Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands ARC Review

 Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands 

by Heather Fawcett

Release Date: January 16, 2024 

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Age Range: Adult

Series: Emily Wilde

Proceeded by: 

  

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia 

                of Faeries

Goodreads Avg. Rating: 4.51 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read this ARC. Really, I had not even read the first book before getting this. It was so hyped but now I had to prioritize it.

Now for the type of novel it is there is not a high level of world-building. However, as in the first book we are treated to several tidbits of reference text that help. As well as the stories of the fae help to bring the story together. This is another version of our world where the fae exist and are known to mortals. Not just known but actively researched. This is the greatest addition to the world building the lore of fairy as told by the dryadologists.

The magic of this world seems to be solely a fairy thing. There are several different types of fae, which is why there would need to be an encyclopedia. Based off the type of fairy determines how powerful they are. However, with age, I believe some of the lower fae would be more powerful than a very young high fae. Otherwise most magic seems to be an everyone can do it. Well, except possibly the seasonal variations of magic would work for the high fae of that court.

Dr. Emily Wilde is of course our main character again here. She is still not good with talking to people but makes an effort, sometimes. One noticeable difference is her trust in Bambleby, which makes sense. Still, you will find her heading straight for trouble as that is the most expedited way to get answers.

Our supporting cast is Wendell Bambelby, on this trip he is not quite in the carefree spirits he was. We will be treated to another chapter from his perspective near the end. Another central character would be Ariadne, Emily's niece who recently came to study at Cambridge. She is very smart and possesses people skills. Lastly, Dr. Farris Rose will play a good deal in the story. He is the department head of Dryadology at Cambridge.

Since the last book Dr. Wilde has been obsessed with finding Wendell's door. For them less than a year has passed. The research for the location of the door is also helping her compile her new project, a map of fairy. Just when she believes a breakthrough has been made disaster strikes. Now Emily and Wendell, along with their erstwhile traveling companions, must stay ahead of assassins while trying to carry out their investigation.

Maybe the romance of this series is why so many people call it cozy. It is a sweet and subdued romance. Emily still hasn't answered Wendell's marriage proposal. The rational part of her knows it would be crazy to consider it and that she needs to let him down. But what her journalling says between the story is how much she cares for him and couldn't stand that idea. It's adorable that Wendell calls her his dragon too.

Besides that there is no map by the end I think there was a good conclusion. It is definitely setting us up for the final book. I noticed something I believe happened in the first book as well. The last fifty pages set up a challenge only vaguely hinted at (this one at least there were hints) to be overcome and reach a happy end quite quickly.

This book seemed to go by faster than the first one. Maybe it was due to not needing as much time to understand the characters. I enjoyed this one a tad bit more than the first. I'm looking forward to the final book in the trilogy to see how Emily and Wendell's story will go.

You can find this book from the below retailers:

Amazon     Barnes & Noble