If stories are the foundation of Faerie in Emily Wilde’s world, then Compendium of Lost Tales is the book that allows readers to join Emily herself as she learns what it is to live in one. Fawcett brilliantly weaves both characters and plot from the prior books into a fast-paced and deeply intriguing conclusion. All roads have led to this stunningly clever end, where even the most seemingly benign references prove integral to Emily and Wendell’s tale. Not lacking any of the series’ prior humor, readers are swept into the world of Faerie and the Silva Lupi, a whimsical, if unsettling, new setting reminiscent of the fairy tales and folklore of old. While Emily’s scholarly pursuits are never far from her mind, nor her social fumbling entirely overcome, love and found family rest at the forefront of her motivations, lending a new humanity to our beloved dryadologist. It is, in short, a perfect, fairy tale ending.

(Social media posts and cosplay content to be made and shared in early January @as.itseams)

🧚‍♂️ 𝔼𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕪 𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕖’𝕤 ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕦𝕞 𝕆𝕗 𝕃𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕋𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕤 🧚‍♂️

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is the third and final book in the Emily Wilde series.

I was relieved that it picks up just minutes after the second book ends. For those who haven’t read the series, book two ends on the verge of a big adventure, and I would’ve been disappointed to miss out on any of it.

That said, while the idea of the adventure is exciting, the actual journey feels less thrilling. The pace of the first half is a lot slower and much more introspective than the second book was, with Emily focusing just as much on her new role as Queen of the Folk and the dynamics of her Wendell’s relationship, as on the challenges they face together.

Another big change was the shift from a lot of Wendell and Emily to more of Emily with everyone else—or sometimes just Emily on her own. It was a mixed blessing. I missed the banter with Wendell, but it also made their moments together feel sweeter. Watching Emily interact with other secondary characters, or even stand on her own, really highlighted how much she’s grown throughout the series—especially in how she connects with others and learns to accept their help and friendship.

The second half of the book definitely picked up the pace, with more suspenseful adventures and several emotional roller coasters. I was thrilled by this shift and had a hard time putting the book down. I loved the ending and how the author brought everything full circle, much like Emily’s folklore legends and stories.

Even though I was a little let down by the beginning, I really enjoyed the book overall. I’m a bit heartbroken that this is the last adventure with Emily and Wendell and I hope Fawcett will choose to revisit these characters someday. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub date: Feb 10, 2024

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey/Ballantine publishing for my E-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett is a charming, fun romp and a worthy continuation of the Emily Wilde series. Fans of the first two books will not be disappointed! It was a joy to be reunited with the original cast of main characters and meet some new characters. Fawcett has created an engaging and heartwarming story that entertained me and made me eager to discover what would happen. Her characters are enduring; you quickly care about and root for them. Keeping up the momentum in a series can be tricky, but in this case, everything you loved in the first two books continues in the third!

As usual for a book in the Emily Wilde series, this was an absolute delight.

This book has it all: gorgeous prose, a captivating world, witty characters, and a plot that perfectly blends high-stakes with the feeling of cozy fantasy.

For those who have already finished the first two books and are thinking about whether to continue, I fully recommend doing so. But for reference, this third installation felt much closer to the second book in tone and style than the first.

My only critique is that I would’ve liked to have seen more character development from Wendell and Emily. From the beginning of their time in the Silva Lupi to the end of the novel, both characters’ identities feel static. It felt to me like the Emily and Wendell at the beginning of the book would’ve made the same decisions as the Wendell and Emily at the end of the book.

I absolutely recommend reading the conclusion to this trilogy, and hope Heather Fawcett eventually adds to this series.

I received a digital advance readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, but I will be purchasing a copy for my own shelf. 4.75/5 stars.

THANK YOU to NetGalley & the Publisher for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Oh boy, where to start! So far I think this series is a solid 4 star read. There are parts that drag, or is lacking, and there are other parts that I really like. Usually it's the same things every book too, so those likes/dislikes remain consistent. I won't harp too much on these as a result, since they've been covered in previous reviews, but in a way it did make this book feel a little stale maybe? I'll get into it.

I think overall, the series just feels a little boring. A little dry. I think this is largely due to pacing issues. Both previous books suffered from this a little bit, but maybe not quite as straightforwardly. The previous 2 books struggled with having high stakes -- emotion -- that makes the reader keep turning pages. This one is no different, and in fact, almost feels a little worse. The timing feels off with this one. None of the books provide any real 'problem' and everything feels solved too easy. There are no plot twists. There is no real drama. This isn't necessarily a problem, but it does make it feel stale in this new age of Fantasy.

In this one, our main character assumes her new role without a second thought despite how careful/meticulous she supposedly always is. We had a moment were something bad happened via a particular method, then within the next chapter, neither of our MC's flagged any issues with letting the same type of situation happen a 2nd time. I thought Emily was smart and calculating? Would she let the same thing potentially happen twice without even a thought to it? But also, I sort of hate how casually snarky she is about her intelligence? That's the best way I can describe it.

