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The Drowned Woods
The Sunday Times bestselling and darkly gripping YA fantasy heist novel
The right cause can topple a kingdom . . .
Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict - and Mer is well-acquainted with both.
For years, she has been running from the prince who bound her into his service - and forced her to kill thousands with her water magic. Now, all Mer truly wants is a quiet life, far from power and politics.
But then Mer's old handler offers her a proposal: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both. With the help of a fae-cursed man, a snarky thief, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer must decide if she's prepared to run for the rest of her life, or to stand and fight for her freedom - and peace . . .
Part heist novel, part dark fairy tale, and rich with Welsh legends, The Drowned Woods is perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and Maria V. Snyder.
The right cause can topple a kingdom . . .
Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict - and Mer is well-acquainted with both.
For years, she has been running from the prince who bound her into his service - and forced her to kill thousands with her water magic. Now, all Mer truly wants is a quiet life, far from power and politics.
But then Mer's old handler offers her a proposal: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both. With the help of a fae-cursed man, a snarky thief, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer must decide if she's prepared to run for the rest of her life, or to stand and fight for her freedom - and peace . . .
Part heist novel, part dark fairy tale, and rich with Welsh legends, The Drowned Woods is perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and Maria V. Snyder.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2022
552 people are currently reading
53385 people want to read
About the author
Emily Lloyd-Jones
15 books2,206 followersEmily Lloyd-Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. After graduating from Western Oregon University with an English degree, she enrolled in the publishing program at Rosemont College just outside of Philadelphia. She currently resides in Northern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,532 reviews
June 27, 2022
this was a solid 4 star read the entire book, up until i read the epilogue. it explains how this story is connected to
‘the bone houses’
and i gasped! its literally the most perfect thing, so im rounding up!
this book retells the welsh myth of cantre'r gwaelod, which explains the origins of cardigan bay on the west coast of wales. some say physical proof of this tale was found when storms in 2014 and 2019 exposed parts a submerged forest on the shore, carbon dating back to 1500 BCE. hence the title.
all i can say is welsh folklore is some of the most magical, albeit dark, and this book definitely showcases that. i will forever love ELJ for giving welsh mythology the attention it deserves.
and the reason this wasnt quite worth 5 stars for me for most of the book was because the characters felt a little flat (other than fane - his character arc is *chef kiss*). so it wasnt until i read the epilogue and saw how they were related to the characters in ‘the bone houses’ that i could actually appreciate all of them, their story, and their struggle. it definitely made me enjoy this much more.
so overall, a great addition to ELJs bibliography and definitely one to look forward to if you want to learn more about welsh legends.
a big thanks to little brown books for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
this book retells the welsh myth of cantre'r gwaelod, which explains the origins of cardigan bay on the west coast of wales. some say physical proof of this tale was found when storms in 2014 and 2019 exposed parts a submerged forest on the shore, carbon dating back to 1500 BCE. hence the title.
all i can say is welsh folklore is some of the most magical, albeit dark, and this book definitely showcases that. i will forever love ELJ for giving welsh mythology the attention it deserves.
and the reason this wasnt quite worth 5 stars for me for most of the book was because the characters felt a little flat (other than fane - his character arc is *chef kiss*). so it wasnt until i read the epilogue and saw how they were related to the characters in ‘the bone houses’ that i could actually appreciate all of them, their story, and their struggle. it definitely made me enjoy this much more.
so overall, a great addition to ELJs bibliography and definitely one to look forward to if you want to learn more about welsh legends.
a big thanks to little brown books for the ARC!
↠ 4.5 stars
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June 8, 2022Update: I’ve launched my preorder campaign! Check it out for corgi swag, bookmarks, and a gorgeous art print.
When I was researching THE BONE HOUSES, I found a mention of Cantre'r Gwaelod - or translated into English, the Lowland Hundred. It was a sunken kingdom that supposedly once stood where Cardigan Bay now exists. I wrote a note to myself - “Welsh Atlantis,” I scribbled - before returning to work on my current deadlines.
But when I had a moment in between deadlines I found myself returning to that note I’d scribbled. And I began to do what I always do: research.
The tale of Cantre'r Gwaelod has many variations - but at the center of several was a young woman, a keeper of a magical well. It was her fault, many of the myths said, that the kingdom was sunk. And I found myself wondering about her. Who was this girl? What would the story be like if told from her perspective?
And so THE DROWNED WOODS began to take shape.
I really love this story, friends. It contains some of my favorite characters: the last living water diviner, a fae-cursed young man, the chaotic-good heir to a thieves guild, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy. It’s one part dark fairytale and one part heist.
And let’s just put it this way: if you loved THE BONE HOUSES, you’ll want this book beside it on your shelf. ;)
When I was researching THE BONE HOUSES, I found a mention of Cantre'r Gwaelod - or translated into English, the Lowland Hundred. It was a sunken kingdom that supposedly once stood where Cardigan Bay now exists. I wrote a note to myself - “Welsh Atlantis,” I scribbled - before returning to work on my current deadlines.
But when I had a moment in between deadlines I found myself returning to that note I’d scribbled. And I began to do what I always do: research.
The tale of Cantre'r Gwaelod has many variations - but at the center of several was a young woman, a keeper of a magical well. It was her fault, many of the myths said, that the kingdom was sunk. And I found myself wondering about her. Who was this girl? What would the story be like if told from her perspective?
And so THE DROWNED WOODS began to take shape.
I really love this story, friends. It contains some of my favorite characters: the last living water diviner, a fae-cursed young man, the chaotic-good heir to a thieves guild, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy. It’s one part dark fairytale and one part heist.
And let’s just put it this way: if you loved THE BONE HOUSES, you’ll want this book beside it on your shelf. ;)
April 20, 2025
The Drowned Woods was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022. This YA Fantasy novel is a companion to Emily Lloyd-Jones 2019-release, The Bone Houses.
Full transparency, I hadn't even read The Bone Houses until this month. The reason I was so excited for The Drowned Woods was based on its synopsis alone. It sounded absolutely captivating to me.
Spoiler Alert: It so totally was!!
Once I picked this up, it was all I could think about. I absolutely adore this story with my whole heart and soul. Lloyd-Jones swept me away into another world.
This story follows 18-year old Mererid, 'Mer', who is the last living water diviner. Her powers being known, she was wrenched from her family in order to go live in the castle of Prince Garanhir and be bound into his service.
She's made to do terrible things, such as finding the wells of Garanhir's enemies so that he can poison them. This results in the deaths of many, many innocent people.
Mer is devastated to have been a part of this. Luckily, she is able to slip out of the Prince's grasp and flee. After that, avoiding recapture is her only focus.
Mer's able to fly under the radar working as a barmaid. That is until the day her old handler, Renfrew, the Prince's ex-Spy Master, approaches her with an opportunity to bring the Prince down.
He proposes a heist of sorts to steal an important magical artifact that in a sense secures the Prince's control over their kingdom. Mer is intrigued and swayed by her old mentor. They can actually do this, make Garanhir pay for what he put so many innocent people through.
Together they assemble a team including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves and an adorably-loyal corgi named Trefor. They were all brought onto the mission because of the special skills they each portrayed.
This crew, I loved watching them all come together and as they set off on their quest, I knew this story was going to be a slam dunk for me.
I loved everything about it. The world creation was fantastic, the magic system was easy to understand, yet intriguing, and the character interactions and motivations were so well done.
Mer, Fane, the fae-cursed young man, and Trefor in particular were so well developed. I loved watching their relationship build into what it ultimately becomes.
Mer's character arc was so beautiful, heart-wrenching and ultimately satisfying. I adored her and her free will, determination and strength in face of set-backs.
As you get to the end, the truth behind the connection to The Bones Houses is revealed. I cannot even tell you what that moment was like, reading that reveal.
My heart swelled; insta-tears. It made me want to reread TBH knowing what I know now, even though I just read it! What a moment. It was so good.
Thank you to the publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I appreciate it so much and have no doubt this is going to be on my Favorites list for 2022!!
Full transparency, I hadn't even read The Bone Houses until this month. The reason I was so excited for The Drowned Woods was based on its synopsis alone. It sounded absolutely captivating to me.
Spoiler Alert: It so totally was!!
