trips's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was everything I'm looking for in a book in 2023.
It had faeries that ranged from charming to terrifying, a stubborn MC with a sunshiney counterpart, and honestly just made me feel like I was being told a fun tale wrapped up in a blanket by the fireside. Also it was a bit epistolary, and I'm a sucker for any story like that!
More than anything, it just had faeries that follow common faerie folklore convention with its own spin, and I really just want more of that in the faerie stories I'm reading!
I loved Emily and Wendell, and I am really looking forward to reading the 2nd book in 2024.
It was just perfect for me! I don't know if it would be perfect for everyone, but it suited me great.
It had faeries that ranged from charming to terrifying, a stubborn MC with a sunshiney counterpart, and honestly just made me feel like I was being told a fun tale wrapped up in a blanket by the fireside. Also it was a bit epistolary, and I'm a sucker for any story like that!
More than anything, it just had faeries that follow common faerie folklore convention with its own spin, and I really just want more of that in the faerie stories I'm reading!
I loved Emily and Wendell, and I am really looking forward to reading the 2nd book in 2024.
It was just perfect for me! I don't know if it would be perfect for everyone, but it suited me great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Child abuse, Animal death, and Death
axel_p's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Classism, Confinement, Self harm, Blood, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
lackyducks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
This book combines serious stakes with a lighter focus on relationships in a way that leaves me yearning for more books like it.
The book is told in first person, through journal entries of the titular character. Emily makes a fun narrator, and Fawcett uses character voice to shape the experience of the world and story well. The entries themselves demonstrate the growth of the character and her shifting priorities, as entries grow from having footnotes to more personal thoughts and feelings. I really liked this medium for telling a story, and Fawcett used it so well!
Emily herself is an enjoyable, well-rounded character. Her flaws and analytical mind stayed consistent throughout. Her cleverness comes at the consequence of some social skills, but this provides a lot of room for growth.
Wendell also perfectly embodies himself. There's no other way to put it. Ridiculous at times, but still cunning and smart when inclined to be. The relationship between the two felt like it developed naturally throughout the book, and was enjoyable to follow.
The side characters we meet are also well-developed. You're able to grow attached to them, worrying for them and celebrating their victories. I particularly loved Aud and her straightforward attitude towards getting things done.
I just had a really good time with this book. The worldbuilding was a lot of fun, presenting Folk as their own, complicated culture that we only get a glimpse into. I am also pleased the book had a proper conclusion to the story, despite its continuation. I hope I'll be able to get hold of the second book in time!
The book is told in first person, through journal entries of the titular character. Emily makes a fun narrator, and Fawcett uses character voice to shape the experience of the world and story well. The entries themselves demonstrate the growth of the character and her shifting priorities, as entries grow from having footnotes to more personal thoughts and feelings. I really liked this medium for telling a story, and Fawcett used it so well!
Emily herself is an enjoyable, well-rounded character. Her flaws and analytical mind stayed consistent throughout. Her cleverness comes at the consequence of some social skills, but this provides a lot of room for growth.
Wendell also perfectly embodies himself. There's no other way to put it. Ridiculous at times, but still cunning and smart when inclined to be. The relationship between the two felt like it developed naturally throughout the book, and was enjoyable to follow.
The side characters we meet are also well-developed. You're able to grow attached to them, worrying for them and celebrating their victories. I particularly loved Aud and her straightforward attitude towards getting things done.
I just had a really good time with this book. The worldbuilding was a lot of fun, presenting Folk as their own, complicated culture that we only get a glimpse into. I am also pleased the book had a proper conclusion to the story, despite its continuation. I hope I'll be able to get hold of the second book in time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
The story deals with the darker side of Fae, so be aware of topics around kidnapping, mistreatment, enchantments and violence.craftysnailtail's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Child abuse, Blood, and Body horror
dragonaion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
At first I was not taken by the "matter of fact" and neutral approach of the story. I thought the first two chapters were dry and simple, but I can attest that is the author writing the world through the eyes of the main character and is very apropos. By chapter three, I was smitten and devoured every page.
As a lover of fae of all kinds, I was tickled and delighted by the smoothness and almost natural involvement of the fae in the story. None of it was out of place (which is saying something, given the nature of some of the scenes) and it all blended and came into place perfectly. With such expressions of high fantasy, it is hard to mistake some parts as being absurd and not belonging, like suddenly seeing a majestic and shining pegasus in a normal field. This magic, however, was laced in so naturally that it naturally belonged and was wonderful.
