I love this series. Emily and Wendell are some of my favorite fictional characters and fictional couple. The series does feel a bit redundant at times but I don’t care cause I love it so much. Can’t wait for the narration!

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is such a delight! From the very first chapter, I was hooked on the mix of folklore, magic, and adventure. It’s the kind of book that feels like uncovering a hidden treasure—every page brings something unexpected and exciting.

The protagonist is smart, determined, and wonderfully human, which made it so easy to root for her. The way Fawcett weaves together ancient myths with her own imaginative twists is nothing short of brilliant. Some parts are whimsical and charming, while others are dark and eerie, but it all fits together perfectly.

I couldn’t put it down and found myself completely lost in the world she created. If you love books that transport you somewhere magical and leave you thinking about them long after, this one’s for you. Highly recommend giving it a read!

Exceptionally satisfying ending — though I’ll admit that upon finishing, I immediately went back to reread the first two books just to spend some more time with the characters before saying goodbye. Highly recommended!

I was smiling and giggling like a little girl while reading this. This was such a fun entry in the Emily Wilde series. In fact, I think this was the silliest entry in the series and while there was still a good amount of academic exploration, there was quite a bit of humor as well. There were quite a few fun new settings and characters that make this one feel fresh. I just adore this series! It’s a fun lighthearted fantasy with plenty of adventure written through a scholarly lens. I’m sad to say goodbye to Emily and Wendell, but I am glad it was done through this lovely book!

Thank you to Random House - Ballatine & NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this was an enjoyable end to this story but it was a little slow and some past characters kind of just tossed in. I still really enjoyed it but would have preferred a more decisive ending. Again, worth the read and happy I got a chance to receive a ARC of this one.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales follows Emily and Wendell as the pair reclaim Wendell’s throne. The story is largely about Emily both working to break a curse left on the kingdom by the previous ruler and coming to terms with the way Wendell, now fully residing in faerie, is changing, becoming far more fae and less like the man she has come to know. While I found this book to be a good end to the story of Emily and Wendell, I did feel that it was missing some of the charm that made me love the first book. Furthermore, this book had some meandering plot threads that ended up sidelined or brushed aside that detracted from the overall reading experience.

As expected for the series, the relationship between Emily and Wendell really is the driving force of the narrative. The pair are sweet to read about, as, even as Wendell is becoming more outlandish and losing some of the touchstones of humanity that we have seen in previous books, his devotion to Emily is apparent. Where these scenes are given the time to shine, the book is a wonderful read. Moreover, the book sets up really interesting dynamics as Wendell changes from being, well, Wendell, into being a fae king: he understands Emily less at times and expresses a lot of anxiety when not at her side. His use of magic—changing the world to suit his needs, or using it to tap down political enemies—begins to scare her. At the same time, other characters question Emily, forcing her to question whether or not Wendell is going to remain the man she loves. This is a SUPER interesting plot, and one I really liked as a way to introduce conflict into a relationship. Unfortunately, I did not feel that these ideas were fully explored in the novel. At some point, Emily simply accepts a level of violence from Wendell that she’s not fully comfortable with, and while she works to undo his actions, he seems to give in to appease her and not became he fully agrees with her position. As interesting as I thought this plot was, I just wish we could have seen a more satisfying ending to it. While I found this point an overall positive of the book, I do feel that it could have been far better if resolved in a more interesting way.

Furthermore, a charm of the series is its cast of really interesting side characters. While this book does feature a few fun side characters and brings back a few from the previous book, there is a fair amount of time devoted to fae side characters who, I felt, were much less interesting to read about.

This book also attempts to have the highest stakes of the series, but, as with earlier installments, tends to solve problems very soon after they are set up. I struggled to feel that there was tension in even what should be high-stakes moments as it feels quite clear that Emily will manage to find some book or put together a few stories the reader has not heard before and simply solve the problem. This is pretty expected after previous books so the reader probably knows what they’re getting into for this, but I would have loved to see just a bit more tension in the final book.