So what I'm saying is... we need more inner/personal character emotions, expressions, actions, etc. Let the reader in on the Fae characters thought processes, emotions, decisions, passions, etc. One on One heartfelt moments that allow us to get to know other characters via our MC. Somethinggggg. The series just feels like it's lacking emotion. Reading it dragged, and I was only motivated to finish it to check it off my Read list, which is unfortunate because I really liked book 1. I just think as the main relationship progressed, it got lost, because the relationship/connection never made sense or felt right (because where was the emotion between Em & Wen, besides annoyance?).

This one had some parallels to other media that I really like. Def Howl's Moving Castle vibes, both in Howl and the Witch of the Waste. Narnia. And oddly enough I kept thinking of the Rush song "The Trees", which I love! I like the way the Fae world itself seems to operate, and enjoy seeing how quirky everything is as we all sort of stumble through the world together. I also love that Emily finds a way to form her own connections to little, unexpectedly helpful things (like Poe), etc. The world building definitely makes up for the emotional connections we're lacking between characters and is for sure a highlight of the reading experience. I am assuming there will be a 4th book, and I am hoping the main focus expounds upon the Fae world/different courts, and brings some characters together (in an emotional way too!!).

Alright, I've rambled long enough! I will be on the lookout for a book 4 in the future, and do encourage anyone with a taste for the influences mentioned above to continue on with the series

I was thrilled to return to this series, and love how the move to Wendell's kingdom and the progression of their romantic relationship haven't changed Emily's essential nature. The plot took a little while to really pick up, hence only 4 stars instead of 5, since it took me 5 times longer to read the first 15% and then 2 days to finish the rest of the book. I will read any book set in this universe, and only wish I could study dryadology myself.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is a delightful and emotional conclusion to a series that has cemented itself as one of my favorites. 



As much as I loved this book, I do think it’s the weakest of the trilogy, but it still retains much of what I’ve come to love. The pacing meandered during the 30 - 60% mark, but found its footing again in the end. The resolution was satisfying though I would have thoroughly enjoyed a different ending for a certain character.



Emily was clever as always and Wendell continued to make me laugh hysterically. I was kicking my feet and giggling as Emily and Wendell’s relationship progressed, but my god Heather Fawcett had me absolute bawling my eyes out during a certain chapter.



Overall I think this series wrapped up quite nicely, but I wouldn’t complain if we ended up with more books in this world.

I don't want this series to end! I love the relationship between Emily and Wendell and the true sense of partnership that is a breath of fresh air in the genre. This installment is another delight, and I love the Fae world Fawcett has built. It's very rare for me to give five stars to every installment in a series, but this one did it.

I do not want this series to end!

The short review: if you loved the first two in the series, you will also love this one.

The longer review:
I have loved each and every one of the Emily Wilde books and this might be my favorite. Wendell and Emily have my whole heart and I adore their relationship.

Much like the first two books, the love story is only a tiny portion of the story. The focus is on Emily's adventures in Wendell's kingdom.

We see some familiar faces, make some new friends, and are left with an ending that's satisfying, but left open enough there could be more. Please please please let there be more. I wouldn't mind an omnibus featuring Emily's actual books, maps included.

"An Unpredictable Adventure: A Captivating Journey with Fawcett's Brilliant Characters"

This book is exceptional. Each chapter offered a surprising and engaging experience, keeping me thoroughly captivated. Fawcett's two protagonists are both brilliant and witty, which made it easy to immerse myself in their journey. Unlike typical, predictable novels, this book constantly kept me on my toes with its unexpected twists and suspenseful plot. Every page felt like an adventure, and I found all three of her books to be a thoroughly enjoyable and unpredictable experience.

Fans of this series will love this return to the fae world. These books are lovely winter reading, very cozy and the dialogue between Emily and her fae king Wendell crackles. I do wish we caught more of their romance, but their relationship is truly built on friendship and partnership and it's a lovely thing.

The third and final book in this series was a solid and well done one. Unfortunately it did fall a little bit flat for me. It seemed to be missing that certain charm that I loved so much in the first book that made me fall in love with the characters and the story. But I did still enjoy reading it for the most part.

Emily is still a great character. I love her no nonsense approach to everything in her life, especially when she knows what she is doing is dangerous. She still just lifts her chin up and gets on with it. She has shown great strength and has really learned to trust herself as her character has grown throughout the series. In this book she has to not only rescue Wendell from his rash actions, but also grow into being a queen and be a partner for him. I also really enjoy her academic side. I also love to do research and it is really nice to read about a character who enjoys it as well.

Wendell felt a bit like he wasn’t as important in this book. I often felt like he was just part of the background or scenery as Emily worked hard to keep him safe. There was no journal entry by him as there had been in the other books and I kind of missed that. Although there were some letters that were very sweet. There also seemed to be less banter between the two. It was pretty obvious that Wendell is losing his human side and is becoming more Fae as he takes over his role as king. I do love how he continues to dote over Emily and really wants her to be happy and can give her space when she needs it.

This book is set mostly in Wendell’s Fae Kingdom which was both beautiful and very creepy. There are lots of great creatures and interesting fae that roam these woods and it was lovely learning about them. The plot was interesting, although I think Emily had to save Wendell way too many times in this one. The pacing was also a bit slow at the start, though it does pick up towards the end. Everything is wrapped up rather nicely, and I did enjoy some of the cameos from characters that had been in the other books.