Once I picked this up, it was all I could think about. I absolutely adore this story with my whole heart and soul. Lloyd-Jones swept me away into another world.
This story follows 18-year old Mererid, 'Mer', who is the last living water diviner. Her powers being known, she was wrenched from her family in order to go live in the castle of Prince Garanhir and be bound into his service.
She's made to do terrible things, such as finding the wells of Garanhir's enemies so that he can poison them. This results in the deaths of many, many innocent people.
Mer is devastated to have been a part of this. Luckily, she is able to slip out of the Prince's grasp and flee. After that, avoiding recapture is her only focus.
Mer's able to fly under the radar working as a barmaid. That is until the day her old handler, Renfrew, the Prince's ex-Spy Master, approaches her with an opportunity to bring the Prince down.
He proposes a heist of sorts to steal an important magical artifact that in a sense secures the Prince's control over their kingdom. Mer is intrigued and swayed by her old mentor. They can actually do this, make Garanhir pay for what he put so many innocent people through.
Together they assemble a team including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves and an adorably-loyal corgi named Trefor. They were all brought onto the mission because of the special skills they each portrayed.
This crew, I loved watching them all come together and as they set off on their quest, I knew this story was going to be a slam dunk for me.
I loved everything about it. The world creation was fantastic, the magic system was easy to understand, yet intriguing, and the character interactions and motivations were so well done.
Mer, Fane, the fae-cursed young man, and Trefor in particular were so well developed. I loved watching their relationship build into what it ultimately becomes.
Mer's character arc was so beautiful, heart-wrenching and ultimately satisfying. I adored her and her free will, determination and strength in face of set-backs.
As you get to the end, the truth behind the connection to The Bones Houses is revealed. I cannot even tell you what that moment was like, reading that reveal.
My heart swelled; insta-tears. It made me want to reread TBH knowing what I know now, even though I just read it! What a moment. It was so good.
Thank you to the publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I appreciate it so much and have no doubt this is going to be on my Favorites list for 2022!!
December 30, 2022
But all the strength in the world could not save him if Mer turned her power against him.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❗This is a spoiler-free ARC review from NetGalley❗
⚠️Trigger Warning: Death, Violence⚠️
📍Release Date: August 16, 2022📍
It's books like these that make me feel so thankful for websites like NetGalley. Having the opportunity to read incredible books like this one before they are published and sharing my thoughts with others who wonder if it meets their preferences is an astounding gift.
O M G!! I LOOOOVED THIS!!! My mind is blown, I have no tears left in my eyes. Thankfully, this is a standalone because if I had to wait for another book to come out goddess knows when I. WOULD. DIE. I cried my little heart out but at least there was closure. Marvellous, sweet, sweet closure. I began thinking I might be a masochist because now, I don't even have to look for books that hurt me, I just find them on instinct. From start to finish this was phenomenal. At first, I thought it took a little too long for their quest to begin, but after I read a little further I discovered there is a valid reason for it. A valid, mind-blowing reason from which I will never recover. I've heard a lot of great comments on this book as I was reading it but nothing truly prepared me. The lore was equally magnificent, based on Welsh folklore, which largely consists of my favourite creatures in literature. The faeries. I must have manifested them with all the Holly Black books I've read recently.
Mererid, known as Mer, is a badass water diviner or 'other-touched' and the last of her kind after everyone else with her powers was killed. She was an incredible character to follow. She is strong, lovable, willing to sacrifice everything for the safety of others, and with a horrific past that failed to wholly shatter her compassion. Oh also, she's a dog mom which is my favourite thing about her. I will love her forever just for that. She deserves the world just for that.
As for Fane, he is primarily likeable for the same reason Mer is likeable, he's a dog dad. There are many other reasons why he is so likeable, of course. He is kind and caring, he has strange and dangerous powers gifted to him by the otherfolk (the fae), and he is an absolute sweety even though he kills people with little uncontrollably.
These two made a beautiful team together. The cuteness was constantly overloaded between them. Just when you thought something was wrong it was rightened again 😍😍 There was so much chemistry between them, angst from their respective pasts, and so much emotion. I swooned over them a lot. I want to say so much more but I caaaan't. I don't want to spoil iiiit. 😫😫
In the interest of remaining spoiler-free, I will only talk about the two characters I liked other than Mer and Fane. One was Ifanna, Mer's ex-girlfriend. She's an incredible character and a straight-up badass thief. I still haven't entirely forgiven for what she's done. I can't tell you what but it was pretty bad. Yet, I can't help but like her regardless. She's such a hilarious, wholesome character. She made every scene better. Even if it was a sober one. I sort of hate that I love her, but I really do love her. I also want her, Mer, and Fane to have a polyamorous relationship. I really do.
However, I do not love her or anyone in this book as much as I loved what must be the cutest, most amazing sidekick I have ever found in a book. EVER!! Trefor was probably the best decision Emily Lloyd-Jones has ever made in any book. There will never be a better companion created to accompany people on a dangerous quest full of ups and downs than this magnificence of a corgi. He was a treasure, a constant presence that soothed away all the pain that Ms Lloyd-Jones has caused me with her words.
Yeap, I definitely HIGHLY recommend this.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❗This is a spoiler-free ARC review from NetGalley❗
⚠️Trigger Warning: Death, Violence⚠️
📍Release Date: August 16, 2022📍
It's books like these that make me feel so thankful for websites like NetGalley. Having the opportunity to read incredible books like this one before they are published and sharing my thoughts with others who wonder if it meets their preferences is an astounding gift.
O M G!! I LOOOOVED THIS!!! My mind is blown, I have no tears left in my eyes. Thankfully, this is a standalone because if I had to wait for another book to come out goddess knows when I. WOULD. DIE. I cried my little heart out but at least there was closure. Marvellous, sweet, sweet closure. I began thinking I might be a masochist because now, I don't even have to look for books that hurt me, I just find them on instinct. From start to finish this was phenomenal. At first, I thought it took a little too long for their quest to begin, but after I read a little further I discovered there is a valid reason for it. A valid, mind-blowing reason from which I will never recover. I've heard a lot of great comments on this book as I was reading it but nothing truly prepared me. The lore was equally magnificent, based on Welsh folklore, which largely consists of my favourite creatures in literature. The faeries. I must have manifested them with all the Holly Black books I've read recently.
Mererid, known as Mer, is a badass water diviner or 'other-touched' and the last of her kind after everyone else with her powers was killed. She was an incredible character to follow. She is strong, lovable, willing to sacrifice everything for the safety of others, and with a horrific past that failed to wholly shatter her compassion. Oh also, she's a dog mom which is my favourite thing about her. I will love her forever just for that. She deserves the world just for that.
As for Fane, he is primarily likeable for the same reason Mer is likeable, he's a dog dad. There are many other reasons why he is so likeable, of course. He is kind and caring, he has strange and dangerous powers gifted to him by the otherfolk (the fae), and he is an absolute sweety even though he kills people with little uncontrollably.
These two made a beautiful team together. The cuteness was constantly overloaded between them. Just when you thought something was wrong it was rightened again 😍😍 There was so much chemistry between them, angst from their respective pasts, and so much emotion. I swooned over them a lot. I want to say so much more but I caaaan't. I don't want to spoil iiiit. 😫😫
In the interest of remaining spoiler-free, I will only talk about the two characters I liked other than Mer and Fane. One was Ifanna, Mer's ex-girlfriend. She's an incredible character and a straight-up badass thief. I still haven't entirely forgiven for what she's done. I can't tell you what but it was pretty bad. Yet, I can't help but like her regardless. She's such a hilarious, wholesome character. She made every scene better. Even if it was a sober one. I sort of hate that I love her, but I really do love her. I also want her, Mer, and Fane to have a polyamorous relationship. I really do.
However, I do not love her or anyone in this book as much as I loved what must be the cutest, most amazing sidekick I have ever found in a book. EVER!! Trefor was probably the best decision Emily Lloyd-Jones has ever made in any book. There will never be a better companion created to accompany people on a dangerous quest full of ups and downs than this magnificence of a corgi. He was a treasure, a constant presence that soothed away all the pain that Ms Lloyd-Jones has caused me with her words.
