Cover Image: The Drowned Woods

The Drowned Woods

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Member Reviews

3–3.5*

The premise of The Drowned Woods sounded so good; I love a heist, and I love a magical heist even more, and yet this is a difficult book for me to review. The beginning was easily a 4–5 stars for me, and then I found it difficult to be invested until the final 20%.

For someone who had so few interactions with the other characters, Fane was a gratifying character and his dichotomy was intriguing; however, I couldn’t connect with the other characters and that caused some distance to them or they were slightly too predictable, and I felt underwhelmed. Owing to this, when we reached the scenes that should have been emotional, that element lacked for me. The threat of the antagonist felt inconsistent and not wholly there, and as the book revolves around revenge and uprising against the antagonist, I wish that the feel of that threat was more prominent on the page.

It did take me a while to get into the flow and style of the way this book was written, and I occasionally found my attention drifting in the middle because of the mixed pacing and my issues with the characters. However, I loved the writing, and thought the magic was fun (Mer’s ability as a water diviner was particularly fascinating). Kudos to the water horse scene, which was my favourite scene of the book; the tone and writing were spot on.

Although I enjoyed the plot, the way certain points were held back, the world, the Welsh mythology and the satisfying ending, the skewed pacing meant that the middle felt too long and meandering and the ending felt rushed, and the lack of character depth meant I wasn't as immersed as expected from the strong beginning.

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'The Drowned Woods' is a book that is based on the welsh folklore about the legendary ancient sunken kingdom Cantre'r Gwaelod. It tells the tale of the reason why the kingdom sank.

The book is like a positive mix of fantasy and heist and fairy tale. I had trouble getting into the story when I started reading it, mainly because it was slow paced, but it did have some twists and turns I did not expect coming up!

I love Mererid and Ifanna. They're really powerful female main characters and unique in their own way. And I also loved Fane, who wanted to not cause harm even though he was cursed. But maybe I love Trefor a bit more🤭 I mean, how can I not?! He's a great companion to have on a heist!

I have never read a story that shows Welsh folklore before and I so loved reading this one. The mythical creatures, the magic, the thrill, the twists - it was a perfect blend. My only very minor issue was with the pacing. The story, even though not too long, felt a bit so because of the slow pace it followed.

If you want to explore books on Welsh folktales, I think that this one is a good start!!

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The Drowned Woods is part dark fairytale, part heist and with a storyline steeped in Welsh legends. This wonderful standalone YA fantasy gave me so much enjoyment to read. There’s magic, adventure and the most adorable Corgi side kick called Trefor. The legend of Cantre’r Gwaelod is fascinating and so much research has gone into compiling this book. Prior to reading The Drowned Woods I knew nothing about this sunken kingdom, under what is now the stretch of open sea at Cardigan Bay and I now want to delve much more deeply into it.

Mer is the last living water diviner and together with her eccentric gang of misfits they embark on a treacherous journey in an attempt to overthrow the villainous prince, however nothing is quite as it seems…. It is a well written story, the plot is engaging and the pacing spot on. Some scenes I was on the edge of my seat and with just the right amount of twists and turns you never quite know what to expect.

The characters are brilliant and I felt connected to all of them. Mer is the perfect female lead, she is strong and courageous and also has a great sense of humour. Her interactions with Fane are marvellous and Fane’s bond with his dog, Trefor, is adorable.

You never quite sure how the story will end but it all came together beautifully in a very satisfying way. A superb story with just the right mix of action, adventure and intrigue. I really enjoyed this author’s writing style and I will definitely be reaching for The Bone Houses at some point.

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Happy Release Day!

I really loved this standalone YA fantasy, featuring Welsh legends which told the story beautifully from start to end. Having read so many series lately, it is always refreshing to come across a standalone book that is well paced and doesn't rush to tie everything up or lose its intention. I really liked the heist element which I don't think is done nearly enough - it is so much fun to read about and kept me truly invested. As for the Corgi - can I humbly request we have more of this??? Also, shoutout to the cover artist who did an outstanding job! I received my Illumicrate edition last week and let out a squeal because I was so excited to have a physical copy of what will become a timeless and cherished book. Outstanding writing, great plot and wonderfully loveable characters!