This was a solid ending to the series, although it could have used a bit more interaction between Emily and Wendell. If you enjoyed the first two books this is a must read as you will enjoy how everything is brought together and ends well. If you have not read the other books you really do need to start at the beginning.

I have so much love for this series. I adored being in Wendell’s realm and seeing what Emily and Wendell are like not only as a real couple, but as Faerie monarchs. Wendell continues to be my absolute fave and I loved seeing more of his powers in this one. He’s as doting as ever when it comes to Emily, but is still prone to the murderous fits that we know and love.

As the title suggests, Emily is focused on Fae stories in this one and they play a large role in the conflict with Wendell’s stepmother. There’s a lot of action, more traveling between realms, and plenty of appearances from our beloved (and some not so beloved) side characters. The story feels finished but also not in a way, so I’m going to hold out hope that Heather will return to this series one day.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and this is still one of my favorite cozy fantasy series but this latest entry fell a bit flat for me. Still enjoyable and still fun but just not as good as the first two.

The book starts with Emily and Wendell returning to the realm of the faerie so Wendell can take up his crown and the two can finally get married. Of course a curse, courtly intrigue and even murder await their return and Emily must save the day once again. She relates all the goings on in her trusty journal and we are reintroduced to characters from the first book who aid Emily on her quests. There were definitely some surprises I didn't see coming although of course everything worked out in the end.

I'm not sure if this is the final book in the series because everything wrapped up pretty neatly at the end but I would definitely read more of Emily's adventures.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

Thanks to Random House Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a perfect ending to Emily & Wendell’s story. This trilogy started out strong and finished strong. We got to meet new people, and see old friends again. The animal companions played their roles beautifully and some moments made me tear up. Wendell’s love for his realm and for Emily really shone in this.

I’m sad to be leaving this world but I’m so glad I read these books. I adore Emily and Wendell and this book was the perfect send off. It was quite fast-paced with a lot of action but I think it worked quite well with the storyline.

Overall, this was a lovely final book in a trilogy, and I found it to be a satisfying ending to a wonderful series.

The Emily Wilde series is an absolute delight. The worldbuilding brings up a nostalgia for folklore & fairytales that I didn't realize I was missing. I will treasure this series for as long as Heather Fawcett continues to write it, and I will be recommending it to anyone who loves fantasy, romance, & clever heroines!

This installment of the Emily Wilde series was the culmination of Emily and Wendell wresting control of his homeland away from his "evil stepmother". It focused on them finding a way back in to Wendell's Fae kingdom in Ireland and him taking over as the Silva Lupi Fairy King. For some reason, this book lacked the spark that the other two books in the series had from the beginning. There was always something about Emily and Wendell that worked well before they officially became a couple. While trying to fight for his kingdom and figure out how to save it from his stepmother's curse Wendell was pulled from the story and we didn't get as much of that back-and-forth banter that is so fun to watch. It was almost as if he was just there on the periphery; too distracted to be a part of the story.

I still loved the book and Emily's unyielding commitment to dryadology and academia in general. She's an absolutely lovely character and I'm glad she go her happy ending.

All good things must come to an end, and sadly, we have to say goodbye to Emily in the final book of this delightfully wonderful series. I've loved traveling with Emily and meeting so many diverse characters along the way. Fawcett's characters are unique and memorable, and I am going to miss them. I enjoyed meeting new characters in Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales as well as reconnecting with old friends and foes! Wendell and Emily are the perfect couple. I've been in love with Wendell from the moment he appeared in this series. He's just as charming, if not more so, in this final book as he's been in the others. He fiercely loves Emily, and that love comes out in the most unpredictable ways! Emily is still very Emily, and I wouldn't want her any other way. If you're just deciding to read this without having read the prior books, you'll be utterly lost...so don't do it. Begin at the beginning. It did take me a little longer to get into this book than it did the others, but once I was about a third of the way through, I was all in. I'm sad that my time with Emily has come to an end, but I'm excited to see how the author charms me with her next books.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Honestly this book was perfect. I have no comments or concerns. Emily’s journey through Faerie and learning her way and learning to trust herself and grow into her way of being queen is so wonderful. Emily and Wendell are so perfect. Emily understanding the faerie stories and understanding that they have to free the queen is so so beautiful and makes me so connected to her.

This series is just so smartly written, and the (presumable) finale provides a satisfying albeit circular ending with callbacks to previous books in the series.

I can’t say enough about the brilliant, rich writing that can invoke laughs or tears. What a treat Emily Wilde is, and this is coming from someone who doesn’t like cozy or academia books.

The latest installment seems to neatly wrap up Emily and Wendell’s arc, and it does a good job of tying off loose ends and pulling threads from the past. If anything, I wish in this book Emily didn’t spend as much time rescuing Wendell - repeatedly in this book, and in Map of the Otherlands too. I'm all for a reverse damsel-in-distress situation, but it would have been nice to have a scenario where Wendell had to fight for Em, versus vice versa.