the whole cast of characters. Everyone was unique, lovely, but the dynamic between Emily and Wendell was my absolute favorite, they remind me of Howl and Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle!

The plot was fun and whimsical and so well written. Sometimes the transition from young adult to adult fiction can be a struggle, but this was so seamless. Fawcett really captured the essence of a whimsical, adult faerie tale and I want to devour it all over again.

It has been subtly announced already that there will be a sequel and I cannot wait for more of Emily and Wendell.

Set in a slightly sideways version of 1909 (Scandinavia and Cambridge) , this is an epistolary fantasy with a truly imaginative premise and a generous dose of wit. The underlying premise is that faeries are real and dryadology is a recognized field of study -- with all the academic infighting and bizarre footnotes that this implies.

The heroine, a young Cambridge scholar, is on a research trip to investigate the "Hidden Ones" of Ljosland. Accompanied by her large and mysterious dog, and soon joined by her equally mysterious colleague / rival Brambleby, she plunges into several months of increasingly dangerous adventures in the name of knowledge -- and, in the process, finds her own prickly and scholarly personality (not to mention her whole life) changing.

Professor Emily's journals are our window into this world, and her dryly humorous observations keep the pages turning / clicking even when the plot itself takes a while to rev up. When it does, however, there's a genuinely dark edge. The fae here are closer to Machen than Disney. Frightening things happen, good people suffer and die, and even the friendliest of the Folk are truly Other. They don't think like we do, and expecting them to is a potentially fatal mistake.

Nothing is quite what it seems in this fae-ridden environment, though Emily maintains her academic composure throughout (with one or two exceptions) and refuses to allow even Brambleby's considerable attractions to distract her. I was genuinely sorry to see this book end, though it did so more abruptly than I'd expected, with some unresolved plot threads. I was glad to discover that this is Book One of a series, but I'd have still have preferred a bit more resolution.

Recommended for lovers of historical fantasy, dark academia, and/or folklore fiction.

[Disclaimer: I received a free e-galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

An absolutely enchanting story that I did not want to end. This is the fairytale adventure that I needed in my life.

This story surrounds Emily Wilde, a professor and scholar from Cambridge on a mission to be the first person to compile a reference book on all things Fae. Emily explores all around the world to conduct her research and thus travels to a village called Hrafnsvik in the snowy countryside of Scandanavia to research a final piece of the puzzle to complete her encyclopedia: the elusive Hidden Ones. Upon arriving at the settlement, Emily, the awkward and prickly academic that she is, wants nothing to do with the people there, preferring her company be her dog, Shadow, her books and research, and the Fae themselves, but everything changes when her annoyingly charming academic rival (and, admittedly, her only friend) Wendell Bambleby shows up uninvited to assist in Emily’s research.

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.

And without saying much else about the plot I just want to say it is so much fun to read. This book contains one of the strongest voices and characterization that I’ve read recently: Emily Wilde, Wendell Bambleby, the Fae, and the people of Hrafnsvik truly come alive on these pages thanks to Heather Fawcett’s stellar writing. All of them have a unique and strong voice, but especially Emily. Emily is a narrator and heroine that grows on you–she is definitely a curmudgeon, but she is so earnest in her care towards the Fae and a very hardworking scholar. Wendell is the perfect foil to Emily: he is talkative, charismatic, and really hates to work too hard, so the ways that Emily and Wendell clash are hilarious. 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: the Fae live by far different rules than humans, and the lore that Emily writes about is extremely rich and vivid, all of it rife with stories and culture. 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.

This will surely be one of my most memorable reads of the year, and I’m going to preorder a physical copy soon so that I can hold its beauty in my hands! Definitely preorder this if you’re inclined towards fantasy, folktales, and a dash of romance.

5 stars! 10/10 would read again and cannot wait for the sequel.

I absolutely adored this! I read the description to my husband, and he thought it might be a fun read-aloud, so that’s what we did. Except for having a hard time pronouncing place names, I really enjoyed reading it out loud. Emily, an overly serious scholar who understands fairies better than she does her fellow humans, and Wendell, her charming colleague who drives her crazy, have delightful voices. We laughed a lot at Emily’s dry observations and uncomfortable reactions to the people in the Icelandic village where she’s doing her field work. Wendell, who dazzles and sparkles wherever he goes, is a nice contrast to Emily, and a source of much of the humor in the book. Add in great supporting characters (I loved Thora), a faithful dog, and lots of fairy shenanigans, and you’ve got one fantastic book. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one!

***A big thank you to Heather Fawcett (The brilliant author of this book.) and Random House Publishing - Bellatine for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange my honest review...***

This book is a lovely adventure from beginning to end.
Emily is a badass because she earned it. This book has the quality of a hot cup of tea on a cold afternoon in the middle of winter. The world building is wonderful. There is also a fresh perspective on the fae in this book. It was just magical. I will be recommending this to my friends and buying a copy simply because I need to own this one forever. I really hope this author comes out with many more books ASAP!

