(aka: the sequel that quietly snuck up and did everything better)

Right, I’ll be honest — I went into this one with cautious optimism. I liked the first book, but I didn’t love it straight away. So when I started Map of the Otherlands, I wasn’t expecting to be completely pulled in… and yet here we are. This book felt smoother, warmer, and way more immersive than the first in the series — like the world finally stretched its legs and said, “Okay, now we’re having fun.”

First things first: I listened to this on Audible, and I need to confess something. I ended up playing it at 1.8x speed because the narrator speaks… very… slowly. Once I sped it up though? Perfect. Suddenly Emily’s dry humour landed better, the pacing felt sharper, and the adventure had a bit more life to it. So if you’re listening and it feels sluggish, don’t be afraid to crank that speed up — it genuinely changed my experience.

What I loved most about this instalment is how much more comfortable everything feels. The characters — especially Emily — feel more settled into themselves. Her academic awkwardness and slightly prickly charm are still there, but she feels softer around the edges this time, and it makes the emotional moments land so much stronger. The relationships deepen in a way that feels natural rather than forced, and I found myself smiling at little interactions that probably would’ve gone over my head in book one.

The faerie worldbuilding also expands beautifully. Instead of feeling like we’re just observing from the sidelines, this book invites you further in — deeper folklore, stranger landscapes, and a sense of quiet wonder that sneaks up on you. It keeps that cosy academic vibe but adds more momentum and stakes, which for me was exactly what the series needed.

Now, is it perfect? Not quite. There are still moments where the pacing dips, and the scholarly tone won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. If you struggled with the diary-style narration in the first book, you’ll still notice it here — but I personally think it works better this time around because the emotional threads are clearer.

And let’s talk about humour for a second — because Emily’s voice really shines here. It’s dry, slightly chaotic, and unintentionally funny in that “I did not mean to be relatable but here we are” way. I found myself genuinely laughing at some of her observations, which made the quieter sections feel cosy rather than slow.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.25 stars)

This sequel felt richer, warmer, and more confident than the first book. It kept the charm but added depth, and by the end I was far more invested in Emily’s journey than I expected to be.

If you enjoyed Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries but wanted a bit more emotional pull and a slightly stronger sense of adventure, this one absolutely delivers. And if you’re listening on audio… trust me, don’t be afraid of that speed button.