This was a satisfying follow-up to the first book, exploring more of the faerie realm and developing the relationship between Emily and Wendell. The tone was incredibly similar (in a good way!) and it felt like I had a warm, fantasy blanket wrapped around me as I read. The bits of darkness and violence only added to the depth of the story, instead of feeling forced or distracting. I look forward to reading more in this universe!

How did I love this more that book 1? I genuinely have no idea, but I really did. Fawcett brings us back to our flawed heroes navigating the comically and violently absurd worlds and antics of the folk, this time in (largely) Switzerland and she has only upped the ante. All the charm and comedy of book 1 is here, but the stakes are higher than ever as our favorite Fae king has been poisoned and Emily must search her encyclopedia of a brain to find the cure. Not to mention, she still hasn't answered poor Wendel's proposal! I cannot recommend this sequel enough - it's proof that book 2 of a trilogy has no reason to just be filler; it can be a story all it's own and carry it's own weight. As with book 1, I suspect this writing style could be difficult for some readers as it's somewhat textbook-like, so I highly recommend listening to the audio version. It's phenomenal!

**Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC**

This was such an amazing continuation of a fantastical story! From the beautiful cover to the gripping storyline, I absolutely love this series!

📚 2nd in the Series
📖 Cozy Fantasy
✨ Magic
💖 Romance
🔥 Slow Burn
🔍 Mystery
🗺️ Adventure

Thank you so much Del Rey for the gifted copy!

I love this series so much!! The world got bigger in the second book and it was really exciting to see other fae traditions represented. I spent so much time alternating between reading and googling. I didn’t think Emily’s niece added much, but Snowbell was so adorably feral!! It was also interesting to see them back in England and see some of the interdepartmental conflicts. I’m really excited to see where things go in the next installment.

Thank your NetGalley for the ARC!!

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands was a wonderful addition to the Emily Wilde series. Professor Wilde is a certified genius in her world and full of the kind of confidence that can only be achieved by getting through the types of shenanigans Emily seems to always find herself in. I love getting a peek into this world and will happily read any further entries.

Just like Emily's first adventure creating her encyclopedia, this book is full of cute banter between her and Wendell, beautiful descriptions of nature, and high stakes edge of your seat moments. I highly recommend continuing on with Emily's adventures.

I will always be in love with these characters. The story progressed wonderfully. Such a cozy adventure with the right amount of action. I will Emily did annoy me a bit more in this book than the last. She's starting to change but mentally she still gripes about it. Just let it happen woman! Wendell, there are not enough words to describe my love for him. I cannot wait to see what he does in book 3! I hope we see Ariadne as well. I love Snowbell! Such an adorably gruesome creature. Beautiful writing that just captures the reader.

I cant believe this is where I am. I loved book one so much But this one I just didn't. I think the way the first book was written. The journal entries were so fresh and new that I liked it. However I got tried during this book. I just didn't feel connected or invested. I was avoiding it, I didn't want to read it. So for me this was a DNF at 38%,

Heather Fawcett delivers yet again in a delightful, fun sequel. I loved seeing more sides of Emily in this book and her being in touch more with her emotions and a little more relaxed in this book. In this book, we encounter adventures relating more to Wendell's home, and the troubles he once escaped from finally catch up to him. I loved the sense of adevnture in this book more than the first, and I loved seeing Emily and Wendell's relationship slowly progress in this book. I can't wait for the next book and hope it comes out soon.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Spice: 1.5 chilis
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Very cute & cozy read!

I read the first awhile ago and so glad I was able to read the second! The characters are loveable and so is the banter (love me some good banter) between Emily and Wendell. And I feel like their character development is chefs kiss! Loved all the magical creatures and the fact that things get a little bit darker in this one. BIG FAN!

Honestly, this series is now one of my favorites.

Truly cannot wait to read book 3!!

A year after Heather Fawcett’s first Emily Wilde book was published, we’re treated with a sequel, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands.

Like its predecessor, Otherlands is an epistolary novel set in the early twentieth century where faeries are commonplace but far from fully understood. Dryadologist Emily Wilde’s vocation is to learn as much as she can about the mysterious Folk, and we catch up with her once again via her journal, of which we are surreptitious readers. Her research has moved on from the now-published Encyclopaedia of Fairies (which is also, of course, the name of the first book in Fawcett’s series) and she is now ostensibly working on a map of the different faerie realms, or Otherlands (which is, you likely noticed, the source for the title of the sequel).

As her entries reveal, however, she’s really more intent on helping her colleague Wendell—a banished Fae monarch who is fronting as a human professor in the dryadology department—discover a back door into his land in South Ireland. Perhaps she’s more focused on that effort because she’s now tenured. Or perhaps it’s because Wendell proposed and professed his love to her in the first book, and she’s harboring feelings for him as well, as much as she tries to dismiss them. [ more at link below]

Cute sequel! I love the cottagey core feels of this series and honestly it’s just so cozy and fun! I have already recommended it to many

Title: A Whimsical Journey into the Faery Realm

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherland is a delightful continuation of Heather Fawcett’s enchanting series. While it may not have captured my heart as fiercely as the first installment, it still weaves a magical tapestry that beckons readers into a world of wonder.

