My Goodreads review: Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The irrepressible dryadologist (& journaler) Emily Wilde of Cambridge returns! In this sequel to Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, she is joined by her niece Ariadne, her cranky colleague Dr. Rose, & her not-quite-a-Newfoundland Shadow as they all attempt to help Wendell Brambleby find a way back into his faerie realm. Of course, it's not quite that simple. Wendell is not only the rightful king of said realm, but also being hunted by his vicious stepmother. And, possibly, already cursed/ poisoned / dying by her hand.

This second volume of Emily's (mis)adventures in alternate-Edwardian academia offers a much more personal & romantic approach. While keeping the whole situation PG13ish -- YA readers welcome -- Fawcett devotes considerable plot-time to Wendell & Emily's relationship. Fortunately, this never gets in the way of a sinister conspiracy against Wendell, or Emily's mostly horrific discoveries about the common fae of the Austrian Alps. There's also a side plot involving two academics who weren't as fortunate -- I found this bit slightly confusing -- and some remarkable world-building, with a generous side order of dry wit.

There's plenty of action in this one, and some clever plot twists, but the personal relationships shine. The ending smacks of pure wish fulfillment, but doesn't the world need more of that once in a while? Happily for this reader, there is one more volume of Emily's adventurous scholarship to look forward to, and an abundance of plot threads left to be woven into it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for review.




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