This is kinda of funny because it's so well made people have trouble understanding if it's a non-fiction book for real or not. It's a field guide instruction on the fae, the type of book you'd buy in another world if you were the main character in a story. It's not only a unique read by theme alone, but the environmentalist approach is amazing and the writing is clever and delightful. Absolutely stunning, from the cover and the page design to the illustrations.

Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment by Alexandra Rowland
Publisher: Tiller Press
Genre: Religion & Spirituality
Release Date: October 20, 2020

Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment by Alexandra Rowland is book about faeries.

I thought this was an interesting collection of information, but it didn't really work for me. I expected it to be more of an encyclopedia or reference book, but the tone just felt off.

I'm so grateful to Alexandra Rowland, Tiller Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

As someone who’s been interested in the fae all her life this one fell a little flat for me. I have no doubt that others will find this book informative.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a book I was super looking forward to reading, and it didn't disappoint! A lot of times, we read books about mythical creatures and the Fae and they're all set in far off places, no where near where we're actually reading about them. Well, this book completely changed that and not only are the illustrations stunning, the premise of being able to find these magical creatures, having adapted to fit our lives, is fantastic!

Finding Faeries was well written, and full of a variety of Fae from different cultures that aren't often associated with the Fae themselves, and it was refreshing to learn of a few more, and see a few favorites as well!

I love all the information about faeries in this book and I can't wait to read more from Alexandra Rowland. I will be telling all my friends to pick up this book.

Since things have died down a bit in my personal life, I have been able to spend more time reading in my spare time. I am always thankful when I can sit down and read a book or two, especially when that book is about witchcraft! On Monday I finished reading Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment by Alexandra Rowland. While there were several elements I really enjoyed about the book, overall I wasn't super impressed.

First and foremost, Rowland treats the subject of faeries as a science and their book has an academic undertone to it similar to that of an encyclopedia. It's not that I mind this, but there was a complete lack of references and bibliography which doesn't support the tone of the book. If you are going to approach the Otherworld from a scientific point of view, you need to back up your claims with primary sources. Furthermore, I had a hard time taking several of the sections seriously. There were times the book felt like a sarcastic commentary on the liminal world and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to laugh or take notes. This was a turn off for me, which is a shame considering the beginning of the book was so phenomenal! Finally, the book was rather short and the information lacking as a result. I would have liked to have seen a more in-depth approach to the different fae creatures, especially considering its encyclopedia feel.

Despite the flaws, there were some great aspects to the book. In the introduction, Rowland covers how colonialism has changed the range of many liminal beings; how, like cats and dogs, they traveled with colonists to the New World and beyond. I loved their commentary on how violence, slavery, and climate change has shaped the liminal fauna, especially in regards to the encroachment of the urban sprawl. While some species have thrived in an urban environment, many others have perished. It was a wonderful reminder that we not only affect the creatures within our realm but the Otherworld as well. Furthermore, it was refreshing to read a book about the fae that didn't treat them as either all good or all bad, that instead most liminal beings fall somewhere in between. For the most part, the fae do not care much about us and prefer to ignore us and for us to ignore them. Of course, this doesn't mean there aren't helpful and harmful creatures lurking in the shadows, but overall most liminal beings could care less. Finally, I really enjoyed that at the end of the book Rowland offers suggestions on which fae beginners can relatively safely pursue. Too many books suggest that upon reading them that now you are an expert and can safely faerie hunt. Yeah, no. Rowland offers practical advice for the novice witch that shouldn't be ignored and even offers modern protection methods against the fae while using technology.

Overall, the book was decent. It's not one I would purchase to keep on my shelf, but it would make a cute gift for a young witch, especially a preteen. Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment by Alexandra Rowland is available now for purchase (it was actually published on my birthday!).

Happy reading!

This book makes the assumption that the reader believes in fairies. From that point, it gives a brief history of them, where they can be found, and what their purpose is. It branches off into other creatures. giving brief explanations of them. Given the subject matter, it is not an in depth book, but is easy to read, and presented in an attractive way. I was given a copy by NetGallery to read and review, and this is my honest opinion. 5 stars for presentation.

I learned so much about tons of different types of faeries that I had never heard of before. I loved the illustrations and wish there had been more of them, especially for the less-common faeries ta readers wouldn't already have a mental image for.