In the end, I’m giving this book 3.5 stars, rounded down as some of the charm between Wendell and Emily was missing in this installment. It is a solid conclusion to the series and, if you enjoyed the first two books, you are likely to enjoy this one as well.

What a lovely way to end Emily's story. This time, instead of ferreting out faerie realms through hidden doors in far-flung villages, Emily's walking into Wendell's kingdom as de facto queen, bringing her cozy brand of eccentric academia with her. Lost Tales is a bit of a slow starter, but by the time Emily has locked herself away in Trinity Library against the wishes of a curmudgeonly librarian to scour folklore and legends searching for a cure for a curse ailing the fae and forests of her new home, the pages started flying by.

Its satisfying watching Emily reason her way through obstacles, and even more satisfying watching Heather Fawcett make sure that we the readers grasp just how impressive that ability makes Emily. That is to say, Wendell is entirely devoted to Emily--virtues and idiosyncrasies, both--and so why shouldn't we be as well? Its a neat trick of Fawcett's that gives real warmth to a character who might otherwise read as inelegant and ill at ease with others.

4 stars, and if Emily ever decides to work her way through that entire room of journals Wendell so memorably gifted her Beauty-and-the-Beast-style, I would absolutely join her on those adventures too.


--Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own..--

As someone who's followed these books as they came out, I really wanted to love this book. Instead, it seemed to fall entirely flat for me. I don't know if it's the difference in format, as this book is entirely in journal entries, unlike its predecessors. But the first 50% of the book was an absolute struggle for me to get through. It picked up after this, but it felt bogged down in cameos from characters in earlier books that mostly did not add to the story (view spoiler). I think setting the majority of the story in Wendell's realm made it feel nonsensical overall, and I didn't quite find myself invested at any point because I knew that the majority of efforts could only have so much effect under the laws of the fae. Maybe this is my wake-up call that cozy fantasy isn't for me.

I'm glad to have seen it through, thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for giving me access to an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the series that continues the story of Emily and Wendell. Emily is an academic who studies the different species of Folk. Wendell was also an academic until it was revealed he is the King of his long-lost Fairy realm. I have not read much fantasy before, but I am addicted to this series. Emily's sarcasm and intellect along with Wendell's easy natured personality make for an extremely likable mismatched pair. This book does not disappoint as Emily enters Wendells's kingdom as his soon to be queen. However, they soon discover a malignant curse has been placed upon the land and time is running out to save the kingdom.
I definitely recommend this third book in the series. I received a complimentary ebook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Each and every Emily Wilde book is an absolute delight and this one was no exception. I love the academic approach these books take to faery stories and how we understand them. One of my favorite things about this latest installment was getting to spend more time in actual Faery and seeing how magic impacted that world and Emily’s reactions to it. I appreciated her general feeling of uneasiness throughout the book and how despite being a seasoned folklorist and field worker there were still plenty of things that made her uneasy or down right frightened.
I also love how Fawcett brought back characters and ties from the previous two books. What’s more these appearances felt natural and you could tell how their relationships with Emily and Wendell had grown and changed (for better or for worse) from earlier installments. We also got to meet some new characters, a particular favorite of mine was Lord Taran. I felt like Fawcett did an amazing job of capturing the indifferent and unnerving nature of the Fae with him. I also loved his relationship with Emily and their back and forth.
Overall, the book kept me engaged from the beginning wondering how exactly the characters would overcome each hurdle and what new research topics Emily would uncover.

Firstly, thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales picks up where book 2 left off, with Emily and Wendell finding the door to Wendell's kingdom. Emily is battling with her unease in the land of Faerie and its inhabitants, while Wendell is battling his own family to reclaim his throne. The path to claim Wendell's kingdom is further hindered by a curse on the land left by the previous Queen. Emily and Wendell, along with their friends, must work together to reunite the realm and to lift the curse.

