A review by katiemack
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If, like me, you grew up reading fairy tales from different cultures, you'll enjoy this historical fantasy set in nineteenth-century Scandinavia. There are parts that plod along due to flowery writing and/or overly inclusive details, but the story picks up once Wendell Bambleby--Emily Wilde's fellow scholar in Dryadology (the study of faeries and fae) whose charm and lack of work ethic greatly annoy Emily--arrives in Hrafnsvik. His optimism and friendliness complement Emily's social awkwardness and grumpiness, and his heritage plays a pivotal role later in the story. (This isn't a romance, but it has some romantic elements.) It's a book that feels highly original in the saturated realm of fantasy and fae stories.
If, like me, you grew up reading fairy tales from different cultures, you'll enjoy this historical fantasy set in nineteenth-century Scandinavia. There are parts that plod along due to flowery writing and/or overly inclusive details, but the story picks up once Wendell Bambleby--Emily Wilde's fellow scholar in Dryadology (the study of faeries and fae) whose charm and lack of work ethic greatly annoy Emily--arrives in Hrafnsvik. His optimism and friendliness complement Emily's social awkwardness and grumpiness, and his heritage plays a pivotal role later in the story. (This isn't a romance, but it has some romantic elements.) It's a book that feels highly original in the saturated realm of fantasy and fae stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence