Cosy fantasy but with an academic feel? With footnotes giving us the research and published notes on faeries and the story itself is told as Emily writing it as her research diary, it has a distinct academic feel. Which worked for me what it was.

I liked her exploration of faeries and her side minded enthusiasm for her research. Emily was adverse to socialising and was terrible at navigating those interactions, I loved the contrast between that and Wendell’s outspoken and charming personality. I also really appreciated that Wendell knew Emily and loved her for all her quirks and accommodated them. Despite being opposites they just worked together. I can’t wait to see more of them together in the sequel! Wendell was the star of the show for me.

I also really loved the little community and their slow acceptance of Emily. The support and love of that town was so heartwarming and seeing them come together when someone needed them was beautiful. The setting was unexpected but really great on me and all the traditions and skills involved really made it come to life. Emily and Wendell’s reactions to it were amazing and added such a fun dynamic.

I enjoyed the plot though it went in a completely unexpected direction. I wasn’t anticipating the faeries to be so involved but it was great. The stories of the faeries added atmosphere and felt familiar even if they were unique to this book.

However this certainly won’t be for everyone. With a dry writing style and slower pacing it’s got a specific feel to it that is suited for readers who enjoy books like Babel and Atlas six. (Not from a plot perspective but that slowly thoughtful style of writing)