Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Book Review

Elloise Hopkins

It has taken long and arduous research, but Professor Emily Wilde thinks she has finally found a faerie door that will lead Wendell back to his home, despite her peers frequently telling her that her theory on faerie doors is incorrect. It is a good thing that conviction in her own beliefs is one of Emily’s strongest traits. Anyway, it is long past time for Wendell to return to his kingdom, despite what his stepmother may have to say on the subject. That would be the same stepmother that Emily previously poisoned, so no doubt she will be less than pleased to see Emily at her stepson’s side as well.

At the same time, always the scholar, Emily, is working on her latest book–a collection of tales of the fae–which, as it turns out, will come in very handy for her as she encounters her next fae mystery. This time it will be her beloved Wendell in danger, but of course, with the utmost practicality, and little concern for her own safety, Emily will do what she must to set things right. Even if it means facing dangers and faeries, new and old.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is another truly welcome read from Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series. The relationship between Emily and Wendell is sweetly growing in strength, and is, at times, hilariously contrary. Both are thoroughly invested in each other, and both are by now thoroughly aware of the others’ most frustrating habits and deepest desires. Wendell’s magic remains both an ever-unfolding wonder and danger to Emily, and his lack of knowledge of faerie politics, as they prepare to take their places as king and queen, beyond infuriating to her, and a witty contrast to her stoic and solid approach to life.

Emily’s journal entries continue to inject the story with humour, and invite the reader to share in her frustrations with Wendell. He, of course, began back in book one as her academic rival, and has now taken a firm place in her heart, despite his sometimes flighty and whimsical approach to what Emily considers serious and consequential matters. The reader comes to quietly admire her strength and resilience. She faces some of her greatest fears as she prepares to become a human queen in a faerie kingdom, and tries to save Wendell from every danger he now faces as faerie king, including himself. Another absolute must read, and hopefully not the last.