Thank you so much Heather Fawcett, Random House Publishing- Ballantine, and NetGalley for the eARC of Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always get a bit sad when starting the last installment of a beloved series. Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is no exception. I’ve enjoyed reading about Emily and Wendell’s adventures in both the mortal and faeries realms so much that I most dreaded to get to the final chapter of the book. However, like Emily, I boldly traversed into the unknown and, much like our FMC, am happy to give you my field notes on what I’ve discovered (spoiler free, of course).

One of my favorite parts of the Emily Wilde series is the juxtaposition of both the familiar and the unexpected. Emily and Wendell are so quintessentially themselves throughout the tale that I couldn’t help but smile when they reacted to situations exactly as I expected them to. At the same time, the unexpected challenges that popped up throughout their adventures in the faeries realms kept me on my toes. I absolutely loved that I felt both immeasurably comfortable and unexpectedly delighted at the same time while reading the story.

I believe I’ve mentioned this before in past reviews, but it bares repeating: I adore not only how well Emily and Wendell understand each other, but how they respect each other. Although they have two very different personalities and worldviews, they just intrinsically get how the other thinks. It’s through this knowledge that they choose a course of action that shows both a loving regard for the other, while at the same time, gets the job done. It’s honestly such a refreshing, healthy take on a romantic relationship that I can’t help but admire.

Bottom line: Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is a wonderful ending to a fantastic series.

In the pages, you will find:

🧚‍♂️FAIRY realms
📝Field notes
🤝Found family
🗡️Courtly scheming
🧭A hunt for someone lost
🛟A daring rescue attempt
🐾Magical pets
❤️Romance (light, but profound)
📖A satisfying ending to a wonderful cozy trilogy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I am always going to be here for Emily Wilde figuring out the unsolvable through scholarship and observation.

Having poisoned Wendell’s step-mother, Queen Arna, deposed her, and found the door to Wendell’s kingdom, Emily and Wendell are ready to claim his throne. And that’s just the start of the adventure. On her way out of the Silvia Lupi, Queen Arna has laid a curse on the kingdom that’s triggered by Wendell claiming the throne. In addition to trying to make herself into a queen the Courtly fae will respect, Emily must figure out how to lift the curse.

Remember how badly Emily flubbed things with the residents of Ljosland in Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries? She’s come a long way. Now she has friends and allies, humans in the court, the small fae, other scholars, and the humans she has helped along the way.

“The politics of Faerie—indeed, everything about the place—revolves around stories. Stories shape the realms and the actions of those who dwell there. Some of those stories are known to mortals, but many others have been lost, both to us and the Folk.”

Things get more interesting for Emily when her grandfather’s journal becomes a part of her research into the stories that shape the Kingdom and the likely future of her marriage to Wendell.

It took me a minute to get into the rhythm of this third installment. I love the journal entry format, but it puts me at a remove when I start reading. Once I settled in, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I love Emily’s competence and her belief in herself.

Shadow remains the best dog. I found Emily’s anxiety over Shadow’s aging so relatable. There is a painting of my former dog across from where I do most of my reading. When Shadow did his feats of bravery, I would look at the painting of Spike and be assured that Spike would never have exerted himself in that manner. Shadow is an excellent companion for a human queen of faerie who insists on doing the research herself.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Random House/Del Ray and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

The Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett came to me right after I finished Kimberly Lemming’s Mead Mishaps series, and was looking for another low-stakes cozy romantasy. Stop laughing, I didn’t know Emily would willingly toss herself into danger repeatedly in the name of academia (and eventually for the love of Wendell). Her prickly, persnickety voice pulled me in. Shadow did too. Does anyone know where I might procure a companion like Shadow?

Now for Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales, the third and final book in the series. The story picks up with our new Queen of the faerie realm of Silva Lupi, but this time it’s personal. Emily, or course, is working on a new academic project: documenting the inner workings of the faerie world she now rules. She’s also working to fully restore Wendell to his throne and reclaim the fealty of his court. Silly, silly, girl. There’s no court more dangerous than the realm of faerie and none are as vicious as the nobles. To achieve her goals, Emily must navigate the complexities of her crown while staying true to her scholarly instincts—which will come in handy. The stakes are high as the kingdom is slowly consumed by a poisonous curse, and Emily’s research becomes the key to fighting their foes and saving her love.

