4.5 stars

As you can tell from the name of my IG account, Mer is what my family and close friends call me (albeit it’s short for Meridith, not Mererid, but whatever). I’ve never seen this nickname in a book, so it was definitely amusing to see “Mer does this“ and “Mer goes over there” in print. And I am really happy that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s part heist, part fairytale, part ragtag group on an adventure. And it does all of these parts very well. One thing I was so happy about was seeing that Mer is confident in her abilities, and doesn’t take the role of shrinking violet. She knows her worth! And she’s willing to do what needs to be done for the greater good.

A thoroughly enjoyable reading experience and one that I absolutely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley & Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I started to read this after a very long break of being on a reading slump and it definitely got me out of it. I really enjoyed the background of Fane only because it was something different. The back story of Mer was just like every other YA fantasy book (which I don't mind at all). The side characters added a really nice flare to the journey to the main conflict, which I believe is lacking in some other novels. Overall, one of the better YA novels I've read all year.

This was so good! I was so excited to revisit the world of The Bone Houses on a new adventure with new characters! This was a wild ride and I enjoyed it so much.

Mer is the last water Diviner which means she’s always hunted for her abilities. When she receives a visit from an old “friend” and is offered a job she takes the opportunity to get back at the prince who bound her to him, and the person she’s been running from.

Mer was no nonsense and I loved that she just travels around with a slew of weapons. She doesn’t trust anyone, which is definitely for the best, and isn’t afraid to use her abilities to harm if necessary. I really liked Mer and learning about her abilities. There is a point in the story where she uses her abilities to save others lives and the detail and concentration needed was so well detailed.

Emily did a great job of building a story that is unique and filling it with characters who all have their secrets. I definitely recommend this, and her other books! I will continue to read all Emily’s books as long as she continues to write them!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars!

The minute I learned that ELJ was releasing a book this year, I immediately knew that I had to get my hands on it because I loved the previous book of hers that I read. I’m so happy that this didn’t disappoint me. I loved ELJ’s writing and I was sucked right in from the first few pages. The setting was vivid and the atmosphere so immersive—it read and felt like a dark fairy tale full of magic, danger and intrigue. I loved the Welsh mythology that is so naturally woven into the story and I enjoyed reading more fae lore and learning about how different kinds of magic worked through nature and the fae. The plot itself was easy to follow and the majority of the story revolves around this small crew of individuals planning a heist to take down the cruel and despotic prince of Caer Wyddno. I was hoping that there would be a stronger “found family” vibe from this crew but the whole time I was just thinking “don’t trust anyone” but it was still lots of fun to see how the heist would unfold and of course, nothing ever goes according to plan. There are unexpected magical enemies, traps and surprisingly heartbreaking betrayals.

That said, it was the characters who won me over. The story is broken up into three sections and two main perspectives, Mer and Fane, although we get another important perspective occasionally intertwined. Mer and Fane were fantastic main characters who were slightly morally grey but who simply did their best to deal with their unfortunate circumstances and did what they had to survive. They were incredibly easy to root for and though I loved them both, Fane was by far my favourite. Mer was born with powers and is the last water diviner to live and Fane also has magic but didn’t gain it naturally. I loved that between the two, Mer was the more ruthless, angry and cutthroat and she was so justified in her feelings. She’s had an incredibly rough life and was made to do unspeakable things that caused thousands of deaths when she was still on the cusp of childhood and I felt that anger simmering deep in her veins. In contrast, Fane had every reason to lose himself in anger and lash out at those who changed his life that fateful day in his past, but he’s so soft-hearted and holds himself with such care because he doesn’t want to hurt anyone and have what was done to him happen to someone else. Ugh, he melted my heart! 🥹 I loved how they both found someone to understand what it’s like to carry the blessing and burden of magic with each other. I loved how their story unfolded and THE EPILOGUE. Omgosh friends, let’s just say that if you’ve read ELJ’s previous book, The Bone Houses, this will be a delightful tie-in and Easter egg connection that will give you full body chills—or at least it did me! Please, I loved it so much! 🥰

