Scan barcode
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Vomit, Child death, Death, and Child abuse
kwthor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Minor: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
indigo_fox's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
I could not put this book down! It was everything I wanted and more! The first couple chapters were kind of boring, I didn't think I would end up liking the book. But once it got past the set up things really took off.
The characters are absolutely lovable. I'm a huge fan of Wendell, seriously I'd do anything for him. His boisterous personality is just so fun and engaging, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page whenever he was in the scene. Wendell and Emily have excellent chemistry, their bantering is so much fun to read. The dialog between them is great, I have a whole bunch of favorite parts marked.
There were times when Emily made me mad. Some of her decisions were a bit sketchy. But I still liked her as a character. She's mousey and intelligent, and I love how awkward she is in social situations.
The story itself was fun. I love all things fey so getting to read a story about someone studying the folk was the best thing ever. It was fun following Emily as she unraveled the mysterious surrounding the folk of Ljosland. I found the side characters to be enjoyable too. Ari, Poe, Aud and Thora were some of my faves.The changeling Ari will always have a special place in my heart (I play a changeling in d&d). I wish I could remember his true name but I didn't write it down before returning my library copy!
The world building is great. Fawcett did a great job of twisting lore into her story. I loved all the little stories that were sprinkled throughout the text, and the little at the end of each chapter. I feel like these two things helped to flesh out the world.
The folk in the book were great too. We got to see various sides from whimsical and fun to dark and dangerous.
The characters are absolutely lovable. I'm a huge fan of Wendell, seriously I'd do anything for him. His boisterous personality is just so fun and engaging, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page whenever he was in the scene. Wendell and Emily have excellent chemistry, their bantering is so much fun to read. The dialog between them is great, I have a whole bunch of favorite parts marked.
There were times when Emily made me mad. Some of her decisions were a bit sketchy. But I still liked her as a character. She's mousey and intelligent, and I love how awkward she is in social situations.
The story itself was fun. I love all things fey so getting to read a story about someone studying the folk was the best thing ever. It was fun following Emily as she unraveled the mysterious surrounding the folk of Ljosland. I found the side characters to be enjoyable too. Ari, Poe, Aud and Thora were some of my faves.
The world building is great. Fawcett did a great job of twisting lore into her story. I loved all the little stories that were sprinkled throughout the text, and the little at the end of each chapter. I feel like these two things helped to flesh out the world.
The folk in the book were great too. We got to see various sides from whimsical and fun to dark and dangerous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Child abuse
ghostingarden's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.5
yes, this book is definitely a bit slow in some places, but I was genuinely so invested and charmed by the characters and Fawcett's writing that I didn't mind at all!
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
chelbelle122's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The writing is as flowery as the cover but still enjoyable
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Death, and Kidnapping
gillian_aftanas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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: Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Animal death
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Torture, Vomit, and Cursing
grace_b_3's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you are a fan of A Natural History of Dragons, you'll probably enjoy this book. They're both about naturalists and their adventures as they make important discoveries in the field.
Emily's voice comes through quite strongly, to the strength of the novel. She's a well-drawn protagonist and the side characters are charming as well.
The writing style was a little florid for my taste, but I did get used to it.
Emily's voice comes through quite strongly, to the strength of the novel. She's a well-drawn protagonist and the side characters are charming as well.
The writing style was a little florid for my taste, but I did get used to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
bxnny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Animal cruelty, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gore, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Violence
justinareads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Blood, and Kidnapping
bloomingrose92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of the books I give 5 stars and a sparkle for being one of the books that will stick with me forever. I absolutely adore Emily. While she is not canonized as having autism in the book, due to her difficulty expressing her emotions and communicating with others, I often refer to her as "Our Autistic Queen". I loved how closely the village becomes with her by the end, and how even when thinking of how they have become her family, she is still lost on what degree of physical affection she should give them when bidding farewell. And after she chops of her finger to avoid the enchantment of the winter fairy king, and then goes to him anyway because she just "has to know how the story ends", I found myself screaming "Emily!" at midnight alone in my house. (Talking to yourself at midnight at book is a sign of a very good book.) I also loved the development of Wendall throughout the book. When he was first introduced, I thought he was going to be a dry, doting scholar. But with the name-dropping of him being fae at the beginning of the book, to the characterization of his combination laziness and obsessive-compulsive cleaning and sewing disorder, I fell in love. His charm and Emily's wit make such a beautiful combination, and his proposal was the chef's kiss. I love how well they balance each other out, especially seen in the scenes when he helps her integrate with the village and when she forces him to do proper fieldwork. And while the footnotes were annoying to being with, I liked how they not only added to the validity of Emily's character, but also set up the second book. All in all, one of the best books I've ever read. I will mourn this series when it is finished, but love it all the while as I wait for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping