takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
While this isn't my typical cup of tea when it comes to fantasy, I did enjoy this. It's very cozy, a bit funny, and whimsical.
The romance felt a bit lackluster to me - it's a historical kind of setting so in a way it reads like a historical romance in that aspect, where everything is very internal (also because the book is written in journal entries).
The romance felt a bit lackluster to me - it's a historical kind of setting so in a way it reads like a historical romance in that aspect, where everything is very internal (also because the book is written in journal entries).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty
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.ymziegler's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I liked this book. I love the vibe of being in a cottage in a very very snowy town and going out to study fae. The faerie lore is incredibly developed, there are so many details throughout the book and it's explained in a way that fits the tone of Emily, who is writing the book as her research journal. The romance wasn't extremely developed, though I believe that's because there will be a sequel. Wendell was a fun character, I enjoyed how his not-caring and Emily's not-caring kind of worked together but came from different sources. I loved Poe's character, he's just a little faerie who bakes bread in exchange for not having to shovel the snow in front of his tree! Also, once the conflict picked up, I couldn't put the book down. There is also a sapphic couple in the village and their relationship is not a major part of the plotline but they are very sweet. I recommend this book if you enjoy fae, faerie lore, and don't mind a light romance. To be clear, even if the romance wasn't super present in the book, the relationship between Wendell and Emily was incredibly entertaining even without the romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Animal death
emilywemily6's review
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Gore, Body horror, Alcohol, Grief, Murder, Death, and Blood
Minor: Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Sexual content
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
laurel616's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Didn't realize when I picked this up that it wasn't a standalone, unfortunately. However, I did really enjoy this book. The townspeople were a highlight, and honestly I enjoyed the parts of the book not set in the Faerie realms the most enjoyable. Luckily, that is most of the book.
Personally, I loved the focused mindset of the heroine as an academic, and while I feel that dropped off a little towards the climax of the book, it didn't ruin it for me.
I am not a larger reader of fae-based books, so the mythology of this particular book both didn't bother me, and I didn't have much to compare it to.
Personally, I loved the focused mindset of the heroine as an academic, and while I feel that dropped off a little towards the climax of the book, it didn't ruin it for me.
I am not a larger reader of fae-based books, so the mythology of this particular book both didn't bother me, and I didn't have much to compare it to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Gore
faduma's review
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
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
raimeyreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, and Child abuse
Minor: Animal death, Gore, and Animal cruelty
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail