Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

5 reviews

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.

theintrovertsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, and Murder

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

like an animal cloak that melts in the heat, but reluctantly gives the wearer what they need

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.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

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.

emilywemily6's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

4.5

I really enjoyed this book! It was a cozy historical fantasy- which is the perfect recipe. The book felt slow and meandering with no real plot throughout, only numerous subplots that all resolved rather quickly. Whenever I was reading, I was intrigued and couldn’t put it down. When I wasn’t reading, however, I didn’t feel a particular pull to pick it up. The variety of fae was fascinating and I kept thinking it might just be real. I loved the information Emily was able to glean as well as the unanswered questions. I loved Wendell too and appreciated their relationship. A really delightful book!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

katievallin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Grief and Abandonment

Minor: Cursing and Sexual content