3.5 stars.
Written as journal entries made primarily by Emily, a bookish and socially challenged Cambridge scholar of all things fae (fairy) while researching the various fairy types on a northern Scandinavian island.
Early on, I found the main character slightly annoying in her single-mindedness and social ineptitude. But over the course of the story she grew on me a bit. However, I am not a fan of relationships that mostly consist of the two "lovers" sniping at each other. That entire trope gets on my nerves. Why would you want to be with someone who annoys the hell out of you all the time?!

I really enjoyed this, it’s very refreshing and not your average fae story. It’s written in the form of journal entries by Emily, a professor at Cambridge who is writing an encyclopedia about the different species of fae around the world. She lacks social skills, would prefer to be alone with her books and her dog, and is very serious about her work.

Emily heads to a remote village in search of the Hidden Ones, a dangerous group of human-like fae which she needs to complete her book. She is followed by her colleague Wendell Bambleby, a charming Irishman who she is equally drawn to and annoyed by, and who she has an interesting theory about.

Wendell is definitely my favorite character and I loved his banter with Emily, my favorite thing is when he calls her “my dear dragon”. I loved seeing their relationship develop throughout their adventures and seeing them form connections with the villagers as well. Emily’s character development in particular was well done. I did think it ended a little abruptly and I would have liked more of a concrete conclusion, but I would recommend this regardless.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

"The Folk cannot be understood, They live in accordance to whims and fancies and are little more than a series of contradictions. They have traditions, jealously guarded, but they follow them erratically. We can catalogue them and document their doings, but most scholars agree that true understanding is impossible."

Cambridge Professor Emily Wilde is the faerie version of an anthropologist. We read through her journal entries as she collects data, stories, and personal anecdotes while studying "The Folk" - Emily learns that not everything is as it seems...including her academic rival, Professor Wendell Bambleby.

I had a lot of fun reading this piece - it was well done. I appreciated the commitment to the art of the encyclopaedia with the foot notes. I would say that this book really isn't about the romance, although it's sprinkled throughout. I appreciated this book for the "slices of life" we were able to bear witness to as Emily studied The Folk.

I would recommend this quick read to fantasy readers looking for a different kind of faerie story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC :) 3.5 stars!

I received an eARC from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Emily Wilde is a professor who has devoted her career to dryadology - the study of faeries - and her latest trip has taken her north to a village near the snowy mountains in search of the "Hidden Ones," which she hopes to include in the "Encyclopaedia of Faeries" that she has spent years writing and compiling. The book is written in the form of a field journal, mostly from Emily's point of view.

While Emily comes off as awkward and rational to the point of uncaring at times, she creates a nice contrast to the colorful cast of characters, both faery and human, that surround her. Emily also grew on me as she started to open up and make more connections with the people around her. I also really enjoyed the storytelling, with stories embedded within stories, small details being tied back into the plot later on, and a gradually building momentum as the book progressed.

A surprising plus was how accurately the world of academia was portrayed - with students doing a lot of the heavy-lifting (literally and figuratively), vying for the "first author" position, and reliance prestige and reputation.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys slightly dark fairy tales and doesn't mind a field journal format.

4.5 stars.

I loved this so much and now I'm mad that I can't find another academia-centric faerie fantasy set in early 1900s Scandinavia. The diary format works so well, especially in tempering my anxiety since Emily had to be alive/relatively healthy to write the diary entry in the first place. 😅 The first 20% is decent as a standoffish Emily settles into a remote village with prickly locals, but then the book gets AMAZING when Wendell shows up. I know the blurb calls him an academic rival, but that's not really accurate. They're friends (while Emily is frequently irked by his presence, she still considers Wendell to be her only friend). I don't want to spoil anything more, but I highly recommend this novel (might bump it up to a 5 stars when I reread the audiobook).

