Similar in style to the first two books, this is written as a journal entries from Emily as she and Wendell return to his realm to rule together. I love that even though this is the third book we are still shown new types of faeries and new lore within this world. This is still lighter on the romance that I would have liked, but this is a great cozy, low stakes read for anyone looking for those vibes. Wish, as in the last two, that the pacing was a bit faster only because reading journal entries from an academic is already hard enough.

4.5 stars

“A world that I wanted, even after all I had seen, and amidst such a thicket of danger. I wanted it very much. And I especially wanted to share it with Wendell.“

The perfect ending to a great series. I have a soft spot for Emily, Wendell, and Shadow, therefore I enjoyed being back in this world.
This one takes us to the Fae world, where the stakes are higher, and we can see its politics and meet different types of Fae. Emily is again deep-diving into her research, taking us on new adventures, and bringing us new Fae lore/stories.
I’ve always loved Emily from the start and enjoyed her continued character growth in this book.

“I was thinking of you, Em. You were my first thought, as well as my last."

Wendell is still Wendell, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. He also had amazing character growth, but at the core, he was still himself. His love for his kingdom is completely evident in the story, and his love for Emily is front and center. I loved how loyal and committed they were and all the big and small things they did for each other. The letters were a nice, special touch.

This series is now a cozy read for me and one that I plan to reread while I’m sitting on the couch, with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.

** I wouldn’t mind an illustrated Holiday Novella.

"I have learned there is one thing a person never tires of, no matter how long they live. And that is being in love. All else is ash and ember."

This is the third book in a series and cannot be read as a standalone.
Thank you to Netgalley and Delreybooks for an E-ARC

4.5 - A solid end to the trilogy!

I was pleasantly surprised that the plot didn’t follow the vague outline I’d assumed it would.

I just love Emily and Wendell and Shadow and everyone so much!

Thanks to Del Rey for providing an advanced digital copy through NetGalley for me to review.

Oh how I have loved this series. It is bittersweet to write this review as I think this might have been the final book in the series (though it was left open enough that I could be wrong!). This latest installment in Emily and Wendell's adventures had a bit of a slow start, but once it found its feet was just as ridiculously charming as the previous two adventures. This tale finds us finally in Wendell's kingdom with Wendell and Emily running the show... mostly. Some old friends make appearances throughout the book and we are introduced to some wonderful new editions. Several moments made me gasp and even brought me close to tears (Shadow is simply the goodest boy). Wendell and Emily continue to be the perfect inversion of the grumpy x sunshine trope! In the past I would have said with confidence that Wendell loves Emily more than Emily loves Wendell, but I think we see just how much Emily loves her Wendell in this book too. There was plenty of danger and stakes, but at the same time I felt so cozy reading. I just want to sit in Emily's office with her, sipping a cup of tea surrounded by her books while she scribbles away in her journal and Wendell mends or tidies. I will miss these characters and this world, but the good news is I can always return with a reread!

**Thank you to Ballantine / Del Rey for the eARC of this title!**

I ended up listening to this one on audio thanks to PRH audio, and loved it just as much as the first two books.

Fawcett has a way of world-building that I absolutely adore and cannot get enough of. Book 3 in the series was dark and twisty in places but still held all the fantasy wonder that I have come to expect from these titles!

I highly recommend this book for fans of fantasy and mythical creatures (but definitely check out books 1 & 2 first!)

The Emily Wilde books feel like being wrapped in a cozy blanket in front of the fire. They are so soothing. I really loved this one.

I have loved reading this series, and the final book does not disappoint. I am such a fan of this world, these characters, and the plot, I'm sad to see it come to an end. Give me several more, please.

I absolutely loved the two previous books so I was very excited and it didn't disappoint! I find it such a charming and immersive experience, one of my favourite series.

Thank you so much to Del Rey for the opportunity to read the final installment of the Emily Wilde trilogy as an ARC! Heather Fawcett has an incredible talent for building worlds you never want to leave, and Compendium of Lost Tales was, unsurprisingly, another perfect example of this. I could read 5 more books set in this world, and still it wouldn't be enough. (*cough cough* Heather Fawcett please I beg you write 5 more books set in this world PLEASE-)

Although I'm disappointed that this series is over, this book was everything I could have hoped for and more. The entire Emily Wilde trilogy has warmed my heart over and over again; Fawcett's ability to light up the most whimsical, fantastical, and magical sides of my brain never fails. There are no words to describe how much I adore Emily and Wendell, but know that the combination of humor, academia, passion, and fondness the two of them share is unlike anything else I've had the pleasure of reading.

If you enjoyed the last two books in this series, prepare for this one to rip your heart to pieces and put them right back together again (seriously- this one made me cry. I did *not* expect to cry). If you haven't yet started this trilogy, take this as your sign to do so- you won't regret bringing Heather Fawcett into your life. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales will be released on February 11th; I can't wait to add a copy of this stunning book to my shelves.

