Book Review: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Some books feel like a warm blanket on a cold day. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is one of those reads. It is a cozy fantasy filled with snow-covered villages, magical creatures, and a main character who would rather study books than talk to people. Written in the form of journal entries, the story pulls you into Emily’s world slowly, but once it does, it becomes something truly special. If you enjoy quiet, character-driven stories with a magical twist, this one is worth the time.

The magic here is gentle, the romance is slow, and the charm sneaks up on you. Wendell, Emily’s rival from the university, adds humor and warmth, and their love-hate friendship gives the story a fun spark. It took me a few chapters to really get into the flow, but once I did, I did not want to put it down. If you are looking for a thoughtful, cozy fantasy that feels like a soft escape from the real world, this one is a great choice.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries Synopsis

Emily Wilde is brilliant, meticulous, and completely uninterested in the art of small talk. As Cambridge’s foremost expert on faerie lore, she arrives in the remote village of Hrafnsvik to finish her life’s work: the world’s first encyclopaedia of faeries. She has no intention of making friends. She is here to observe, document, and stay out of everyone’s way.

Then Wendell Bambleby shows up, all charm and mystery, disrupting her solitude and dazzling the townsfolk. As Emily digs deeper into the forest’s hidden magic and the secrets of the fae, she begins to suspect Wendell is hiding a few secrets of his own.

My Review

This book feels like sitting by the fire with a cup of tea while snow falls outside. Cozy, clever, and full of unexpected charm.

Emily Wilde is not your typical fantasy heroine. She is book-smart, a bit socially awkward, and honestly I related hard to how she would rather hang with her dog and write detailed field notes than deal with small talk. Her mission? To finish writing the world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. What she did not plan for was a charming academic rival crashing her research trip or the fae mischief that would turn her study into something much more personal.

Told through her journal entries, the story feels like flipping through the pages of a very smart, slightly sarcastic friend’s diary. You get to watch Emily solve magical puzzles, fend off the occasional faerie curse, and slowly learn how to let people in. The lore is fascinating, the setting is pure wintercore, and the vibes are immaculate.

And then there is Wendell Bambleby. Effortlessly stylish, annoyingly charming, and possibly not who he says he is. His banter with Emily had me smiling through every chapter. The love-hate energy is strong, but what makes it work is how much mutual respect lies underneath all the teasing. 

Also, can we talk about Poe? Cutest little fae creature ever. Total scene-stealer.

This is not a high-drama fantasy. It is low-stakes, high-heart, and full of magical weirdness. The romance is slow and sweet, the folklore is beautifully layered, and the journal format makes it feel like you’re right there beside Emily through it all. If you’re into cozy fantasy, slow burn rivals-to-lovers, or stories where the magic is just as much emotional as it is mythical, I cannot recommend this one enough.