Character Development:
Emily and Wendell: Returning to these beloved characters feels like reuniting with old friends. Their growth and evolving relationship add depth to the story.
New Companions: The introduction of new companions injects fresh energy into the narrative. Each character brings their own quirks and secrets, enriching the faery realm.
Writing Style:
Fawcett’s prose remains as whimsical as ever. Her descriptions evoke the scent of wildflowers, the rustle of leaves, and the glimmer of hidden paths.
The pacing is well-balanced, allowing readers to savor both quiet moments and heart-pounding adventures.
Setting:
The faery realm comes alive through vivid imagery. From ancient forests to moonlit meadows, every location feels tangible.
The map itself becomes a character—a guide to uncharted territories and forgotten legends.
Themes:
Friendship: The bonds between Emily, Wendell, and their companions underscore the importance of loyalty and trust.
Discovery: The quest for hidden doors and lost knowledge mirrors our own yearning for understanding and connection.
Magical Elements:
Glimmering Spells: The magic in this book sparkles like dew on spiderwebs. It’s both mysterious and comforting.
Creatures: Faeries, sprites, and mythical beasts flit across the pages, leaving traces of wonder in their wake.
Minor Quibbles:
While the pacing is generally steady, there were moments when I longed for a quicker unraveling of certain mysteries.
Some plot threads felt slightly underexplored, leaving room for future installments.
In summary, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherland invites readers to step beyond the veil and explore a world where magic dances with reality. If you’re enchanted by folklore, curious about hidden realms, and ready to embark on an adventure, this book awaits you.

This is sort of another wtf moment for me. The first book was never approved for me, but for the sequel it was? Not sure why. I think I requested this hoping to start it and love it or at least like it more than the first book. I think I was too daunted by the way the first book had made me feel to actually pick it up and even start it.

This was such a perfect sequel to Encyclopedia of Faeries. The cozy fantasy vibes were so perfect Emily is such a relatable character even through a world I could never relate to and I am so obsessed with the banter between her and Wendell. I am so looking forward to where this series will continue to go!

4.5 stars

I am so in love with this series -- I can not wait for the next installment!

I was a little afraid that this would suffer from "Second Book Syndrome," but it was just as good (if not better) than the first. There were several mysteries to solve, but it never felt too convoluted or confusing. There were moments in the middle of the book that would have dragged in the hands of a less talented author, but just as the pace starts to slow, the story ratchets back up: old friends arrive, new fae make mischief, clues are revealed.

The dynamic between the main characters is so well done in this series. The romance is tender and real (and very slow burn) with very few instances of cheese and sticky sweetness, which I don't always love. Their banter is clever and hilarious

I loved how we got a deep dive into Faerie. I've been really curious about the other lands. To put it short: I want to stumble into a hidden doorway and explore it forever (without losing my mind, obvi). It's so easy to get lost in Heather's writing and really get immersed into the world Faerie. I won't give any spoilers, but I loved every minute of it.

The only thing missing was more interactions with the village and village life. That was one of my favorite parts of the first book, and I wish it was present here too.

I was glad to be back on this fantastical world. Emily and Wendell are as cute as ever. The story, however, was a bit of a slog and there were a lot of characters that really didn’t contribute anything useful to the book, but the setting was excellent. I would happily revisit this series with adjusted expectations. Epistolary novels are my jam.

I have struggled to write my review since finishing Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands, and I don't know exactly why. Now that time has passed, and despite enjoying the overall reading experience while in it, I find this largely forgettable.

Overall, Otherlands contains much of what I adored about the first book. Emily and Wendell remain the cutest of couples. Their banter is fantastic, making me smile constantly. I love that they grow so much as a couple in this installment while remaining true to themselves and learning to see things from each other's perspective. I adore Emily and her curmudgeonly nature. I loved learning so much more about Wendell's fae side.

Ariadne was a fantastic addition to the story. She might be my new favorite character.

The villagers were one of my favorite parts of the first book, and while I understand that we don't want a rinse, wash, and repeat of book one, there is almost no interaction with villagers here. The found family feel of the first book is non-existent, and found I missed this considerably.

I find that I barely remember what happened, and I don't recall actually enjoying the story much while reading it. My other issue was the pacing. This book, while not particularly long, seemed long. The middle part dragged so much.

If you loved the first installment, you will enjoy this a lot, but it might depend on what you loved about book one.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House.

I loved the first book and I love this one. From the cover to the end, this book had me enraptured in the journey of our main character. Written like a journal, Emily is on a quest to map the other worlds, running into obstacles along the way.

We are back in the world of Faerie! It is the following September, and Emily's encyclopedia of Faeries has been published. After working alongside Wendell going in and out of Faerie doors, she has started work on a map of the faerie worlds as well. However, things go bad when Wendall is poisoned at his birthday celebration by a guard for his step-mother, and he not only becomes ill, but becomes that target of many assassins' looking to fulfil the current queens quest to kill him. To spare the university further damage, Wendall, Emily, her niece Ariadne, and another professor from the university (Rose, specifically going to claim partial credit for Emily's work), set off to Austria in the search of Wendell's door. The best lead they have is the long since disappeared Danielle de Grey, who has been criticized for her research methods and findings. After being visited times over by another professor who was also stuck in faerie looking for de Grey himself, the quartet set out to rescue both from faerie. However, Wendell becomes increasingly sick as the time goes on, and Emily and Ariadne are left to go to faerie, in search of a cure for Wendell and to find de Grey, on their own.

This was a fantastical follow up to the first book, and perfectly continues the story. I have to admire Emily for sticking to her guns and continuing to turn down Wendell's proposal, it certainly makes for a cheeky anecdote to this beautiful story, and also serves as a largely driving force to why these things keep happening to them on their adventures. I love too that Poe came back for this story, I was going to be so sad if he didn't make another appearance. And the cat! Gosh I am so glad there is a cat! Really there are not enough good things that I can say about this book! It's just fun and so cozy and mystical. I can't wait to see where their adventure takes them next (hopefully down the aisle!)