The Emily Wilde series is one of my favorites and I was beyond thrilled to receive this ARC. I personally liked the first two books better than Compendium of Lost Tales, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I think it gives a (mostly) satisfying end to the series. The pacing at times gave me whiplash (which I sometimes enjoyed somehow, yet not always?) The first 25 to 30% of the book is on the slow side and the plot felt a little aimless. The pace picks up once Wendell and Emily make it to the castle and learn about the curse left behind by Queen Arna.

The second half of the book is where the magic shines. There are meetings with old friends, research into fae history and lore, and adventures in and out of the mortal realm/Faerie. This book's main focus is on the stories (and their patterns) of the folk, which Emily believes will hold the key to undoing the curse. I've always enjoyed the folklore that is intertwined in the main plot of this series. It's what makes this series feel magical, so it was satisfying to research and discover more about Faerie alongside Emily. Indeed, Fawcett's descriptions of the fae realm is fantastical and enchanting; one can vividly experience the beauty (and horror) of the land and its inhabitants.

I think most fans of this series will fall in love number 3. Like mentioned before, many of the characters from books 1 and 2 make an appearance, and it's a nice change of pace to see Emily working well alongside them. One thing I always find myself wanting is more Wendell! He's such a wonderful character and I have a love/hate relationship whenever Emily goes off my herself to solve the final problem. That being said, there are more moments in Compendium of Lost Tales centered around Wendell. One in particular (no spoilers!) worked up my nerves enough that I had to take a small break.

This book definitely toyed with my emotions. I absolutely will be rereading this series in the future.

A career of studying Faerie and the Folk has provided Emily Wilde with the fundamentals to navigate the complexities of the realm, but embarking on the journey to take back Wendell Brambleby’s kingdom and throne proves to feature complications neither could have anticipated in Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales.
Having entered Wendell’s kingdom to take back his throne from his stepmother, despite his lack of political knowledge and Emily’s feeling as ill-suited to being a queen of Faerie as she does fitting in within the mortal world, the pair quickly encounter threats in the form of assassination attempts, thwarted by Wendell’s uncle, Lord Taran’s, assistance, and a curse poisoning the land cast by Wendell’s stepmother. While Wendell is more focused on showing off his kingdom’s splendor to Emily and providing her with gifts, Emily is firmly focused on researching a solution to the curse that doesn’t rely upon Wendell’s death. Making use of one of his gifts, a door to a cottage in the Irish countryside to offer a reprieve from Faerie, Emily begins researching tales that bear a resemblance to the situation they find themselves in so that they might locate where Wendell’s stepmother has hidden herself so they may stop her to rid themselves of her curse. With the stakes high and much to lose if they don’t unravel this mystery, the entirety of Wendell’s strengthened magic and Emily’s knowledge of stories, as well as assistance from friends, colleagues, and foes will be required to prevent unthinkable ruin and loss for both the kingdom and their lives.
Maintaining the journal-style documentation with chapter endnotes, this time entirely from Emily’s perspective, and following the events of the previous book, this installment follows the engaged couple as they embark on their journey into Wendell’s kingdom and become acquainted with the complex, and occasionally fearsome, political maneuverings of a faerie court that, in his youth, Wendell took for granted or simply ignored and that Emily is eager to take notes on for her next scholarly work. The narrative weaves together appearances from characters from the previous book, as well as the first, in ways that felt organic as their expertise and assistance were necessary for the progression of the tale or the further development, or revelation of development, of Emily and Wendell’s character. The story’s pacing is quite slow but at times feels almost too rushed to fit everything in, with a juddering quality to it that is perhaps meant to provide a sense of otherworldliness to mimic a disorientation that mortals are meant to feel while in Faerie, but as that wasn’t meant to happen to Emily in such exaggerated ways anymore it came across as more strange than intentional. Stories serving as the fundamental foundation of Faerie and a driving force of the Folk and their behavior was a fascinating concept at the heart of this tale, with the exploration of one such tale as the archetype for their investigation, which provides Emily with yet another interesting topic for scholarly examination – though perhaps better so when her emotions aren’t in a heightened state and the fate of the Faerie realm she’s to help rule over isn’t involved – and with the openness of possibilities awaiting with the conclusion, perhaps that endeavor might just happen.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75 stars