Yeap, I definitely HIGHLY recommend this.
August 7, 2023
4.5⭐️ I CAN'T FORM WORDS
dare i suggest all six of crows fans to get on this book immediately 😩
it's low budget no doubt but mer reminds of so much nina and the backstory of the magical heist is so good
update: i was going to give this 4⭐️ but the epilogue broke me and put me back together so 5⭐️
dare i suggest all six of crows fans to get on this book immediately 😩
it's low budget no doubt but mer reminds of so much nina and the backstory of the magical heist is so good
update: i was going to give this 4⭐️ but the epilogue broke me and put me back together so 5⭐️
April 4, 2022
pre-read: pretty cover + heist? what more could i ask for?
-
read: 3.5 stars. it turns out i could have asked for a bit more.
first off- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC!
in ARC review fashion, here are my positives and negatives:
(+) prologue. it did its job, and did it well! so so so promising and set up the book so nicely, which is maybe why i was so upset as the story went on. but a strong start is a strong start so i’m giving it that!
(?) mer. in simple terms, she’s basically a very powerful waterbender. which is cool! but also, not as cool as katara and never escapes the hollow “fantasy YA female lead” mold that’s been written to the grave. i love to reuse tropes and character types, but i felt physical pain with how flavorless mer was. actually, with how all the characters were, which is why:
(-) the characters. were they tolerable? yes. did reading this book become a chore about 40% through after realizing that i’ve seen them all a hundred times over? also yes. a lot of characters felt irrelevant and my favorite character legitimately ended up being a dog that followed them around. simply put, i didn’t care about them, and i’m glad i’m not the only reviewer that struggled.
(?) multiple POVs. i’m not too sure on how i feel about it here- on one hand it would have been great to focus solely on mer. on the other, switching between characters definitely aided in the heist mood (but even that wasn’t enough to save it). it felt like we were trying too hard to reach six of crows, and the POVs there only worked because the crows were enjoyable and well-rounded characters.
(-) the pacing. i think that since the characters were so meh, all i had to lean on was the plot. towards the middle of the book i really did fight to keep reading as everything went slow and it became a time to rely on the readers’ love for the characters (spoiler: i didn’t love any of them). i truly couldn’t tell you a single notable thing that happened in the middle.
(+) the ending. other than the very beginning, the last 15% of this story was the only part i felt engaged in. did the prince situation add up to any sense or plot reward? (-) no. it was underwhelming, and this book has much less to do with the prince than you’d expect. but i appreciated the “plot twist” (ehhh) and everything past that, especially the epilogue.
(+) epilogue (which was written like the prologue)! and as much as i enjoyed this, it slightly upset me, because why did i get to taste a potential 5 stars in the prologue, then be forced to endure the rest of the book until the epilogue came around?! what’s with the sampling?? are we rationing around here???
-
recommend: not really. it fell flat, the characters are hollow, and there are so many other YA fantasy that read the exact same and are more enjoyable.
-
read: 3.5 stars. it turns out i could have asked for a bit more.
first off- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC!
in ARC review fashion, here are my positives and negatives:
(+) prologue. it did its job, and did it well! so so so promising and set up the book so nicely, which is maybe why i was so upset as the story went on. but a strong start is a strong start so i’m giving it that!
(?) mer. in simple terms, she’s basically a very powerful waterbender. which is cool! but also, not as cool as katara and never escapes the hollow “fantasy YA female lead” mold that’s been written to the grave. i love to reuse tropes and character types, but i felt physical pain with how flavorless mer was. actually, with how all the characters were, which is why:
(-) the characters. were they tolerable? yes. did reading this book become a chore about 40% through after realizing that i’ve seen them all a hundred times over? also yes. a lot of characters felt irrelevant and my favorite character legitimately ended up being a dog that followed them around. simply put, i didn’t care about them, and i’m glad i’m not the only reviewer that struggled.
(?) multiple POVs. i’m not too sure on how i feel about it here- on one hand it would have been great to focus solely on mer. on the other, switching between characters definitely aided in the heist mood (but even that wasn’t enough to save it). it felt like we were trying too hard to reach six of crows, and the POVs there only worked because the crows were enjoyable and well-rounded characters.
(-) the pacing. i think that since the characters were so meh, all i had to lean on was the plot. towards the middle of the book i really did fight to keep reading as everything went slow and it became a time to rely on the readers’ love for the characters (spoiler: i didn’t love any of them). i truly couldn’t tell you a single notable thing that happened in the middle.
(+) the ending. other than the very beginning, the last 15% of this story was the only part i felt engaged in. did the prince situation add up to any sense or plot reward? (-) no. it was underwhelming, and this book has much less to do with the prince than you’d expect. but i appreciated the “plot twist” (ehhh) and everything past that, especially the epilogue.
(+) epilogue (which was written like the prologue)! and as much as i enjoyed this, it slightly upset me, because why did i get to taste a potential 5 stars in the prologue, then be forced to endure the rest of the book until the epilogue came around?! what’s with the sampling?? are we rationing around here???
-
recommend: not really. it fell flat, the characters are hollow, and there are so many other YA fantasy that read the exact same and are more enjoyable.
March 2, 2023
4 Corgi Stars ⭐️
This was a stunningly beautiful and enchanting fantasy book and I absolutely adored it!!! This was a buddy read with my Darling Richard and was meant to be an experience to draw me into Audiobooks. All I can say is I might not be fully converted but if this is what I have been missing out on in Audio - I need to rectify that as soon as possible!!!!
What really drew me into this was how strong the atmospheric ambience of the story was. The overall feeling of fairytale-esque magic and charm weaved into the mood, characters, tone and plot! It was just utterly delightful and whimsical at times (especially in the scenes with Trefor - the little corgi "spy"), that I found myself at times just mesmerised as I sat back and just enjoyed it.
This story is loosely based on the myth of cantre'r gwaelod - which is like a Welsh "Atlantis" and follows a girl called Mer, who happens to be one of the last Water Diviners (this means she has the ability to magically control water). For years she was a tool, used by the Prince, and exploited for her power... until she escaped. Now her past has caught up to her. The old spymaster who originally stole her from her home, all those years ago, has come to find her again. Only this time he has a proposal for her... one that includes a plan to get back at the evil prince.
I am quite glad that I experienced this story as an Audiobook, because Emily Lloyd-Jones does not go easy on the reader with all the Welsh names of people and places. I actually had to look up the spelling of half the things, cause my mind alone would not be able to piece them together without help!!! I mean there were the normal ones - Mer, Fane, Ifanna but then there were also Renfrew, Garanhir, Caer Wyddno, Gwaelod and then castell which in WELSH "ll" has a [ɬ] sound it so sounds like "Castethhh"....
The characters in this were lovely; however, we are still meeting most of them after halfway in the book, so it can feel a little slow in terms of plot progression and can make the characterisation feel weak because we don't actually spend too long with the characters before the main plot starts progressing really quickly in the second half. As such this does not give enough time to fully develop all the characters!
I really enjoyed Mer though. She was caring, determined, and just utterly amazing. She carries a lot of guilt based on the atrocities she had a hand in when being used by the Prince, and so has a strong moral desire to do good and right. Fane was also spectacular and his arc was heartbreaking and still sweet to see unfold. The romance between the two of them is cute, adorable and very understated - this is almost the perfect type of romance for anyone. It's a great experience for readers who don't like romance in their books, as it's not the main plot or subplot. BUT it also gives us romance lovers at heart our little squeals of delight!
The best character in this book however is TREFOR....yes the Corgi! He is basically adorable and funny. The scenes when he was described added youthful humour and comedic relief to the dark seriousness of the main tale. He reminded me of every Disney princess having a silly sidekick and all I want right now is my own little "other-folk" spy!
One of the reasons why this wasn't a five-star for me...BUT might actually be something that could be a 5 Star for some people is to do with the plot... Firstly the main plot centres around a "heist". I am not typically into these types of books as I don't particularly enjoy this type of story - HOWEVER, I know people are dying to find this "trope" in books.
This was one of the books that I did not see the twist coming and when it happened I was stunned into shock and questioning my reality! The last 30% of this book is amazing, fast-action-paced and really does shoot up this story to new heights!