These are not the best comps (struggling to come up with anything, tbh), but this book might appeal to fans of Naomi Novik and Olivia Atwater? I think??? Don't hate me if I'm completely off the mark. 😅 This book is very weird to review because the humor is sly and biting (even when Emily is anti-social and oblivious), but it's definitely not a fantasy rom-com. I don't think it's lighthearted or cozy like Howl's Moving Castle, even if some aspects gave me those vibes (Wendell, in particular, has Intense Howl Energy). The faerie kidnapping elements are terrifying and I shivered constantly during the latter half (admittedly I am easy to scare, especially when I'm reading at night). So... it's just a mix of all emotions. I'm sorry, I'm doing a terrible job describing the tone, but definitely check it out if the blurb intrigues you.

FYI for romance readers: this is a historical fantasy with (very enjoyable) romantic elements, not a romance. The ending feels like a plausible HFN (can't really go into detail without spoilers but you won't be unhappy).

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

So much fun! I had a delightful time getting to know Emily and Wendell in an Iceland-like land where faeries roam, some of them friendly and most of them fearsome.

Emily is a scholar who takes her research very seriously. She is incredibly smart and disciplined though terrible at small talk and making friends. Wendell has a more casual approach to his work, relying on his charm and social skills. Emily is off on a research trip to Ljosland where she unwittingly offends locals and now finds herself largely cut off from the community. However, soon Wendell and his two research assistants arrive and, with turning his charm on the locals, Emily finds herself back on track with her research. Will she be able to find the Hidden Ones and write a career-elevating paper?! Read and find out.

I primarily read literary fiction, (women’s) fiction, and romance and do not read much fantasy but after reading the plot description, which included a hint of romance, I was curious and am really glad I gave this a chance. Much of the story is told via Emily’s meticulous journal entries. The world-building is well done, Emily is a great lead, and the story was inventive and exciting - there are harrowing moments and plenty of humorous ones. 4.5 stars.

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was made to be read curled up on a rainy day with a hot cup of tea. The start was a bit slow, but overall this book was a win. Great characters, solid plot/world building, and just the right amount of adventure to keep you hooked. Would definitely recommend to anyone that enjoys the fantasy genre!

Emily Wilde, a professor of faerie studies, travels to the cold arctic lands in search of the Hidden Ones. They are the last type of faeries she needs to discover to complete her encyclopaedia. Professor Wilde is brilliant with her work but has no social skills. Then pops up her charming coworker Wendell Brambleby, who seems to have nothing but social skills. He offers to assist with her scholarly pursuit. Really he is coercing her into allowing him to ‘help’ - to take part of the credit for her work. She knows he’ll steal her work if she doesn’t take his offer of ‘help.’ Thus begins the search for the tricksy Hidden Ones.
The book is filled with encounters with all sorts of wee folk from changelings to brownies to trooping fae. And, of course, the courtly fae or Hidden Ones. The world building of the fae is unique and fascinating; the search is a grand quest and the relationship between Wilde and Brambleby intriguing.
I would happily recommend this book to my patrons.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Del Ray Del Rey? in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

4.5 rating

When I learned Heather was coming out with a new adult fantasy, I was ecstatic. I loved Even the Darkest Stars and was eager to read this. Needless to say, I loved it. The beginning was slightly slow, but in an atmospheric sort of way. It just got better and better. I loved the characters and the setting. I sincerely hope there is a sequel/companion novel about finding the door (you’ll know when you read it).

"Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries" is mostly fantasy with a hint of romance. I found it charming and interesting. It is also wickedly funny here and there. I don't normally read fantasies (at all, actually) but I liked the title so I dug in -- and I was happy I did. The book is geared toward adult readers. There is a touch of naughtiness and plenty of sarcasm.

Emily Wilde is an educated (PhD) introvert who spends most of her time studying faeries, both at Cambridge and in the field. She is on a quest to finish her encyclopaedia and is soon joined on her latest adventure. That's about all I'll share because I absolutely hate knowing too much before I read a book; it spoils the surprises. I don't read back covers or summaries, ever.

