And while this is certainly an approach one might take, it's not one that sits entirely well with me, not only here, but in many other historical works, as well as steampunk and adjacent genres. He is also not the kind of person who would break a sweat for anyone, even if they are in danger unless, of course, that person is Emily. Following an dauntless scholar who sets off on an adventure to uncover and chronicle the secrets of elusive faeries, this is a story that wins readers over with its heart-warmingly awkward protagonist and enchanting wintry world.

The greatest example of this is in her love/hate relationship with fellow scholar Wendell Bambleby, who so happens to be a member of the faeries himself. There are only a few Great Reads that enter a fantasy-fiction lover's life, and this, my friends, is one of them - easily in my top 5 reads of all time.Brash, open and ever the people person, he was someone who could enter a room and within minutes have people begging for his attention, something that irks Emily to no end. But for all her academic achievements, Emily has never been good at people, preferring the company of her dog, Shadow, and the strange Fair Folk to other humans. I don't think it's lighthearted or cozy like Howl's Moving Castle, even if some aspects gave me those vibes (Wendell, in particular, has Intense Howl Energy). The ending feels like a plausible HFN (can't really go into detail without spoilers but you won't be unhappy).

Although the writing style succeeds in bringing out the characters of Emily and Bambleby, it sadly has a negative effect on the plot.

I was really excited about this book and started the eARC from NetGalley but slowly put it to the side. Not sure there’s a more perfect book for the winter hitting shelves this month, and certainly a great example of why we need more ‘light academia’ stories out there. Unfailingly whimsical and with a kind of sardonic playfulness at every turn that brings many a smile to your face, it also gets a bit caught up in its rather elaborate example of a first person narrative, which while endearing, sometimes makes the plot hard to follow.

However, soon she realises that Hrafnsvik is full of Fae mysteries and to unlock them, she needs the support of its residents.The strong feeling of time and place and the enchantment of beautiful setting is what the period fantasy is about, and I was ready for it. I feel like this review may ruffle some feathers but we all have to keep it real and this is just my opinion but if you loved this book I am genuinely happy for you but I suggest you keep scrolling bc I am going to go there. However Emily does care about people in her own way and she makes a lot of steps to help some of the locals that have been negatively impacted by interactions with the fae.

Emily has an extremely ambitious aim, to create an encyclopaedia of faeries as the book’s title suggests.

Events hang together by tenuous threads, often of motivation that we simply do not see spelled out in how people act. Note: While reading this book with Rebecca, we had a couple of conversations about whether Emily is supposed to be written as neurodivergent.