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cadence_e's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my goodness this was so good. I struggled to put it down, it had such good elements of world building and lore without dragging the characters and plot down. Emily is incredibly smart and loveable, even when she can be a bit too calculating. Her growth and struggles as she learns to care more, while also having her research as a priority is such an important part of the book. Bambleby is equal parts fascinating and infuriating, managing to worm his way into my heart. I am a sucker for reluctant friendships, as well as pining . Taking you through a bunch of twists and turns , while also being so matter of fact through the format of Emily's scientific journal made for one of the most compelling and fun books I've read in a long while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
hdcamp's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This has all the charm (and darkness and unexpected gore) of a fairy tale, and that's exactly why I loved it. I always enjoy pretending I'm an academic of some kind who gets to do field research for a living, so it was nice to step into Emily's shoes for a while. Reading about her work, about her professional goals, her hopes of having her encyclopaedia published, was all just really lovely. There's something cozy about this kind of life that's wildly appealing, and it shone through in all it's glory. Sometimes that glory includes dealing with other academics, but what are you going to do?
The setting itself was vivid and well crafted. When the book came to an end and Emily and Bambleby made to leave Hranfsvik behind, I felt her nostalgia and sadness with her. But this was a great book to read with a warm drink and a roaring fire - the cold winter weather in this book is visceral, and as someone who enjoys winter, I loved being immersed in the biting chill of Ljosland.* The people and their culture were just as well crafted as their home. The cast of secondary and tertiary characters is decently large, but each of them were distinct and I never had trouble remembering who was who.
From the start I knew that Wendell Bambleby was going to become the love interest (it's tagged as a fantasy romance, I don't think this is a spoiler). If you're interested in slow-burn romances, this takes the cake - the two are mostly just friends through the whole thing, friends who (on Emily's side) frequently comment on the enticing quality of their friend's hair, and how generally beautiful they are. The romance was also remarkably clean, which I really appreciated (there're some references to sex, but the characters barely kiss, much less think about the romance actually happening).
The real hero of this story is Shadow, who was definitely not a normal dog, which I'd suspected, but still Man's Best Friend in the face of all kinds of faerie nonsense. 🥇 What a good boy.
*Someday I will move to a little cabin on an island near the Arctic Circle, and then I will be truly happy.
The setting itself was vivid and well crafted. When the book came to an end and Emily and Bambleby made to leave Hranfsvik behind, I felt her nostalgia and sadness with her. But this was a great book to read with a warm drink and a roaring fire - the cold winter weather in this book is visceral, and as someone who enjoys winter, I loved being immersed in the biting chill of Ljosland.* The people and their culture were just as well crafted as their home. The cast of secondary and tertiary characters is decently large, but each of them were distinct and I never had trouble remembering who was who.
From the start I knew that Wendell Bambleby was going to become the love interest (it's tagged as a fantasy romance, I don't think this is a spoiler). If you're interested in slow-burn romances, this takes the cake - the two are mostly just friends through the whole thing, friends who (on Emily's side) frequently comment on the enticing quality of their friend's hair, and how generally beautiful they are. The romance was also remarkably clean, which I really appreciated (there're some references to sex, but the characters barely kiss, much less think about the romance actually happening).
The real hero of this story is Shadow, who was
*Someday I will move to a little cabin on an island near the Arctic Circle, and then I will be truly happy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Body horror, and Blood
Passing, vague mentions of sex a few times. Only kissing actually takes place, and it is brief.bookish_skies's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
katie1775's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Violence
mattyroh07's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Minor: Sexism and Kidnapping
turtlebrainlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reads like journal entries (which it is), but also doesn‘t feel that way (which is good). I will be reading the next book! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Kidnapping
ijustreallyliketrees's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Animal death, and Violence
lilly_reads98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
I liked and enjoyed most of the book, it was a nice entertaining read that kept me intrigued and interested. The beginning is a little slow but I start enjoying it pretty soon after starting it, when we get to read a letter from Wendall, he is so amusing. I like how in the beginning and middle of the story it just follows Emily’s days of searching the forest for fae. I like how it’s just day to day of her job but she loves her job so she’s always fascinated by things. I like how Emily’s job makes her happy. I would say this is good to read during fall or winter, because it’s set during winter but it also gets really eerie and creepy in the forest so I think it would be good for spooky season too. It’s like a strange mix of being cozy and lighthearted but then also lots of dark and creepy fae moments. I do get a little annoyed by the way Em talks so technically and sophisticated, but I get that that’s how she’s supposed to be. I really didn’t like how all the locals are so mean to Emily in the beginning, except for Finn. Even when Wendall gets there he’s not very kind to her upon first arriving. He makes me laugh when he’s in the kitchen exclaiming he will cook for the hosts family. I had been looking forward to his character showing up.
