Member Reviews

Basically this is my declaration that I'll read whatever Heather Fawcett writes forever and ever amen. I'm always a bit cautious about followups and sequels for books I truly love, but the writing is as brilliant as the first and I had no reason to worry! Already looking at the hardbacks on my shelf :)

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I adore this cozy fantasy series. I love Emily and I love Wendell and I love the antics they get up to. The magic in this world is so intriguing, particularly through the academic lens. This series has everything - light academia cottage core vibes, faeries, and a fantastic romantic subplot.

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for an advanced reacher copy.

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I loved this one even more than the first book!
I found myself constantly on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait to return to this world in the next installment of the series. I need more of Wendell and Emily’s story!

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This was a good sequel. Still cozy and interesting, Still full of fun magic. I"m curious about the next installment. I hope there's something new and a little more exciting.

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I thought this was a decent sequel [you know it is always 50/50 if it is going to go well after you like the first book!]. I love the format with the journal notes and extra personality but, now the research read a bit more personal and about her. Emily spends time building more relationships this time around and we get to really see a deeper understanding of magical creatures as well.

I wish it started off a little stronger as it was a slow burn but, I knew I wanted to see where it led and I am glad I stuck around!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Emily Wilde, professor of faerie lore, and creator of an encyclopedia of faeries, has set off on a new quest, She is on an expedition, charting a map of all the faerie lands. Along with her academic cohorts, she gets caught up in a political coup involving her faerie prince suitor, These are not your sweet, warm and fuzzy fairies -so hang on to your hat, it will be a wild ride.

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I liked the first Emily Wilde book but I LOVED this sequel! This one gave the same cozy, fantasy vibes with beautiful writing, but it was faster paced and I felt more connected to the FMC.

The action felt high-stakes, I loved the romance plot, and the secondary characters were great additions to the story!

Also, I decided to listen to the audiobook and I loved the narrator and the different, unique voices for each character. I think this also helped because I didn’t love the footnote format while reading the first book but I didn’t notice them during the second.

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This book was just as boring and uneventful as the first. I was hoping for a redemption to the story but alas,, there was not

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I thought this book was much faster paced than the first. There was plenty of action and excitement. Even though we’re visiting a completely different area, with new people, I do enjoy the parallels with the first book.

The Fox fae seemed super cute, I mean, after the first meeting. And I loved Wendell’s cat. I also adored that we got to see Poe again, and he’s still baking delicious bread. There does still seem to be more stories to tell, I hope we get to go back to this world.

Thank you netgalley for the arc. My opinions are my own.

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**4.5-stars**

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is the much anticipated sequel to Heather Fawcett's runaway Cozy Fantasy hit, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. I was swept away by the first book and was beyond ready to be back with Emily, Shadow and Wendall Bambleby on another cozy, magical adventure!!

In this story, Emily and Bambleby have returned to Cambridge, and to their roles at the University. Emily's Encyclopaedia has come to fruition and she's currently working on a new project, a map of the Otherlands. In the wake of their time in Hrafnsvik, Emily now knows the truth of Bambleby's heritage. Summarily, that he's an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother, but he also is desperately searching for a door back to his realm.

When magical assassins arrive at Cambridge, and attack, looking for Bambleby, Emily is swiftly dragged into another fae-filled adventure.
They set their sights on a picturesque destination, the Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they will finally be able to find the portal. They hope they'll be able to set Bambleby free, once and for all from his mother's menacing grip.

They've brought along some additional traveling companions this time, Emily's niece, Ariadne, and Department Head, Dr. Rose, which added to the fun. But if you've read the first book, you know Emily, she's not exactly a people person, so let's just say, these new additions may be more by folly than gracious invite. Nevertheless, along with the ever faithful Shadow, all these individuals, with vastly different personalities, make for a humorous and greatly-engaging traveling group.

While I still loved the adventure and the cast of characters, this one did lose some of the feel of the cozy atmosphere that the 1st-book captured so well; at least for me. Obviously, the setting is very different, so that was the main culprit, but also the stakes were a lot higher. It felt more dangerous and at times I was at the edge-of-my-seat with worry for these characters, particularly, Bambleby.