Overall I would strongly recommend this read if you are looking for a cosy, magical fantasy that interweaves lore, myth and legend into an atmospheric and delightful comfort that is perfect to cosy up to on a rainy day!
This was a stunningly beautiful and enchanting fantasy book and I absolutely adored it!!! This was a buddy read with my Darling Richard and was meant to be an experience to draw me into Audiobooks. All I can say is I might not be fully converted but if this is what I have been missing out on in Audio - I need to rectify that as soon as possible!!!!
What really drew me into this was how strong the atmospheric ambience of the story was. The overall feeling of fairytale-esque magic and charm weaved into the mood, characters, tone and plot! It was just utterly delightful and whimsical at times (especially in the scenes with Trefor - the little corgi "spy"), that I found myself at times just mesmerised as I sat back and just enjoyed it.
This story is loosely based on the myth of cantre'r gwaelod - which is like a Welsh "Atlantis" and follows a girl called Mer, who happens to be one of the last Water Diviners (this means she has the ability to magically control water). For years she was a tool, used by the Prince, and exploited for her power... until she escaped. Now her past has caught up to her. The old spymaster who originally stole her from her home, all those years ago, has come to find her again. Only this time he has a proposal for her... one that includes a plan to get back at the evil prince.
I am quite glad that I experienced this story as an Audiobook, because Emily Lloyd-Jones does not go easy on the reader with all the Welsh names of people and places. I actually had to look up the spelling of half the things, cause my mind alone would not be able to piece them together without help!!! I mean there were the normal ones - Mer, Fane, Ifanna but then there were also Renfrew, Garanhir, Caer Wyddno, Gwaelod and then castell which in WELSH "ll" has a [ɬ] sound it so sounds like "Castethhh"....
The characters in this were lovely; however, we are still meeting most of them after halfway in the book, so it can feel a little slow in terms of plot progression and can make the characterisation feel weak because we don't actually spend too long with the characters before the main plot starts progressing really quickly in the second half. As such this does not give enough time to fully develop all the characters!
I really enjoyed Mer though. She was caring, determined, and just utterly amazing. She carries a lot of guilt based on the atrocities she had a hand in when being used by the Prince, and so has a strong moral desire to do good and right. Fane was also spectacular and his arc was heartbreaking and still sweet to see unfold. The romance between the two of them is cute, adorable and very understated - this is almost the perfect type of romance for anyone. It's a great experience for readers who don't like romance in their books, as it's not the main plot or subplot. BUT it also gives us romance lovers at heart our little squeals of delight!
The best character in this book however is TREFOR....yes the Corgi! He is basically adorable and funny. The scenes when he was described added youthful humour and comedic relief to the dark seriousness of the main tale. He reminded me of every Disney princess having a silly sidekick and all I want right now is my own little "other-folk" spy!
One of the reasons why this wasn't a five-star for me...BUT might actually be something that could be a 5 Star for some people is to do with the plot... Firstly the main plot centres around a "heist". I am not typically into these types of books as I don't particularly enjoy this type of story - HOWEVER, I know people are dying to find this "trope" in books.
This was one of the books that I did not see the twist coming and when it happened I was stunned into shock and questioning my reality! The last 30% of this book is amazing, fast-action-paced and really does shoot up this story to new heights!
Overall I would strongly recommend this read if you are looking for a cosy, magical fantasy that interweaves lore, myth and legend into an atmospheric and delightful comfort that is perfect to cosy up to on a rainy day!
May 3, 2022
Not being familiar with Welsh mythology beyond King Arthur, I had never heard about Cantre'r Gwaelod, a sunken kingdom off the coast of Wales, that sounds strikingly similar to the myth of Atlantis. That was the selling point for me, and I'm sure it will be for others.
The story has a strong start but it drops in the middle and never really recovers from the steep fall despite the nice ending; this good beginning and good ending make the book feel like the two slices of bread are more delicious than the filling in the sandwich, and although the protagonist sounds intriguing at first (she has a film-worthy opening line in her first chapter) and you want to see what kind of magic she has, and how she'll use it, it progressively became harder and harder to care about the main lead, Mererid the water diviner, and Fane, her love interest, because they were rather underwhelming, a classical example of Fantasy characters that do as expected and have little to offer characterisation-wise.
It's a quick read, enjoyable if you don't want anything complicated or too long, and you might like the world too, because the places and landscapes are pretty and not that common for the genre. Plus, Welsh Atlantis! The fact that it has a generally upbeat narrative curve also helps, if you're sick of dark and gloomy stories, this will be your cup of tea.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The story has a strong start but it drops in the middle and never really recovers from the steep fall despite the nice ending; this good beginning and good ending make the book feel like the two slices of bread are more delicious than the filling in the sandwich, and although the protagonist sounds intriguing at first (she has a film-worthy opening line in her first chapter) and you want to see what kind of magic she has, and how she'll use it, it progressively became harder and harder to care about the main lead, Mererid the water diviner, and Fane, her love interest, because they were rather underwhelming, a classical example of Fantasy characters that do as expected and have little to offer characterisation-wise.
It's a quick read, enjoyable if you don't want anything complicated or too long, and you might like the world too, because the places and landscapes are pretty and not that common for the genre. Plus, Welsh Atlantis! The fact that it has a generally upbeat narrative curve also helps, if you're sick of dark and gloomy stories, this will be your cup of tea.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
July 30, 2023
“She could not slay her own fears. But as for the men who’d made her afraid- they could bleed.”
I love a good heist/journey fantasy story and this one gave me everything I needed!
Mer is the last living water diviner. After escaping the Prince, where she was taken as a child and forced into servitude for 8 years, she has been hiding out.
When her old spymaster finds her, he offers her a chance for revenge on the Prince who tormented and abused her.
Along with a couple of other crew members including a boy blessed (or cursed) by the fair folk they plan to reach a magical well known to have unimaginable qualities.
The plot moved at a good pace, steady enough to follow but fast enough to keep interest. I loved the mix of characters and all of the magical elements.
4 stars 🌟
I love a good heist/journey fantasy story and this one gave me everything I needed!
Mer is the last living water diviner. After escaping the Prince, where she was taken as a child and forced into servitude for 8 years, she has been hiding out.
When her old spymaster finds her, he offers her a chance for revenge on the Prince who tormented and abused her.
Along with a couple of other crew members including a boy blessed (or cursed) by the fair folk they plan to reach a magical well known to have unimaginable qualities.
The plot moved at a good pace, steady enough to follow but fast enough to keep interest. I loved the mix of characters and all of the magical elements.
4 stars 🌟
June 18, 2022
Mer is a very powerful water diviner and in hiding after escaping capture by the Prince who has used her powers for his own gain. She teams up with the Prince's spy master and they plan a heist so dangerous and tricky its almost brilliant.
I really like the idea behind this book. The plot was unique as a heist book is hard to pull off, especially if you add magic to the mix. I felt that the pace was too slow. So much time spent on assembling the perfect team and then the last bit just speeds by.
We get to know Mer's character very deeply, but nothing really sticks in my mind regarding the rest of the team except the loveable pup.
The overall plot played out well and the ending had a good close off.
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this ARC.
I really like the idea behind this book. The plot was unique as a heist book is hard to pull off, especially if you add magic to the mix. I felt that the pace was too slow. So much time spent on assembling the perfect team and then the last bit just speeds by.
We get to know Mer's character very deeply, but nothing really sticks in my mind regarding the rest of the team except the loveable pup.
The overall plot played out well and the ending had a good close off.
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this ARC.
May 23, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!
This was an interesting book. Started off so good, then kind of went downhill, unfortunately.
Characters: They were decent. At the beginning of the book they were quite interesting and I wanted to know more about them and understand them, but I never got much of that. They did not develop much, and they essentially were just thrown in their surroundings and reacting to the goings-on, so I did not get to know much about them other than their pasts and how they have 'grown-up' as a result of what happened to them previously. In short, they were pretty one-dimensional and stereotypical.
The corgi. This is a fantasy novel, but there was a corgi. Felt out of place to me. Sometimes it works to have random things like a corgi in novels but this was not one of those cases.
Plot: Good. I was invested in it pretty much the whole book. Except for a few times where I considered not finishing it due to other reasons besides the plot. The plot was probably the best part of this book. It definitely had potential to be better, but it was still good. There were a few things that I thought were predictable and obvious.
