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!

The Drowned Woods was amazing! I love Emily Lloyd-Jones' writing, and I love the characters she creates. Mer is now one of my favorite heroines of all time, and I really liked all of the side characters, too. Trefor, of course, is the best part of the book.
The Drowned Woods is inspired by Welsh mythology, something I wish was more prevalent in fantasy, and it's set in the same world as The Bone Houses.