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Staff Pick
Part heist novel, part Welsh fairytale, this magnificent standalone follows the kingdom’s last water diviner, Mer, on a quest for vengeance and freedom from the prince that abused her powers. With a former spymaster, a fae-marked fighter, and a princess of thieves, Mer sets out to destroy a prince — but ends up carrying the fate of a kingdom. Recommended By Madeline S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
A magical, ethereal fantasy from IndieBound bestselling author Emily Lloyd-Jones.
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. She is the last living water diviner and has spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service. Under the prince's orders, she located the wells of his enemies, and he poisoned them without her knowledge, causing hundreds of deaths. After discovering what he had done, Mer went to great lengths to disappear from his reach. Then Mer's old handler returns with a proposition: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both.
The best way to do that is to destroy the magical well that keeps the prince's lands safe. With a motley crew of allies, including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer may finally be able to steal precious freedom and peace for herself. After all, a person with a knife is one thing...but a person with a cause can topple kingdoms.
The Drowned Woods — set in the same world as The Bone Houses but with a whole new, unforgettable cast of characters — is part heist novel, part dark fairy tale.
Review
"Tense romantic entanglements, intricate lore, and Trefor's well-timed comic relief elevate this moody, ethereal read." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
"Thrilling and perceptive, The Drowned Woods blends the most-loved aspects of a heist narrative with meaningful, profound portraits of characters who satisfyingly defy archetypes and expectations alike." BookPage
Review
"Lloyd-Jones weaves a wondrous tale, one that feels timeless and divine....This queer-normative fantasy heist novel based on the Welsh myth of Cantre'r Gwaelod is an absolute blast." Buzzfeed
Review
"This adventurous quest and its unlikely crew will provide an enjoyable escape for readers of all types of fantasy novels." School Library Journal
Review
“Imaginative….The Drowned Woods is a YA novel inspired by Welsh mythology that should be quickly embraced by fans of high, historical and Arthurian fantasy alike.” Shelf Awareness
Review
“In this world where fae can be fatally tricky…it is therefore eminently satisfying when Mer fully understands her abilities and taps into them for heroism, not violence, bringing a hopeful close to this sharp and witty fantasy.” Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Review
“A group of misfits comes together to perpetrate the ultimate heist in a fantasy novel imbued with Welsh folklore elements….A gorgeous, intricate fantasy.” Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Emily Lloyd-Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. She has a BA in English from Western Oregon University and a MA in publishing from Rosemont College. She currently resides in Northern California, where she enjoys wandering in redwood forests. Her young adult novels include Illusive, Deceptive, The Hearts We Sold, The Bone Houses, and the forthcoming The Drowned Woods. Her debut middle grade, Unseen Magic, will release in 2022.