In 1909, Cambridge professor Emily Wilde travels to the snowy village of Hrafnsvik to complete the first comprehensive taxonomy of Faerie folklore. While Emily prefers her dry research and the company of her dog, Shadow, her field study is interrupted by the arrival of her academic rival, the charismatic Wendell Bambleby. Their work involves negotiating with the Hidden Ones, including the dangerous Folk of the Air. Emily must navigate local superstitions and mechanical traps as she documents various species of Fae, eventually uncovering a mystery regarding Bambleby’s true origins.
Fantasy readers who enjoy dry wit and the "dark academia" aesthetic will find a meticulous approach to world-building here. The book appeals to those interested in the logistical challenges of a scholar working in a landscape where magic is a volatile, environmental hazard rather than a tool for the hero. Readers walk away with a detailed understanding of a fictional ecosystem where faeries are portrayed as capricious, non-human entities governed by ancient debts and strict social contracts rather than modern whimsy.
Insights from Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde, #1)
A tiny cottage in the snow can feel like a fortress. Sometimes the most important work happens while you are just trying to stay warm.
“I am a scholar, first and foremost.”
True friendship means walking into a nightmare to pull someone back. Emily did it for the villagers even when she didn't like them.
“I am not always comfortable with people. I am comfortable with books.”
Emily gets so lost in her maps and notes. She forgets that some things can only be learned by actually talking to people.
“He is a golden, useless creature.”
Wendell is honestly such a mess. He shows up with his fancy tea and silk robes just to make sure Emily doesn't freeze to death.
- Published
- 2023
- Publisher
- Del Rey
- ISBN
- 9780593500132