While Encyclopaedia of Faeries remains my favorite—perhaps because there’s such a huge sense of discovery in that book—what sets Compendium of Lost Tales apart is its exploration of Emily’s growth. Not just as a scholar, but as a lover, an aunt, a friend, and for herself. Her grumpy ways are tempered by moments of vulnerability, humor, and uncertainty, particularly in her interactions with Wendell and her place in his new life. Their relationship—still filled with frothy banter and hidden tenderness—becomes the heart of the matter. Wendell, a charmingly foppish foil to Emily’s prickliness, is a true partner in every sense. Without each other, the pair might not have a chance at traversing the treachery of the faerie court and coming out alive.

Here, Fawcett brings her lovely characters full circle, offering a conclusion that is both satisfying and bittersweet, like the last sip of a perfectly aged spiced wine. The faerie realm is vividly rendered, a place of both wonder and menace, where every detail—from the creatures to the pitfalls—feels meticulously envisioned. Emily’s academic notes interspersed throughout, continue to provide the foundation for the storytelling, adding a layer of relatability as an anchor within the fantastical setting. Yet, for all its whimsy, the story doesn’t shy away from darker themes. The faerie lands serve as a metaphor for the fragility of power and the sacrifices required to maintain it. Meanwhile, the pacing rises and falls, bursting with heart-pounding exploits and warmed by reflective beats, inviting us to savor both the danger and the intimacy of the quest.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is more than a farewell to a beloved series; it’s an adventure through the power of stories, the mysteries of love, and the timeless magic that resides at the crossroads of myth and the heart.

The final book in the Emily Wilde series is finally here! I have really had a wonderful time with this series and I was so excited to dive into this final installment. If you've loved the first two books, you'll also love this one--it's more of the same, in the best way.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales picks up almost immediately after the events of the previous book. I actually didn't expect things to pick up immediately and as seamlessly as they did, and I'll admit that it took me a little while to get back into the story and remember everything that happened in the previous book since I read it about a year ago. I certainly could've benefited from a recap, but that's really more of a "me" issue with my memory than anything to do with the book.

Like most fans of this series, I've really loved watching Emily and Wendell's dynamic evolve and their relationship grow over the course of these books. They are fantastic foils to one another, yet they seem to share a core trait that I think makes them perfect for each other, and that is their sort of steadfast determination and ability to see what needs to be done in a situation and to do it. Both display this quality in different ways, which we can see in Wendell's more "lazy" exterior personality, but both do have this and I think it's what really works for them. I have found Wendell's personality, which is rather indulgent and animated, complements Emily's more serious, no-nonsense and non-frilly nature, which makes them a great time. I also loved getting to see Emily immerse herself in the faerie realm and really grapple with her feelings about staying there for a more long-term time. It's a big change for her, and I appreciated how Wendell tried to make it more comfortable for her and how they tried to work things out together.

Despite how interesting the cast of characters in this book are--and we do get to meet a few new figures that bring a lot of interesting new developments with them--Shadow remains my favorite character of them all. He is simple one of the best book dogs. He plays a significant role in parts of this book, but I do wish he had had a bit more on-page time because I would always love more Shadow.

One of my favorite aspects of this series, which remains a strong element in this book, is how Fawcett depicts the Fae and the Fae world. Fae are known for being quite cruel, brutal, and enigmatic, and also often treat mortals as little more than playthings, if they notice them at all. Fawcett captures this concept incredibly well, highlighting each of the unique Fae types and their personalities, as well as the myriad of endless dangers that lurk when interacting with them. This is how I like my Fae lore and I'm so pleased that Fawcett has captured it so well and has been so consistent across this series.