Of course, it would be remiss of me to not mention Trefor, the goodest most adorablest corgi to have ever lived. ELJ always includes the oddest but sweetest animal companions in her stories and I love the role Trefor played in this one. I wanted to scoop him right up and never let him go, potential fae spy or not! He added levity to the more serious moments but not in a way that was distracting or weird. Also, if you're worried about reading stories with animals cos you're scared something happens to them, nothing bad happens to animal companions in ELJ’s stories, so it’s safe to read! 😉

Overall, this was such a wonderfully fairytale-esque story featuring intriguing Welsh lore, natural and fae magic, and characters who will win over your heart by the end. It’s dark and whimsical and entirely fantastic! I think it’s safe to say that ELJ has solidified herself as a favourite author and I can’t wait for everyone to read this and hopefully, love it as much!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with the ARC.

This was a solid four-star read for me, which is very good. It's a standalone, which I wasn't aware of when I began reading. Not that I dislike standalones, but it seems to be the exception in the fantasy genre.

The characters were great. Mer is the type of main character that I enjoy. She has fantastic powers but still has weaknesses. There are demons in her past, but she can still move forward. And finally, an MC that doesn't make irrational, spontaneous, potentially harmful decisions (seems to be a huge problem in YA fantasy books).

Ifanna is a thief and Mer's ex-lover. Her personality is a wonderful foil to the serious natures of Mer and Fane. The past betrayal that led to their falling out was believable, and I could feel the chemistry between the two of them.

Fane is where I hit a stumbling block. The growing relationship between the two of them is subtle...VERY SUBTLE. To the point where I wondered if I missed a few pages or chapters. For those who are plot-driven readers, this probably wouldn't be a problem. But I a character-driven reader, and I love for building relationships to be laid out for me in all their glory.

The plot itself was fast-paced, and the worldbuilding was rich and full. Like I said, solid four-star read. With just a bit more focus on characters, it could have gotten me to five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and LittleBrown for the ARC of Emily Lloyd-Jones’ latest book! Mer, the last living water diviner, is on the run from the prince who forced her to work for his power-hungry kingdom. When her old spy master proposes a heist to end all heists to break the prince’s power, Mer joins a crew including fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves, and a corgi (that may or may not be a spy) to steal back her freedom.

This was an absorbing historically inspired fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really loved the use of Welsh folklore as I feel like I haven’t seen many books with that influence. The setting was transportive and the characters were good fun.

Lloyd-Jones waves an entertaining web of magic and adventure. The romance is really a tiny part of the story and very subtle but still sweet. Also… we need more animal sidekicks in fantasy and this one was SO cute.

I did feel like the pacing was a bit uneven, but I appreciated how it all came together to make for a good stand alone read.

Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
I honestly loved this book. I loved the main character Mer and her fierceness. I loved the storyline and the twist towards the end that made me gasp out loud. I loved the relationships formed and there was the perfect amount of backstory weaved in so I felt like I really knew the characters. I will definitely be buying this book for my shelf and reading the author's other books!

Top 5 reasons to read The Drowned Woods:
1. Strong female main character
2. Enchanting fantasy plot line
3. Charming dog side kick
4. Plot twist!
5. Magic and all its wonder

Fantasy adventure with a bit of mythology thrown in. This reads like a fairy tale with a diverse set of characters. At first I thought four stars but the ending was so well done I bumped it up.

Will definitely read more by this author.

Mer is the last living water diviner who was previously enslaved by the prince and forced into aiding him in poisoning the water wells of his enemies. She escaped and had been on the run until her old mentor Renfrew recruits her in a plot against the prince for revenge and riches. Mer, along with Renfrew and his rag-tag group of bandits set off on the heist of a lifetime that would yield them the wealth and clout they so desire,

I'll admit, this was my first "heist" trope novel, and though it was very well done I'm not sure this is necessarily my genre. Overall I would say it is well written and the world building is well done but it wasn't my favorite read. If you like heists and magical realms though I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Thanks to Netgalley and to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the eARC!

