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A review by strawb3rrysugar
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
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.
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.