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meganpbell's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Let this entirely enchanting, slow burn, light academia fantasy whisk you away to an alt-Iceland full of warm-hearted villagers and cold-hearted Fae, changelings and buried kings—and one curmudgeonly professor conducting fieldwork on faerie lore and her charismatic dandy of an academic rival (who may or may not be a Fae in disguise and may or may not have feelings for her). Highly recommend this series-starter for fans of Naomi Novik & Katherine Arden!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A deliciously cosy and whimsical historical fantasy that delves into faerie folklore with an enthusiasm I could get behind. With faerie kings, anti social scholars and a sprinkling of humour this whimsy filled ‘Light’ Academia will almost certainly warm even the coldest, and most pessimistic of hearts and make all those dark, wintery evenings just a little brighter.
It follows Emily Wilde, a university academic and dryadologist as she travels to the Scandinavian country of Ljosland; to document three perviously unstudied but legendary faeries for her encyclopaedia—the first and most detailed guide of its kind on the World’s faeries and their individual customs which Emily has spent her entire career compiling.
But Emily receives a cold welcome in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik until her irritatingly handsome rival and fellow co-worker Wendell Bambleby, unexpectedly arrives to help her in her studies. And with no other choice, Emily reluctantly accepts.
But in trying to uncover the secrets of the “hidden ones” the most elusive of all the faeries, Emily inadvertently stumbles onto a another mystery, one surrounding her dashing colleague—leading her to ask: just who is Wendell Bambleby and what does he really want?
But if she wants to find the answers, first she must unlock the great mystery of all—her own heart.
This was such a delightfully charming and enjoyable read that I absolutely loved! It’s written in a journal format which definitely helps with the academic/ research style premise of the entire book but can be a little slow to start but It does pick up pace once Wendell makes his (rather dramatic) entrance and things only get better from there.
I was utterly charmed by the lyrical and beautifully detailed prose and found the world building (and all of Emily’s interactions with the fae) soo wonderfully immersive I never wanted to leave—especially all the strange, atmospheric and tense encounters that Emily has with the various creatures and magical beings that call Ljosland home. I was particularly fond of Poe, the first fae Emily encounters in Hrafnsvik (and ultimately strikes a few bargains with.)
I loved our protagonist Emily, who far prefers books and her research to actual people (which I know many of us book lovers can fully relate to) and I couldn’t help but find her socially awkward interactions and dry sense of humour rather endearing.
Wendell (her co-worker, rival and sometimes nemesis) was just as endearing, and his loud, eccentrically charismatic personality really pairs perfectly with Emily’s self effacing demeanour. The chemistry and blossoming relationship between Emily and Wendell was fairly slow-burn, but I loved how natural it felt and definitely enjoyed the almost endless back and forth’s they shared.
The people of Ljosland were also well written characters who I really liked (once they began warm up to Emily and show us more of their personalities, that is) and I really enjoyed getting to know them all (Lilja,Thora and Aud especially) and I hope we get to see more of them in the upcoming sequel.
Heather Fawcett also manages to interweave several interesting folktales into the plot (which I absolutely loved) it really added to the enchanting, fairytale vibes (as did some of the darker, more macabre scenes which had a distinct Grimm’s -esque tone.)
Overall, a richly imagined, cosy and beautifully immersive tale with a whimsical, wintery charm that fans of Naomi Novik, Margaret Rogerson or Holly Black are sure to enjoy and I personally can’t wait to see what Emily and Wendell get up to next!
Also, a huge thank you to Nazia and the folks over at Orbit UK for the absolutely stunning proof.
It follows Emily Wilde, a university academic and dryadologist as she travels to the Scandinavian country of Ljosland; to document three perviously unstudied but legendary faeries for her encyclopaedia—the first and most detailed guide of its kind on the World’s faeries and their individual customs which Emily has spent her entire career compiling.
But Emily receives a cold welcome in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik until her irritatingly handsome rival and fellow co-worker Wendell Bambleby, unexpectedly arrives to help her in her studies. And with no other choice, Emily reluctantly accepts.
But in trying to uncover the secrets of the “hidden ones” the most elusive of all the faeries, Emily inadvertently stumbles onto a another mystery, one surrounding her dashing colleague—leading her to ask: just who is Wendell Bambleby and what does he really want?
But if she wants to find the answers, first she must unlock the great mystery of all—her own heart.
This was such a delightfully charming and enjoyable read that I absolutely loved! It’s written in a journal format which definitely helps with the academic/ research style premise of the entire book but can be a little slow to start but It does pick up pace once Wendell makes his (rather dramatic) entrance and things only get better from there.
I was utterly charmed by the lyrical and beautifully detailed prose and found the world building (and all of Emily’s interactions with the fae) soo wonderfully immersive I never wanted to leave—especially all the strange, atmospheric and tense encounters that Emily has with the various creatures and magical beings that call Ljosland home. I was particularly fond of Poe, the first fae Emily encounters in Hrafnsvik (and ultimately strikes a few bargains with.)
I loved our protagonist Emily, who far prefers books and her research to actual people (which I know many of us book lovers can fully relate to) and I couldn’t help but find her socially awkward interactions and dry sense of humour rather endearing.
Wendell (her co-worker, rival and sometimes nemesis) was just as endearing, and his loud, eccentrically charismatic personality really pairs perfectly with Emily’s self effacing demeanour. The chemistry and blossoming relationship between Emily and Wendell was fairly slow-burn, but I loved how natural it felt and definitely enjoyed the almost endless back and forth’s they shared.
The people of Ljosland were also well written characters who I really liked (once they began warm up to Emily and show us more of their personalities, that is) and I really enjoyed getting to know them all (Lilja,Thora and Aud especially) and I hope we get to see more of them in the upcoming sequel.
Heather Fawcett also manages to interweave several interesting folktales into the plot (which I absolutely loved) it really added to the enchanting, fairytale vibes (as did some of the darker, more macabre scenes which had a distinct Grimm’s -esque tone.)
Overall, a richly imagined, cosy and beautifully immersive tale with a whimsical, wintery charm that fans of Naomi Novik, Margaret Rogerson or Holly Black are sure to enjoy and I personally can’t wait to see what Emily and Wendell get up to next!
Also, a huge thank you to Nazia and the folks over at Orbit UK for the absolutely stunning proof.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
Moderate: Violence and Confinement
sarahsbooklife's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Animal death, and Death
Minor: Alcohol and Violence
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