I loved the worldbuilding, the representation of neurodiversity, and the two main characters in this book.

Heather Fawcett built an incredible world. It's a real-world historical setting, but with Fae based on real myths and legends from all over the world. Because of the main character's obsessive interest, the reader gets at least a little information about all of them. It was fun to see how they all made an appearance. It was like Fantastic Beasts and How to Find Them, but guilt-free without the weird politics around the franchise.

Emily was a relatable character and delightful neurodiverse representation. I liked that her autistic traits were framed not exclusively as weaknesses, but characteristics that allowed her to connect to and understand the fae in a way that others couldn't. Sometimes there was some content around her lack of empathy that sat a little funny or wrong for me, but not enough that it took away from my enjoyment of the story or her character. One of my favorite quotes from the book was "it is always restful to be around someone who does not expect anything from you beyond what is in your nature."

The main male lead was a gorgeous disaster. He had Howl-from-Howl's-Moving-Castle energy and I was here for it.

It was a complete story that ended on a happy-for-now note, but I was left with a big book hangover wanting more. Mostly I'm just sad a sequel isn't out already.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have decided to DNF this book because it isn’t for me. The setting is interesting, but I needed more from the plot and characters. I wouldn’t ever rate a novel I don’t complete, but this makes me and I don’t want to mess up my feedback ratio.

When the current world we live in looks bleak, there is something about escaping in a whole different world of magic and beauty. Fawcett's book is Faerie Folklore that weaves between human and Faerie realms, every page delivers this magical adventure. I did not know I would love this book so much; I am so glad I read it because I will be looking for the next book in this series.

Emily Wilde Cambridge professor, she travels to small village to study the faerie folklore for her book she is working on. She wants nothing to do with the people who live in the village, she works better by herself with her loyal dog Shadow. But when Wendell Bambleby her academic ravel shows up all handsome and ready to swoon the people of the village, she determined to avoid him. However, is his charm starting to rub off on her or has she been charmed somehow by the Faerie folk?? She finds herself starting to care and the need to help the people of this small village.

" The whole village, working for weeks. Setting aside their own lives and interest to help me. At first, I was horribly embarrassed. But underneath that was something that warmed me to the core, even in a palace of ice. They are coming to rescue me. I am not alone"

Story of opening your heart and allowing yourself to be part of community, asking for help and finding that you are loved.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random house books for copy of this book for my honest review.

This is in the running for being my favorite book of the year.

This story expertly blends the mundaneness of the real world with the whimsy and outlandishness of the faerie realms. The writing is portrayed in an academic fashion, as is Emily's style, while never falling into dry and boring. The accounts of the landscape, the people, and the lore are wonderful. Both descriptive and full of wit. The way Emily--the reclusive, awkward academic--plays off of Wendell--the lazy, but dandy academic--is the best part of the book.

I believe people who enjoy the works of Olivia Atwater, Naomi Novik, or have ever had an inclination to marry Howl from Howl's Moving Castle would enjoy this story.

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world’s first encyclopedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party—or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily’s research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones—the most elusive of all faeries—lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all—her own heart.

After a very slow start, this became a pretty good read. Emily is a very hard character to like, but Wendell is amusing if you can put up with self centered individuals and he helps Emily become more likable to the townspeople. Emily is a very unreliable narrator so it was hard for me to buy Wendell's interest in her, but she does learn at least a bit by the end of the novel so it wasn't a waste of time.
As with many books I've read recently, the ending felt rushed.
3.5

Oh friends. I'm jealous you'll get to read this delight of a book for the first time. What a wonder! It's as if far magic has wound itself on every word. Who'd have thought a tale of scholarly insight into the world of the Hidden Ones by one Emily Wilde would be one of my favorite books of the year, but probably one I need in physical copy to reread each year. And thankfully it's a series! So much to explore and understand in the wide world of Faerie. I would like some buttery soft bread baked by a Brownie or in the hot earth paired with chocolate now.

This was the most fun and refreshing read I have had in a long time! the author did such an amazing job with world building and character development. need a second book NOW!

Takes the word encyclopaedia in the title to heart.

This book reminds me a lot of 'the classics' like The Picture of Dorian Gray or The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror , written in the style of journal entries where the facts are accounted for you, instead of seen through the eyes of the characters.

It has a very slow start, if you are particularly interested in how one goes about researching the existence of faeries, you might find it fascinating, but if you are looking for a story with action or adventure, this isn't the book for you. The journal entries are well laid out, and it really does feel like you are reading field notes.

A little over half way through the tale picks up but only in the way that the main character finds herself in a pickle, not in the way that there is actually action. I would go as far to say that the story also has a light love story happening throughout the entries. It boasts a neat and tidy ending, which is fitting for an encyclopaedia. I enjoyed the story, but not so much that I couldn't put it down.

