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Description
Emily Wilde is good at many things: she is the foremost expert on the study of faeries; she is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world’s first encylopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people
So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby
But as Emily gets closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones – the most elusive of all faeries – she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all – her own heart.
Summary
I very much enjoyed reading Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde, #1) by Canadian fantasy author Heather Fawcett.
Review
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries has a delightfully whimsical atmosphere in a fantasy combining folklore, anthropological- style field research with romance.
Fawcett’s novel is a blend of academic fantasy, folklore and adventure. The strong worldbuilding is one of Fawcett’s greatest strength: the community of Hrafnsvik is vivid with the biting cold, local folklore and superstition with wild magic of the Hidden fae. The folkloric roots provides Fae which are capricious, eerie and steeped in tradition to make the narrative, dark and a dangerous adventure leaning into the strengths of traditional dark fae and their dealings with mortals.
The protagonist, Emily is an unusual: brilliant, socially awkward, fiercely focused on her research provides a lens for the world that is meticulous, scholarly and witty. The secondary character and romantic interest, Wendell provides an effective foil to Emily with charisma that offsets her blunt earnestness and adding a particular, carefree and also disagreeable personality to the evolving dynamic between the two.
Conclusion
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is a cozy fantasy that evokes the charm of academic traditions and the thrill of discovery. The eerie Hidden Ones, and heartfelt moments between characters makes it a delightful read for fans of faerie folklore and fantasy. This fantasy will resonate with readers who enjoy personality-driven storytelling and strong folklore traditions to create vivid and genuine world-building.
** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **
Leanbh Pearson 