The way this kicks off, it happens very quickly. There's no quiet build like in the first book. This felt more like being shot out of a cannon in comparison. Even so, in the context of the story, it does make sense. The setting of Cambridge is more dynamic, just in its general nature, and there's a lot happening for our characters in the aftermath of the first book. We also have a larger cast of characters affecting the narrative. I did love our new additions though. Both Ariadne and Dr. Rose grew on me greatly over the course of the story and I loved seeing Emily's reactions to their presence change over time as well.

In fact, IMO, Emily does soften a bit over the course of this story, which actually filled my heart to see. She's still the same feisty, determined woman she's always been, but perhaps with a bit more room in her world for others. With all this being said, I loved watching this story evolve and I came to a realization by the end, it was still Cozy. This time however, the coziness came from the relationships, not the setting as much, and I thought that was brilliant.

I absolutely recommend this series. If you enjoyed the first book, you need to pick this up. You'll walk away even more in love with these characters than you were before. Thank you so much to the publisher, Del Rey, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am looking forward to more adventures with Emily Wilde!!

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Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands is peak academic and cosy fantasy!

The genius of the book is in Emily herself. This book gives so much power to knowledge and cleverness, and I love how Emily Wilde uses her smarts to her advantage, despite her objective disadvantages. It both baffles and amuses me to read about Emily fighting fairies and at the same time thinking about the papers she can write about what she is seeing.

Although I found the pacing slightly inconsistent or weird in the first book, it made sense. But in this book, the story creates a perfect and smooth arc. It stays true to the cosy vibe, with a certain smallness to the plot, and the lack of greater significance, it puts less stakes on the characters and makes me assured they'll be happy when the series is over.

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Just as charming as the first in the series. I love Emily’s autism-coded narrative voice, the light/cozy academia tone, and the (always too few!) chapters from Wendell’s POV.

The setting here didn’t feel as immersive as in book 1, and the secondary characters of Emily’s niece and department chair weren’t as fleshed out / enjoyable to read about as Lilia and the villagers from book 1. But I still enjoyed this immensely and will be back for book 3.

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Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Heather Fawcett

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

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This was a delightful sequel. Emily and Wendell go on a new adventure along with her niece and a curmudgeonly coworker. Many new fae are met and much adventure and mayhem occur. This may not work for everyone, but I enjoy this series a great deal. Only losing a half a star for it being a little slow at the beginning. 4.5⭐️

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌿Tropes & Themes 🌿
* Cozy fantasy
* Witty banter
* Grumpy / sunshine
* Plot twists
* Light academia vibes

I originally read / listened to the first book on audible. The narrator did such a fantastic job bringing these characters to life that even while reading book 2 I could still heard it in their voice!
This was such a well written stunning sequel!! I absolutely adore the characters. The writing style of this series is perhaps a bit different as it’s in the form of journal entries but it perfectly fits the style of the main character and the academia aspect. Emily and Wendell’s dynamic is unique and endearing and had me obsessed. They may very well be one of my favorite book couples.
I highly recommend book 2 was such a whimsical whirlwind of adventure! & can’t wait for the next book! ♥️

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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i enjoyed this book as much as the first one, or maybe even more actually!

thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

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I don't know what to say to express how much I adore this book. The Emily Wilde series is without a doubt, hands-down, one of my all-time favorite series. It is so lighthearted, clever, fun, and interesting. I could read book after book of these characters and their tales. The characters are so strongly written and developed, the adventures are fascinating and the attention to detail is like none other. If therei s a fanclub, sign me up.

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Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands was just as good as the first book. It is a very heartwarming but adventurous story. I couldn’t wait for this to come out after reading book one and it did not disappoint. I find myself anticipating the next installment in this series because I cannot wait to find out all that happens between Emily and Wendell.

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC. I am anticipating reading this soon and reviewing on my socials.

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Realized part of the way through that this is a sequel and I don't want to read out of order. Loved what I read so far but I will go back, read the first, and then come back to this one

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