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Rating — — ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑.5

This book was honestly so enjoyable from start to finish. Usually I have a habit of getting sidetracked by world building but the way Lloyd-Jones world builds is just so enjoyable to read.

I loved the concept that this book is based on Welsh folklore and it was so well written that it made me so much more interested in the lore behind the book. Not to mention how loveable the characters, at some points I found them slightly disinteresting but honestly Mer as a main character is just incredible and I can’t wait to read Lloyd-Jones’ other books to see how they connect.

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Mer is the last living water diviner, and a valuable asset to anyone with a thirst for power. But Mer is determined to live life on her own terms, even if it means she is permanently on the run from the kingdom's cruel prince. When a figure from her past offers her a chance at real freedom, she decides to take it. But the magical heist she embarks on comes at a cost she may not be willing to pay.

The Drowned Woods is filled with twists and betrayals. It has a great cast of characters - including an unforgettable guild of thieves - and a well developed magic system. With vibes of Throne of Glass and Poison Study this is a must-read for fantasy fans.

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This YA fantasy heist, it follows the story of Mer a water-diviner who is in hiding after evading capture.

This is a fun story with good characters, at times a little slow paced but overall a decent read!

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Thank you to Net Galley, Hodder and Stoughton and Emily Lloyd-Jones for sending me an ARC of this fantastic book. I absolutely loved this book, this is definitely a character driven plot and all the characters were intriguing and fully rounded with their own desires and interests to further the plot and account for their actions. I particularly enjoyed the parts from other characters perspectives that showed insight into their motivations as it added to their characterisation. The world building is wonderful and the inclusion of the otherworld as magic, even if there was little interaction with this world other than the other-touched was no less captivating. The characters combined with the plot created an unforgettable story that I had to finish! I look forward to reading more by this author!

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I loved this book! I didn't know much about Welsh mythology before reading this, but now I'm definitely intrigued to learn more.

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Would you just look at that beautiful cover 😍 Heck, if that doesn't draw you in, along with the promise of a dark fairytale, magic and myths... I don't know what will!

I REALLY enjoyed The Drowned Woods, more so than I at first thought. Straight away you are thrown deep into the action and the plot continues to be fast paced, as it's characters, each armed with their own unique skill, embark on a treacherous journey, intent on bringing down a villainous Prince. However, things don't quite go according to plan and there's a couple of wickedly good twists towards the end that make the story all the more exciting!

The world building and magic are well crafted, seamlessly woven together with the stories of Welsh mythology to bring a whole other dimension to the storyline. The people are rich in character with heroes and villains aplenty! Including the cutest "side-kick" known to man, Trefor the corgi, who'll bring a little light amongst all the high stake scenes.

I loved it, and couldn't help but root for Mer and her eccentric gang! 💜🌊✨

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Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Books for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

The Drowned Woods follows the story of the last living water diviner, Mer, who is hiding from the prince who forced her to murder hundreds of people without her even knowing. When her old guardian returns with a plot for revenge, Mer teams up with an unlikely crew to get rid of the person who prevents her from leading a peaceful life.

Firstly, I loved the prologue. That being said, I'm a huge fan of prologues tangentially related to the storyline but in the form of a legend that sets up the worldbuilding. I was also a huge fan of Mer's relationship with Renfrew, and her exploration and comfort with her powers. The heist was really interesting, and the crew had a really good relationship with each other that jumped off the page. Ultimately, though, I just didn't love the plot enough to be super compelled by it, but other than that, I thought the author did a great job at crafting her world and her characters! And to end this review, can I just say, that epilogue 👀

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Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was refreshing to read a book inspired by Welsh mythology. I loved the world-building and the characters were amazing. The whole story is so beautifully woven and I couldn't get enough of it.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

This book is an atmospheric, enjoyable take on Welsh mythology with an interesting cast of characters and a great plot. Part heist, part fantasy, there is a lot to enjoy here.

Mer is a water diviner on her last job, and she makes a great main character. She's got interesting relationships with Ifanna and Fane, and her complicated relationship with Renfrew is fascinating.