I’ve been thoroughly enchanted by the Emily Wilde series since book one, and was excited to dive into Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales.
For the first two installments, I enjoyed the series via audiobook narrated by Ell Potter and Michael Dodds. I completed both during road trips to my hometown—Emily and Wendell’s adventures kept me occupied as I navigated the busy interstate. This time around, I had the pleasure of reading an eARC, but I definitely missed the narrators guiding me through the adventure. Their voices add an extra layer of charm, and I found myself longing for that familiar storytelling magic to help ease me into this final(?) journey.

As a whole, this series is a cozy faerie tale dream, brimming with whimsy, academic chaos, and, of course, Wendell’s delightful antics. However, the pacing of this installment wasn’t my favorite. I was so ready to immerse myself in Wendell’s world—bring on the court politics, the faerie intrigue, the beautiful-yet-terrifying magical landscape! But it took me longer than expected to fully settle into the story. Maybe it was the absence of the charming narration, or maybe I just wanted more Wendell-Emily banter from the start.

Highlights:
+Wendell’s letters to Emily—each one was a gift, truly.
+The return of beloved characters (hello, Poe).
+Shadow—because a loyal, lovable fae dog is always a win. (My own aging pup is getting a very big hug after this.)
+Disability representation with Niamh’s character—yes, more of this in fantasy, please and thank you!

Mixed Feelings:
The limited partnership between Emily and Wendell. Emily spends a lot of this book on her own, which I understand for her character’s journey, but I really missed their dynamic. Their banter and teamwork are some of my favorite parts of the series, and I wanted more of it!
Despite my minor quibbles, I loved this trilogy and will be singing its praises to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy. That being said… if Heather Fawcett ever decides to return to Emily and Wendell’s world, I definitely wouldn’t say no.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Del Rey) for this eARC. Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales publishes on February 11, 2025.

A good conclusion to a very strong trilogy.
This one felt slightly different to the previous in the trilogy that it was less the relations between fairie and human and more human. For that reason, I feel i enjoyed it slightly less, only because it was missing that cosy, light academia scholarly pursuit. However, it still had the full host of lovable characters we've grown to enjoy, and several new additions. I enjoyed getting to meet more 'small folk' and seeing how Em continues to grow and face new challenges. I also liked we still kept the links to fairytales while exploring new avenues of magic.

Overall, a really good end to the story, but in a way that other characters could still continuehaving adventures and returning to the world if they wanted. And despite the new challenges and perils there was still an undercurrent of cozy, just less prominent in this one.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this one! I am not the best at writing reviews sometimes, but sometimes books take you by surprise and this one did just that. I got invested a few chapters in and couldn't put it done. It was so good! I highly recommend this one. This series hold such a special place in my heart and every time I need a hug in a book, I turn to Emily Wilde. I wish this was never ending, honestly. It's just perfect. I love it so much. If you truly want to get lost, read this. You won't regret it.

Rounding up just because I adore these books so much!! I would read about Emily and Wendell forever. Sad for the trilogy to end but I have loved my time with them. I loved seeing all the old friends. I don't have an eloquent review for this other than that I enjoyed it and it was a lovely ending. What a delight! Well plotted and written and so engaging. I teared up at the end, too!

Whimsical and comforting, this book ends the main arc of the Emily Wilde series, but leaves enough of an open ending that we might revisit this world again.

Emily is her usual scholarly-minded self, but now she and Wendell are in love and together they must face her biggest adventure yet - to be the King and Queen of Faerie. This does not come easy to our Emily, who is much more comfortable noting down details in her journal and investigating new species, but she is determined to do her best even with all her self doubt, for how can someone who didn't quite fit in with everyone else in the mortal world be the queen of an entirely different realm?

Wendell is so delightful and protective of Emily, and I wish we had heard more from him, as I think it would have added a spark to the narrative. Shadow remains my favorite and I was very glad for the ending.

I cannot describe the emotions I have at finishing this series. One of my favorites of all time, forever. This series means everything to me. From Encyclopedia, when all we knew was our awkward, yet lovable professor Wilde and her suspicious, yet charming colleague, to now—with two very in love Faerie monarchs. The series has expanded, but in a way that still holds true to its core.

With Emily and Wendell returned to Faerie, we finally get to see the world, not through misty enchantment, but through Emily’s full scholarly eye. Heather Fawcett has crafted a world of fantastical whimsy and charm, but one bookended with very real human emotion. This makes the Emily Wilde series one that is so unique—a cozy faerie story, with excitement, drama, and just a bit of realistic exasperation. There were some heartwarming appearances and some surprising (very, very surprising) appearances, and they all came together to make such a satisfying conclusion to such a beautiful story.

