Reviews with content warning for Vomit - Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

I’m sad about this one. I think if I had known it was more magical realism than fantasy vibes maybe I wouldn’t have picked it up. I don’t like the magic system which is never logical or consistent, and never even attempts to be. I get that that is kind of a hallmark trait of magical realism, but that’s why I prefer fantasy. In addition, the characters are mostly all dull, often unlikeable, and undergo almost no character development. The main character makes so many stupid decisions I wonder how she’s survived this long researching in the field. The romance was weird and unconvincing with no emotional chemistry. Also, the writing style is so flat and dry, which I understand is because of Emily’s academic, serious character, but it still made the reading experience worse (for me). The few action scenes were poorly described, almost being glossed over as if the readers wouldn’t want to hear all the details. I wish I got the hype but just not for me this time!

Content Warnings

bexi's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

bellebeaumont95's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

brogancha's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

aysha_blake's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark funny informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

xapoptosisx's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book omg amazing. Soft cozy academia fantasy with grumpy x sunshine and 'touch her you die' and fairies. Emily is also 100% autistic, I'm not sure if that's something the author has said and I've never seen anyone else saying that she is but reading it she absolutely is.

Content Warnings

prettynerdy3's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous informative lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

During an expedition to Hrafnsvik, Ljosland, Cambridge professor Emily Wilde uncovers unknown secrets of the fae world she has spent her whole life studying as she tries to save Hrafnsvik from the Hidden Ones alongside her colleague and frenemy Wendell Bambleby.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is an interesting take on the fantasy genre: a low-stakes novel that's not quite so cozy and is a perfect blend of magical realism and Victorian elements. Written entirely from journal entries during Emily's time in Ljosland, the epistolary format works really well for this book as readers are transported in the intricate world-building behind Fawcett's fae world.

Additionally, Emily is such an interesting narrator for this book, and provides a unique POV throughout the book. While Fawcett doesn't say that she's autistic in the book, as an #ActuallyAutistic reviewer, one can notice that there are some of her attributes are similar to other autistic individuals. Regardless of whether Emily is autistic or not, Fawcett does a stellar job with detailing Emily's growth throughout the book as she learns to open herself up to others.

That being said, if you're looking for a low-stakes fantasy novel with fae, cozy aesthetic with dark undertones and a hint of romance, and/or a strong female protagonist (who may be autistic), you would probably enjoy reading Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Content Warnings

More...