This book by Heather Fawcett is not really an encyclopedia, although protagonist Emily Wilde, who has a PhD in Dryadology, is struggling to finish the one she is writing. This is a debut novel for adults by Fawcett who has previously written fantasies for children and young adults. This is the first in what is now a series of three "Emily Wilde" books.
Booklist opens their review: "Dr. Emily Wilde is a scholar visiting the remote Scandinavian nation of Ljosland to study the Hidden Ones, a species of faerie. She is joined by her faithful dog, Shadow, but otherwise is on her own to focus on her work until her Oxford [sic; it's actually Cambridge] colleague, the affable and too-handsome Dr. Wendell Bambleby, shows up..." and they conclude with this praise, "Told entirely through entries in Emily's research journal, Fawcett's first novel for adults is propelled by the voice of curmudgeonly Emily, whose hard outer shell slowly melts in the face of friendship. The full cast of characters, well-developed faerie lore, and pervasive sense of cold add depth to the delightful proceedings, which include scholarship, yes, but also danger and a hint of romance. Emily is an Amelia Peabody in snowshoes, and readers will be utterly charmed."
Publishers Weekly is somewhat less enthusiastic in their review: "In Fawcett's slow-moving but atmospheric debut adult fantasy... a socially awkward Cambridge professor heads to the frost-coated fictional country of Ljosland in an alternate 1909 where tangling with faeries is commonplace. The tale is presented as the journal of dryadologist Emily Wilde as she documents her research for the eponymous encyclopedia. These journal entries work well at giving readers a window into the voice and personality of an extremely introverted and detached heroine, but they don't make the aloof, academic Emily any easier to root for." But they still conclude, "In Fawcett's slow-moving but atmospheric debut adult fantasy (after YA Even the Darkest Stars), a socially awkward Cambridge professor heads to the frost-coated fictional country of Ljosland in an alternate 1909 where tangling with faeries is commonplace. The tale is presented as the journal of dryadologist Emily Wilde as she documents her research for the eponymous encyclopedia. These journal entries work well at giving readers a window into the voice and personality of an extremely introverted and detached heroine, but they don't make the aloof, academic Emily any easier to root for."
Similarly, Kirkus' review is more measured but finishes by saying, "A somewhat uneven novel that will nevertheless charm readers of cozy fantasies." The Guardian was positive: "A thoroughly charming academic fairytale, complete with footnotes and a low-key grumpy romance. "
The New York Times praises the book: "Fawcett’s characters are delightful: Emily is meticulous, ornery and as oblivious to human mores as she is conversant in fairy ones, while Bambleby’s almost preternatural charm endears him to everyone. But there’s real loss and deep feeling in what could have been, in a different project, entirely about their push-and-pull dynamic. Fawcett’s sketches of academia and scholarship are sharply observed, and her depiction of fairies and their ways is often harrowing. The journal structure cultivates a careful rhythm alternating habit and surprise, and it all comes together in a delicious and satisfying whole."
I come down on the "charming" side and thought the characters and setting were well developed.
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