Without diving into spoiler territory (only three months to publication!!!) I’ll give a few very vague thoughts:
Wendell, my LOVE. You are everything to me and more. Keep writing letters and ordering books, lover boy.
Emily. You are everything inside of me and everything I hope to be. She becomes even braver and stronger in this book. And, of course, is still always right about everything and has never done anything wrong ever.
Shadow. Shadow!! You made me cry so much my sweet little boy I love you so much (Why? I guess you’ll have to read to find out!).

I don’t want to say goodbye to this world and, really, I’m not. I’ll be back, guaranteed.

Five stars

Heather Fawcett does it again—another 5/5 stars, officially making this one of my favorite series of all time! This final installment picks up right where Book 2 left off, seamlessly continuing the adventure with a plot and structure that feel as strong and captivating as ever.

One thing I absolutely loved about the first two books was the playful banter between Emily and Wendell, and while it was less present in this one (for understandable reasons—no spoilers!), I did miss it a little. That being said, their relationship remains as heartwarming as ever, and keeps me invested in their story.

The beloved animal companions make a return, and while their presence felt a little different this time around, it wasn’t in a bad way—just another small shift that adds to the evolution of the story.

Overall, this book is a super strong and satisfying conclusion to the series. I already can’t wait to hold the physical copy in my hands when it releases and do a full reread of this magical, cozy, and utterly enchanting trilogy!

It's hard to review a final book in a series without giving anything away, but this is exactly what I think people wanted from the end of this series. Emily and Wendell head to Faerie and it was such a delight to follow them on this adventure.

A great end to a fantastic trilogy! I truly fell in love with the world throughout this entire series, but this one especially so. I hope we can see more of this world in the future.

Fawcett saves the best for last with this thrilling conclusion to her Emily Wilde series!

Picking up where book two left off, “Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales” follows Emily Wilde and Wendell Bambleby as they seize the throne to Wendell’s long-lost kingdom and free it from its curse.

I absolutely adored watching Emily flourish in this final installment! With pressure mounting at the thought of becoming Faerie’s first mortal queen in centuries and a deadly curse threatening the realm, Emily, being the brilliant scholar she is, rises to the challenge and uses her skill-set to her advantage. I loved further immersing myself in Faerie and its lore through the tales Emily includes in her journal alongside her musings and research. As she draws upon faerie storybooks to find a solution (this time with the help of new friends and old), Emily makes one of her greatest discoveries yet—there is power in embracing yourself fully.

I was captivated by the story and the way it calls back to previous books in the series. Fawcett masterfully raises the stakes, thereby quickening the pace, all while maintaining the cozy atmosphere readers know and love. To my delight, she also ups the romance in this one! I cannot get over how perfect Emily and Wendell are as a couple! I seriously am head over heels for them. Even when the two were separated, they still managed to fuss over each other, Wendell doing so via letter correspondence. I adored reading his messages, as they are filled with heartfelt yearning. Their good-natured banter, black cat / golden retriever dynamic, and their deep understanding of one another remain a highlight for me.

I am thoroughly satisfied with how this series wraps up, but also leaves the door open for more adventures! I sincerely hope more books set in Faerie are on the horizon, because I don’t want to say goodbye just yet!

Heat Factor: Emily would never write about her sexual exploits in her *journal*
Character Chemistry: They continue to be so exactly themselves and balance each other
Plot: Emily and Wendell retake Wendell’s throne without too much trouble…and then face some complications, because nothing in fairy is simple
Overall: I thought it was the weakest of the trilogy, but if you’re already invested, you should definitely still read it. (If you haven’t read the first two Emily Wilde books, you should start there. I do not recommend chaos reading this particular series.)

First thing’s first. Ingrid and I had a detailed discussion about the whole Emily Wilde trilogy back in November, so head on over there if you want our thoughts on such burning questions as: How does the journal structure impact the narrative? Are these books satisfying romances? Is Wendell a himbo?

Ok, so we open with Emily and Wendell at the doorway that Emily discovered in Greece, about to head off to Wendell’s kingdom and retake the throne. Shouldn’t be too hard, right? After all, Emily poisoned Wendell’s wicked stepmother back in Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands. Plus, this is such a great opportunity for Emily to advance her scholarship! A win–win if there ever was one. And honestly, getting on to the throne isn’t that hard, but that doesn’t mean that Wendell’s position is secure. His wicked stepmother is not *quite* dead, and she’s doing something to poison the kingdom.

To me, the plot in this particular story felt very “one damn thing after the next.” In Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies, the story arc was clearly building to what happened, and I didn’t get that sense here. However, one could argue that most fairy stories are also one damn thing after the next, and sometimes they build and sometimes they just don’t.

I still found the voice delightful. I found Wendell delightful (and terrifying). I found the other fairy characters delightful (and unsettling). I appreciated Emily showing that she’s learned and grown over the course of the trilogy—at least now she has friends and knows to ask for help when she needs it, unlike when we started off.

And in the end, Wendell and Emily get the ending that works for them. It might not be a traditional HEA, but they’re happy right now, and they’ve got plans for next week, and that’s enough for them.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.