If you've ever been playing in the woods with your friend at 10 years old and become equal parts mesmerized and uneasy when they convince you that they're actually a faerie princess and that the kingdom is just through those trees there, this book is for you. Surely this is a formative experience most of us share, no?

This is unlike any book I've ever read, and I'm struggling to articulate exactly how. It has an almost "open world" feeling to it; like I was the one wandering around the forest in 1900s Scandanavia and could just decide to stop and look at something more closely if I wished. Very whimsical and cozy vibes, and I couldn't stop picturing Emily staying in the cottage from "The Holiday" as I read. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will especially appreciate this book; something about it made me feel like I was reading outside, in the best way possible.

The story is not as action-packed as most fantasy I've read, but there's a healthy dose of adventure, particularly in the second half. The strengths of this book are the author's clever turns of phrase and gorgeous descriptions---her writing has a very accessible classic lit style. If you've ever wanted to stop and ask the characters questions about why the magic in a book worked a certain way, you will love how Emily's academic curiosity is infused into this narrative. It's full of footnotes that cite sources for fictional faerie research and textbooks, and legends and folktales she gathers from locals during her studies. I really enjoyed this portrayal of fae and their interactions with mortals. Don't let the cover and the tone fool you, these are not cute and innocent faeries, even the ones that seem "nice". Emily's grounded personality is a great balance to the more fantastical aspects of this, and lends a legitimacy to the story that could almost convince me these things were plausible.

Also, Wendell Bambleby. Enough said.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.