I’m an unabashed fan of Heather Fawcett’s “Emily Wilde” series. Falling loosely in the genre of “Victorian lady scholar-adventurer” tales, these stories combine the best of the intrepid, self-reliant heroine who falls in love despite her better judgment with a passion for academic inquiry and a penchant for getting into trouble. Emily Wilde is a professor of dryadology, that is, the study of all things Fae, which in this world are real if often misunderstood and hidden. In previous adventures, she butted heads with fellow scholar, dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, who turned out to be a Faerie prince in exile. Discovering Wendell’s identity wasn’t enough, however. Emily found herself called upon to rescue him from poisoning by his evil stepmother and then to help restore him to his magical realm. Now she’s finally agreed to his marriage proposal despite all the folkloric warnings about how inconstant and lethal the courtly faw can be. She doesn’t know if she can truly trust him to remain himself once he’s back on the throne. But she trusts her own heart and the truths that underlie the stories whose study is her life’s work. None of this has prepared her for Wendell’s kingdom or the role she must soon play as its queen. As transcendently beautiful as this realm is, darkness stirs in the form of the stepmother’s parting revenge. The only way to save the realm and its people is for Wendell to sacrifice himself—which Emily refuses to consider as an option. Wendell may have other ideas.

This third volume in the series is every bit as captivating as the earlier ones, but it seemed to me that the characters were deeper and more complex, their inner conflicts more finely drawn. The questions have shifted from “Will he/won’t he?” and “Will she/won’t she?” to “What will he give to save his world and how will she save him from his better nature?” As before, the answer lies in the depths of folklore, the resonant truths that make these stories told again and again over generations. Those depths speak as powerfully to modern readers of Fawcett’s books as they do to the folk inhabiting them.

Truly a joy to read and savor.

This was an absolutely perfect installment in the series! Wendell and Emily are extremely well-developed, interesting, and fun leading characters, and I love following them on their adventures (and learning more dryadology, of course!). This book did an excellent job on building on the previous stories, with some very fun callbacks, and on developing the world even further. I have no complaints about this one--it was cozy, mysterious, and at times, tense . . . and the pace and writing style were both perfect suited to it. The books in the series just keep getting better--this one of my favorites of all time.

I love the Emily Wilde series- she's such a great character, and the worldbuilding done by the author is fantastic! I loved getting to explore more with the "Compendium of Lost Tales". The story is well written, has good pacing and memorable characters. A definite recommend!

Compendium of Lost Tales starts off shortly after the previous volume ended. Emily and Wendell, her once academic rival and now fiance, are pitted against the danger of Faerie politics. As the pair encounter assassination attempts and lethal magics, Emily realizes the best way she can help is to bury herself in research. It’s an unexpected plot direction that I thought would kill momentum, but it worked well and is clearly in-line with her character– this is Emily’s superpower, and it lets Fawcett take us on a charming tour of previous locations and characters. In some ways, I think the conceit of the book– as a compendium of lost tales– suits this one more than the others did their respective volumes.

Compendium of Lost Tales caps off the Emily Wilde trilogy, though the door is still open for more. It’s a charming read, and I think I enjoyed it just as much as the first book, and maybe even more.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through NetGalley.
The trilogy wraps with a slower paced book than the previous two. It picks up right after the second book ends and takes readers through Wendell reclaiming his throne and breaking the curse on his realm and banishing his stepmother. This should be where the story turns to a happy ending but Emily is deeply concerned for him based on tales and lore. She sets off to change the banishment and to change the predicted ending. She seems to succeed for the present time and the two set off to tour the realm as the book finishes.
Fawcett continues to develop her characters as her books unfold. Readers see more about the various fae as Emily interacts with them. Sadly, Wendell seems to regress to his younger ways early on. However, Emily helps him change and she is changed. She is more comfortable speaking up and being with others. Yes, she continues to take copious notes but she also engages in living not just observing. A well done finish with hints that other stories could come.

ARC received from NetGalley, which was so greatly appreciated! I was hesitant to start this series knowing the third was coming out soon. As soon as I received the ARC, I read the whole series! What a great cozy romance, starting off as adversaries and becoming true partners. I have never read a series that had me looking up so many words and learning so much! This book was a perfect wrap up.