Writing: Nothing spectacular.
Some of the names of places and a certain boar seemed like they were made up by keyboard smashing (like what even is this name: Ysgithyrwyn). My dyslexic brain cannot handle names like that...
The world building was a bit vague, but the general idea was portrayed (most likely this is because most of the world building was done in the Bone Houses book which is in the same world, and I have not read it). Chapters were a bit inconsistent and the narrator. It started off with just Mer and Fane, but a few others were pulled in near the end which I thought did not add much to the story.
For Christians:
Conclusion: could have been a lot better. Had potential. Did not deliver. Not memorable.
2 stars
This was an interesting book. Started off so good, then kind of went downhill, unfortunately.
Characters: They were decent. At the beginning of the book they were quite interesting and I wanted to know more about them and understand them, but I never got much of that. They did not develop much, and they essentially were just thrown in their surroundings and reacting to the goings-on, so I did not get to know much about them other than their pasts and how they have 'grown-up' as a result of what happened to them previously. In short, they were pretty one-dimensional and stereotypical.
The corgi. This is a fantasy novel, but there was a corgi. Felt out of place to me. Sometimes it works to have random things like a corgi in novels but this was not one of those cases.
Plot: Good. I was invested in it pretty much the whole book. Except for a few times where I considered not finishing it due to other reasons besides the plot. The plot was probably the best part of this book. It definitely had potential to be better, but it was still good. There were a few things that I thought were predictable and obvious.
Writing: Nothing spectacular.
Some of the names of places and a certain boar seemed like they were made up by keyboard smashing (like what even is this name: Ysgithyrwyn). My dyslexic brain cannot handle names like that...
The world building was a bit vague, but the general idea was portrayed (most likely this is because most of the world building was done in the Bone Houses book which is in the same world, and I have not read it). Chapters were a bit inconsistent and the narrator. It started off with just Mer and Fane, but a few others were pulled in near the end which I thought did not add much to the story.
For Christians:
Conclusion: could have been a lot better. Had potential. Did not deliver. Not memorable.
2 stars
Want to read
June 21, 2022
OMG, A NEW EMILY LLOYD-JONES BOOK?!!! YES, PLEASE!!! And the cover matches perfectly with The Bone Houses!!!
- a retelling of the tale of Cantre'r Gwaelod (Welsh mythology à la The Bone Houses)
- a water diviner
- a fae-cursed prince
- a corgi "spy"
- a sunken kingdom
- a faery tale
- a heist
June 7, 2024
I think a large part of the reason I loved this so much is because I went into it with ZERO expectations. I loved all the characters. The story was simple and straightforward but executed really well. Sometimes what you really need is a charming YA fantasy book.
2024 is the year I stop talking myself out of giving a book five stars. 🫡
Highly recommend if you are a fan of A River Enchanted
2024 is the year I stop talking myself out of giving a book five stars. 🫡
Highly recommend if you are a fan of A River Enchanted
August 15, 2022
While I don't want to say that the pitch of this story is wrong -- part heist novel, part dark fairytale, delightful Welsh world -- I do want to stress the importance of the words "part". Because the heist part.. well, it's there but might not be the kind of heist you're used to. And the same with the dark fairytale; in fact that might be the least present, I think. But they are all definitely players in this story. Just.. bit players. Mostly the whole story is just tiny pieces of things, really. They don't feel disjointed by any means but we never get full solid bites of anything.
Overall this didn't move me or enthral me the same way as THE BONE HOUSES. I did like some of the characters -- notably the corgi -- but never felt the love for any. And I only got the slightest of tickle at the back of my throat near the emotional bit. But the writing was so good and I do love the Welsh setting.
I'll admit I did spend most of the book trying to figure out how this connected to the aforementioned other novel and I thought it was just my memory failing me (I read too many books to remember lots of details.. it's my curse) but then the penny finally dropped. And it was very well done.
I would definitely not want to deter you from picking this up, particularly if you're a fan of the other book this connects to, but for me this had a strong start and a good ending. But the middle is where I got a bit lost and the characters couldn't quite keep me in it. Having said that, I'll absolutely continue to read this author.
Also, shoutout to that cover. Stunning!
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Overall this didn't move me or enthral me the same way as THE BONE HOUSES. I did like some of the characters -- notably the corgi -- but never felt the love for any. And I only got the slightest of tickle at the back of my throat near the emotional bit. But the writing was so good and I do love the Welsh setting.
I'll admit I did spend most of the book trying to figure out how this connected to the aforementioned other novel and I thought it was just my memory failing me (I read too many books to remember lots of details.. it's my curse) but then the penny finally dropped. And it was very well done.
I would definitely not want to deter you from picking this up, particularly if you're a fan of the other book this connects to, but for me this had a strong start and a good ending. But the middle is where I got a bit lost and the characters couldn't quite keep me in it. Having said that, I'll absolutely continue to read this author.
Also, shoutout to that cover. Stunning!
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
August 27, 2022
Buddy read w/ my bb rivs 😌
August 23, 2022
Happy week-after publication to this!
Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for a copy of this to review. The Drowned Woods drops August 16th. It was a story with a lot of promise, but in the end I can only recommend it as a way to pass the time or for those specifically interested in Welsh lore.
I requested this book because of the Welsh magic and heist plot mentioned in the summary. The components of a fun read were there - a heist with a gang of varied characters is one of my favorite tropes. Unfortunately, this book fell short for me in almost every aspect, and I think that is mainly down to length - well, brevity. It was an ambitious plot set in a complex magic system, and nothing was given proper page time, including characters & their backstories. This resulted in everything feeling half-baked, from the unexplored Welsh lore, to the plot that quickly abandoned what the blurb promised, to more than one flat, unconvincing romance thrown onto the page.
The Otherfolk were not explored enough for my taste - Fane's magic in particular had me very confused, and this was important because the plot tension really hinged on whether he could only deal his death magic to seven people total, or unlimited people until his specific seven were killed. I did not buy a single sentence of either romance shoehorned in, either. The Welsh inclusions, from names to food nouns and beyond, were neat, but after a while I felt worn down by the compulsion to keep stopping and google pronunciations and definitions. It made for uneven reading and I think an audiobook of this would be a bit better. A specific tidbit of Welsh folklore shows up near the end, and at first I thought 'that's a neat easter egg', and then it devolved into a bit of deus ex machina action. Every cool aspect became too much or not enough.
Something that was genuinely well-done was scene setting and atmospheric description. I noticed this in Llloyd-Jones' other Welsh lore novel, the Bone Houses, a really cool vibe to her worlds that I can only describe as...goblincore. Super awesome, Black Cauldron vibes. The forests were creepy, the descriptions of the cities, as places full of bustle and iron and therefore 'not places for magic', were great. There's some imagery near the end of Mer against the waves, and it was a super cool, cinematic picture in my mind.
In the end, I am pretty torn on rating this book. I think The Drowned Woods would be a good story on audiobook, and not something to take as seriously as it takes itself at times. It has ethereal, fairytale aspects that were neat to read, a cute corgi following our characters around, and tons of Welsh vocabulary. But it also has romance that wasn't worth the page space it took up, almost too much Welsh vocab so you might want google at hand, characters that we hardly got to know, and lots of aspects that felt not fully cooked, especially as it was a short read. Three stars.
Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for a copy of this to review. The Drowned Woods drops August 16th. It was a story with a lot of promise, but in the end I can only recommend it as a way to pass the time or for those specifically interested in Welsh lore.
I requested this book because of the Welsh magic and heist plot mentioned in the summary. The components of a fun read were there - a heist with a gang of varied characters is one of my favorite tropes. Unfortunately, this book fell short for me in almost every aspect, and I think that is mainly down to length - well, brevity. It was an ambitious plot set in a complex magic system, and nothing was given proper page time, including characters & their backstories. This resulted in everything feeling half-baked, from the unexplored Welsh lore, to the plot that quickly abandoned what the blurb promised, to more than one flat, unconvincing romance thrown onto the page.