The Drowned Woods is an immersive YA fantasy novel surrounding a heist involving a magically gifted Fae well, the king of all boars, and treasures untold. This story is told through the eyes of 3 main characters: Mer (a water diviner), Fane (a magically gifted fighter and ironfetch), and Ifanna (the sarcastic princess of the thieves’ guild). This story takes place in the same world as Emily Lloyd-Jones’ previous novel The Bone Houses and is heavily steeped in Welsh lore.
Our journey begins when Mer, who is on the run from her former master, the prince, is found by his former spymaster and her former mentor, Renfrew. He requests her assistance on his journey to bring down the tyrannical prince by draining the power from a magical well which empowers the defenses of the coastal city of Gwaelod with Fae magic. Renfrew and Mer then enlist the aid of Fane, Ifanna, Emrick (Fae lore expert), and the mysterious Gryf. Along the way, there are high stakes fights, exciting chases, and thrilling run-ins with mythical beings.
The plot of this novel kept me on my toes. Just when I thought I knew where something was going, it threw me into left field with what actually happened. The Drowned Woods took Welsh folklore and added the unique flair with its world building, magic system, and character development. Each of the elements that Lloyd-Jones added sprinkled in just the right amount of tension and emotion. By the end of the story, I was hooked and cared deeply for each of the characters.
Overall, The Drowned Woods was a captivating novel with entrancing characters, a unique magic system, and thrilling plot that will keep you reading.

Netgalley book for review!~

I remember I heard there was a corgi in this one so I had to give it a shot... I've lived with four different corgis in my life so really it was inevitable. Also love fantasy and heist stories so I felt this book had a pretty good chance to be awesome.

I may have inflated it in my head a bit. It was still a fun read, but I felt there were some aspects that weren't exactly unique (there's an Avatar Last Airbender style bending going on for the magic system with at least water and earth, plus a few other varieties) and the mcs were a bit mary-gary stuish in their I'm-so-special-nobody-else-has-this-talent-I'm-the-very-best sort of way.

The romance as well had me a bit confused and all-in/immediate way, or nothing. The author has her mc bi, which, okay, whatever, but I didn't really feel the connections in the romances all that strongly personally. Moslty it was a "hey you're cute, you managed to save me let's be best friends/lovers now!" And while that's a great way to build friendships, I can't imagine having the mc's background and wanting to immediately jump into a romance right away without serious trust issues or other hiccups. *shrug*

Anyway it was entertaining over all but nothing super groundbreaking. I expect the younger crowd will probably appreciate this more.

Plus there's a corgi. That's always a plus. If you feed a corgi you'll have a friend for life, I'm just saying.

I started reading this book 22 days ago and am only 53% in. The reason: it is incredibly boring. I find that it is automatically more difficult for me to get hooked into the plot of a low-stakes fantasy novel, and this book was a prime example of that. Keep in mind, I read a bit over half of the book, so it could get better in the second half. I will never know. I've read enough books by now to know that if I'm not enjoying any aspects of a book and I'm at least a third of the way through, the rest of it will not be good enough to redeem the book for me.
The characters didn't feel particularly interesting or dynamic, which is the main reason I didn't enjoy this book. This novel doesn't have much for plot so the characters should be what drives the book forward, but they didn't.
I do really like the writing style this book has. It's very whimsical and perfect for a fantasy novel.

In a world seeped with Welsh folklore, it is up to a ragtag group of people to steal from the prince. For some, it is to make up for the terrible deeds they have done in his name, for others, it's vengeance, for glory...or to act as the cutest, fluffiest spy for the mysterious otherfolk. Told through three rotating POVs: the last water witch, a fey-cursed fighter, and the heir to a thieves guild, Lloyd-Jones creates an atmospheric companion novel to The Bone Houses.

This book is about forgiving yourself, Yes, there is a heist and elements of a Studio Ghibli film, but The Drowned Woods is foremost about accepting the past you cannot change. Some of the best scenes are when characters have to confront their histories. Particularly Mer, who has committed terrible crimes for the prince. Lloyd-Jones lets her writing shine in the quiet moments, luring you into the story's undercurrent. It works well with the slow pacing, allowing readers a moment to digest everything – especially the twists that come like a punch in the gut.

