Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales has an intriguing cover with an eye-catching (and slightly chaotic) design. The font is whimsical, the colors pop, and there’s a lot to take in. But there’s also a bit of confusion. First off, we initially assumed Emily Wilde was the author—but nope, it’s Heather Fawcett. Then we saw the word “Compendium,” which suggests a collection of stories, but it also says it’s a novel. Hey Emily… or Heather… make up your mind!

If we stop to examine the details, we’ve got some strange elements: a bee, a pincushion with thread, a black cat, mushrooms, and an unsettling number of eyeballs on vines. (We suspect the cover designer may have sampled some of those mushrooms.) There’s certainly a magical and eerie vibe, but it’s a lot to take in.

Then there’s the kicker—Book 3 of the Emily Wilde Series. That’s a bit of a turnoff if you’re new to the series, because it makes us feel like we’re already behind.

Based on the Cover, We Think This Book Is About…
A girl named Emily sets out on a mission to rediscover stories that have been lost. Along the way, she’ll travel to magical—and sometimes creepy—places, encountering strange creatures and objects that may or may not be helpful in her quest.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)