The Otherfolk were not explored enough for my taste - Fane's magic in particular had me very confused, and this was important because the plot tension really hinged on whether he could only deal his death magic to seven people total, or unlimited people until his specific seven were killed. I did not buy a single sentence of either romance shoehorned in, either. The Welsh inclusions, from names to food nouns and beyond, were neat, but after a while I felt worn down by the compulsion to keep stopping and google pronunciations and definitions. It made for uneven reading and I think an audiobook of this would be a bit better. A specific tidbit of Welsh folklore shows up near the end, and at first I thought 'that's a neat easter egg', and then it devolved into a bit of deus ex machina action. Every cool aspect became too much or not enough.
Something that was genuinely well-done was scene setting and atmospheric description. I noticed this in Llloyd-Jones' other Welsh lore novel, the Bone Houses, a really cool vibe to her worlds that I can only describe as...goblincore. Super awesome, Black Cauldron vibes. The forests were creepy, the descriptions of the cities, as places full of bustle and iron and therefore 'not places for magic', were great. There's some imagery near the end of Mer against the waves, and it was a super cool, cinematic picture in my mind.
In the end, I am pretty torn on rating this book. I think The Drowned Woods would be a good story on audiobook, and not something to take as seriously as it takes itself at times. It has ethereal, fairytale aspects that were neat to read, a cute corgi following our characters around, and tons of Welsh vocabulary. But it also has romance that wasn't worth the page space it took up, almost too much Welsh vocab so you might want google at hand, characters that we hardly got to know, and lots of aspects that felt not fully cooked, especially as it was a short read. Three stars.
July 27, 2022
This is a hard book to rate. It read very flat, and never turned into a hill (an upwards or even downwards hill), just stayed flat throughout.
That's not to say that it wasn't still fun to read, to an extent. I finished it in one sitting just fine, and it didn't feel like I was reading an average length book at all, so it has that going for it.
The world building was okay too, I liked the use of mythology.
The plot needed some more development, it felt very shallow and predictable in parts. It was also unserious, so I think it might be a good fit for middle grade readers, they might appreciate it more.
The characters are where it gets tricky, they make or break the story for me and here I fear it was the latter.
I felt no attachment to anyone except the two dogs. One dog shows up at the start and finish and the other is a constant companion. They're the best characters. Everyone else? Meh. They could've all lived or died and it would've been the same to me.
I didn't realise that this book was "connected" to another book by the author which I haven't read. Maybe if I had I'd like this one more, but since I haven't it is what it is.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
That's not to say that it wasn't still fun to read, to an extent. I finished it in one sitting just fine, and it didn't feel like I was reading an average length book at all, so it has that going for it.
The world building was okay too, I liked the use of mythology.
The plot needed some more development, it felt very shallow and predictable in parts. It was also unserious, so I think it might be a good fit for middle grade readers, they might appreciate it more.
The characters are where it gets tricky, they make or break the story for me and here I fear it was the latter.
I felt no attachment to anyone except the two dogs. One dog shows up at the start and finish and the other is a constant companion. They're the best characters. Everyone else? Meh. They could've all lived or died and it would've been the same to me.
I didn't realise that this book was "connected" to another book by the author which I haven't read. Maybe if I had I'd like this one more, but since I haven't it is what it is.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
December 21, 2025
"The tragedy of death was distance. Death cleaved the world in two, leaving the living and the dead standing on either side of some impassable chasm."
Dark and enchanting story blending Welsh myth of cantre’r gwaelod and magic woven atmospheric tale of a determined water diviner who combines forces with a motley crew to confront and dethrone a heartless prince for exploiting Mer’s power. A distinct kind of heist tale complete with fantastical adventure, conflicted ambitious characters and a cute corgi that’ll captivate and entertain in equal measure. The epilogue reflects the beautiful satisfying connection to The Bone Houses.
***********************************************************
Can't wait to delve right into this Welsh fantasy/myth roughly based on the lost kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod (The Lowland Hundred)... Wales very own Atlantis!
I loved The bone houses by ELJ. You can check my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dark and enchanting story blending Welsh myth of cantre’r gwaelod and magic woven atmospheric tale of a determined water diviner who combines forces with a motley crew to confront and dethrone a heartless prince for exploiting Mer’s power. A distinct kind of heist tale complete with fantastical adventure, conflicted ambitious characters and a cute corgi that’ll captivate and entertain in equal measure. The epilogue reflects the beautiful satisfying connection to The Bone Houses.
***********************************************************
Can't wait to delve right into this Welsh fantasy/myth roughly based on the lost kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod (The Lowland Hundred)... Wales very own Atlantis!
I loved The bone houses by ELJ. You can check my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 22, 2025
1 star for the cover and 3 for the story
August 12, 2022
Less than a week until this little morsel hits shelves!!!! This is not a drill!!!
Mererid, aka Mer, has the power to control water. Taken from her family at a young age to serve the prince, she unknowingly caused hundreds of not thousands of deaths under his thumb. Now on the run and looking to get far away an old mentor from the past offers her the heist of a lifetime, one that would help her escape the prince's grasp for good. Fane promised servitude to the otherfolk, magical beings that offered him power to avenge his family's murders. How will Fane and Mer's paths cross? And will they be willing to continue no matter the cost?
Emily Lloyd-Jones does it AGAIN! Her first novel, The Hearts We Sold, is my all time absolute favorite book. I truly enjoyed the Bone Houses as well, but The Hearts We Sold has continued to be my recommendation to readers asking for a quick and powerful read. The Drowned Woods is another story I'm excited to put into recommendation rotation. The characters are flawed, the story feel hopeless, and you aren't meant to feel like it's a happy ending, but instead a meaningful one. Fane's story was woven beautifully and it was great to see him rationalize and not lose himself as much as he could have. I was very worried he was going down the Percival De Rolo/The List path but was impressed with how different from Percy's story it ended up being.
I wish I could give this story a hundred stars, but as I'm limited to give it's what I'll give it. I highly recommend this and Lloyd-Jones' entire body of work for those who love a deep story that has a deeper lesson and meaning. Age range 12+ as nothing graphic or sexual occurs.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mererid, aka Mer, has the power to control water. Taken from her family at a young age to serve the prince, she unknowingly caused hundreds of not thousands of deaths under his thumb. Now on the run and looking to get far away an old mentor from the past offers her the heist of a lifetime, one that would help her escape the prince's grasp for good. Fane promised servitude to the otherfolk, magical beings that offered him power to avenge his family's murders. How will Fane and Mer's paths cross? And will they be willing to continue no matter the cost?
Emily Lloyd-Jones does it AGAIN! Her first novel, The Hearts We Sold, is my all time absolute favorite book. I truly enjoyed the Bone Houses as well, but The Hearts We Sold has continued to be my recommendation to readers asking for a quick and powerful read. The Drowned Woods is another story I'm excited to put into recommendation rotation. The characters are flawed, the story feel hopeless, and you aren't meant to feel like it's a happy ending, but instead a meaningful one. Fane's story was woven beautifully and it was great to see him rationalize and not lose himself as much as he could have. I was very worried he was going down the Percival De Rolo/The List path but was impressed with how different from Percy's story it ended up being.
I wish I could give this story a hundred stars, but as I'm limited to give it's what I'll give it. I highly recommend this and Lloyd-Jones' entire body of work for those who love a deep story that has a deeper lesson and meaning. Age range 12+ as nothing graphic or sexual occurs.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
July 25, 2022Ugh, loved it. EL-J is a gift to words and setting and quests and corgis and bi girls.
August 23, 2024
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Emily Lloyd Jones returns to the world of The Bone Houses, to weave a tale of magical heists, corgis and water diviners. I didn't enjoy this as much as The Bone Houses, simply because the magical system is very much dependant on the elements, and less about necromancy, however I really liked how this managed to incorporate a rather intriguing magic with some interesting characters.
Mer is someone with a haunting past. Forced to leave her home and put into the service of an abusive prince who forces her to do terrible things with her magic, her only father figure is a man who acts as part guard, part instructor. This creates a lot of complicated feelings when he reemerges to offer her a deal she can't turn down. Can she trust this man who reminds her of all the awful things she's done? Her twin in this regard is Fane. A man with an equally murky past, but an additional adorable sidekick in Trefor the corgi - who was easily my favourite character. Emily Lloyd Jones has some knack for creating weird yet adorable sidekicks. First the undead goat, now a Fae spy disguised as a corgi. I love it.
