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smolherbivore's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
jiao_li's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Murder
drjoannehill's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
A nice quick and refreshing break from the slow book I put aside for a bit. "Whimsical" appears twice on the cover and it is certainly that.
Emily Wilde is an academic at Cambridge in 1909 (no discussion of the real troubles women would have had at the time in trying to enter academia), writing the Encyclopedia of Faeries. She visits an island off Norway for the final chapter. Cue encounters with courtly and common Folk, myths, footnotes (like a shorter Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell), and the local villagers.
Yes it could be deeper and more involved, and it could be more accurate to the British English of the time ("restroom" and "movies"??!), and it didn't need todescend into romance ... But it was fun yet seemingly well researched and thought out.
Emily Wilde is an academic at Cambridge in 1909 (no discussion of the real troubles women would have had at the time in trying to enter academia), writing the Encyclopedia of Faeries. She visits an island off Norway for the final chapter. Cue encounters with courtly and common Folk, myths, footnotes (like a shorter Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell), and the local villagers.
Yes it could be deeper and more involved, and it could be more accurate to the British English of the time ("restroom" and "movies"??!), and it didn't need to
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence and Blood
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was excited to finally dive into this buzziest of books from last year. And I found myself delightfully entrancedby the end, but I was also totally thrown off guard by the format of the book. I was not expecting the field journal style narration, but I did come to enjoy Emily's unique take on her time in Hrafnsvik.
I found the "romance" between Emily and Bambleby to be a bit shoe horned for my liking. She clearly enjoyed him as a foil to her own knowledge, but had almost no inkling toward him in a romantic way before he proposed, or nearly after for that matter. I almost would have rather he stayed a dear friend and not entered the arena as a possible lover. It all just felt very afterthought and, yes it gave him a reason to help save her, but it felt like the weakest plot thread, since we got so little of the story from Bambleby's POV.
I found the "romance" between Emily and Bambleby to be a bit shoe horned for my liking. She clearly enjoyed him as a foil to her own knowledge, but had almost no inkling toward him in a romantic way before he proposed, or nearly after for that matter. I almost would have rather he stayed a dear friend and not entered the arena as a possible lover. It all just felt very afterthought and, yes it gave him a reason to help save her, but it felt like the weakest plot thread, since we got so little of the story from Bambleby's POV.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Kidnapping
lizy's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Torture, and Murder
lizsanford's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Really enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
There are a couple of scenes with and talk of decapitation, including a character enjoying decapitating another character, but it's not very graphic and it's quite brief.btg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Curmudgeonly, socially awkward academic must engage in Social Skills in order to convince a small town to talk to her about the faeries. She is aided on her quest by awesome animal sidekick and charismatic rival male academic, whom she coincidentally has a seething banter with.
The plot is quite engaging and really keeps you tied to the page for certain parts. It is a medium paced book, but that's to be expected with high concept urban fantasy -- overall I would consider the book to be exciting with an intriguing concept. If you are an academic who enjoys fantasy, wait no further and grab this book at your nearest opportunity -- dark fantasy academia was a genre I did not know I needed. Think of this book as an unholy blend of traditional fae lore meets Ali Hazelwood. Regarding the worldbuilding, I loved the focus on fae mythology and I find it to be impeccably done.
Emily is so fun as a character for me. As a fellow socially awkward academic, I identified strongly with her. Her arc was extremely heartwarming and I loved how her insatiable quest for knowledge was played with and explored.
Truthfully, my main problem with the book was Wendell. The character is well constructed with a coherent background, an intriguing concept (which would be a spoiler to mention), and interesting flaws. I also find him to be inconsistently likeable. As a woman in academia, his laziness (while supported by backstory) feels difficult to forgive. I like his banter with Emily and the protective turn his character takes, but felt that the relationship felt overly rushed and not well developed in the initial stages. I regularly wondered why Emily was so interested (and to be fair, she even wondered that herself). I may have enjoyed it better as a slower burn over several books.
Overall, Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia is an excellent story for fans of community centered stories, dark academia, or urban fantasy. Fans of heterosexual enemies-to-lovers may enjoy the love story as a bonus, but I would not pick up this book on the love story alone if you typically don't enjoy the genre.
The plot is quite engaging and really keeps you tied to the page for certain parts. It is a medium paced book, but that's to be expected with high concept urban fantasy -- overall I would consider the book to be exciting with an intriguing concept. If you are an academic who enjoys fantasy, wait no further and grab this book at your nearest opportunity -- dark fantasy academia was a genre I did not know I needed. Think of this book as an unholy blend of traditional fae lore meets Ali Hazelwood. Regarding the worldbuilding, I loved the focus on fae mythology and I find it to be impeccably done.
Emily is so fun as a character for me. As a fellow socially awkward academic, I identified strongly with her. Her arc was extremely heartwarming and I loved how her insatiable quest for knowledge was played with and explored.
Truthfully, my main problem with the book was Wendell. The character is well constructed with a coherent background, an intriguing concept (which would be a spoiler to mention), and interesting flaws. I also find him to be inconsistently likeable. As a woman in academia, his laziness (while supported by backstory) feels difficult to forgive. I like his banter with Emily and the protective turn his character takes, but felt that the relationship felt overly rushed and not well developed in the initial stages. I regularly wondered why Emily was so interested (and to be fair, she even wondered that herself). I may have enjoyed it better as a slower burn over several books.
Overall, Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia is an excellent story for fans of community centered stories, dark academia, or urban fantasy. Fans of heterosexual enemies-to-lovers may enjoy the love story as a bonus, but I would not pick up this book on the love story alone if you typically don't enjoy the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Alcohol
emfass's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
Just so freaking charming and delightful. Nerdy fairy academic, and a grumpy female lead? Who then inadvertently learns the power of community and helping others and then letting them help you?! SO DELIGHTFUL!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Murder
toadelly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Blood
The fae and other creatures in this book are the dark and twisted sort. Closer to the more classic representation of them. A darkly whimsical sort of vibe. There are several scenes that can get pretty violent if that isn't your cup of tea.kuronekostea's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Really loved this book and plan to read the second and the third coming soon.
As an avid fantasy lover, I adored the folklore added to this "Encyclopedia". Emily's character is such a great narrative and I enjoyed seeing this scholar shut in learn to open up a little and handle herself.
As an avid fantasy lover, I adored the folklore added to this "Encyclopedia". Emily's character is such a great narrative and I enjoyed seeing this scholar shut in learn to open up a little and handle herself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Trafficking
Minor: Gore, Slavery, Violence, and War