I highly recommend this for fans of Margaret Rogerson's lush fantasy novels and quiet fairytales with incredible dogs.

NetGalley provided an ARC. All opinions are my own.

This story was pretty good, it took until a little over halfway to feel like anything was really happening but the ending was great. It did not feel like a folktale necessarily, but it was still whimsical. I loved Fane as a character so much. And I’m a sucker for happy endings so the epilogue touched my heart greatly.
Since this story is based on Welsh legends, I assume most of the names were Welsh or welsh inspired, I would have benefitted greatly from a pronunciation guide because I’m sure I pronounced nothing properly

The Drowned Woods is a Welsh-inspired YA fantasy dripping in atmosphere and magic. We follow the last living water diviner, a young woman named Mer, who is on the run from the prince who abused her powers. While saving up to leave the kingdom forever, Mer is visited by her old trainer with a proposition she can’t pass up. Gathering up a team of skilled individuals, Mer and the spymaster plot a magical heist to take down the man who used to control them.

I love our rag-tag cast of characters in this story. Our main players, Mer, Fane, and Renfrew, are all fairly well developed and very enjoyable to read about, if not completely like-able. The rest of our supporting cast could have used a bit more fleshing out and I really feel that this book could have been 50-100 pages longer to give it that extra depth. My favorite character was Fane and I really enjoyed learning more about his past and his personal demons that make him who he is when we meet him in the story. Of course, Trefor is the star of the show and deserves his own spin-off book.

The romance was a bit lacking, though that didn’t bother me all that much as it was meant to be a minor subplot in comparison to everything else going on. If you’re looking for a swoony romance, this is probably not the book for you. I did feel that I wanted a bit more from that at the end, but the other character relationships were quite strong and well developed.

The magic system and world building in this story were very lovely, however they too could have benefited from more length and detail. I loved getting swept up in the descriptions of the powers as well as the setting of this novel and it left me aching for another atmospheric read set in the British isles.

The pacing of the plot was perfect for a YA novel. This book was easy to fly through and hard to put down - what more can I really ask for? I enjoyed the action and adventure elements of the story and the visceral descriptions of magic.

If you’re someone who enjoys found family, heist situations, and Welsh-inspired worlds, this would be a fantastic read for you. I absolutely loved it and bought a copy to keep on my shelves. Readers who enjoyed The Bone Houses will love this story and these characters just as much.

Rooted in Welsh fables and folklore, The Drowned Woods blends together a magical tale with an adventurous heist story full of revenge, entangled relationships, and one ADORABLE corgi.

On the run after escaping from her traumatic past, Mer, the last living water diviner gifted with the ability to manipulate water, is offered an opportunity to be a part of a team tasked with pulling off the impossible, locating a mythical well of mysterious magic and untold treasure. But when loyalties get tested, Mer is forced to face a future unlike anything she could have imagined.

I absolutely adored The Bone Houses and was really excited to dive into another one of Emily Lloyd-Jones’s tales! The ancient magic and alluring fairytale narrative created an exciting quest similar to the one from The Bone Houses. I loved the Welsh inspiration, the complex dynamics and conflicts, and how the story came full circle at the end. But my favorite part of this book has to be Trefor, the little corgi companion, who just STOLE my heart and made me smile!

If you’re looking for a new, fun read full of folklore and magic or loved The Bone Houses, definitely add this to your list.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

This book was different, unique and something I never read before. I don't know Welsh mythology so I had to look it up when I read other reviews including this.

Mer is a water diviner and is powerful because of which she is on run from the prince. Fane is my favourite amongst all the characters, he gets into a bargain with otherfolk and has deadly magic. The characters were badass, strong and all formed an unlikely team for the heist.

This had twists, turns and the world building, atmosphere created was brilliant. The different POVs made it more interesting. The corgi was sweet throughout. The magic dealt with in this was different and fascinating.

This was a little too long but writing was vivid and beautifully described. It had a strong start and it did set the pace well. The plot was well developed and played out nicely, I loved the ending.