From the publisher: Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project yet: studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen. Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom.

This is the third book in Fawcett’s series about a faerie scholar and her fae royal boyfriend. I loved book one, calling it an entertaining romp that needn’t be taken too seriously. I didn’t love book two quite as much, but I still enjoyed it.

I’m sorry to say that I found the first half of book three a bit boring. I was afraid the author might have run out of things for Emily (and Wendell) to do. There’s a lot of welcome world building, and the addition of Wendell’s faithful terrifying cat Orga, but tension was lacking. Wendell changes as he becomes more fae, but Emily doesn’t change. His affection for Emily keeps him from becoming unbearable, and I love the fact that his great skill is at sewing.

Some other characters add interest, including Wendell’s ancient unpredictable uncle Lord Taran – “possibly the oldest person in the entire realm” – and Wendell’s overly dramatic sister Deilah. Emily’s grim dog is getting on in years but is still her faithful companion. Finally, when Wendell and Emily solve a riddle and find the missing deposed queen, things heat up. The last 100 pages were great.

This book sort of feels like it could be wrapping up the series, but maybe not. Even with just three books it could make a cracking good mini-series. I really do love all the “serious” scholarship around fairies and fairy tales.

If you enjoy Genevieve Cogman’s Invisible Library series, you might enjoy Emily Wilde. I read an advance reader copy of Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales from Netgalley. It is scheduled to come out on February 11, and the Galesburg Public Library will own it in multiple formats.

Emily and Wendell are back in what might be the conclusion of this series (or perhaps the conclusion of a contract...please order more books if Heather Fawcett is willing, Del Ray!). If you haven't read the Emily Wilde books yet, stop here...there's no way to talk about this third book in a way that won't spoil the first two. In fact, it might be smart to revisit the first two books, as this one starts right where book 2 ends. If you don't recall all the details from the previous adventure, you might have trouble with the start of this one because there aren't too many reminders to jog your memory.

Emily and Wendell return to Wendell's kingdom and realize a curse is killing the land. Emily stumbles upon old stories that might provide clues to how they should banish the curse. There is some tension between Emily and Wendell as they try to settle in their new life. Their "common folk" acquaintances are along for the ride, as are some friends from the other two books. Shadow's storyline is particularly sweet (and a little worrisome!).

Though there's a hint of future conflict, the story ends with Emily and Wendell happy and settled. If this was the end, it was incredibly satisfying. I just hope this isn't it! These books have been such a delight and I think Emily has many books to write as she explores Wendell's kingdom.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent and satisfying conclusion to the series!

It's shorter than the first two, but I like that for it because it focuses more on the plot and furthering Emily/Wendall's relationship. There's no meandering around, Emily gets stuff done. The Faerie world is chaotic and hilarious, and it continues here. Enjoyable trilogy overall.

4.25 stars!

This series is just so lovely and magical and the third book absolutely did not disappoint! I really loved the choices that the author made for this story - I was genuinely surprised several times and didn't expect the story to go in the direction that it did. She also succeeds in making Wendell and Emily's relationship feel real and complex while still making it absolutely charming. To this day, this is the only romance-heavy fantasy I've ever loved and it really comes down to the characters themselves and their dynamic.

I did think that the pacing was strange at times, particularly in the second half of the book, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

If Heather Fawcett ever decides to write more in this world, I will absolutely be reading it!

I couldn’t believe I got this arc. I loved this book. I adore this series and the characters. They live rent free in my brain.

The third Emily Wilde adventure takes place primarily in Faerie, in Wendell's kingdom in Ireland. Wendell is returning from his mortal world exile to claim his throne from his evil stepmother, only to discover that she's cursed the kingdom. Emily fears the only way to break the curse is for Wendell to die. Armed with her research skills and dusty library tomes, she sets on her path as a new Queen of Faerie herself to rescue the realm. She discovers a similar tale, and she's terrified that only one version out of hundreds has a happy ending for the Faerie King.

Emily is as straightforward and practical as Wendell is whimsical, and because we are reading Emily's journals, we are only seeing their relationship through her eyes. She's never quite sure how Wendell fell in love with her and the true depth of his devotion, because Emily has a hard time expressing these feelings herself. And yet, Wendell's and Emily's feelings are present on every page, through every adventure and frustration, and in the way she realizes how well he knows her.