Finding Faeries is a cute illustrative book that describes a plethora of different species of Fae. However, as sweet and fun as I found this book, I was also sorely disappointed by how fantastical everything seemed. I felt like I was reading a children's book or a sarcastic commentary on the Fae rather than a non-fiction encyclopedia of the Fae. I appreciated the illustrations and the references to actual research, but I would have liked to see a legitimate bibliography rather than mentioning sources in passing. Finding Faeries was definitely entertaining, but I didn't really gain anything by reading it.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my review.

5/5

I have a very strong aversion to Fae that I am trying to reconcile as I get more into my Celtic roots. I loved Finding Faries, by Alexandra Rowland, it was cute and easy to read. It gives descriptions of all kinds of Faries and not just the traditional Faries that we have all heard about. I was very interested in the Native American "Faries," since I knew next to nothing about them. This is a very well put together encyclopedia (I'm calling it) with a variety of Faries. I loved this book and will definitely be acquiring a physical copy.

This was a cute little book with tons of Fat facts and details that I read in a single sitting. I will be recommending this book to friends and perhaps purchasing it for a gift for my magical friends! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has a particular interest for folklore and mythology, this sounded so interesting to me. The author has written a gorgeously illustrated mini encyclopedia of facts on the fae, theorizing the ways in which the fae have adapted to modern day, especially in the face of climate change and colonization.

The first thing I have to say is that I found the author's tone confusing - it left me wondering if I was meant to take the material seriously or not. It made the reading experience somewhat jarring. Despite this, whether these beings are something you believe in or not, I found that it opened my mind to the possibilities of things I cannot see. Or at least, it made me feel more interested in what others believe to exist, and perhaps it could do the same for you! When perceiving the material in this way, I found it quite fun and light-hearted, as though I were reading a textbook for a class at a magical school. Overall, this was an enjoyable experience!

The illustrations were beautiful, and I cannot wait to see them in the published copy! I really enjoyed the way, Alexandra Rowland made an interesting topic (for me) even more fascinating, and creative. The writing was clever, and I was completely immersed in it. This book was a quick read, and super enjoyable!

A modern approach to faerie folklore. A fun mini encyclopedia on faerie facts! Cute and playful illustrations throughout. I loved hearing how to species faces And reacts modern experiences!

First, thanks Netgalley, Alexandra Rowland and Tiller Press for this ARC.

This book about faeries is unique in two ways - it deals mainly with faeries (and some creatures that many would identify as demons) in the Americas rather than in Europe and faeries in urban rather than rural areas. So for those reasons, it was interesting.

A brief overview of a lot of folkloric beings from around the world. I appreciate that the author added some from cultures outside of the western world. There were a number I had never heard of before. I also liked the tie in to climate change. The only thing I wish, in my drive to know, is that there was even more information about each of the fae included and others. That's probably the subject of a more thorough review then they wish to discuss in this book though.

Thank you to bet gallery for this ARC in return for my review.

Some images to show what they would like, where they would be found, and information. Some first-hand experience of seeing them. Different types of faeries. No resources in the copy - so where did the author get the information? But it could just be from university of needing to have resources. Overall a good book.

Fascinating view of the liminal world. Whether you believe or not it opens your mind to new possibilities of the world we cannot see.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Alexandra Rowland's newest publication, Finding Faeries, is a pseudo-encyclopedia of fae and how modernity has affected the various species.

Having an ARC, I'm not sure that I was able to see all the illustrations that will be included in the final edition, but I will say the illustrations I did see were amazing (well done to Miles Aijala!). Also, some encyclopedia entries did appear to be in a somewhat illogical order, but I assume final ordering of them is something that will be corrected later on.

I found this book to be so much fun, and very cleverly written. I loved seeing how Rowland explained the modifications to fae behaviors to coincide with the additional challenges the species might experience in the modern age.

Overall, just a pleasant, easy, smile-inducing read. I look forward to being able to flip through a physical copy.

Alexandra Rowland does a wonderful job at giving a new modern view of Fae while including the deep history behind them. I really enjoyed how she brought up how liminal beings are viewed all around world. The different names they are called and the different areas they attract to.
Overall it was very well written, magical and informative.