Emily is a true introvert, I enjoyed reading the parts where she’s happy to be left out of a conversation so she can read. I relate to this aspect of her. I thought Wendell would be more likeable, but he’s always going back and forth from being caring to Emily and then not caring about anyone else. So it was just hard to consistently like him. I like the little brownie faerie that she later calls Poe, it’s nice that the faeries we get to see the most of are mostly nice like Poe. “I am an explorer…I wish to know the unknowable…To peel back the carpeting of the world and tumble into the stars." I really liked that quote from Emily. Wendell is so grumpy and unwilling to care for anyone besides Em. When she wants to help the village people he only helps because she wants him to. And this isn’t like any kind of slow burn I’ve ever read, halfway through the book they show no signs of developing feelings for each other. And with the way Wendell acts I didn’t see how she could fall for him. I was rooting for them earlier in the book but then not as much now that they are such opposites with caring and wanting to help people. I also thought it was amusing that Em is just like, I must mention I don’t think Wendell is human. I think him being a Fae explains his behavior of being uncaring towards humans and I like how Emily gets him to help them. When he finally used his magic to fix Poe’s tree I was like finally he used his magic! He never mentioned before that he has it. And then when he’s using it to make other trees bloom, that was nice. I love all the ways Em gets out of Fae situations with her cleverness. When Wendell writes an entry in her journal, it’s nice he also hints that he might like her, and then he lets her sleep on his shoulder so I think that confirms it. Then when someone says they think they’re together because the way he looks at her, and then she feels lightness at his return and grabs his hand, I do like the little sprinkling of the way this is done. It’s nice how much he loves the gifts that Em suggested. I think they would be cute together and am now rooting for them 💜 I’m glad there is a sequel where I can hopefully see more of their romance. I was liking most of the book aside from the violent parts but luckily those were brief, until what felt like the second 3rd act conflict happened. Like I feel like it could have wrapped up sooner without another conflict happening with the Fae king summoning Em. That part was so frustrating. But after that I think it ends nicely and I did have issues but I think it was a good book. I like how it executed exactly what it wanted to do, the plot and the characters are very well written. I just appreciate how this book is exactly what it says it is, I have read so many books recently where the content in the book doesn’t really match what the title or description of the book said it would be. End of the book/ Spoiler thoughts // It’s so frustrating when Em gets captured like she cut of her own finger to break the enchantment only to still go to the fae king and be enchanted again. She’s smart but that decision was so stupid and annoying, and Wendell finally comes to save her and she’s just mad at him? She should have thrown herself into his arms and thanked him. For most of the book I didn’t have any issues, which was nice and that is kind of rare actually for me to just have barley any issues. But nearing the end there are so many frustrating things. Like the way it’s written changes to become frustrating, Wendell not being there to save her, and when we finally see him she doesn’t even hug him or kiss him they’re just talking and arguing? It’s so anticlimactic and I just don’t enjoy all of the violence in the 3rd act conflicts. I never wanted to skim the book until this point I just wanted to skim until she got out of there, but barely any of the book was left. I do think it’s an interesting plot point to have her go there with the Fae King but the way it’s written is just frustrating. I thought Wendell would show up to save her when she was just standing outside the tree after she freed the king. Em is very smart but for her to choose to go to get the king out of the tree without like waking Wendell up first or something? I like the parts when Wendell and the village people save her and she gives Wendell a kiss but I don’t understand why after that her interactions with Wendell are so short and brief. Like that would be a perfect opportunity to have them be closer now but It’s disappointing the limited amount of interactions they have. I just feel like the ending is so emotional between everyone except for Wendell, he never says he’s glad Em is okay or like looks at her and runs to hold her or any kind of reaction at all, it’s just so disappointing. I wish the author had written a longer ending scene between them where he says he’s happy to have her at his side again and they have a nice romantic time. Like if he loves her why does he not even react when he brings her home the author just makes it all about the bickering and the details of leaving and arriving in London. And she likes him and keeps kissing him so I just wish they would just start dating, but I guess since this is set in 1909 the only thing they will talk about it marriage. I do want to read the next book, I hope we get to see Em and Wendell’s romance bloom.