Emily is the kind of character who makes a plan, sets contingencies, and sets out to fix things simply because she doesn't like relying on others. And yet, as the series unfolds she recognizes the places where others can help, and learns to embrace the love and support her friends can give.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-ARC of Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales!

I love the writing style of the Emily Wilde books; Emily perfectly encapsulates how I would imagine a fae scholar if pressed - academic dry whimsy, footnotes, the burning and irrational desire to learn, record, and share information. Other reviewers found the story slow and without strong driving conflicts; I don’t technically disagree, but I think those traits are common for the lyrical fae-focused storytelling of books like this, and I find it enjoyable every time. I read it in one day and never found it boring.

If you liked the first two Emily Wilde books, you should like this one as well. It might be a little slower and softer, but it has the same heart and soul of the rest of the series.

I was a little nervous reading this one because of where Map of the Otherlands left off. I should have known that Heather Fawcett wouldn't lead me astray. The review that follows has spoilers for the series - it should be read in order!! - but not for this book.

When Otherlands ended, Wendell and Emily were about to invade his ancestral homeland to take back his throne. I wasn't nervous about the fighting or that anyone would end up dead: I was nervous that Wendily wouldn't have the same narrative force now that they had admitted their love to each other. Truly? I was worried that they would have to be separated, or Wendell's new position as King of the Fae would turn him into an awful guy just for the narrative's sake. But like I said, I just should have trusted Fawcett.

I love that Emily is still herself; I love that Wendell is still himself. I love the force stories have on the plot of the series. And I'll never get tired of Emily's research journals! Let's just say that the most of this book is Emily trying to save Wendell from himself, while still being unable to restrain her academic tendencies.

Look, if you liked the first two books in the series, you'll like this. The only thing I'd have loved to have more of is Wendell's taking over the journal for a chapter or two! I love reading from his slightly skewed perspective.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Loved this book! The worldbuilding is fantastic, and the characters are fully fleshed out! I adore Wendall and his devotion to Emily and her gruff but sweet responses. It's been fun to watch her character growth. It was also great to finally see the Fairie realm, and it did not disappoint! Wendalls family were interesting, to say the least, If this was the final book, it gave the readers closure but I'm hoping for more. I'm still a little creeped out and have been inspecting trees for eyes.

Emily: 📚🤓☝️
Wendell: 🕺🪄🧚

The third Emily Wide installment showed us action, growth, and love.
It was so much fun to get to see Wendell really come into his element, and see Emily get out of hers (but don’t worry - could she ever truly get out of her scholarly ways?)

This book had me laughing out loud at times, swooning on the next page, and then stressed and worried about my favorites the next.

Cozy and delightful as always. I do believe I enjoyed this least out of the trilogy but I was still pleased. I have always read Emily Wilde as autistic and am always very happy with that representation, both in this third book and the preceding two.

just as cozy, interesting, and new territory to explore with emily, wendell, and shadow. excited for more folks to read this!

many thanks to random house ballantine, del rey, and netgalley for the advance reader copy.

I found this a rewarding finale (?) to an excellent trilogy. This novel balances a new, fast-paced adventure with call-backs of elements and characters from the previous two books. I loved all of the "cameos" from the first book as well as the new characters. There were several topics I wish we could have had a closer look at, especially Wendell's relationship with his identity/ancestry. It felt like there was so much to absorb and think about that there wasn't room to always stop and go deeper into the characters. That being said, I loved the characters just as much as I did in the first two and I feel like Emily's arc over the series was well-done! I'm so glad I was able to read this and recommend it to others who enjoyed the previous books as a worthy sequel! I rated this 5 stars on Goodreads because I think it deserves to be read and loved, but 4 stars here just because I did love most of it but didn't find it as "unputdownable" as the others.

Thank you to netgalley for the e-arc.

This installment kept everything I loved about he previous books in the series -- the familiar cast of characters, the animal companions, funny dialogue and light romance, and of course the faerie antics by Wendell and company. It's the perfect amount of cozy mixed with some page-turning adventure. While some of the previous books had a more meandering plot, this one is much more focused and direct, which I liked a lot. If you're looking for the same cozy sci-fi vibes from the previous books, you're sure to love this one.