Title: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Author: Heather Fawcett
Series: Emily Wilde #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Historical fiction, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023
Sometimes I can be quite hesitant to read books which are getting a whole lot of hype, and this was one of those times. I really wanted to read this and enjoy it, but I was, admittedly, hesitant. It turns out that I didn’t need to be. This is just as amazing as the hype makes it out to be. And it is one of the most unique fae stories I’ve read in quite a while. Not only is the format of writing is through a journal, but it is also based in what I’m assuming is Sweden or something of that calibre, not the UK or US, which is often where I read about fae-based storylines.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is an epic journey in which she sets out to find out more about the fae of Ljoslander. I love how she is a bit of a socially awkward being who manages to actually annoy an entire village through her misunderstandings. Yet, she also manages to save them and become a part of their community. All of this is told through her journal entries – her lack of social finesse, her inability to understand it, and her completely, total and utter fascination of the fae, to the detriment of all else. It also highlights the time lost whilst cavorting with the fae and the stupidity of some of her decision making – stupidity that she is in fact aware of even while she is pursuing her chosen pathway.
It is fairly obvious (to me at least) from early on that Bambleby is also romantically interested in Emily, even if he doesn’t necessarily pursue her in the more traditional sense. The way that this little romance unfolds is kind of adorable, and I love that Emily is completely oblivious to the fact, even as she writes all of the hints throughout her journal. Plus, there is something about Bambleby that is just out and out hilarious. He is almost his own kind of bumbling fool in the world of humans, but to a more charismatic and forgiving degree. The way that they end the story with their future lives and romance together had me smiling and kind of sighing.
I love that, even though Emily thwarts fae plans and shows that she has a whole lot of moxie and power, she is still entirely human. There is no hidden heritage to explain away her skills, no secrets in her past. Rather, she is entirely human, just a mortal with a whole lot of knowledge, intelligence and drive. The fact that her knowledge is what ultimately wins the day (and also gets her into untold trouble), despite her physical and magical limitations made me so happy. And again, is something that most definitely sets this fae story apart from many of the others gracing my shelves. Now, I can’t wait to see where this intelligence and disregard for anything but the pursuit of knowledge will land Emily and Bambleby next!
| <- More Heather Fawcett | Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands -> |
Earth and Skye 