Emily is a true introvert, I enjoyed reading the parts where she’s happy to be left out of a conversation so she can read. I relate to this aspect of her. I thought Wendell would be more likeable, but he’s always going back and forth from being caring to Emily and then not caring about anyone else. So it was just hard to consistently like him. I like the little brownie faerie that she later calls Poe, it’s nice that the faeries we get to see the most of are mostly nice like Poe. “I am an explorer…I wish to know the unknowable…To peel back the carpeting of the world and tumble into the stars." I really liked that quote from Emily. Wendell is so grumpy and unwilling to care for anyone besides Em. When she wants to help the village people he only helps because she wants him to. And this isn’t like any kind of slow burn I’ve ever read, halfway through the book they show no signs of developing feelings for each other. And with the way Wendell acts I didn’t see how she could fall for him. I was rooting for them earlier in the book but then not as much now that they are such opposites with caring and wanting to help people. I also thought it was amusing that Em is just like, I must mention I don’t think Wendell is human. I think him being a Fae explains his behavior of being uncaring towards humans and I like how Emily gets him to help them. When he finally used his magic to fix Poe’s tree I was like finally he used his magic! He never mentioned before that he has it. And then when he’s using it to make other trees bloom, that was nice. I love all the ways Em gets out of Fae situations with her cleverness. When Wendell writes an entry in her journal, it’s nice he also hints that he might like her, and then he lets her sleep on his shoulder so I think that confirms it. Then when someone says they think they’re together because the way he looks at her, and then she feels lightness at his return and grabs his hand, I do like the little sprinkling of the way this is done. It’s nice how much he loves the gifts that Em suggested. I think they would be cute together and am now rooting for them 💜 I’m glad there is a sequel where I can hopefully see more of their romance. I was liking most of the book aside from the violent parts but luckily those were brief, until what felt like the second 3rd act conflict happened. Like I feel like it could have wrapped up sooner without another conflict happening with the Fae king summoning Em. That part was so frustrating. But after that I think it ends nicely and I did have issues but I think it was a good book. I like how it executed exactly what it wanted to do, the plot and the characters are very well written. I just appreciate how this book is exactly what it says it is, I have read so many books recently where the content in the book doesn’t really match what the title or description of the book said it would be. End of the book/ Spoiler thoughts // It’s so frustrating when Em gets captured like she cut of her own finger to break the enchantment only to still go to the fae king and be enchanted again. She’s smart but that decision was so stupid and annoying, and Wendell finally comes to save her and she’s just mad at him? She should have thrown herself into his arms and thanked him. For most of the book I didn’t have any issues, which was nice and that is kind of rare actually for me to just have barley any issues. But nearing the end there are so many frustrating things. Like the way it’s written changes to become frustrating, Wendell not being there to save her, and when we finally see him she doesn’t even hug him or kiss him they’re just talking and arguing? It’s so anticlimactic and I just don’t enjoy all of the violence in the 3rd act conflicts. I never wanted to skim the book until this point I just wanted to skim until she got out of there, but barely any of the book was left. I do think it’s an interesting plot point to have her go there with the Fae King but the way it’s written is just frustrating. I thought Wendell would show up to save her when she was just standing outside the tree after she freed the king. Em is very smart but for her to choose to go to get the king out of the tree without like waking Wendell up first or something? I like the parts when Wendell and the village people save her and she gives Wendell a kiss but I don’t understand why after that her interactions with Wendell are so short and brief. Like that would be a perfect opportunity to have them be closer now but It’s disappointing the limited amount of interactions they have. I just feel like the ending is so emotional between everyone except for Wendell, he never says he’s glad Em is okay or like looks at her and runs to hold her or any kind of reaction at all, it’s just so disappointing. I wish the author had written a longer ending scene between them where he says he’s happy to have her at his side again and they have a nice romantic time. Like if he loves her why does he not even react when he brings her home the author just makes it all about the bickering and the details of leaving and arriving in London. And she likes him and keeps kissing him so I just wish they would just start dating, but I guess since this is set in 1909 the only thing they will talk about it marriage. I do want to read the next book, I hope we get to see Em and Wendell’s romance bloom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
brogancha's review against another edition
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
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Kidnapping
Minor: Violence, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
michmoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, and Kidnapping