I also always enjoy the scholarly aspect of this series and how Emily approaches with an academic mindset. I felt like I could really relate to her curiosity and how every new experience sparked a question rather than an emotional reaction, much as a true scholar does. She constantly analyzed her experiences and the faerie realm she is surrounded by, always considering the historical or folkloric significance of things. I especially loved how the folktales she studied played such a major role in this book's events, as well. No matter how dire a circumstance may be, Emily always had a researcher's perspective, and I appreciated that about her. In line with this, I also still do enjoy the journal format of this story, as I think it works well for Emily's personality. I'm still a fan of footnotes being included in fiction books, though since I read this as an eARC they are can be a bit tough to read since they tend to show up as endnotes rather than footnotes (and as we all know, footnotes are far superior to endnotes).

With all those positives being said, there was something about this book that made it harder for me to get through. I worked my way through this book for nearly a month, which is far longer than I expected and longer than it usually would for a book like this that I like and was looking forward to. I don't have that many specific criticisms, which makes it hard for me to pinpoint why it was so hard for me to stay engaged, but my assumption is that it was due to the slower pacing of this book. It really did move rather slowly, especially in the first half to two-thirds of this book, and I also felt like there were a lot of overall repetitive elements and plot beats. It was a lot of something happening, Wendell and Emily having some sort of discussion about it, Emily going off to research, Wendell missing her, and repeat. There were, of course, many other things happening during all of this, but that's just one example of an area that felt a bit repetitive.

The plot also felt a bit lacking at times. When interesting things happened, they were really interesting. But when there wasn't something immediately compelling happening, my interest waned. This stood out to me only because I tend to really like books that are "boring" and where "not much happens," so it was a bit of a surprise that I wasn't as hooked as I usually am. I would also say that anytime an issue of any kind arose, the resolution often felt a bit too... easy? Solutions were a little too convenient, which therefore lowered the stakes and probably then lowers the compulsion to keep reading about find out what would happen. I don't think the stakes are meant to really be that high in this series, so I think that works for it, but I thought it was worth noting. This is one of those books where I actually want things to work out well for everyone, so I'm not mad about things working out overall.

Overall, I've really enjoyed this series and think it's the perfect "cozy" Fae fantasy story to get lost in during the winter months. There is a perfect balance of warmth and some slightly more serious/darker elements at times given the Fae subject matter, and I think Fawcett excellently captures all of those elements. I know this if the final book in the series, but I do feel like there was a bit of a setup for more books if she wanted to continue, maybe even as a novella or something here or there--I certainly wouldn't say no! If you haven't started this series yet, then you probably shouldn't have read this entire review, but even if you did I'd still recommend checking it out. If you have started this series and have liked what you've read so far, then be sure to pick up this final installment that makes a wonderful conclusion to well-loved series.

Another cute installment to the Emily Wilde series. I really have been enjoying this look at fae and faerie and all of the more "academic" writings on it. Emily Wilde is also an extremely fun character to read from, her journal entries are a bit quirky and awkward, and I can really picture her at this point 3 books in.

This one releases tomorrow, don't forget to grab your copy!

How bittersweet. You don’t need me to tell you this trilogy is so magical - full of academia, magical creatures, stories within stories, and lovable characters.

One aspect I LOVED was getting to see all the faerie creatures from new courtly fae to the smallest brownies. Introducing them adds necessary and welcome world building and intrigue. We got to meet many in the previous books (Poe is my favorite character!) but Emily actually living in Faerie offered many more opportunities to introduce new species.

I enjoyed the “full circle” aspect present. Returning to places Emily traveled in the past as a mere mortal dryadologist again as a queen of the Silva Lupi was lovely.

It was a fun trilogy. You definitely should not start with this one! I’ve enjoyed the characters and watching the relationship grow. I will absolutely read whatever the author writes next after this trilogy on the strength of this series.