The plot is your pretty standard magical heist story, with some high stakes along the way. I will say I didn't see the twist coming, and thought the payoff to its conclusion was really well done. The lore is nice, and not overwhelming, but I could have one with a bit more overall world building. Most of the plot is set in one city, with little descriptions of the surrounding areas. I thought the last 50 pages or so also could have been wrapped up a bit quicker as it drags the ending out a bit too long. I loved the subtle nod to The Bone Houses though.
Overall, an enjoyable read. I've since noticed there's going to be another book set in this world - so I'm really excited to tackle The Wild Huntress soon.
Emily Lloyd Jones returns to the world of The Bone Houses, to weave a tale of magical heists, corgis and water diviners. I didn't enjoy this as much as The Bone Houses, simply because the magical system is very much dependant on the elements, and less about necromancy, however I really liked how this managed to incorporate a rather intriguing magic with some interesting characters.
Mer is someone with a haunting past. Forced to leave her home and put into the service of an abusive prince who forces her to do terrible things with her magic, her only father figure is a man who acts as part guard, part instructor. This creates a lot of complicated feelings when he reemerges to offer her a deal she can't turn down. Can she trust this man who reminds her of all the awful things she's done? Her twin in this regard is Fane. A man with an equally murky past, but an additional adorable sidekick in Trefor the corgi - who was easily my favourite character. Emily Lloyd Jones has some knack for creating weird yet adorable sidekicks. First the undead goat, now a Fae spy disguised as a corgi. I love it.
The plot is your pretty standard magical heist story, with some high stakes along the way. I will say I didn't see the twist coming, and thought the payoff to its conclusion was really well done. The lore is nice, and not overwhelming, but I could have one with a bit more overall world building. Most of the plot is set in one city, with little descriptions of the surrounding areas. I thought the last 50 pages or so also could have been wrapped up a bit quicker as it drags the ending out a bit too long. I loved the subtle nod to The Bone Houses though.
Overall, an enjoyable read. I've since noticed there's going to be another book set in this world - so I'm really excited to tackle The Wild Huntress soon.
May 5, 2024
The diviner + the killer + the corgi 😀
I adored this book!
If I had to pitch it using comps I'd say it's The Folk of the Air x Six of Crows, which just so happen to be two of my favorite series ever. So, naturally, I'd recommend it.
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep one guessing and entertained. Like with the comps mentioned, romance isn’t at the forefront but it’s subtlety woven in.
All-in-all it was an enjoyable read and all the more impressive that it manages wrap things up rather nicely in a single book.
I adored this book!
If I had to pitch it using comps I'd say it's The Folk of the Air x Six of Crows, which just so happen to be two of my favorite series ever. So, naturally, I'd recommend it.
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep one guessing and entertained. Like with the comps mentioned, romance isn’t at the forefront but it’s subtlety woven in.
All-in-all it was an enjoyable read and all the more impressive that it manages wrap things up rather nicely in a single book.
August 9, 2022
with 2 sapphic main characters, magic, adventure, betrayal, a heist, a terrible prince who they hope to take down and hopes for freedom at the end, this book has my heart
August 21, 2022
Having read and loved the Bone Houses, I was so excited to learn I'd been gifted an ARC for The Drowned Woods. Before this one, I'd read two books by Emily Lloyd-Jones, and both were absolutely captivating. Because of this, I had high expectations going in. The Drowned Woods is a magical and mesmerizing fantasy novel that follows quite the interesting cast of characters.
The world building was one of my favorite parts of the Drowned Woods. Each description of the current setting was vast and comprehensive, easily allowing me to imagine the scenery. The inclusion of two of the main characters’ back stories—Mer and Fane—was an excellent addition to the story. It really set the scene for the direction the book would be heading, as well as what the two had endured to get to this point in their lives.
In addition to the world building, I found the magic system fascinating. There are different diviners with the power to control certain elements. Mer is a water diviner, and through her we learn a lot about how each power works. There are also otherfolk (essentially fae) hidden in the forest that we still don’t know a whole lot about, but could make for a fantastic exploration in a future book. Fane’s past is directly linked to the otherfolk, which leads to some intriguing reveals later on that had me waiting on the edge of my seat.
While the characters were each unique and fleshed out, I’d say I had trouble connecting with them more than any other aspect of the story. I can’t quite put my finger on why. All three of the main characters—Mer, Fane, and Ifanna—had well thought out backstories and characteristics, but still I found something lacking. I will say that Ifanna was my favorite of three, and I wish we’d had even more time with her. As part of the thieves guild, she made for a compelling character with a feisty attitude, badass fighting skills, and a history of pain that she was still working through.
Mer, on the other hand, was closed off due to the traumas of her childhood. Her character is what I would call a “stoic badass.” This allowed for her and Fane to form a special bond due to their shared grief. Fane’s family was taken from him at a young age, and because of this, he distanced himself from others (and because of other reasons I won’t get into due to spoilers). Until he meets Mer. She’s the only one he feels comfortable being himself around, so the two grow close throughout the course of the novel. I enjoyed their friendship a lot, and the progression of their relationship was pleasant and natural.
So, even though I had a harder time connecting with the characters than I did the story’s plot and world, they were all well-written and developed. However, there is one character who I had zero issues connecting with, and that’s Fane’s companion, Trefor the corgi. He was such a sweet and endearing addition to the plot. When things looked bleak, Trefor would always be there to give a boost in attitude. I absolutely love that he was included in this book!
All in all, though, I really enjoyed the Drowned Woods. This take on the Welsh legend of Cantre'r Gwaelod was fascinating, atmospheric, and a delight to read. If you enjoyed the Bone Houses like I did, then I highly suggest checking out the Drowned Woods! It won’t disappoint!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an a digital ARC, and to TBR and Beyond Tours and the publisher for providing me with a physical ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The world building was one of my favorite parts of the Drowned Woods. Each description of the current setting was vast and comprehensive, easily allowing me to imagine the scenery. The inclusion of two of the main characters’ back stories—Mer and Fane—was an excellent addition to the story. It really set the scene for the direction the book would be heading, as well as what the two had endured to get to this point in their lives.
In addition to the world building, I found the magic system fascinating. There are different diviners with the power to control certain elements. Mer is a water diviner, and through her we learn a lot about how each power works. There are also otherfolk (essentially fae) hidden in the forest that we still don’t know a whole lot about, but could make for a fantastic exploration in a future book. Fane’s past is directly linked to the otherfolk, which leads to some intriguing reveals later on that had me waiting on the edge of my seat.
While the characters were each unique and fleshed out, I’d say I had trouble connecting with them more than any other aspect of the story. I can’t quite put my finger on why. All three of the main characters—Mer, Fane, and Ifanna—had well thought out backstories and characteristics, but still I found something lacking. I will say that Ifanna was my favorite of three, and I wish we’d had even more time with her. As part of the thieves guild, she made for a compelling character with a feisty attitude, badass fighting skills, and a history of pain that she was still working through.
Mer, on the other hand, was closed off due to the traumas of her childhood. Her character is what I would call a “stoic badass.” This allowed for her and Fane to form a special bond due to their shared grief. Fane’s family was taken from him at a young age, and because of this, he distanced himself from others (and because of other reasons I won’t get into due to spoilers). Until he meets Mer. She’s the only one he feels comfortable being himself around, so the two grow close throughout the course of the novel. I enjoyed their friendship a lot, and the progression of their relationship was pleasant and natural.
So, even though I had a harder time connecting with the characters than I did the story’s plot and world, they were all well-written and developed. However, there is one character who I had zero issues connecting with, and that’s Fane’s companion, Trefor the corgi. He was such a sweet and endearing addition to the plot. When things looked bleak, Trefor would always be there to give a boost in attitude. I absolutely love that he was included in this book!
