Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Book Description

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. 

But as Emily gets closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones—the most elusive of all faeries—she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery. To find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all—her own heart.

Review

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett offers an unusual fairy tale experience. Uniquely, Fawcett wrote her novel in diary format. Through Emily Wilde’s journal, we venture into a Scandinavian wilderness in search of hereto unknown faeries.

All Emily Wilde wants is to write the most comprehensive encyclopedia of fairies. She’s nearly there, and first-hand observations of the Hidden Ones would be the crowning feather in her academic cap.

I loved Emily’s observational style. Her academic training makes her good at noticing (and describing) the tiny details that enriched the story. The obsessive need to catalog and quantify her findings reminded me of the academic fervor of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.

Even better, Emily’s quest for knowledge allows us to encounter a host of fascinating faerie creatures. Each had its own quirks, danger, and mysteries.

Fire and Ice

One strength of this book is the chemistry between Emily and her sometimes-friend and academic rival, Wendell Bambleby. Emily’s no-nonsense approach to life makes her the perfect foil for Wendell. While the two of them couldn’t be any more different in values, personality, or work ethic, they share a goal for academic recognition. This shared goal is the perfect way to shove them together.

I loved the world-building in Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Though I’ve not visited Scandinavia as an adult, Fawcett’s descriptions brought the frozen region alive. Each diary entry unveiled new layers of the enchanting world, making it feel both fantastical and real. From the warmth of the village to the icy beauty of the fairy realm, I found the entire experience enchanting.

Many of the fairy tale snippets Emily shares throughout the novel were unfamiliar to me. I loved Fawcett’s inclusion of them and how they brought back the feeling of child-like wonder. The interplay of mythology and contemporary life was seamless, adding depth to the story.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is an utterly charming read. I admired the seamless blend of diary-style storytelling with the rich cast of humans and faeries. If the feckless and cruel nature of fairies has ever intrigued you, you’ll love this book.

Content Warning

Animal Death, Blood, Captivity, Gore, Injury, Kidnapping, Psychological Torture, Self-harm, Murder, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Annie Spratt on Unsplash