4.5 ⭐️ I flew through the first couple of books in this series, but slowly savored the third book because I didn’t want to say goodbye to this whimsical and cozy world that Fawcett created. I adored Wendell and Emily together, even when they weren’t physically together (his letters were so special and romantic). I also loved that the setting finally took place in the faerie realm and I got to dive more into the faerie lores. This series really can’t be over, right? 😢

Similar in style to the first two books, this is written as a journal entries from Emily as she and Wendell return to his realm to rule together. I love that even though this is the third book we are still shown new types of faeries and new lore within this world. This is still lighter on the romance that I would have liked, but this is a great cozy, low stakes read for anyone looking for those vibes. Wish, as in the last two, that the pacing was a bit faster only because reading journal entries from an academic is already hard enough.

4.5 stars

“A world that I wanted, even after all I had seen, and amidst such a thicket of danger. I wanted it very much. And I especially wanted to share it with Wendell.“

The perfect ending to a great series. I have a soft spot for Emily, Wendell, and Shadow, therefore I enjoyed being back in this world.
This one takes us to the Fae world, where the stakes are higher, and we can see its politics and meet different types of Fae. Emily is again deep-diving into her research, taking us on new adventures, and bringing us new Fae lore/stories.
I’ve always loved Emily from the start and enjoyed her continued character growth in this book.

“I was thinking of you, Em. You were my first thought, as well as my last."

Wendell is still Wendell, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. He also had amazing character growth, but at the core, he was still himself. His love for his kingdom is completely evident in the story, and his love for Emily is front and center. I loved how loyal and committed they were and all the big and small things they did for each other. The letters were a nice, special touch.

This series is now a cozy read for me and one that I plan to reread while I’m sitting on the couch, with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.

** I wouldn’t mind an illustrated Holiday Novella.

"I have learned there is one thing a person never tires of, no matter how long they live. And that is being in love. All else is ash and ember."

This is the third book in a series and cannot be read as a standalone.
Thank you to Netgalley and Delreybooks for an E-ARC

4.5 - A solid end to the trilogy!

I was pleasantly surprised that the plot didn’t follow the vague outline I’d assumed it would.

I just love Emily and Wendell and Shadow and everyone so much!

Thanks to Del Rey for providing an advanced digital copy through NetGalley for me to review.

Oh how I have loved this series. It is bittersweet to write this review as I think this might have been the final book in the series (though it was left open enough that I could be wrong!). This latest installment in Emily and Wendell's adventures had a bit of a slow start, but once it found its feet was just as ridiculously charming as the previous two adventures. This tale finds us finally in Wendell's kingdom with Wendell and Emily running the show... mostly. Some old friends make appearances throughout the book and we are introduced to some wonderful new editions. Several moments made me gasp and even brought me close to tears (Shadow is simply the goodest boy). Wendell and Emily continue to be the perfect inversion of the grumpy x sunshine trope! In the past I would have said with confidence that Wendell loves Emily more than Emily loves Wendell, but I think we see just how much Emily loves her Wendell in this book too. There was plenty of danger and stakes, but at the same time I felt so cozy reading. I just want to sit in Emily's office with her, sipping a cup of tea surrounded by her books while she scribbles away in her journal and Wendell mends or tidies. I will miss these characters and this world, but the good news is I can always return with a reread!

**Thank you to Ballantine / Del Rey for the eARC of this title!**

I ended up listening to this one on audio thanks to PRH audio, and loved it just as much as the first two books.

Fawcett has a way of world-building that I absolutely adore and cannot get enough of. Book 3 in the series was dark and twisty in places but still held all the fantasy wonder that I have come to expect from these titles!

I highly recommend this book for fans of fantasy and mythical creatures (but definitely check out books 1 & 2 first!)

The Emily Wilde books feel like being wrapped in a cozy blanket in front of the fire. They are so soothing. I really loved this one.

I have loved reading this series, and the final book does not disappoint. I am such a fan of this world, these characters, and the plot, I'm sad to see it come to an end. Give me several more, please.

I absolutely loved the two previous books so I was very excited and it didn't disappoint! I find it such a charming and immersive experience, one of my favourite series.