Overall it was a great dark fantasy and I would definitely read other books by the author. Recommended!

I didn’t really know what to expect from this book but I really enjoyed it! First, one star just for having a CORGI in a starring role! Best dog character ever! Second, the story was quite unique and refreshing. I did feel that it seemed rushed, like the story could have been fleshed out a lot more. And because of that, I never really felt attached to any of the characters. I liked the ending well enough though. Oh, and the dog doesn’t die!

Thoughts

This is a fun heist fantasy set in an immersive new world. Emily Lloyd-Jones doesn't skimp on worldbuilding, but that same worldbuilding doesn't overwhelm the quirky cast of characters. As far as heist fantasy goes, this book is top tier.

Pros
Heist Hijinks: I love a good heist book—emphasis on good. There’s something so fun about gathering a ragtag crew of experts in their criminal fields. The planning, the scheming, the inevitable backstabbing—it’s a classic kind of story setup, and Emily Lloyd-Jones pulls it off so well. These characters have a found-family feeling, but at the same time, they’re never quite on even footing with each other. That sense of camaraderie—and perhaps impending disaster—makes this cast brilliant.

Elemental Magic: I love elemental magic... when it's done right. Done the wrong way, it's simply "natural," with no real rules or drawbacks to it. Here, that's not the case. Water diviner Mer doesn't have limitless magic. Her power depletes as she uses it. She can't control every bit of water in every instance. But her magic is still useful enough within the established parameters to make her a prized commodity. It's not a vaguely ethereal gift, and it's not an overpowered super weapon. This is elemental magic done right.

Balanced Worldbuilding: Another thing that Lloyd-Jones gets just right? The worldbuilding. The backstory of the world intermingles with just enough culture to set this world apart. It's a fleshed out backdrop to the heist story, and it doesn't overwhelm the story itself. Elemental magic mingles with royal spies and elven lands on the perimeter. There's courtly ambition, and there are common folk, too. This is a well-rounded new fantasy world that plays a real part in setting the mood and tone of the story--and building up the characters, too.


Cons
Long Chapters: It took me so long to get into this book because I saw just how long the chapters are when I first stuck my bookmark into the pages. It can be hard to digest such long chapters, and it's demotivating (to me, at least) to know I have to dedicate a significant amount of time for each reading, even for just a chapter. This book is worth it in the end, but I would have started reading (and read much faster) if the chapters weren't so long.

Kingly Intervention: There were several times throughout this book when the ruler of the land himself would do something, and I'd ask myself, "Doesn't he have people for that?" He felt a little too hands-on, both in flashbacks and in current-day shenanigans, and that pulled me out of the story. Perhaps if he were more sadistic, I'd feel a need for his hands-on nature. But as he isn't particularly sadistic, I was just left questioning.

Sudden Traitors: A traitor here, a traitor there... everybody a traitor! Of course, in any good heist story, you can expect some betrayal. More so in a heist fantasy. But when the climax of this plot is made up almost entirely of betrayals that come out of the blue? They kind of lose their impact. The betrayal was fine, but the storytelling, at least on this particular point, was less than masterful.


Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9/10

Those who liked Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows will appreciate this new talented crew of criminals. Fans of Tamora Pierce's Terrier will like this medievally-urban fantasy.

Wow. The Bone Houses was my top read in 2021 and when The Drowned Woods was put up for request on NetGalley, I immediately requested.

This books was fantastic. I loved everything about it. Mer may possibly be my favorite main character this year.

I loved the mythology. I don’t know much (any) about Welsh myths, but I appreciate that this doesn’t shy away from its dark themes.

At the end of Part 2, I felt Fane and Mer’s romance was a little out of place as there hadn’t been much between them before. By the end, though I’m still not sure their romance couldn’t have been more fleshed out, I loved the way their story ended. I love the epilogue and how it ties them to The Bone Houses. Perhaps once I reread, I’ll see their story more and see how their feelings developed.

I don’t know what’s next from Emily, but I do know that she’s got me in a chokehold and I will buy anything she writes.