Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands (Emily Wilde, #2) in Scripted in Fantasy and Fiction

Aug 16, 2024 Jenny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

But the reality is that one would have to be an utter idiot to marry one of the Folk. There are perhaps a handful of stories in which such an union ends well and a mountain of them in which it ends in madness or an untimely and unpleasant death.

Emily Wilde and Wendell Bambleby return in "Map of the Otherlands" for another adventure into the whimsical and dangerous world of the Folk. I absolutely adored the first book and couldn't wait to join my beloved characters on another expedition. The

But the reality is that one would have to be an utter idiot to marry one of the Folk. There are perhaps a handful of stories in which such an union ends well and a mountain of them in which it ends in madness or an untimely and unpleasant death.

Emily Wilde and Wendell Bambleby return in "Map of the Otherlands" for another adventure into the whimsical and dangerous world of the Folk. I absolutely adored the first book and couldn't wait to join my beloved characters on another expedition. The story starts in Cambridge but quickly moves to a new destination as our favourite scholars embark another field trip. This time, they travel to St. Liesl in the Austrian Alps, where they expect to find the fairy door to Wendell's realm. Meanwhile, Emily is working on her new book: a groundbreaking project to create a map of the Otherlands, detailing all its hidden doors and different realms.

It's truly the characters that make this series so special. Emily is just as brilliant and awkward as in the previous book, but it was great to see subtle changes in her character, especially in her interactions with her niece, Ariadne, who makes a wonderful addition to the cast. Ariadne has followed her aunt's footsteps, leaving behind her career as a dressmaker to enroll as a dryadology student at Cambridge. I hope we see her again in the final book, as she is such an lovely character. Farris Rose, the head of the dryadology department, also joins the expedition, and while I didn't like him at first, I started growing quite fond of the eccentric professor.

Wendell Bambleby might be my favourite fae prince, as he is so different from the typical love interest in the genre. I love his humour, and the banter between him and the other characters always makes me laugh. He didn't have an easy time in "Map of the Otherlands" as his stepmother send assassins after him to stop him from reclaiming his realm. It was fascinating to finally glimpse his kingdom after hearing so much about it. I'm so excited to read the last book, which will focus on the Silva Lupi.

Rose asked my why I was not more surprised by your feat. He does not understand you as I do, Em, but as you seem to consider him a friend now, I told him the truth: in order to be surprised, I could not have known already that you are capable of anything.

The world-building is exquisite, and Heather Fawcett completely convinces you of this alternate reality where faeries exist. While the first book focused a lot on the people of Ljosland and their stories, the residents of St. Liesl play a less significant role. I didn't really mind, as it makes for a very different story. "Map of the Otherlands" has much more action and is quite a bit darker, especially when it comes to the folk.

My highlight was the reunion with Poe, and I was so happy that he played a bigger role than I expected. Snowbell, another one of the Little Folk, certainly makes for an interesting character as the fuchszwerge are a rather vicious species. I also have to highlight Shadow, Emily's loyal companion, who I absolutely love. It made me so sad to read about how he is getting older now. I hope we still see plenty of him in the last book of the series. I love that Emily is a dog person, which I wholeheartedly agree with.

There is a side plot concerning the missing dryadologist Danielle de Grey, as well as a mysterious man covered in ribbons who keeps appearing in Emily's life. While I enjoyed their story, I found it even more interesting to find out more about Faerie. The romance is also more of a side plot, fitting perfectly into the story without taking to much away from it. I love "Maps of the Otherlands" just as much as the first book, and in some aspects, even more! The series perfectly balances cozy fantasy with thrilling adventures. I can't wait for "Compendium of Lost Tales"!

I loved him, and I suspected that I would grow to love this beautiful, horrifying place if given the chance. I wanted the chance. I wanted Faerie, its every secret and its every door.
If there was danger in my decision - and I knew there was - then so be it. It would accept danger, if it meant I could have this.

⇢ 5 stars ...more

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