This is such a fantastic series— whimsical with an edge of darkness— and Emily is such a delightful main character. As an academic myself, I deeply relate to her instinct to solve problems by reading books.

This was such a wonderful conclusion to the series!! Emily is one of my soul characters. Wendell and Shadow are also incredible. Great plot, great romance, great worldbuilding, great everything. I don't want the series to be over!

The book was was a magical adventure, especially with Wendell’s family. I enjoyed going through the highs and lows of their journey in Faerie. I think the book wrapped up the trilogy nicely. I wish I was in this world longer, Heather Fawcett provides the reader, a transformative experience. The series is a great escapism and had an academia niche.

While I enjoy the world of Emily Wilde, I struggled to get through this particular book. The second half redeemed the somewhat slow start, but it definitely picked up in the last 25% of the book. Compared to the first two book in the series I didn't love it as much.

I am so happy to be back in this world with Emily! This book picks up where book two ended. We are getting to see more of Wendell's history and world. I could not put this book down! If you loved the first two books in the series you will not be disappointed. If you are new to the series I would recommend starting with book one, "Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries", and reading the series in order.

This book is an excellent choice for young adults who are ready to explore more mature themes and storytelling but aren't quite ready for the explicit content often found in adult fiction. It strikes the perfect balance between complexity and accessibility, offering rich, nuanced characters, thoughtful dialogue, and intricate plotlines that will captivate older readers without crossing into the territory of adult-only themes like graphic violence or explicit relationships.

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m so sad to have finished this book, because now that means this series is over (as far as I’m aware)! Emily is hands down one of my favorite protagonists I’ve had the privilege of reading and this step in her journey is no exception. Her humor is perfectly in sync with mine, her intelligence is inspiring, and she is so headstrong and brave in such a fun way I never once view her as incapable of facing whatever dangers come her way! It’s a very nice change of pace compared to other FMCs.

Emily and Wendell are such a wonderful duo and I will miss them so much. Wendell loves Emily so deeply and strongly and is able to go toe-to-toe with her wit and stubbornness, and also makes it clear at all times he adores her exactly as she is and I just love that so much.

This book unfortunately didn’t have quite the same magic that the first one did for me, and also less than the second book. Overall I just found it a bit less engaging and despite the stakes being what they are, at this point in the overarching story we know that Emily is capable of solving any problem, so the tension never felt very high for me. I think it’s also the nature of where the story has headed through this series, as well as Emily and Wendell no longer having that rivalry we saw in the first book which made them so engaging. If you’re a fan of this series there is plenty to love here, don’t get me wrong!

Overall this was a fun conclusion to one of my favorite series which I’m so sad to see end! I could truly read about Emily and Wendell’s adventures until my dying day.

🐾🧚🏻🐈‍⬛🐝Opening these novels is akin to stepping inside a realistic fairy tale, the folklore-steeped roots adding a sense of timelessness. 🐝🐈‍⬛🧚🏻🐾

What could go wrong when Emily and Wendell set out to claim his rightful place on the throne? Well, a curse is unleashed upon his land with grave consequences for one. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Who or what can you trust when there are so many variables in play? If you are Emily Wilde you hit the books for answers, but what if the books don't yield a clear choice?

Fawcett's style brings this elaborate world to life without a wasted word. This is still a cozy, but the action and emotional toll hit harder this time around making it easily my favorite of the three.

From its sumptuous settings to character dynamics 'Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales' is one for the keeper shelf.

All the stars✨