Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands - Heather Fawcett

Overall Rating 4/5 Stars

This book marks the second installment in the series and revolves around two scholars: Emily, a professor, and her colleague Wendell. Set approximately a year after the first book, the narrative delves deeper into their journey to find a specific fairy realm, particularly Wendell’s doorway to his realm. Accompanied by her team, Emily ventures to the charming town of St. Liesl in the Austrian mountains. The story follows Emily and her crew as they navigate challenging landscapes while dodging the faeries they encounter in search of the exiled King’s hidden entrance to his realm.

Though filled with fascinating encounters, I initially found it challenging to dive into the second book due to its slower start, especially after the action-packed adventure of the first. However, as I progressed through a few chapters, the sense of adventure returned, transporting us to Austria's breathtaking scenery. Emily's team includes her niece Ariadne, Wendell, and a character whose development shines through—Dr. Farris Rose, a pompous scholar eager to showcase his dryadology expertise. While he initially annoyed me, I began to empathise with him as his story unfolded, eventually enjoying his stories.

Additionally, Emily's companion, a large black hound named Shadow, rounds out the adventurous team heading to Austria. I truly appreciated how vividly the scenes were depicted, making them feel cinematic and capturing the essence of each moment. The incorporation of scholarly insights about the faeries, presented as footnotes, added depth and realism to the narrative, enhancing the journey of discovery.

While this second book focuses on Emily’s mapping of the realms, it felt somewhat glossed over compared to the first, where her research resembled an encyclopedia. I hesitate to compare the two too heavily, but I would have loved to see more visual representation of Emily’s new project, similar to the informative footnotes, as I enjoy learning. Overall, the positive aspects of the book far outweighed my minor frustrations.

I also appreciate stories with a slow-burn romance that isn’t the central focus unless it's a romance genre. This book is well written, and I genuinely love this series; it has become a fan favourite for me. I enjoy its emphasis on faerie studies, as faeries are often portrayed as enchanting and whimsical, yet this tale reveals their true perilous nature. Furthermore, I admire how the author has created a unique world where the study of mystical beings is commonplace, making the expeditions to explore their realms utterly captivating. For anyone with a love for fairies and adventure, this series is definitely worth reading.