Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Emily Wildes Enzyklopädie der Feen by Heather Fawcett

181 reviews

cordeliant's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

strawb3rrysugar's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

I had heard many people enjoyed this book, but after being severely disappointed by another fantasy series I won't name involving faeries with a blonde love interest, I set my expectations kind of low for this book. Thankfully, I was proven wrong - I really enjoyed this book. 

I still have a few nitpicks, mostly to do with how much I hate the trope of socially inept woman who isn't all that inept, but simply hyper-criticized and expected to perform a level of servitude and nurturing not at all expected of the male lead. But my issues were quickly smoothed over by the engaging field journal format with footnotes, the immersive setting and folklore shared throughout, and the well-structured progression of character development and plot. 

Of course, I can't write this review and not mention Bambleby. I really dreaded his initial appearance, as I realized this might mean there will be a shoehorned heterosexual romance that exists because of course it has to. However, Wendell is a solid character that can stand on his own two feet, with flaws and genuine friction/tension with Emily

(I do think the twist with him being revealed to be Folk could have been woven into the story a little more smoothly, though - it seems Emily mentions her theory about him being Folk once and has it confirmed pretty quickly in a way that felt like an afterthought)

. Wendell and Emily's banter reads jaunty and comedic, rather than contrived. 

My nitpicks aside, I see myself rereading this book. If you find the faerie-focused romantasy scene a little fatiguing and wish characters had a little more narrative meat on their bones, I think this is a worthwhile read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Self harm and Sexual content

There is some violence in this book, with mentions of background characters being killed, decapitated, or impaled. A faerie kills a flock of crows and reanimates them. Bambleby is injured and bleeding heavily at one point.

Emily cuts off her own finger with an axe to break an enchantment, though this finger has little consequence in the story

Descriptions of dangerous animals with blood on their jaws/chins, though they are illusions. Some changeling stories of children or young adults being kidnapped and returned half-alive or hollow as a result of faeries, which could be upsetting. Brief mentions of Wendell's flings with other women in the village, or "conquests" (*eyeroll*) but nothing sexually graphic.

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Blood

gatorskulls's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail

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 to

descend into romance

... But it was fun yet seemingly well researched and thought out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Violence and Blood

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Torture, and Murder

arsrose's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Mental illness and Kidnapping

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!

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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

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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.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Blood, and Trafficking

Minor: Gore, Slavery, Violence, and War