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A review by a_ab
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really liked the storytelling in this book, and the great titular character. She was complex and her social issues felt relatable and realistic to me.
The folklore was fascinating, the academic realities — true and amusing, the village social dynamics — interesting and fun to observe.
However, the romantic storyline soured some of the book for me. <spoiler >The character of Wendell did not feel real to me — he was too different from others of his kind (for no apparent good reason), so it seemed like the author tried to make him more likable. But that didn't work either, because even with those adjustments, he is appalling, especially as a potential romantic interest for anybody, and even worse as a potential romantic partner for the heroine. And her consideration of him as such seemed as either enchantment or desperation, because she is aware and critical of most of his shortcomings. If the potential romance was not part of their dynamic, I would've appreciated the whole book a lot more. <spoiler/>
The folklore was fascinating, the academic realities — true and amusing, the village social dynamics — interesting and fun to observe.
However, the romantic storyline soured some of the book for me. <spoiler >The character of Wendell did not feel real to me — he was too different from others of his kind (for no apparent good reason), so it seemed like the author tried to make him more likable. But that didn't work either, because even with those adjustments, he is appalling, especially as a potential romantic interest for anybody, and even worse as a potential romantic partner for the heroine. And her consideration of him as such seemed as either enchantment or desperation, because she is aware and critical of most of his shortcomings. If the potential romance was not part of their dynamic, I would've appreciated the whole book a lot more. <spoiler/>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail