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A review by luluwoohoo
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
☀️☀️☀️☀️🌥️
A wonderful continuation of the series which brings the same cozy and whimsical vibes as its predecessor.
Fawcett has once again woven a lovely tale of academic research and adventure. The depth of mythology and worldbuilding within this series is sublime, and having Emily as a conduit of information makes it feel far less dry than it might otherwise. This volume has a much clearer plot purpose from the outset which enabled more time to be spent on character arcs - including some new characters - and adding to the slow but fulfilling romance subplot.
Though I'm sure it's a contentious opinion, I enjoyed reading the more unlikeable aspects of Emily's personality in this book. Her fundamental incompatibility with social niceties and tunnel vision for her work form important parts of her character, and they allowed for lovely growth in this book through her relationships with Ariadne and Rose most obviously, but also with Wendell, whose own failings were more obvious in book 1. The pair of them being so endearing despite their weaknesses is truly beautiful to read and a testament to Fawcett's clever writing.
My minor gripes are the pacing in act two, with a few too many repetitive beats to feel like useful progress; that the initial few diary entries are written a bit too much like regular prose; and that some of the resolutions to issues felt a bit too convenient this time.
I had a delightful time reading this - just in time to pick up book number 3!
☀️☀️☀️☀️🌥️
A wonderful continuation of the series which brings the same cozy and whimsical vibes as its predecessor.
Fawcett has once again woven a lovely tale of academic research and adventure. The depth of mythology and worldbuilding within this series is sublime, and having Emily as a conduit of information makes it feel far less dry than it might otherwise. This volume has a much clearer plot purpose from the outset which enabled more time to be spent on character arcs - including some new characters - and adding to the slow but fulfilling romance subplot.
Though I'm sure it's a contentious opinion, I enjoyed reading the more unlikeable aspects of Emily's personality in this book. Her fundamental incompatibility with social niceties and tunnel vision for her work form important parts of her character, and they allowed for lovely growth in this book through her relationships with Ariadne and Rose most obviously, but also with Wendell, whose own failings were more obvious in book 1. The pair of them being so endearing despite their weaknesses is truly beautiful to read and a testament to Fawcett's clever writing.
My minor gripes are the pacing in act two, with a few too many repetitive beats to feel like useful progress; that the initial few diary entries are written a bit too much like regular prose; and that some of the resolutions to issues felt a bit too convenient this time.
I had a delightful time reading this - just in time to pick up book number 3!
"Rose asked me 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."