As a lover of fae of all kinds, I was tickled and delighted by the smoothness and almost natural involvement of the fae in the story. None of it was out of place (which is saying something, given the nature of some of the scenes) and it all blended and came into place perfectly. With such expressions of high fantasy, it is hard to mistake some parts
Spoiler
like an animal cloak that melts in the heat, but reluctantly gives the wearer what they need
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Violence, Classism, Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Body horror, Child abuse, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Alcohol, Animal death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Murder
There are scenes that may constitute "child abuse", but the character is not technically a child but a magical creature in the shape of a child, and the "sexual content" includes barely a kiss.littleflowerfairy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm going to be honest; in my personal opinion, most popular fae fantasy books don't depict fae accurately. They're hardly ever like how they're depicted in folklore. People tend to just use the term 'fae' to as either a catch-all for any type of mythical creature, or the term for only a very specific, beautiful, human-like species. This may not bother most people, and there's nothing inherently wrong with it, but as a fae enthusiast frequently doing research for my own fae book, it really bothers me when 'fae' is used very loosely.
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries does none of that. Heather Fawcett weaves a beautiful story that combines the typical mystery and mischief of fae, with her own twists and addition that make sense and really feel like something you'd read about in an old book about faerie lore! The way she describes the fae and how they interact with our world is incredible and makes for such beautiful imagery! Though I read this in the height of summer, I almost felt like I could step right into the wintery landscape.
Honestly it took me a bit to get really into the book, the first half felt a little slow, but by the second half I was thoroughly hooked!! I loved the characters, the atmosphere, and the feeling like I was reading through an old journal nearly lost to time. It was seriously such a cozy read to curl up with at the end of the day! I can't wait for the 2nd book!!
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries does none of that. Heather Fawcett weaves a beautiful story that combines the typical mystery and mischief of fae, with her own twists and addition that make sense and really feel like something you'd read about in an old book about faerie lore! The way she describes the fae and how they interact with our world is incredible and makes for such beautiful imagery! Though I read this in the height of summer, I almost felt like I could step right into the wintery landscape.
Honestly it took me a bit to get really into the book, the first half felt a little slow, but by the second half I was thoroughly hooked!! I loved the characters, the atmosphere, and the feeling like I was reading through an old journal nearly lost to time. It was seriously such a cozy read to curl up with at the end of the day! I can't wait for the 2nd book!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Confinement, Murder, Violence, Blood, Animal death, and Death
Moderate: Self harm, Child abuse, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Cursing
lizziaha's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
the only reason that this got docked is my personal dislike of fairytales, which bogged me down a bit in the middle. The romance had me giggling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse and Gore
faduma's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
jessiereads98's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The autistic representation in the main character, Emily Wilde, is really well done. It does not feel clunky or heavy handed or like a caricature. The character is also more than just her autistic traits. I also thought the world building in this book was really well done. The fae and their magic system were compelling while feeling familiar. The exposition fit into the story naturally. Wendell Bambleby is more Emily’s academic nuisance than academic rival. There were things brought up like which seemed like a big deal, but weren’t really explored beyond being mentioned. Although, I suspect those things may be explored more in future books. Overall, this story weaves together romance, community, adventure, and folklore in a way that is fun and interesting.
Spoiler
his fraudulent research
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Medical content, Gore, Alcohol, Body horror, Murder, and Child abuse
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed this book despite having a little bit of a hard time getting into it at first because of the academic verbiage. Despite said academic verbiage, I felt like the details and descriptions of environments and things and people and customs were quite lovely. I love the small town, Village vibes and the found family aspects, and I also loved what I perceived to be great autism representation. I love how the villagers grew to understand and love Emily, regardless of her difficulties, and struggles with communication. I love that she equally grew to love them in a way she had never anticipated. I also would have loved to see an explicit scene? At least one. I don’t know, but I felt like I missed out on that opportunity lol. I also don’t entirely know what the conclusion of the scene at the castle was near the end, but despite that, I am still pleased with the ending. I really enjoyed this book, and I really enjoyed the characters, and I really enjoyed the connections to the characters as well as between the characters to each other and I’m very excited for book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Child abuse