All in all, though, I really enjoyed the Drowned Woods. This take on the Welsh legend of Cantre'r Gwaelod was fascinating, atmospheric, and a delight to read. If you enjoyed the Bone Houses like I did, then I highly suggest checking out the Drowned Woods! It won’t disappoint!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an a digital ARC, and to TBR and Beyond Tours and the publisher for providing me with a physical ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 23, 2022
Based on Welsh mythology, The Drowned Woods takes place in a world with both humans and Fae (aka the Other). Our protagonist Mer is a water diviner, which means she is “Other-touched” and has water magic. When confronted by her old father-figure and teacher, she is recruited to join a heist team. It’s your standard heist team where each person serves a specialized purpose for the team to function. This time, they are after the Prince’s magical well where there is not only valuable treasure, but stores the magic that protects him. If they can pull this heist off, the cruel Prince that once enslaved Mer will be weakened, and she will have fortune enough to disappear for good, no longer being chased by his men. As one might guess, there is more to the story than what’s on the surface, but no spoilers!
This is a beautifully written, other-worldly book with a solid twisty plot and amazing well-formed characters. They have good backstories and I felt connected to them, especially Mer! The book explores ideas of power, accountability, and sacrifice. There is also the most adorable and endearing dog companion who has my entire heart! I just loved the whole feel to this book and the power of doing the right thing. I feel like I cant do it justice, I just think everyone should read it.
This is a beautifully written, other-worldly book with a solid twisty plot and amazing well-formed characters. They have good backstories and I felt connected to them, especially Mer! The book explores ideas of power, accountability, and sacrifice. There is also the most adorable and endearing dog companion who has my entire heart! I just loved the whole feel to this book and the power of doing the right thing. I feel like I cant do it justice, I just think everyone should read it.
September 2, 2022
Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.
The kingdoms of Wales once had magic running through its roots but now Mer is the last living Water Diviner. Her abilities saw her torn from her home as a child and bound to serve the prince. She escaped once but her life since then has been one spent the run. She longs to rest and for peace. The only thing to bring her that is to return for one last mission. One only a Water Diviner could complete.
This contained magic, a heist, and a whole lotta heart. I really loved the early exploration of Mer's abilities and the slow introduction of other more ancient magics, that appeared over the course of the novel. It made for such an atmospheric and whimsical reading experience, with tension and twisted turns added from the mission undertaken.
The adventure Mer and the individuals she travels with sees them face off with fearsome foes and venture far underground and into mythical places. Everything was crafted with vivid clarity and either had me shocked and unsure of the outcome or in awe and wishing to linger longer in this ingeniously crafted spaces.
In all, this is a book I had a fun time reading. The prose was as lush as the setting and the characters felt real and beloved the instant they were introduced, which only made the many turns in this all the harder to bear. Emily Lloyd-Jones is definitely an author I will be reading from again!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Emily Lloyd-Woods, and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for this opportunity.
The kingdoms of Wales once had magic running through its roots but now Mer is the last living Water Diviner. Her abilities saw her torn from her home as a child and bound to serve the prince. She escaped once but her life since then has been one spent the run. She longs to rest and for peace. The only thing to bring her that is to return for one last mission. One only a Water Diviner could complete.
This contained magic, a heist, and a whole lotta heart. I really loved the early exploration of Mer's abilities and the slow introduction of other more ancient magics, that appeared over the course of the novel. It made for such an atmospheric and whimsical reading experience, with tension and twisted turns added from the mission undertaken.
The adventure Mer and the individuals she travels with sees them face off with fearsome foes and venture far underground and into mythical places. Everything was crafted with vivid clarity and either had me shocked and unsure of the outcome or in awe and wishing to linger longer in this ingeniously crafted spaces.
In all, this is a book I had a fun time reading. The prose was as lush as the setting and the characters felt real and beloved the instant they were introduced, which only made the many turns in this all the harder to bear. Emily Lloyd-Jones is definitely an author I will be reading from again!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Emily Lloyd-Woods, and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for this opportunity.
Want to read
March 10, 202210/03/2022: we love heists, we love dark fantasy and that’s actually all i need tbh
» thank you to netgalley & the publisher for the arc !!
» thank you to netgalley & the publisher for the arc !!
July 26, 2022
4.5/5
Wow what an adventure. I found this really enjoyable and I highly recommend it. I loved the subtle nod to The Bone Houses in this book. You don’t need to read The Bone Houses to enjoy this though. The motley group of characters were fun and I loved the scheming and plot twists. I did figure out the large plot twist before it happened but it didn’t minimize my enjoyment. I love a story with twists and where nothing is as it seems.
The characters were lots of fun I enjoyed Mer and Fane. Ifanna was great too but the best of character was Trefor the corgi. I love when books include cute animal companions and he was so fun! I did find myself not connecting as well with the characters as I did with The Bone Houses. I think maybe there were more of them so it was harder. I really appreciated Mer being bisexual and how it was represented. The romance did feel a little strange to me but mostly because it was so subtle I was almost surprised by it. Overall I was still happy with it and thought it was done well I just wanted a bit more.
The plot and the world building were great. The story never felt bogged down with too many details but I could still imagine all the places described. I thought the inclusion of Welsh mythology was so fascinating. The magic and the diviners were one of my favorite parts of the story. I really enjoyed how the magic dealt with the different elements. The heist aspect of this story was done well. The crew assembly and revenge plot really drove the story. I loved how not everyone was who they seemed and the subterfuge kept me on my toes.
Overall I think this was a solid dark fantasy fairytale filled with captivating mythology. Even if you haven’t read The Bone Houses I would still highly recommend this.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow what an adventure. I found this really enjoyable and I highly recommend it. I loved the subtle nod to The Bone Houses in this book. You don’t need to read The Bone Houses to enjoy this though. The motley group of characters were fun and I loved the scheming and plot twists. I did figure out the large plot twist before it happened but it didn’t minimize my enjoyment. I love a story with twists and where nothing is as it seems.
The characters were lots of fun I enjoyed Mer and Fane. Ifanna was great too but the best of character was Trefor the corgi. I love when books include cute animal companions and he was so fun! I did find myself not connecting as well with the characters as I did with The Bone Houses. I think maybe there were more of them so it was harder. I really appreciated Mer being bisexual and how it was represented. The romance did feel a little strange to me but mostly because it was so subtle I was almost surprised by it. Overall I was still happy with it and thought it was done well I just wanted a bit more.
The plot and the world building were great. The story never felt bogged down with too many details but I could still imagine all the places described. I thought the inclusion of Welsh mythology was so fascinating. The magic and the diviners were one of my favorite parts of the story. I really enjoyed how the magic dealt with the different elements. The heist aspect of this story was done well. The crew assembly and revenge plot really drove the story. I loved how not everyone was who they seemed and the subterfuge kept me on my toes.
Overall I think this was a solid dark fantasy fairytale filled with captivating mythology. Even if you haven’t read The Bone Houses I would still highly recommend this.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2022
THE DROWNED WOODS, by Emily Lloyd-Jones, is a novel that takes place in the same "land" as her previous THE BONE HOUSES, but with an entirely new set of characters. This author has proven to me that she can write the most haunting Dark Fantasy books, and make them unique every time.
"Things are only immortal until you kill them."
Mer is a water diviner--stolen from her family for her powers. She grew up never having her own choice in matters, with the only thing she really learned to do, being RUN. Her emotional growth was incredible, and very realistically written, in my opinion. She joins up with an unlikely crew for a questionable heist, and from there, the banter, characters, and action really take off.
I loved the imagery, the land, characters, and the lessons gradually learned. The only thing that slowed this novel down for me was that from around 2/3-3/4 things seemed more repetitive, and the pacing went down a notch. It did pick up after that though, and the ending was truly remarkable, and not one I could have guessed at!
"She had never been brave--but she'd always been angry . . ."
Recommended!
"Things are only immortal until you kill them."
Mer is a water diviner--stolen from her family for her powers. She grew up never having her own choice in matters, with the only thing she really learned to do, being RUN. Her emotional growth was incredible, and very realistically written, in my opinion. She joins up with an unlikely crew for a questionable heist, and from there, the banter, characters, and action really take off.
I loved the imagery, the land, characters, and the lessons gradually learned. The only thing that slowed this novel down for me was that from around 2/3-3/4 things seemed more repetitive, and the pacing went down a notch. It did pick up after that though, and the ending was truly remarkable, and not one I could have guessed at!
"She had never been brave--but she'd always been angry . . ."
Recommended!
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