About the Book
-
Author:
- Heather Fawcett
- Genres:
- Adult
- Adult Romance
- Fantasy
- Man-Woman Romance
- Voices:
- Cis Boy
- Cis Girl
- Straight
- White (Non-Specified)
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Platinum
Talky Talk: That’s What I’m Talking About
Bonus Factors: Faerie Court, Loyal Pet Companions, Faerie Creatures
Relationship Status: Mated For Life
Spoiler warning! If you haven’t read the first or second books in the series, some plot points will be spoiled in the review below. Go read them, though, they’re fantastic!
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
This is my least favorite of the three covers, but I have only seen the online version, which looks more…cartoony, maybe?, than the others. So maybe when I finally get the hardcover to round out my set, it won’t look as goofy. But aside from that, I appreciate the tiny details that correlate directly with the story, especially the creepy eye-trees (and the snails, omg)!
The Deal:
Over the last two novels, Emily has recognized that she, improbably, fell in love with a whimsy-loving faerie and has agreed to marry him, which also means that she’s participating in a coup for Wendell’s stolen kingdom and, if successful, will become its queen.
The fight for the crown is actually relatively straightforward, but what comes next most assuredly is not: stories and tales have weight in the faerie world, and though Wendell’s evil stepmother may be deposed, her curse could be his downfall.
Now Emily needs to navigate trying to lead a notoriously capricious people while also ensuring that Wendell lives to take his next breath.
BFF Charm: Platinum
Emily is so dear to me as a character by now. She’s a dragon with a soft heart for the ones she loves, a lover of stories, order, and knowledge, and has an acerbic wit that makes her pretty good at insulting comebacks. She can also be a smug know-it-all, and it’s impossible for her to pretend to be what she isn’t for too long, even to her detriment. She isn’t always good at it, but she craves connection with others, which, as an introvert, I totally understand. This book tests and stretches her as a person, and she comes out all the better for it. I reread the first two book in anticipation of this one, and what struck me is how vivid of a character Emily is compared to so many self-insert or bland, “strong” main characters we get in fantasy and romance settings. She is truly unique, and I would gladly follow her into a magical realm without hesitation.
Swoonworthy Scale: 9
Wendell and Emily are so perfectly matched for each other—and Fawcett writes it so well—that this is one of those books where finally getting to see them together, like really together, is as much of a delight as the build-up. It’s not constant banging to prove their love, but the little moments of domesticity and deep understanding of what the other person needs from you, or what quirky parts of them that you appreciate like no one else. It’s the mental sparring that ends in a toe-curling moment that gets me going. And yes, there’s also some traveling into the depths of terrifying nothingness to prove devotion that has me alternately tearing up and kicking my feet. In short, this relationship was my catnip and I was high as a kite for its entirety.
I probably highlighted more than 30% of the book to a point that slogging through said highlights was a study in frustration, so enjoy these somewhat random samplings that illustrate the moments I mean:
He rose, shaking the dew from his cloak. “You have that look.”
He had mirrored my own train of thought, which made me scowl at him irrationally. “Which?”
“The one you wear whenever you outsmart me in some area,” he said.
“Well,” I began with a shrug, then stopped. My magnanimity was wearing thin, I’m afraid. “Haven’t I?”
He laughed, a clear, bright sound, and then, before I knew what was happening, he had lifted me off my feet and spun me through the air, the greenery and shadow of the forest a whirl all around me.
“My beloved Emily,” he murmured in my ear.
“Yes, yes, all right,” I said, though I did not pull away. My smugness was back, together with a warm sort of satisfaction. It was pleasing to see him this happy.
And:
Flowers dangled like fat purple lanterns, dewed petals limned by the hearthlight of the windows.
“Much better,” Wendell said.
I gazed at the place in silent awe. After wrestling with myself for a moment, I said, “You could add one or two more.”
He looked delighted. “That was exactly my own thought!”
I watched as he summoned more vines, taking his time with the placement. It was not so much the flowers themselves I appreciated, but the magic trick. I do not think I shall ever grow tired of that.
Talky Talk: That’s What I’m Talking About
This was a VERY satisfying conclusion to an absolute delight of a series. I have no objectivity when it comes to this world and these characters; I adore them and I would gladly read more of them just noodling away through their hopefully long lives, going on adventures to every mountain in the world and complaining all the way.
Endings are always a challenge, and getting to Wendell’s faerie court has been a two-book build-up. If I had to choose, this wasn’t my favorite of all three books (book one still holds my heart). I could’ve gladly spent more time in this new world without there being a big problem to solve that overshadows the exploration, but I want that for all my favorite media, so it’s not necessarily this book’s fault.
Bonus Factor: Faerie Court
Trying to lead or manage a group of immortal and self-involved faeries sounds exhausting, but it is fun to observe. There’s a lot of new and interesting faces in this book, including Taran, the full-fae half-brother to Wendell’s stepmother who has been alive for probably a thousand years and is completely Over-with-a-capital-o It. A few friends make cameos as well!
Bonus Factor: Loyal Pet Companions
Part of what made me tear up in this book is Shadow, Emily’s Grimm-in-the-guise-of-a-dog and constant companion, as Fawcett is evil and reminds us that Shadow is getting old and creaky. I was literally going to RIOT if she killed him off in this book because I CANNOT HANDLE THAT. What happened instead was beautiful and still made me cry because I will forever miss all of my babies who have crossed the rainbow bridge, but at least I was able to leave my riot gear in the closet.
Bonus Factor: Faerie Creatures
I love that Snowbell the murderous fox-creature is back continually trying to insert himself in things because he loves the drama of it all, and we see way more of the Trees With Eyes than I, like Emily, would ever want, but my favorite fae creatures are the snails, which are mentioned very briefly in book two and are hilariously deployed here in a way I won’t spoil.
Apparently, they [the snails] possess a crude intelligence and value their dignity above all things; as such, they spend most of their lives occupied with revenge quests. While their vengeance may be slow in coming, they always have it in the end.
Relationship Status: Mated For Life
I rarely ever buy physical books anymore, but I needed the complete set of you, Book, for my home library, so we can always be together.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Random House. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales is available now.
