This sequel manages to be even more charming than its predecessor!

Emily, Wendell, and Shadow are back, and this time they’re joined by Emily’s niece, as well as the Cambridge dryadology department head. Professor Wilde was granted tenure after publishing her encyclopedia, and luckily for us readers, she continues the practice of keeping a journal as it helps to organize her thoughts. The story begins on campus, and so there’s a hint of “magical school” flavor at first. Then it’s off to Austria for another adventure!

The banter is just as hilarious, the romance continues to develop, and the faeries are just as enchanting and horrifying as ever. Poe is just as endearing (yes, everyone’s favorite brownie makes an appearance!) The element of two explorers trapped in Faerie, lost and confused, occasionally popping in and out of the mortal world, and continually just missing each other like ships in the night as they search for one another was wonderfully whimsical.

This book has more of a traditional structure than the first, where things started simply with a scholar doing research. Going into the sequel, we already know that there is a goal of finding a back door into Wendell’s Faerie kingdom. Pretty much straight away here, our protagonists learn that his stepmother has ordered his assassination, moving the timeline forward in an urgent way. And I was HOOKED.

Emily is determined that it is her turn to save Wendell, and she has learned from her past mistakes—although of course she makes some new ones, too. And with the way this book ends, it seems she will definitely have a chance to learn from those as well! Which is well and good because parts of the resolution here did feel a bit underwhelming, but did a fine job setting up the next part of the story,

I had some quotes I was going to include, but then remembered you’re asked not to do that when gifted an ARC, in case changes are made before publication. So I’ll save those for later, and in the meantime will wait not-so-patiently for more from Heather Fawcett.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this eARC.

I have posted this review on Goodreads. I plan on also posting it on Instagram (@ShelfEsteem101) and my blog (jessicacrawfordwrites.com), but am under the impression that this should be done closer to the publication date. So at this time, I would plan on scheduling those posts for January 16, 2024, the tentative on-sale date given in the eARC.

Despite the recent surge of New Adult books about hot men with wings and toxic personalities, I would like to remind everyone that faeries are not a new thing. They have existed in myths and legends for a long, long time, and many of the tropes and characteristics that we read about today are ripped right from said stories. And that’s okay. That’s the beauty of fantasy – being able to take a known concept and twist and mold it into something new, and knowing that someone out there is going to be 100% here for it. Personally, I’m a little tired of the oversexed faeries (excuse me, fae) finding love with beautiful, perfectly imperfect heroines. It’s just not my thing.

Enter Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series. I read the first book back in January and found myself absolutely delighted. Yes, it’s about faeries. But these are the faeries of my childhood. Maybe some of you also had Brian Froud’s Faeries on your bookshelf, and while its grotesque illustrations may have given you nightmares, you were fascinated. From Fawcett’s descriptions, I like to think that she too perused Froud’s book and found herself inspired. Her faeries are creatures of forest and shadow, of ice and snow, and while some maintain that standard of impossible beauty, many of them are hardly humanoid at all.

I was thrilled to return to the world of Emily Wilde in Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands. It is everything a sequel should be. Now that Wendell has revealed to Emily his true identity as an exiled faerie king, our headstrong scholar is determined to see him back on his throne. The only problem is, he can’t find the door to return to his realm. Using Emily’s latest project, a map of the faerie realms, as an excuse, the duo head to the Austrian Alps to begin their search. This time, however, they are joined by Emily’s niece, Ariadne, and Farris Rose, a fellow scholar of dryadology at Cambridge.

The new cast of characters helped keep the story fresh, and the clashing personalities of Emily and Farris made for excellent banter that had me giggling more than once. And while many of the faeries we meet are entirely different from those of the first book, I was so happy to see one or two familiar faces (Poe, I’m looking at you). The plot is fast-paced, which I’m very grateful for as the diary-style narrative can be hit or miss for me. But Fawcett knows how to give just enough to keep her readers engaged without dragging things out. There’s romance, adventure, mystery, friendship…everything that makes for a wonderful tale wrapped up in one pretty package, and without the eye-rolling smut that seems so popular these days.

I’m so appreciative to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC, and I’m eager for the third installment!

I received this copy of the book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own!

It is fair to say that if you liked book 1, then you are going to like book 2. Emily Wilde is back in this book with some new characters as well as some old with a new adventure and a ton of interesting faeries. This book takes them to Austria, in search of the nexus portal that Dr. De Grey found and went missing through, in the hopes of finding a door for Wendell Bambleby to get home.

