Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter
Heather Fawcett
4.3
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries: Book One of the Emily Wilde Series
by Heather FawcettCategory
About this book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north in this “incredibly fun journey through fae lands and dark magic” (NPR), the start of a heartwarming and enchanting new fantasy series. “A darkly gorgeous fantasy that sparkles with snow and magic.”—Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches HUGO AND LOCUS AWARD FINALIST A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, PopSugar, Polygon, The Globe and Mail, She Reads Cambridge professor 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 encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party—or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other 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, who manages to charm the townsfolk, muddle Emily’s research, and utterly confound and frustrate her. But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones—the most elusive of all faeries—lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, 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. Book One of the Emily Wilde Series Don’t miss any of Heather Fawcett’s charming Emily Wilde series: EMILY WILDE’S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES EMILY WILDE’S MAP OF THE OTHERLANDS EMILY WILDE’S COMPENDIUM OF LOST TALES
Available Formats
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What readers are saying
Lily Florotherworldly
"This book was not just a story, it was an experience. I began Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies slowly, almost cautiously, and finished it with that familiar ache that comes when you don’t quite want to leave a world behind. This is the kind of book that asks to be read gently, with time, tea, and attention. It rewards patience and curiosity in the most beautiful way. Emily Wilde is a refreshing and deeply human protagonist. She is logical, observant, socially awkward, and entirely devoted to her work, yet beneath all of that lies a quiet tenderness. I loved how her voice felt honest and grounded, never exaggerated or romanticized. Through her journal-like narration, the world of fae folklore feels scholarly, dangerous, whimsical, and strangely real. Wendell, of course, is a delight. Charming, mysterious, infuriating, and sincere in ways that take time to reveal. What I loved most about their relationship is that it isn’t rushed or idealized. Their connection grows through shared experiences, banter, trust, and small moments of understanding. Emily never loses herself in him, and he never tries to change who she is. They meet as equals. and that makes their dynamic feel genuine and earned. The folklore in this book is rich and unsettling in the best way. The fae are not softened or romanticized; they are clever, dangerous, ancient, and bound by strange rules. Every story within the story feels intentional, as if it has existed long before the reader arrived. The ending, especially the final tale of The Golden Ravens, stayed with me. It felt like a quiet echo — sad, beautiful, and timeless. A reminder that fairy stories are not always meant to comfort, but to linger. I closed the book feeling full, reflective, and slightly wistful. This is a book for readers who love folklore, quiet magic, thoughtful characters, and slow-burning stories. One that feels like winter light through a window, or the hush of snow falling at night. I can’t wait to continue the journey. ["
January 30, 2026 Verified Purchase
Tricia Copeland BrzostowiczGreat story line, characters, human and non, as well as sweet moments
"4* – Great story line, characters, human and non, as well as sweet moments First, I love the cover of this book. The black background sets the tone and the intricate corner images almost resemble hands but also have qualities of antlers which creates a very magical feel. The center circle with the almost hand-like white bone-ish fingers also look like roots which once you read the story give more meaning. I love the flowers. Heather Fawcett arranges this book so that we get the story through journal entries written by the main character, the “curmudgeonly” Emily Wilde. Curmudgeonly is a great word to describe Emily who lives in her head with her scholarly thoughts much of the time paying little attention to social norms. She prefers the company of her dog and her books, and perhaps the faeries she meets, to that of humans. Emily has a friend and colleague, Wendell Bambleby, that joins her very early in her visit to Unsland (sp?) where the village of Hrafnsvik, which to me seemed very much like Iceland, much to Emily’s chagrin. The reason I only give this book 4* instead of 5* is that it had a slow start. Emily’s initial interaction with all the town’s people, and their hard to pronounce names, seemed long and I almost stopped reading . I feel like this could have been more condensed. In the end, I loved the relationships these characters formed. I loved the narration for this book. The British accent was appropriate but not so heavy as to take away from the story and added to the book’s feel and authenticity. Once the action began, I was quickly drawn in. Heather Fawcett had great descriptions that lent the scenes amazing visualization. The plot moved at a good pace after the initial section and was surprising. I was listening to the book so don’t often pay attention to how much of a book is left. The last big “adventure” for Emily was a surprise for me. I didn’t see that plot line coming and I always enjoy an unexpected twist to a story. ["
August 14, 2025 Verified Purchase