Review of ‘Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands’ (Emily Wilde #2) by Heather Fawcett. Discover the whimsical world of faeries, maps, and reluctant romance in Heather Fawcett’s enchanting sequel to a beloved fantasy series. Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands picks up the pace in a way that fans of slow-burn academia and fae magic have been eagerly waiting for. If the first book felt like a quiet winter stroll, this one is more of a brisk hike through twisting forests and unpredictable portals. And I mean that in the best way.
‘Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands’ by Heather Fawcett is a whimsical, high-stakes faerie adventure I couldn’t put down
Synopsis
When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde must uncover their secrets before it’s too late in this heartwarming, enchanting second installment of the Emily Wilde series.
Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore—she just wrote the world’s first comprehensive of encylopaedia of faeries. She’s learned many of the secrets of the Hidden Folk on her adventures . . . and also from her fellow scholar and former rival, Wendell Bambleby.
Because Bambleby is more than infuriatingly charming. He’s an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother, and in search of a door back to his realm. So despite Emily’s feelings for Bambleby, she’s not ready to accept his proposal of marriage: Loving one of the Fair Folk comes with secrets and danger.
And she also has a new project to focus a map of the realms of faerie. While she is preparing her research, Bambleby lands her in trouble yet again, when assassins sent by Bambleby’s mother invade Cambridge. Now Bambleby and Emily are on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambley’s realm, and the key to freeing him from his family’s dark plans.
But with new relationships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors, and of her own heart.
Review
I received a free copy from Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my review. Thank you for this review copy.
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett picks up with Emily and Wendell setting off on another academic and magical journey, this time to uncover the secrets of the Otherlands. It’s all part of Wendell’s quest to reclaim his throne, but things quickly spiral into a whirlwind of strange realms, faerie politics, and increasingly high stakes. What starts as another scholarly expedition becomes a fast-moving, danger-filled adventure through magical borders and hidden truths.
And honestly? I loved this book so much more than the first. Where the first one was slower and more atmospheric, this sequel really ramps things up. It’s way more action-packed, the pacing is quicker, and I found myself completely hooked from the start. I didn’t expect such an exciting shift in tone, but it worked so well. I flew through the pages.
Wendell and Emily absolutely owned this book. I was already a fan of them, but here? I loved them even more. Their dynamic is such a perfect mix of banter, tension, and genuine care. Every little moment between them had me smiling, swooning, or both. Wendell continues to be a mischievous delight, and Emily’s dry, grounded perspective balances him out beautifully. They’re just… everything.
The supporting characters also really stood out this time. Everyone felt more developed, and I especially adored Shadow. And the storyline itself? Totally my thing. It had just enough twists, magic, and heart to keep me fully invested.
My only little critique is that things occasionally felt a bit rushed. When they switched worlds, it was sometimes hard to keep up, and I had to pause to reorient myself. And the ending wrapped up quicker than I expected. I would’ve liked a few extra chapters just to let everything sink in a bit more. But those are small things compared to how much I enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was a huge improvement from book one and exactly what I was hoping for. It felt like the series really found its footing, and I am beyond ready for book three.
Final thoughts
This sequel completely swept me off my feet. It took everything I liked about book one and made it bolder, faster, and even more emotional. Emily and Wendell’s chemistry was magic, the worldbuilding felt richer, and the plot had just the right mix of whimsy and danger to keep me turning pages late into the night. While there were a couple moments where the pacing stumbled or the world-hopping left me spinning, it didn’t take away from how much fun I had. This was such a cozy yet exciting read, and I’m already impatiently waiting for book three. If you’re into magical academia, fae politics, and a romance that simmers beneath all the chaos, this one is a must.
Rating
9/10
Details
- Trigger warnings: Alcohol, animal cruelty, animal death, bigotry, body horror, confinement, death, death of a loved one, fire/fire injury, gore, injury/injury detail, kidnapping, medical content, medical trauma, mental illness/disorder, misogyny, murder, sexual content (alluded to only), stalking, torture (mentions), trafficking, violence, vomit, war.
- Themes: Love, loyalty, ambition, the pursuit of knowledge, self-discovery, and the complexities of human and faerie relationships.
- Representation: The story prominently features a theme of neurodivergence, with the protagonist Emily Wilde portrayed as a neurodivergent scholar.
- Genre: Cozy fantasy
- Pages: 352
- Publication date: January 16, 2024
- Publisher: Orbit (Little, Brown Book Group UK)
- About the author:
Heather Fawcett is a New York Times, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestselling Canadian author known for her works across adult, young adult, and middle-grade fantasy genres. Her notable titles include Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, and Ember and the Ice Dragons. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and a Bachelor’s in Archaeology. Heather has also worked as an archaeologist, photographer, technical writer, and backstage assistant for a Shakespearean theater festival. She resides on Vancouver Island, Canada.
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