If you loved the dynamic of Emily and Wendell in book 1 then they are that much cuter in book 2. The faith that these two have in each other is so evident throughout the book, and the lengths they will go to to ensure the other is safe is paramount. The other interesting thing about their relationship in this books is you can actively see them making choices the other would have made, even at their detriment. It was an interesting bit of characterization that made their relationship that much sweeter.

In this book, it is a bit spookier than the previous book. The faeries are darker, ghost lurk about and the stakes are higher.

Overall, this was a really pleasant follow-up to the first and with the way that it ends, I feel like it’s safe to say that there should be a third book, which I’m very excited to read!

The sequel was a bit disappointing as it is a bit too similar to the first. Not in terms of plot but in terms of character development and drive. Trimly had made some good growth in the first book, but seems to have back tracked in the second. This makes her a bit unlikable. As well as the side characters seem a bit underdeveloped and bland.
The story was also just kind of slow. Took me awhile to get into this one, and it definitely dragged a bit compared to the first.

I came here for more cozy, light academia fantasy and that's exactly what I got!

The world became even more wonderfully weird than the previous installment. I loved each description of faerie magic. Fawcett strings together words that should be utterly nonsensical but perfectly portray how odd and otherworldly the elements of the fae are. Everything is so magical and fascinating, yet frightening too. You get this sense that anything can go wrong at any moment.

Expectedly, our main duo particularly shines. Like in the previous book, I liked how we see Emily's brilliance as well as her flaws—her awkwardness and inadvertent sternness. She’s not emotionless but she is often emotionally detached, and I quite relate to it. I feel that it’s well depicted. Wendell is absolutely charming. He is so so Howl-coded. He's a blond disaster with magic and narcissistic tendencies! And massive bbg energy! Though I can't say he and Emily have a whole lot of chemistry, we can write that off as a side effect of Emily's personality. I still adore their relationship (and the banter). We are also introduced to new supporting characters, Ariadne and Rose, whom I did like and thought were decently fleshed out, but I honestly don't see how they contributed to the plot. I didn't care about them much, and I feel that if the story were just Emily and Wendell, everything would have been more or less the same...

The narrative style is very academic and analytical, which is in line with Emily's character and the epistolary format. However, it does have the unfortunate effect of turning the story sort of sterile, especially during parts that are supposed to be emotional. It bothered me at times and I believe it was one of the common criticisms of the last book, but I do think it's completely justifiable.

The overall plot was a fun adventure, though it was a little repetitive (they go out to explore, someone gets hurt—likely rose, they go back, and panic ensues) but I didn't mind much, because this story is mostly for the vibes anyway. The pacing is slow (which I imagine other people would also complain about) but I didn't mind that either. It's a very cozy, easygoing pace that works for the story!

I know I had quite a few criticisms, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if you're looking for cozy, light academia fantasy, I am sure you will too!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Heather Fawcett for this eArc!

From the first page of this book, I was instantly transported back to the intricate, exhilarating world that Fawcett creates and that all these amazing faeries inhabit. This book is a continuation of the first Emily Wilde book and delves deeper into the character of Wendell Bambleby and all that entails. Like the first book, there is significant character growth that occurs, with this book including more romantic elements without taking away from the plot of the story.

The Emily Wilde series is unlike any I have ever read because the narratorial voice, setting, and worldbuilding are wholly unique. Like the first novel, this book is written in an epistolary-like manner that trades letters for journal entries. This emphasizes both the scientific aspect of the book and organizes the plot into logical chapters. The benefit of this is that the book can be full of action without overwhelming the reader. Moreover, because of the journal style of this novel and all of the other clever descriptions that Fawcett uses, you are able to fully understand Emily and how she views life making her a truly relatable main character. It is because of this that I can’t wait for the next one!

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands is a perfect continuation of the Emily Wilde Series as it has a similar “vibe” to the first book with a completely different plot that adds to the overall storyline. This book (and the series as a whole) has a very refreshing take on “faeries” and how science and magic are wholly compatible. If anything about this series interests you, don't hesitate and read it!

