do not listen to naysayers because i absolutely loved this sequel! i wish i could stay in this world forever. i wish that dryadology was a real and honest academic pursuit and that i could traipse around the english countryside looking for faeries as a job. 

emily grows so much in this book; yes she still comes off as prickly but she’s more aware of the fact and she honestly tries to do better with the people she cares about, like wendell and ariadne, and eventually rose. i loved the addition of more characters in this adventure, its kind of a representation of how emily has let more people into her life, which is such a stark difference from her curmudgeonly behaviour in the first novel, and her longing to have more friends. the animal and common fae friends she makes along the way give her the air of a disney princess, which i found really sweet.

emily’s relationship with wendell blossoms too; wendell is very affectionate with her and i was surprised yet pleased to see emily return the sentiment. there’s a little bit of howl and sophie, as well as jude and cardan in their dynamic.

the world is every bit as atmospheric and enchanting as the first. the plot did drag a bit during the bridge between the second and third act, and i do think the de grey/eichorn plotline wrapped up too quickly, but i truly loved this book and i’m excited but so so sad to read the final book.