The heist aspect moves quickly and excitingly into a more fantasy element with betrayals, romance, and a very smart corgi.

I really enjoyed this novel, especially the Welsh mythology world building, and I liked how Lloyd-Jones didn't let that stop her from building a diverse main cast.

The ending was really gorgeous, and involved multiple dogs which made me very happy.

I hope Lloyd-Jones returns to this world, as I've really fallen in love with it.

Five stars.

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This was a lovely standalone YA fantasy based around Welsh legends, a unique magic system and loveable characters.
I loved the dark fairytale themes, the heist element and the almost creepy world building.
There were a couple of really well done twists, some subtle romance and some high stakes moments.
I recommend for fans of:
✨fantasy heists
✨interesting magic systems
✨less known legends and myths
✨beautiful writing
✨fairytales
✨easy reads
✨a fast paced plot

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Thank you Net Galley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautifully written YA novel based on Welsh mythology. As a mythology lover, this was such an easy read. Mer is the last diviner of water that is known of and she agrees to be part of a heist to get revenge on the Prince that stole her young life from her. I loved the character development of Mer and how the legends were weaved so cleverly into the story. I also liked how it was a slow-burned romance with bisexual representation. This was very well written, I would recommend.

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So the premise was good and the book itself was really nice, the plot was there and also the character were well written. I wasn’t a big fan of the writing, but probably that’s just a personal issue.
I would still recommend to read it!

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"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⚠️


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.

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A solid YA fantasy retelling with a captivating storyline. I loved the idea of the book like the prologue totally whipped me. The characters were fine, the magic system was interesting and the betrayals (my fav part in every fantasy books, always surprises me) we’re so good . I found it a bit repetitive and somehow I wanted more in the end. I needed so much time to get into this book (i’m in my worst reading slump ever) but the second half of the book was quick and i wished there’d be more.

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC - I actually got a physical copy before getting round to reading it, but it was still appreciated!

This was a lot of fun!

Based on the Welsh myth of the cantre'r gwaelod, this book tells the story of Mer, a girl who can control water and is in hiding from the prince who forced her to use those powers to aid his war efforts. Mer is approached by her old mentor, the prince's former spymaster, who wants her help in destroying the well that keeps his lands safe.

Mer is likable if a little bland, but I think we got a real sense of her motivations and desires, and I liked her relationships with the rest of her crew, especially her ex-girlfriend, the thief Ifanna. Fane, the male MC and love-interest was a little less gripping and I think he suffered a little from bland male love interest syndrome, though, this could be a personal feeling as I'm usually less than enamoured of m/f pairings.

My favourite character was the corgi, because of course it was.

The plot moved quickly, and though I predicted many of the twists and turns, I still enjoyed it. There were places I was a little disappointed in, I felt some of the characters didn't get what they deserved, but all in all a good read.

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I’d like to start out by thanking Netgalley and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a solid fantasy heist and I loved the characters and the betrayals they committed and the sacrifices they made. What makes it even better is that the setting isn’t very common in fantasy. Whilst fantasy certainly favors the British isles, Wales is unfortunately often forgotten about. This however, was unmistakably Welsh and while welsh names are a bit of a tongue twister for me, I absolutely loved them, especially since it’s a retelling of a Welsh legend. I have noticed a trend of retelling a myth, legend or fairytale from a certain culture and then erasing that culture from the story and sometimes even giving the characters more English names, so the fact that this book didn’t do that made me incredibly happy.

Also the story included a corgi, which is always a plus. Every book could benefit from a corgi.

The other characters were great too, but it is hard competing with Trefor the Corgi. I will say that I really appreciated Mer’s bisexuality, being bisexual myself. It’s always refreshing to find fantasy books with queer main characters, especially when they share my identity.

I loved the world building and the magic, but I do wish we could have gotten a little more information about it. Not that I mind much though, as we are provided with as much about the magic as the story requires. Overall this was a nice quick read once I really got into it and really helped me out of a few days long reading slump. I haven’t read the bone houses, but I’m hoping to soon, so I can see how the stories weave together, as I was told it included a reference to, and is set in the same world, as that book.

I’ll also be sharing this review on my Instagram (@Kratist0) very soon.

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