You’ve probably seen it on TikTok or Instagram: a beautiful, frosty cover with a title that sounds like it belongs on a Victorian library shelf. Most folks pick up Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries expecting a sugary, cottagecore romance where the fae are basically humans with pointy ears and better skin.
Honestly? They’re in for a shock.
Heather Fawcett didn’t write a typical "romantasy" here. She wrote something much stranger and, frankly, much better. It is a book about a woman who is remarkably bad at being a person but incredibly good at being a scientist. If you’re tired of heroines who are "secretly powerful" but spend the whole book waiting for a guy to save them, Emily Wilde is your new best friend. Or, well, she’d probably hate that. She’d much rather you leave her alone so she can finish her footnotes.
The Academic Grind is Real
The story follows Emily Wilde, a Cambridge professor who is the world’s leading expert on dryadology—the study of faeries. It’s 1909 (an alternate version, anyway), and she has traveled to the fictional, freezing-cold island of Ljosland in the snowy north. She’s there to finish her life’s work: the first truly comprehensive encyclopaedia of faerie lore.
Basically, she’s a nerd on a mission.
She brings her dog, Shadow, and a total lack of social skills to a village called Hrafnsvik. The locals are suspicious. Emily doesn't care. She’s too busy trying to find "The Hidden Ones," a type of fae that is notoriously hard to track.
Then, Wendell Bambleby shows up.
Bambleby is her academic rival. He’s handsome, he’s lazy, and he’s annoyingly good at getting people to like him. He turns Emily’s quiet research trip into a chaotic mess of dinner parties and village drama. But as much as Emily wants to pretend he’s just an "insufferable peacock," there is clearly something very wrong—or very magical—about Wendell.
Why the Fae Aren’t What You Think
One of the best things about Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is that the faeries are actually scary. Forget Tinkerbell. These creatures are capricious, alien, and occasionally very dangerous.
Fawcett draws heavily from actual British, Irish, and Nordic folklore. You’ll see:
- Brownies: Small creatures like Poe, who can be helpful but will absolutely wreck your house if you insult them.
- Changelings: Fae that replace human children, leaving parents with a cold, eerie substitute.
- The Hidden Ones: Tall, regal, and utterly terrifying beings who treat humans like toys or pets.
The book is written as Emily’s journal. It includes literal footnotes. That might sound boring, but it’s actually brilliant. It gives you this sense of depth, like there’s a whole world of history and science behind every encounter. It makes the magic feel real because it’s being analyzed by someone who doesn't believe in "wonder," only in "data."
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The "Grumpy vs. Sunshine" Dynamic
Most people talk about the romance between Emily and Wendell. It’s definitely there, and it’s great. But it isn't a "steamy" book. It’s a slow burn. Like, glacially slow.
Emily is "grumpy." She is prickly, socially awkward, and probably neurodivergent (though the book doesn't use that term). Wendell is the "sunshine," except his sunshine is a little too bright to be human. Their banter is the heartbeat of the novel.
"He is a man of many talents, most of them related to the acquisition of comfort at the expense of others." — An actual vibe from Emily’s journal.
The tension works because they genuinely respect each other's brains. Even when Emily is complaining about Wendell using her tea leaves, she acknowledges he's a brilliant scholar. It’s refreshing to see a couple that actually shares a profession and a passion.
Is It Just "Cozy Fantasy"?
There is a huge debate online about whether this book is "cozy."
On one hand, you’ve got a snowy village, a cozy cottage, and a very good dog. On the other hand, there are kidnappings, gruesome faerie bargains, and moments where the atmosphere gets genuinely dark. It’s more "dark academia with a warm blanket" than "low-stakes fluff."
If you’re looking for a book where nothing bad happens, this isn't it. People get hurt. The stakes actually matter. But the feeling of the book remains comforting because of Emily’s voice. She’s so matter-of-fact about the danger that it makes the reader feel like everything will be okay as long as she has her notebook.
The Series Beyond the First Book
If you finish the first book and find yourself obsessed, you’re in luck. The story doesn't end in Hrafnsvik.
- Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands: The second book takes the duo to the Austrian Alps. It dives deeper into Wendell’s mysterious past and the actual geography of the faerie realms.
- Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales: This is the third installment, released in early 2025. It deals with the fallout of the first two books and sees Emily trying to navigate the politics of the fae world while still trying to maintain her academic integrity.
Each book maintains that epistolary (journal) style. It’s a bold choice that pays off because it keeps the focus on Emily’s internal growth. She starts the series barely able to say "hello" to a neighbor and ends it... well, I won't spoil that for you.
How to Get the Most Out of Reading It
To really appreciate what Fawcett is doing, don't rush through the footnotes. They’re where the best world-building happens. You’ll find references to other scholars and previous "expeditions" that make the world feel lived-in.
Also, pay attention to Shadow.
He’s not just a background character; he’s a vital part of Emily’s emotional world. In a book where the protagonist struggles to express love for humans, her bond with her dog tells you everything you need to know about her heart.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the sequels: If you haven't read Map of the Otherlands, it’s a must. It raises the stakes significantly.
- Explore real folklore: If you loved the faerie descriptions, look into The Secret Common-Wealth by Robert Kirk (a real 17th-century book about faeries) or the works of Katherine Briggs. It's clear Fawcett used these as inspiration.
- Listen to the Audiobook: The narration for this series is top-tier. Hearing Emily’s dry, academic tone vs. Wendell’s breezy charm adds a whole new layer to the experience.
Whether you're here for the "enemies-to-lovers" vibe or the rigorous academic study of mythical creatures, Emily Wilde delivers. It’s a rare book that manages to be both intellectually stimulating and deeply charming. Just remember: if a faerie offers you a piece of fruit or a "fair trade," just keep walking.