I don’t ever want to stop exploring Emily Wilde’s world- this is the second book in what is quite possibly the coziest series I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The new characters in this book allowed for a more dynamic exploration of already existing relationships, and Wendell’s intermittent POVs add a wonderful touch. All of the characters- human and otherwise- are well-developed, flawed, fun, and perfectly loveable. The relationship between Emily and Wendell is explored in a way that doesn’t take away from the main plot of the book- it feels natural and not forced.

Fawcett continues to build out a world filled with magic that manages to not seem too far from the realm of possibility.

Daresay I loved this even more than the first. More Emily Wilde, please!

*I received an ARC copy of this book thanks NetGalley and Del Rey in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. It was quite enjoyable. The book was the continuation f the adventures of one Emily Wilde who studied and documented faeries, I liked the characters and story line and home this is not the last book.

Map of the Otherlands is the second installment of a captivating and imaginative journey into enchantment and mystery. This spellbinding tale takes readers on an unforgettable adventure through a fantastical realm filled with magic, mythical creatures, and a quest for self-discovery. The lush descriptions and atmospheric settings immerse readers in realms where anything is possible.

I was thrilled to be approved for this ARC. This story is so brilliant. The banter between Emily and Windle is so entertaining. She loves him and is fighting it, and he is so open with his feelings for her, and it warms my heart. Even though he is a Fairy King, he feels safe and will do anything to protect her. I am not a big animal lover, but how she cares for Shadow is touching. Emily is so thoughtful and crafty. Exploring the fae from an academic lens is also very fascinating.

Heather recently, on her socials, confirmed that this is not a duology, just the second book. This is terrific; otherwise, the story's ending would be unsatisfying. Now I want to read book 3.

Overall, Heather Fawcett's Map of the Otherlands is an enchanting and magical adventure that will capture young and old readers' hearts. With its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and inspiring themes, this fantasy novel is a testament to the power of imagination and the transformative nature of storytelling. It is a must-read for anyone who craves an escape into a world of magic and adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray publishing for this ARC.

This was everything I could have hoped for and more! All the warmth and coziness of the first book with even more adventure and higher stakes. Wendell and Emily are such a charming pair together, I don’t think I could ever get tired of reading their interactions, and I’m so thrilled Heather Fawcett has confirmed there will be a 3rd book. I’ve read this book multiple times already and I can still hardly wait for its release date in January because I am so excited for the audiobook—the narrators were absolutely fantastic in the first book, and it was their voices I had in my head while reading this one. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book! I’ll post a more thorough review closer to the release date in January.

It was a delight to continue following Emily and Wendell’s story! This series is so charming and well written. I already can’t wait for the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher to providing me an advanced e-copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I love Emily and Wendell so much. They are exactly my favorite kind of relationship to read about. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic is so great, and I can't help but being both charmed and amused by Wendell's constant whining. The writing style is so perfect for this book, and it just checks all the boxes for things I like to read.

This book has something so magical about it. It's such a fun and easy read while still being interesting and engaging. With what happens in the plot, this book could easily be heavy and dark, but Fawcett manages to keep it light; it was such a joy to read. I love the characters, the plot is unique and moves at a nice pace, and the banter is 10/10. I would read an entire book of just Emily and Wendell talking to each other.

I devoured this book. I love how well the writing style melds with the story. I love how silly it could be but also how high the stakes were. This is not something i feel most authors can accomplish. I cannot wait to read.more about Emily and Wendell.

The first book in this series was my favorite book of 2022, so I had extremely high expectations for the sequel. Those expectations were definitely exceeded.

Emily Wilde, Wendell, and Shadow the demon pup all thankfully return in this book. Some time has passed since their first adventures in book 1, but soon enough they find themselves on new adventures to new lands, on a brand new quest.

This book is just as incredible as the first one. It’s magical, mysterious, suspenseful, and so much more. It made me smile, laugh, cry, worry - a whole rollercoaster of emotions.

I can’t wait for the 3rd book!

