I just couldn't get into this at all. As a book club pick it's not my usual genre or style of book and I think this is a big part in why I couldn't get past the first few pages.

 Thank you Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group UK for this e-ARC.

We are introduced to the quieter scholarly life of Emily & Wendell at the start of this sequel, having returned from their recent trip and back to 'normal' life. What I absolutely loved about the opening of this book is how quickly we are thrown into the action. I loved the slow start, the meeting at the cafe, very cozy feels, with the subtle indications of what's to come with Emily meeting a stranger en-route to her breakfast meeting. We're introduced to 2 new characters who are suddenly thrown into the adventure. It feels much more fast paced than the Encyclopedia of Faeries from the off set. With the first I found I was able to put it down between chapters and not in a massive rush to pick it back up, whereas with Map of the Otherlands I am desperate to continue reading, to continue on the journey and find the answers alongside Emily & co.
The journal style writing is really growing on me, it feels more immersive and atmospheric than 3rd party storytelling. I'm really enjoying it and I think previously having Encyclopaedia of Fairies on audiobook has really helped as I've been able to read this with an accent in my head, if that makes any sense to anyone out there 😅
I absolutely love the way Fawcett has evolved Emily and Wendell's relationship, it's not overpowering and doesn't distract from everything else that's going on, yes it is very much a driving force in this series but not to the point it's overwhelmingly a romance novel. 
I've absolutely loved these books so far and already can't wait for the next one! 
🧚🏻🧚🏻‍♀️ 

I purposefully waited to read this book, I wanted to get past it being the 'book of the time' and all the hype before I read it so I could really enjoy it and formulate my own thoughts and feelings towards it.  
I realized very early on, within the first couple of chapters it was going to be a solid 5 star read. 

For a book that jumps around timelines there's no confusion anywhere, it flows so well between the varying time lines and narratives. 
In terms of character diversity & development it was perfect. There's representation from LGBTQ+ to disability, and I suspect, neurodivergence without it being as obviously stated as the others. 
At first I wasn't sure about Sadie, she seemed selfish and childish even as she grows up, but her development and maturity is truly beautiful, I felt a lot of connection with her. Sam, I loved from the start, as stubborn as closed off to the world as he was, again I could see myself in him. He's a classic introvert who attaches to 2 people for life. And I can't not mention Marx, the beautiful, optimistic enthusiastic Marx, who brings out all  the best in both Sadie & Sam. 

Throughout the book all I wanted to do was curl up and play on my switch! It's cozy and inspirational. It's also deeply sad and emotional and sometimes traumatic.
But by the time I finished this book I just felt content. I felt enlightened, and I honestly feel like it's helped lift some grief I'd been holding on to. It gave me a new perspective on loss and moving on. 

  I was surprised by how easy this book was to get through, I usually find Dark Academia quite heavy reading but I had this finished in 3 sittings, as a full time working toddler Mama, just to put things into perspective! 

It's a good entry point for anyone wanting to dip a toe in the world of Dark Academia, and good for quick, light reading sessions due to it's shorter chapters. It's a slow burn, enemies to friends to lovers storyline and is very poetically written. It's dark, atmospheric and subtle horror themes really draw you in making it the kind of book you think about when you're not reading, much like the feelings Laura & Carmilla have for each other, even as rivals, always on each others minds. Things get very dark and tense quite quickly for our lovers in the second half of the book and near the end I found myself going from scared of Prof De Lafontaine to empathetic and admiring of her. The character development of all 3 of the main characters is the real drive in this book and I enjoyed seeing Laura come out of her shell and accepting of herself, Carmilla remaining fiery and bold whilst developing a softer more sentimental side along the way. And of course De Lafontaine, from a foreboding, possessive professor infatuated with her protégé, to a caring almost motherly figure to both girls. 

Thank you to NetGalley & Little Brown Book Co for this eARC in exchange for review.