Emily Wilde, Cambridge professor, needs to travel to the small village of Hrafnsvik in Iceland to compile additional folk legends to present at the Folklorist Conference soon to be happening in Paris. This is incredibly difficult for her, as she prefers her books and the company of her dog, Shadow, to actually interacting with anyone. The situation is worsened upon the arrival of her colleague/friend/rival Wendell Bambleby, whose easy charm with the locals threatens her chance to show him up once and for all. However, Wendell is a mystery unto himself, and uncovering who he truly is, what he wants, and what the fairy folk of Hrafnsvik actually are may be far more than Emily Wilde truly can handle.
I am on the fence about this book. On one hand, I love fantasy; unique types of Fae, snarky characters, witty banter hidden in snarky back and forth. And having the story set in Iceland and Wndell being Irish? Icing on the cake. But Emily and Wendell…hoo boy Emily and Wendell. I don’t know if they are actually likable characters. Emily is socially awkward, a fact that is easily known as it is mentioned every time she is on the page. She talks about, she thinks about, I’m surprised she doesn’t just have cards printed up saying “Hi! I’m Emily Wilde, Cambridge professor and folklorist. I hate small talk and don’t really like people, so don’t mind when I’m incredibly rude to you, it’s just my little personality quirk.” that she can hand out to everyone and save time. And Wendell? If he’s not obsessed with his hair, clothing or comfort, he’s making snarky digs or heart eyes at Emily, frequently doing both. They’re just a lot and I don’t know if they’re going to grow on me in the next two books. Their relationship screams “we’re trying to give Howl and Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle” vibes, and I don’t know if they actually achieved that. Shadow was probably my favorite character, and he’s a dog/wolf/Shadow.
Also, for a book that describes itself as “cozy fantasy” there is quite a bit of blood and violence happening in later parts. Which I’m fine with, however it might take people who are expecting just a sweet little feel good story back.
Can I recommend it? Sure. Will I read the rest of the trilogy? Probably; I’ll just buy them in paperback or used hardcover, whichever is cheaper.