I really enjoyed the first book so I was excited to return to Emily and Wendell. Usually I enjoy a tighter written novel, which this book definitely is compared to the first book, but unfortunately it seems to have come with far less of Wendell. While the plotting is far more linear it really suffers from the lack of Wendell. Emily is of course a very dry character and I felt that the charm of Wendell really made them a great pair in the first book. We do get new characters but overall I found them mostly a distraction. There’s less of the magic and the creatures as well. I found the pacing started to drag and I found myself uninterested in where the story was going. I am interested in where the next book will take the characters, although I really hope more of the charm and fun of the first book can be found in that one. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First off, a million thanks to Netgally and Random House - Ballantine for the ARC!
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
I fell in love with Emily and Wendell on their first adventure in Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries.
Emily and Wendell are well defined characters and I feel like I’ve known them all of my life. Emily is perfectly grumpy, logical, and wonderfully awkward. Wendell is adorably vain and spoiled. Rose and Ariadne are interesting characters and play off Emily’s character fantastically.
Emily’s descriptions are thorough and very true to her character. It builds the world beautifully, while also developing her character further. The footnotes are hilarious and I find myself wanting to get a hold of a few of her “references.”
The thought the author put in writing these books is beautiful. The details matter to the author and it shows. As as reader, I say this as the highest form of praise.
It should be noted there is very occasional mild language and there is also LGBTQ+ representation in the Emily Wilde books. (I only note these because I keep tabs so I am able to refine recommendations to people I know who look for/avoid these things.)
Of all the many reasons I love Emily, I think the reason I love her most is because of her age. Dear Emily is 31, and I love it. I am a woman in my 30s and feel that most people seem to think myself and many of my friends are now at a point in our lives where we should resign ourselves to side-character status. I take encouragement from Emily that just because someone is no longer a very young adult, it doesn’t mean their main-character days are over. In fact, your adventures just may be even better because of the experience gained over time. Adventure and Romance do not discriminate on the basis of age.
All this to say: Emily Wilde’s Map of The Otherlands is a wonderful book, and I look forward to following Emily and Wendell wherever their adventures may take them.

Emily Wilde is one of my all-time favorite characters. Had I met her in real life, we probably would have clashed. But on paper, I cannot help but adore and appreciate her way of looking at things and pursuing her studies. This book was much more action packed than the first, and the author continued to expand what her readers have learned about the Faerie world. I enjoyed this book immensely, partially because we got more of the budding relationship between Emily and Wendell. I cannot wait for this book to come out in audio, as I fully intend to purchase a copy and give it a listen.

This was a great follow up to an amazing book!! I do not have enough words to express how much I loved this book!!!

Obsessed with this series. From the very first book, with its beautiful cover, I was drawn into these whimsical pages which kept me turning each one until I reached then. And now I'm sad book 2 is over and who knows how long the wait is until book 3.

I absolutely can not get enough of the banter between Emily and Wendell. They are seriously just the cutest and I wish I could know them and just watch their relationship.

I feel that while this was just pure joy to read, there was a darker story this go. We've got Wendell being trailed by assassins sent by his stepmother and Emily stumbling into dangerous scenarios with different Faerie. It's still fun and bumbling, but you can feel the darkness in this one.

I absolutely *loved* the descriptions depicting each new Faerie. While there are a bunch of fantasy books delving into the fae worlds, I find it impressive that Heather Fawcett has still managered to capture her own unique corner. She has a wonderful way with words. And I'm just captivated by this series.

This series scratched an itch I didn’t know I had: detailing the misadventures of academic “dryadology” fieldwork in the early 1900s. I feel like I could read 10 books of this and never tire of it.

This sequel maintains the same charming and whimsical wit I loved about the first book, with a new setting (the mystifying Alps) and new characters (a sprightly and ambitious undergraduate and a department head who rivals even Emily in curmudgeonliness) that I also really enjoyed. As with the first book, I was sucked in immediately: I read almost half the book in the first sitting without even realizing it.

I worried a lot going into this that the banter between Emily and Wendell would be diminished somewhat by their relationship no longer being a rivalry/begrudging alliance, but these fears were misplaced: the banter is just as excellent as it was in the first book.

If you know me, you know there’s little I love more than some good pining, and this book doles it out in spades. The romantic thread opened in the first book is not rushed to a resolution, but rather remains an engaging slow burn thanks to Emily’s ~very valid~ reservations about becoming romantically entangled with fae royalty (endearing as he may be).

If you loved the diversity of common and courtly fae showcased in the first book, you’ll love that this second book introduces us to even more varieties. I wish this book came with illustrations, because it’s exactly the type of story well-suited for them.

All in all, I think if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll also thoroughly enjoy the sequel, and if you’re a lover of cozy and humorous folklore fantasy and still haven’t picked this series up, believe me that you are absolutely missing out.