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saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"You are not so terrible, Em. You merely need friends who are dragons like you."
Two autistic academics match each other's freak. Includes delightful banter, tense yearning, and fae that leaned into the weird magical elements.
Two autistic academics match each other's freak. Includes delightful banter, tense yearning, and fae that leaned into the weird magical elements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, and Death
porridgegobbler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
5.0
Absolutely adored this!! Pure cosy vibes, amazing banter, and probably my favourite FMC ever. I read her as autistic which made her all the more relatable.
The academic focus and this book being her journal made it all the more enjoyable.
Can't wait to read the next book :)
The academic focus and this book being her journal made it all the more enjoyable.
Can't wait to read the next book :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Torture
Minor: Kidnapping
eedle_cacleberry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
vaaanezza's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
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.
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
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.
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.relin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
I was charmed by the world building and the way Emily interacts with the world. I also enjoyed Wallace as well. The two of them together are such a silly adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Self harm, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Torture, and Death of parent
Mind altering Farie magicthereadinghammock'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
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
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