The Drowned Woods is another book that I’ve fallen completely in love with due to it hitting so many of my niche interests. A water diviner girl (the last of her kind), a fae-cursed boy, a chaotic-good heir to a thieves guild, and a corgi who may or may not be a spy. Along with three other characters, they’re on a quest to destroy a magical well that keeps the prince’s lands safe. It’s a story about folklores and magic and heists. It’s wonderful.

First love: the setting. This book explores more of the world that was introduced in The Bone Houses. The majority of this book takes place in a city that is full of both hustle and bustle and iron to ward off magic, and a cave system which is where I truly fell in love with the author's descriptions and her imagination in general. The Welsh influences and folklore were the perfect choice for a horror-influenced novel. I’ve grown up near Wales and heard about all the ghost hauntings and supernatural sightings and other assorted spooky stuff. I will say that there was a suspicious lack of woods for the majority of this book. However, this was balanced out by an acceptable amount of drowning.

Second love: the folklore. This book truly showcases how magical and dark Welsh folklore can be, and it's disappointing to see so many reviewers who don't appreciate that and describe the Welsh language as a keyboard slam or a fictional language. I’ve had a fixation with local folk tales for my entire life and this book appealed to that niche interest. I loved reading about tales that are already so close to my heart and I love that it’s getting well-done representation. This book retells the Welsh myth of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a sunken kingdom that supposedly once stood where Cardigan Bay now exists, affectionately referred to as 'Welsh Atlantis' by the author. The tale has many variations, but at the centre of several is a young woman who is a keeper of a magical well. Many of the myths say that it was her fault that the kingdom was sunk. This book shows what the story would be like if it was told from her perspective.

Third love: the epilogue. Also the final scene from the final chapter. These two moments in the book contain references to The Bone Houses and I was audibly squealing when I caught on to what was happening. I don't think I can elaborate on either moment without giving a spoiler to either book, but the links between the books made me appreciate the characters' stories and their struggles so much more. It was a beautiful thing to read.

Fourth love: Mer, our leading lady and the narrator for the bulk of the book. She is a water diviner who was stolen from her family for her powers and forced into working for the prince. She feels as if she's never had control over her life and her only choice was to run away over and over again, and I felt that her emotional growth was realistically written. I am a sucker for anyone with water powers, especially someone who uses the water inside someone else's body to their advantage. I did have a fear that she would be an overpowered character due to the extent of her magic abilities, but there were consequences of her using her power - especially in the finale - and it just made me appreciate the author further. She describes herself as someone who is saved by stubbornness rather than bravery, and I've never related to a character more. She is also bisexual and her attraction to both genders is explored on the page, and I also love how subtly and naturally it's introduced.

The thing that stopped me from rating this book higher was the other characters. I did prefer the main characters of The Bone Houses, I think because there were only two for most of the book so they didn't have to compete for time on the page. They had two clear, distinct, contrasting personalities while the larger cast of The Drowned Woods blended together for me, and one of the characters did not feel significant to the plot at all. Most of the characters were only there for the heist and their storylines revolved around it so there wasn't much room for character development or a satisfying arc that did not focus on becoming rich or getting revenge, and I felt that the amount of space they took up on page could've been used to delve deeper into Fane's curse or the Otherfolk (or more corgi content). However, the large cast did allow for some exciting reveals later in the plot which showed how their paths have crossed in the past without some of them knowing.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I do not have the words to express how pleased I am that it both lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Emily Lloyd-Jones has earned her place on my list of favourite authors and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Drowned Woods. I absolutely devoured it in about 3 hours, and it was non-stop from start to finish. The pacing was excellent, the characters likeable, and the plot was interesting. The author integrated world building into the story very well, it never felt like there was information being dumped or things done for the sake of world building.

I enjoyed the short storytelling sections at the start of each part. It gave the whole book a fairytale vibe, as if we were being told the story around a campfire. It didn’t feel out of place at all, and flowed into the narrative very smoothly.

