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korl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely adored this. Every character felt unique and wonderful in their own ways. Rose and Ariadne both were great additions to the troupe.
As always I love how Emily doesn't care how absolutely down bad Wendell is for her. Their banter is so good, and her decision to finally say yes to his proposal was clearly her own, from her own feelings
I listened to the first book, and while the narrator did a wonderful job (I still hear the voices when reading), I definitely preferred the feeling of *reading* this book. The footnotes, parentheses, etc. were such a delight
As always I love how Emily doesn't care how absolutely down bad Wendell is for her. Their banter is so good, and
I listened to the first book, and while the narrator did a wonderful job (I still hear the voices when reading), I definitely preferred the feeling of *reading* this book. The footnotes, parentheses, etc. were such a delight
elaine707's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Emily is back, and she is on a mission to find a door!
I liked the first book more, but this one still had the wit and lightheartedness I enjoyed from the first book.
I liked the first book more, but this one still had the wit and lightheartedness I enjoyed from the first book.
mes987's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ninamina1429's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ida23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sdurham21's review against another edition
3.0
The first book really and pleasantly surprised me. This one was also good but I expected more after the first. I thought the romance was a bit cheesy, the side characters were not as well developed imo, and the plot cadence seemed off.
I still enjoyed it but preferred the first.
I still enjoyed it but preferred the first.
theopportunereader's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
moniquenguyen's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
conlmar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Even better than the first book, a joy to read
emmasnothere's review against another edition
3.25
i always find that sequels in a trilogy are the weakest—this is no exception. 3.25
to preface, i absolutely love emily and wendell (their banter, relationship development), but this installment was missing something or, i should say, multiple somethings. off the bat, you lose the sense that everything you’re reading is in emily’s journal. it felt more like a story rather than being in her head like the first book although i can’t place whether it’s the fault of the pacing, the abundance of dialogue (particularly in the beginning), or a mixture of those and then some. these issues are resolved by the last third, which was intriguing and a good kick-off for the next book.
re: the first book, there was a certain amount of charm and whimsy we get with the secondary characters and how they interact with each other and emily/wendell. of course, this can’t be recreated because every village has its own culture and view of the folk, but the addition of ariadne and rose felt forced (?) and formulaic to bring some sort of spunk/contrast. characters aside, i missed the sprinkle of folktales! it served as a good drawback that emily has the intention to use these experiences and information to create an encyclopaedia and it would’ve done just the same for creating a map as well as providing context to what is currently part of dryadology in her time. of course, not saying it had to be tales but something equivalent that’s relevant to mapping.
with all that said, i’m still looking forward to seeing where the compendium will take emily next year (and seeing more of orga)!
to preface, i absolutely love emily and wendell (their banter, relationship development), but this installment was missing something or, i should say, multiple somethings. off the bat, you lose the sense that everything you’re reading is in emily’s journal. it felt more like a story rather than being in her head like the first book although i can’t place whether it’s the fault of the pacing, the abundance of dialogue (particularly in the beginning), or a mixture of those and then some. these issues are resolved by the last third, which was intriguing and a good kick-off for the next book.
re: the first book, there was a certain amount of charm and whimsy we get with the secondary characters and how they interact with each other and emily/wendell. of course, this can’t be recreated because every village has its own culture and view of the folk, but the addition of ariadne and rose felt forced (?) and formulaic to bring some sort of spunk/contrast. characters aside, i missed the sprinkle of folktales! it served as a good drawback that emily has the intention to use these experiences and information to create an encyclopaedia and it would’ve done just the same for creating a map as well as providing context to what is currently part of dryadology in her time. of course, not saying it had to be tales but something equivalent that’s relevant to mapping.
with all that said, i’m still looking forward to seeing where the compendium will take emily next year (and seeing more of orga)!