Thank you so much to Del Rey for the opportunity to read the final installment of the Emily Wilde trilogy as an ARC! Heather Fawcett has an incredible talent for building worlds you never want to leave, and Compendium of Lost Tales was, unsurprisingly, another perfect example of this. I could read 5 more books set in this world, and still it wouldn't be enough. (*cough cough* Heather Fawcett please I beg you write 5 more books set in this world PLEASE-)

Although I'm disappointed that this series is over, this book was everything I could have hoped for and more. The entire Emily Wilde trilogy has warmed my heart over and over again; Fawcett's ability to light up the most whimsical, fantastical, and magical sides of my brain never fails. There are no words to describe how much I adore Emily and Wendell, but know that the combination of humor, academia, passion, and fondness the two of them share is unlike anything else I've had the pleasure of reading.

If you enjoyed the last two books in this series, prepare for this one to rip your heart to pieces and put them right back together again (seriously- this one made me cry. I did *not* expect to cry). If you haven't yet started this trilogy, take this as your sign to do so- you won't regret bringing Heather Fawcett into your life. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales will be released on February 11th; I can't wait to add a copy of this stunning book to my shelves.

I’ve been thoroughly enchanted by the Emily Wilde series since book one, and was excited to dive into Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales.
For the first two installments, I enjoyed the series via audiobook narrated by Ell Potter and Michael Dodds. I completed both during road trips to my hometown—Emily and Wendell’s adventures kept me occupied as I navigated the busy interstate. This time around, I had the pleasure of reading an eARC, but I definitely missed the narrators guiding me through the adventure. Their voices add an extra layer of charm, and I found myself longing for that familiar storytelling magic to help ease me into this final(?) journey.

As a whole, this series is a cozy faerie tale dream, brimming with whimsy, academic chaos, and, of course, Wendell’s delightful antics. However, the pacing of this installment wasn’t my favorite. I was so ready to immerse myself in Wendell’s world—bring on the court politics, the faerie intrigue, the beautiful-yet-terrifying magical landscape! But it took me longer than expected to fully settle into the story. Maybe it was the absence of the charming narration, or maybe I just wanted more Wendell-Emily banter from the start.

Highlights:
+Wendell’s letters to Emily—each one was a gift, truly.
+The return of beloved characters (hello, Poe).
+Shadow—because a loyal, lovable fae dog is always a win. (My own aging pup is getting a very big hug after this.)
+Disability representation with Niamh’s character—yes, more of this in fantasy, please and thank you!

Mixed Feelings:
The limited partnership between Emily and Wendell. Emily spends a lot of this book on her own, which I understand for her character’s journey, but I really missed their dynamic. Their banter and teamwork are some of my favorite parts of the series, and I wanted more of it!
Despite my minor quibbles, I loved this trilogy and will be singing its praises to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy. That being said… if Heather Fawcett ever decides to return to Emily and Wendell’s world, I definitely wouldn’t say no.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Del Rey) for this eARC. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales publishes on February 11, 2025.

A good conclusion to a very strong trilogy.
This one felt slightly different to the previous in the trilogy that it was less the relations between fairie and human and more human. For that reason, I feel i enjoyed it slightly less, only because it was missing that cosy, light academia scholarly pursuit. However, it still had the full host of lovable characters we've grown to enjoy, and several new additions. I enjoyed getting to meet more 'small folk' and seeing how Em continues to grow and face new challenges. I also liked we still kept the links to fairytales while exploring new avenues of magic.

Overall, a really good end to the story, but in a way that other characters could still continuehaving adventures and returning to the world if they wanted. And despite the new challenges and perils there was still an undercurrent of cozy, just less prominent in this one.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this one! I am not the best at writing reviews sometimes, but sometimes books take you by surprise and this one did just that. I got invested a few chapters in and couldn't put it done. It was so good! I highly recommend this one. This series hold such a special place in my heart and every time I need a hug in a book, I turn to Emily Wilde. I wish this was never ending, honestly. It's just perfect. I love it so much. If you truly want to get lost, read this. You won't regret it.