There were enough twists and turns and reveals to keep the reader engaged, and evoked emotions on behalf of the characters - pity for Fane as he was trapped by his own unwitting bargain, anger and pride on behalf of Mer, sadness near the end for the loss the characters went through. I almost cried when Mer faced the waves near the end. When she stood up and chose her path.

If you are looking for a novel that is part heist, part fairytale, and fully enrapturing, then The Drowned Woods is the book for you!

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy in exchange for an honest review!

This is a richly descriptive and atmospheric fantasy set in Wales, featuring the last water Diviner. I thought I knew where the story was going then it completely surprised me (in a good way!). I loved the complex protagonist, Mer, who is running from the trauma of her past but my favourite character was, of course, Trefor, the corgi. And the tie-in to THE BONE HOUSES was perfect.

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*

Being welsh I was so excited to read this book which is a retelling of the Welsh myth “Cantre’r gwaelod” which is said to tell of the creation of Cardigan Bay.

The Drowned Woods is a magical tale which fantastic world building that transports you to the beautiful lands of Wales.

It has a lot of my favourite elements which are executed beautifully - Slow burn romance, a heist and of course magic. I am not usually a huge fan of kingdom politics but I think the way it’s woven with Welsh mythology really works.

Lloyd-Jones writing is beautiful and their character development is spot on- I really enjoyed Mer and found that her strong nature along with her story really drove the book on.

The plot is slow but I enjoyed the ride and when the writing is this beautiful it’s worth savouring the journey.

It’s a solid 4/5 stars.

“The Drowned Woods” by Emily Lloyd-Jones is an easy to read / listen novel with focus on the “magical heist” theme. The story follows Mererid ‘Mer’, a water diviner (read wielder) who is once again on the run from the Kingdom’s prince who wants her for her water-wielding powers. All Mer truly wants is a safe, quiet life, far from power and politics, but all that changes when her former spymaster and father-figure shows up with the proposal of a magical heist.

Starting from the legend of “Cantre'r Gwaelod”, a Welsh sunked kingdom, Emily Lloyd-Jones creates a high-fantasy novel enriched by stories of promised treasures, magical debts, and a lot of complicated adventure stories. To some extent, it is similar to Leigh Bardugo’s “Six of Crows” adventures, in a stand-alone format.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!

#TheDrownedWoods #NetGalley

Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley for this ARC of The Drowned Woods.

All in all, i had a fun time reading this book for its magical world and beautiful writings. It has heist, it has lyrical wordings, and it has a cute corgi! There is also a bisexual rep and some said this book has connection to The Bone House which I haven't read yet.

However, i feel a bit dissatisfied at the characters' personality growth (except for Fane) cause they sounds a bit bland and too rigid. I could feel the normal human emotions like a main character should be able to carry to the reader. The romance was a bit pushed since I couldnt feel the tension between the pair. I feel like the romance should be expanded so that the chemistry between the pair would be plausible. But luckily, the beautiful writings, the corgi, and Fane's character arc made the book much more interesting.

So any book linked to Wales will likely pull me in - but one using folklore and mythology a bit is bound to grab me. This was a highly researched masterpiece and it was so beautiful. I highly recommend this book - and urge you to read and adore it!

I’m a huge fan of Emily’s books so I was eagerly awaiting this release. I wasn’t disappointed.

Magic, myths romance and heartbreak all in this wonderfully written book.

Based on welsh legends this dark fairy tale should definitely make it to the top of your TBR list.

Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict - and eighteen-year-old Mererid 'Mer' is well-acquainted with both. As the last living water diviner, she can manipulate water with magic - a unique elemental power many would kill to possess.

For years, Mer has been running from the prince who bound her into his service - and forced her to kill thousands with her magic. Now, all Mer truly wants is a safe, quiet life, far from power and politics.

But then Mer's old handler - the king's spymaster - returns with a proposition: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both.

Perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince or Shadow and bone

The Drowned Woods is the story of a girl who can control water, who goes on a mission to stop the prince of the land from controlling the world. This is a heist story full of myths, fae, and elemental magic

I only issues i had with the work was that the side characters fell flat and so you didnt feel anything for them when things happen to them and there was not karma as such for the MC using their powers and when it is brought up its in a very brushed over way

Overall a good book with folklore vibes, LGBTQ+ repand and is a standalone

Firstly I will state I loved this book. There was such a pull to feel connected to the main character Mer that I just couldn’t resist it. I was pulled along this story with her and it was just great.

The world building was beautiful the whole story had this feel to it that I can’t describe. Part breezing coastal, yet magical woodland that I just felt like was there.

I loved the story from start to end. However I must say the last section hit me in so many feels I was a sobbing mess.

The basic premise is water diviner called Merereid gets sucked into a heist style plot to overthrow the Prince who once used her magic in questionable ways. She has been running from him ever since, so when her old mentor approaches her with a plot that would set her free as last from hiding and running she joins up with him and a group of other skilled people to but an end to the prince’s rule.

But this story is so much more than the plot. I really felt a strong connection to Mer and Fane, and the Corgi Trefor was a delight to read about.

I whole heartedly recommend this book. It was beautiful. I will definitely be reading the authors other book The Bone Houses!

Received an ebook via Netgalley for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a great book about Mer, a water diviner, a heist, with magic and wonderful Welsh mythology.

I like that the romance was secondary to the plot, it was incredibly brief and a very slow burn, which worked well here.

The plot was interesting with just enough twists to keep me guessing and wanting to find out more.

The corgi was obviously my favourite, and I loved everything he got up to.

I would have liked there to be a little more world building, but other than that I can't fault anything else and I really enjoyed this. Maybe The Bone Houses would address all things I thought this booked lacked - I didn't realise there was another book set in the same universe already out!

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc!

This was amazing! A beautiful blend of welsh culture with a fantasy world, political intrigue and a group on a mission to end a tyrannical ruler!

I loved The Drowned Woods. It is beautifully written, but, most of all, it features a corgi, who may or may not be a spy, and that is just automatically a big tick in the 'YES THIS IS GOOD' category.

I enjoyed reading Mer's story, with all her anger, regret, guilt and hope for the future. I found her to be an interesting character, who I was rooting for, even if at times I was sort of yelling at the page for her to ask more questions, to not go along with it all so easily . . . but I guess there'd be no book then lol.

This book had a wonderful mix of magic, heists, banter, love, betrayal, and an ending that was both heartbreaking and hopeful all at once . . .

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review

I was very excited to read this book because I'm interested in mythology and had never ready Welsh mythology before. After finishing this book, I immediately searched for the legend of Cantre'r Gwaelod to learn more. Fascinating!

It's a quick and enjoyable read with a good plot and writing style. I liked the characters, particularly Trefor, even if the author didn't develop them much during the book (we mainly learn about their past). Solid 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an enjoyable read, a fantasy heist inspired by Cantre'r Gwaelod, or the "Welsh Atlantis."

There is a small sort-of crew of six in the book, all with their own secrets and haunted pasts. I say "sort of" as the book only focuses on four of them (three of whom are POV narrators.) Mer has the most page time by quite a way, followed by Fain (?sp - sorry can't find the spelling online anywhere!) who is an Iron-Fetch, a young man who works for the Other Folk to remove iron from their lands in exchange for magic that can kill. The last POV is Ivana (?sp), Mer's ex-lover and princess of thieves.

I liked that we didn't focus on the whole group, but rather this core trio. We got to see the others through their eyes and spend more time on their pasts and how it haunted them. It's why I'd say this is a "sort-of heist" rather than a heist book - the focus of the book is not the mission to steal from the well, but rather these characters working out how to come to terms with what they've done and how to become the people they want to be.

Plus having more than one POV worked very well for the ending where they were split up trying to deal with the heist fall-out. I think the ending was what made this book work so well for me, the way it really challenged the characters and forced them to reckon with their past bargains and work out who they'd be up against the wall.