Here are some noteworthy quotes:

My mind whirred, the pages of my inner library flick-flicking again.

Finally I demanded that he eat one of Poe's cakes, and was relieved by his acquiescence, which spared me the effort of shoving it down his throat.

My conclusion: that is faeries for you.

My faerie! Good grief.

The villagers will see you as some sort of faerie godmother now.

Also, my pride was smarting from the pet nonsense.

The more you read, the more you are charmed by this book because it gets just a little sweet and silly, but not too much. It is still about faeries and has a bit of doom and gloom and mystery in it. Emily Wilde is bookish; she's not after romance. But then....

I highly suspect this book will be made into a movie. It charmed the socks off me; I could see the movie in my head. Plus, it is left a little bit open=ended -- as if for a sequel.

Well done, Heather Fawcett!

I got an email from the publisher about this book at 6:34 p.m. on Monday and submitted my request for the ARC less than 5 minutes later because of how excited I was by the description. Thankfully it didn't just live up to my expectations, it exceeded them!

EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES is what you would get if you combined Holly Black's THE CRUEL PRINCE, Deanna Raybourne's Veronica Speedwell series, Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching novels, and added a pinch of Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate. I love a cranky, driven female protagonist especially when set in the era of Victorian exploration. The setting appears to be a sort of psuedo-Iceland, and having visited Iceland recently I could picture every scene so clearly. The banter between Emily and Wendall is adorable, it was so fun to watch their relationship develop. I also appreciated that the fae were terrifying, as they should be. While it's strong enough to be a stand-alone novel, I really hope that Fawcett gives us a sequel or three.

What a charming fairy tale! I truly mean fairie tale. Witty, highly entertaining, very Wizard of Oz happy. I am as surprised as anyone that I find it enjoyable, but sometimes in this overburdened world that we live in, stories like this are desperately needed, an escape from this world into the little people, or the fey. No, I don't believe in them, but what fun to think that on my next vacation to the mountains, I may happen upon one on my next hike, it makes me smile, and truly, what is wrong with that?
I recommend! Thank you #Netgalley #EmilyWildesEncyclopediaofFairies
carolintallahassee

tl;dr
A bright professor paired with a roguish charmer lead this extremely satisfying tale. A fun adventure with a dash of romance, strongly recommended for fans of fantasy and fae.

About
Professor Emily Wilde is great at studies and terrible at people, but her current research trip to finish her Encyclopaedia of Faeries should be enough to elevate her as an expert in the competitive world of fae studies. Enter: Wendell Bambleby - colleague, rival professor, and Emily's exact opposite. Bambleby swears he's not in town to ruin her research, but he's clearly here to find something. But with ancient magic on the horizon, the two might have to work together just to make it out alive.

Thoughts
I don't often find myself at a loss for words, but here we are. Wow! The first thing I did after finishing this book was turn back to the beginning and start it again. Not only is this a good book, it's an exceptionally clever one. Presented in the form of an expedition journal with some fun footnotes and strong character voices that change based on who's writing, the story opens at a gentle walk and then takes off running after the first few chapters. Emily is an excellent heroine. Her frank discussions on the difficulties of being social really resonated with me, and I'm relieved that the story doesn't force her to try to learn to be social in order to fit in. I also appreciate that she's genuinely an expert in her field, and confident about it without being arrogant. The fact that she basically figured out Wendell's secret just from casual observation is excellent, and saves me the frustration of a heroine who can't seem to take an obvious hint. And speaking of Wendell, he's an excellent contrast to Emily - navigating social situations with ease, and treating her research with respect and understanding. Fans of roguish charmers and attractive troublemakers will love Wendell almost immediately. Their relationship is a personable one, and I felt like it progressed very naturally. Secrets and mysteries are tightly plotted, with a lot of answers available to clever readers before the reveals, but not in a frustrating "everyone else is stupid" sort of way. Fae rules and lore are well-researched, and should be very satisfying for fans of tales involving the fae. Overall, strong recommend for folks who like fantasy.