You'll love this book if you enjoy endless world building, and low plot, but high character development type books.

Beyond enchanting. I recommended it to a colleague as having "a real Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell feel to it; you must read it"—and quite frankly that is the highest praise I can give. Wonderful atmosphere, fabulous romance. Definitely did justice to the world of Faerie, which is beautiful and irresistible but also highly unstable and untrustworthy at the same time. I plan to buy a personal copy when it comes out. Take this review with a grain of salt, however, because I am far from objective about this subject matter, particularly if the book is both British and witty with a strong female scholarly main character. This is "my thing." Fairy tales, fairy figurines, you name it and I collect it.

Emily Wilde’s The Encyclopaedia of Faeries is written in dry prose and British humor that I found immediately and wildly entertaining — a sentiment that grew along with the story. At the center is a scholarly prodigy and professor at Cambridge. Emily is a hoot with her staunch fearless character, awkwardness, brilliant mind and utter lack of grace. She’s fantastic!

The many turns of this book are absolutely wonderful and brilliantly written. Take this example, “The problem with Bambleby, I’ve always found, is that he manages to inspire a strong inclination towards dislike without the satisfaction of empirical evidence to buttress the sentiment.”

Admittedly I’m enchanted by faerie and drank up every detail, fact and story. All told it was absolutely marvelous and I’d give it more than five stars if I could. Already eager for more! 🧚💫

As a self-proclaimed nerd I was so exited to get this book, Mixing fantasy with encyclopedia's yes sign me up. The author's writing really transports you to a different time, where you still have villages and a multitude of different people with different yet similar lived experiences. Watching the character Emily growth through out the book was amazing to watch. Also if you enjoy a little mystery included in your reading this does not disappoint,

Heather Fawcett draws up a cozy fantasy where scholars research the Fair Folk and try not to get dragged into Fairyland.

Basically, every folklorist's dream!

Emily, a tenacious academic, heads off to an isolated village to finish her research for her latest book. Unfortunately, her charismatic rival, Wendell Bambleby, is determined to be a thorn in her side. Yet some dangers go beyond scholarly citations between the gruff villages and the whispers of something stirring in the snow-covered forest. Full of detained footnotes to bring an alternative history to life, Emily's journal entries are best read near an open fire to stay warm despite the enchanted cold.

While the story format and content were a great break from the usual conventions (no spunky assassins!), the plot felt lacking and unsure, with a second book on the way. However, the established dynamic between Emily and Bambleby does bring a unique spin to a potential plot thread. Now they're a couple, will Bambleby have to make a difficult choice to leave her when he tries to take back his throne temporarily? Could Bambleby bring himself to return to the mortal world? Despite these issues, Emily was a prickly and delightful protagonist. Her reluctance toward friendship (other than the joyful companionship of her dog) provided genuinely heartwarming moments while she also broke curses in the village. I was fascinated with Emily's research and her dedication to fieldwork. Heather Fawcett drew upon legends and fairytales worldwide, showing the contradictions and similarities between the narrative threads. (The sword scene had me yelling!)

While Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries could work better as a novella series, fans of fairytales and fairy folklore will eat this up like Goblin Fruit.

A copy was provided to me by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a book to savor.

I do not say this lightly, but I really didn't want this book to end, so much so, that I reached out to the author, fyi, she has a twitter account, just to ask her if there would be a second book because I didn't want to leave this world, Professors Wilde and Bambleby and the Hidden Folk. Her answer was 'yes!'

Professor Emily Wilde is persistent, she has studies the faire folk all of her professional career and trip to the remote and tiny village of Hrafnsvik to track down the most elusive of fae, the Hidden Ones, is just what she needs to truly distinguish herself in the world of Fairy Academia..

Her determinations is there but her skills at living in an icy village is what kept me reading through the first chapters. Emily finds connecting with people difficult, she doesn't manage to endear herself in her first days, in fact, she offends several people that could be absoultely vital to her research and this is when her rival, Professor Wendell Bambleby arrives.

The interactions between Wendell and Emily are hysterical at times, he's so affable and unaware, her irritated and snappy were so lively I could mentally visualize them in a way that isn't always possible for me with books. I can't wait to hear this on audio, maybe with a waspy tongued narrator emoting all of Emily's annoyance at Wendell's many distractions.

But the main mystery is all about the Hidden Ones, with enough danger nipping at the edges of the village to make even a daring researcher like Professor Wilde pause, but with her curiosity and career ambitions on the line, she presses forward and this is when the story became even more interesting. Because for awhile, I thought that perhaps the stories Emily was there to investigate were just that, stories.

A tiny warning, after the finding of the tree, without telling you what happens, there are some truly frightening bits that happen. I wasn't entirely sure what would happen to people I liked and it kept me awake worried for them. Again, I don't want to give anything away (actually, I do, I want to blab all of it, but I wont), except that the ending was quite unexpected and delightful and I really cannot wait to read book two.