The narrator, Moira Quirk, was great - bringing the pacing the life with varying narration speeds, and also all the Welsh accents too. I was listening to this right around when I was very distracted (heat! so many chores! deadlines!) but I was still sucked in every time, despite it being a set of circumstances that should have made listening hard, and I attribute it to the narrator bringing it so vividly to life.

This is apparently set in the same world as the author's previous book, which doesn't currently have a UK publication. Hopefully this does well enough that the publisher for this book picks up the other book as I want to read it now!

The Drowned Woods is said to be a retelling of Cantre’r Gwaelod, known in Welsh mythology as the sunken kingdom. I am familiar with Welsh mythology (except maybe King Arthur and the knights of the round table), so I was not really sure what to expect and that kept me on my toes.

I would say the highlight of this book was: the world building, uncovering the magic system and meeting Trefor the Corgi. I found this book took me a few chapters to get into and I found that after half way, it kind of fell a bit flat for me. The characters were quite predictable and the love interest between Mererid and Fane to be a little cliché. They were bound to have some form of slow burn during this book but, there wasn’t much flirtatious banter or relationship building that lead to that point of romance? It just didn’t deliver what I was hoping for.

Don’t get me wrong there are some really great scenes in this book, it just takes a while to get there.

I definitely enjoyed reading ‘The Drowned Woods’ and would recommend to anyone looking for a light fantasy with an adorable doggie companion!

I was sent this book as an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Rating: 3/5 stars ⭐️

The book has a good motif but unfortunately, the writing and the genre are just not for me. I might not be the target audience for young adult anymore, but I think other readers could appreciate this. I personally think that there are just too many special-talent main girl in YA, the story got easily forgotten in the sea of this trope and does not do the book justice, despite how good a writer Lloyd-Jones could be.

*3,5 stars*

The Drowned Woods is a retelling of the Welsh myth of Cantre’r Gwaelod. We follow Mer, who has been running from the prince who wants to use her magic as a water diviner to kill thousands of people. Her old mentor and royal spymaster recruits her for a mission to topple the prince’s kingdom, with the help of Fane, a fae-touched human.

This concept kept me hooked from the start. The characters were intriguing, the Welsh setting was magical and the magic system was interesting to me, although all of the above I would have loved to see more development of. Maybe this is because this is the first book in this universe I’ve read, I don’t know, but the world and especially the magic system did not seem very well-developed to me, which is too bad.

My biggest problem with this book was the pacing. In the middle part it slowed down a lot and the ending was incredibly rushed. The epilogue was cute, but I didn’t really appreciate it because I was confused by the many things that happened so quickly in the span of like 20 pages. In the end I just wanted more from everything in this book, but I did still enjoy reading it. I think I need to read the Bone Houses now.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with this arc!

I read this alongside the audio in one sitting, and I don't regret it one bit! I enjoy reading along with the audio (which is an amazing audio experience so please do think about purchasing together if you get the chance) I find my reading comes to life listening and reading together and I often find I pay a lot more attention to the plot, world and characters this way. If you haven't done it before give it a try!

The plot is pretty non stop, if you love a heist and magical characters you will love this book. It's got twists and turns and the ending really is gripping and full of surprises. I feel like the author does a great job of moving the story on quickly enough to hold attention and understanding and not so quick that you get lost in an unnecessary battle or fight scene you didn't see coming at all which I find can often happen in YA plots. Each scene builds layers and makes you think about each character more and more.

As with other heist based books, the characters are quite varied and individual and the author does a great job of character building and development in this book, their experiences shape who they are and the decisions they make towards the story line lending to a fulfilling end.

The world is an interesting one but you may need to use some imagination to fill in the gaps here, if like me you enjoy a rich world for your fantasy reads. I enjoy world building possibly more than others though, so I would suggest that the level of detail is perfect for its intended young adult audience.

If you love characters, for better or worse and enjoy a plot twist or foreshadowing this could be a great experience for you too.

Massive thank you as always to Hodder and Stoughton who continue to approve me for their fantastic books, I love to read and review them all, to NetGalley for allowing that to happen and to author Emily Lloyd-Jones for allowing me into your world.