Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

 This book feelt like discovering a hidden gem in the fantasy genre—one that is quietly magical and richly detailed.I love how the charm and the academic research blends together so neatly.
The novel is set in 1909 and follows Emily Wilde, a socially awkward yet brilliant professor at Cambridge, who is working on what she hopes will be the definitive encyclopaedia of faeries. Emily's journey takes her to the remote village of Hrafnsvik in Scandinavia.
What drew me in was the way the story is presented as Emily's journal, I honestly loved this aspect so incredibly much. This narrative style makes it feel incredibly personal, as if you're peering into the thoughts of a woman who is much more comfortable with her books and faerie folklore than with people. Which to be fair is kinda exactly what the case is. Example, when she arrives in Hrafnsvik, Emily's interactions with the villagers are painfully awkward, leading to some amusing yet relatable moments. Her initial attempts to gather information from the villagers are met with suspicion and confusion, and her discomfort is palpable.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is the relationship between Emily and Wendell Bambleby, her charming and infuriating colleague. When Wendell unexpectedly shows up in Hrafnsvik, Emily is both annoyed and relieved. Wendell is everything Emily is not—effortlessly sociable, charismatic, and, as we later discover, deeply connected to the faerie world in ways that Emily hadn't anticipated. Their banter is delightful, and the slow development of their friendship (with a hint of romance) is one of the highlights of the story. Have to add that the romance not being too in my face is one of the things I also highly like about this book. Heather Fawcett's writing is beautifully descriptive, particularly when it comes to the faeries and the wintry landscape of Hrafnsvik. The village feels isolated and otherworldly, the perfect backdrop for a story steeped in folklore. The faeries themselves are portrayed as both enchanting and dangerous, with their own complex rules and hierarchies. Emily's meticulous notes on the different types of faeries add depth to the world-building, making it feel as though you're reading a real scholar's work on these mythical creatures.
However, the book's pace is quite measured, which might not appeal to readers looking for fast-paced action. The focus is more on the slow unraveling of mysteries, both in the faerie world and in Emily's personal growth. While this slower pace allows for a deep immersion in the world and characters, it could feel a bit dragging at times, especially in the middle of the book.