My collector's heart yearns for a special edition that includes illustrations and perhaps some of the notes mentioned with the text.

This review will be mirrored externally on StoryGraph and GoodReads on the publication date, as requested in the ARC. My personal profiles for both sites are listed in the links section.

What a delightful and entertaining read for my flight to Denmark the other day. I thoroughly enjoyed entering the magical world of the faeries, and Em's search for knowledge. I intend to tell everyone about this novel, as it so reminded me of a Narnia type adventure, and I can't wait for a hopeful next installment.

I absolutely adored this unique and refreshing fantasy novel! Emily Wilde is a professor from Cambridge who travels to remote Norway to do field work on the fae that live there. The novel is set in a world where fae are recognized by everyone and Emily has dedicated her life to studying them. Emily is socially awkward and on her first night in Hrafnsvik she offends the head woman in the village. This causes all sorts of trouble for Emily so that she is relieved when her only friend, Wendall Bembleby, comes to join her academic quest, even though he drives her a bit mad. Emily while trying to do her research tries to also find out why the fae in this small village are so prevalent.

There was so much to love about this book! There were strong story telling elements and there were little snippets of fae stories throughout the novel as Emily told different stories from her research. The overall story though of Emily and Wendall had me enchanted. I had to keep reading as I wanted to know what would happen. I highly recommend this story for anyone who likes, fantasy or maybe just wants to read something a little different! A fantastic read!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited when I got this ARC and it totally lived up to expectations. It feels a bit different than standard fairy or fantasy books as it has a very old and proper feel to the beginning. It's set in the olden time and it translates very well throughout the whole book. I do think there needed to be a little bit more explanation in the beginning for some of the terms dropped through. I love the footnotes and enjoyed reading it as though it was a diary or journal and some parts. I also love the characters and loved the dynamic between Emily and Wendal. I really enjoy Emily's portrayal and how she grows as a character and an academic.

I had been eying Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia Of Faeries due to social media and knew I needed to preorder a copy. A pretty cover with a thirty year old documenting faeries ? Yes please !

During the first few chapters I thought this was going to be a fun and quiet read, once Wendel became more involved it got a lot more interesting.

Wendel oh Wendel ...he is something else, reminds me a bit of Loki & Rhysand . At first I didn't know what to make of his personality but once things are revealed about him it made more sense. The nick name he gives Emily is too cute ..

Our lead lady Emily is a delight ! She is thirty years old, a scholar with students, introverted, and has the knack for saying the wrong things at the wrong times. The banter between her and Wendel was perfection and delightful .

I loved the handful of adventures she has with her new friends and large breed dog companion, they were fun and interesting. My favorite scenes were when Wendel and their new friends came to do a major rescue . The ultimate favorite scene was the first time he came to her defense.

There is a dash of romance and LGBT representation.

Some of the tropes would be :

* Slow burn
*friends to lovers
*how dare you touch her

Angele Masters would be perfect to ready Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia Of Faeries for the audio book.

Overall this book flowed together nicely and was fun to read.

This was a wonderful story. The first part is a little dry, and it took me some time to get into. It was a little slow to start, because while emily is relatable, it takes some time for her to warm up to the towns folk, and in turn makes it take some time for us to warm up to her. The other characters however...10/10 . Quite a unique blend of fantasy/Victorian.

I love anything have to do with the fae and was glad I got the option to read this. It was really charming and I liked the main characters journey.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this one!
The first part is a little dry, slow to start, because while I relate to Emily, her personality makes her a little bland until she warms up to the reader/townspeople.
The side characters however are gems. Wendell's POV chapters (sadly only a smattering) are brilliant.
Quite a unique blend of fantasy/Victorian mannerisms.
Fabulous smart heroine.