The Drowned Woods is a magical escape into the Welsh mythology

I had no knowledge that this book was in anyway connected to her previous book "The Bone Houses". With that said, I no issues following the story or understanding what was happening. Without knowing any Welsh myths, I felt this story was unique and full of magic and fun. The Drowned Woods does not have a "BOOM" of an ending or really even an amazing climax within the entire book but the writing was good and the book had me hooked at page two. I look forward to back tracking and reading "The Bone Houses" now.

This book follows a band of misfits who pull together from unlikely circumstances. I LOVED it! I did not purchase the audiobook for my school's library because most of my students prefer physical books, but I did purchase the physical copy. :)

This was a really solid fantasy. I liked the characters and the magical elements. I do feel as if there was a lot of build up for a quick finish. I’m happy with the twists and turns the book took but would have liked less middle filler and more of a big, dramatic ending. I’ll definitely read more by this author and recommend this for fantasy readers at my library.

The right cause can topple a kingdom . . .

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.

Part heist novel, part dark fairy tale, and rich with Welsh legends, The Drowned Woods is an ethereal fantasy, perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and Maria V. Snyder.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones was a fantastically creative story based on Welsh mythology. I greatly enjoyed the author's previous book, The Bone Houses, so I was sure to love this one as well. I devoured the audiobook in just a couple days and cannot recommend it enough.

Moira Quirk is a favorite narrator of mine - especially in the Locked Tomb series - and so, I was eager to get my hands on this book as well.

I highly recommend this book for anyone with a love of fantasy or mythology.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for the free e-ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I do not read a lot of fantasy, but this book called to me. The Drowned Woods is Welch Folklore, based on the Welsh myth of Cantre'r Gwaelod, which explains the origins of cardigan bay on the west coast of Wales. This book is set in the same kingdom as The Bone Houses, but I have not read that book and had no trouble enjoying The Drowned Woods. This story follows 18-year old Mererid, 'Mer', who is the last living water diviner. When her powers were discovered, she was taken from her home and forced to live in the castle of Prince Garanhir. He forced her to do terrible things that resulted in the death of many innocents. She was able to escape and has been hiding away ever since. Then one night, the Prince's guards find her and plan to bring her back to the castle. Her old handler, Renfrew, the Prince's ex-Spy Master, approaches her with an opportunity to bring the Prince down and free her from her bonds. All she has to do is steal an important magical artifact that in a sense secures the Prince's control over their kingdom. With an unlikely team, including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves and an adorably-loyal corgi named Trefor, they plan to use their special gifts and skills to find the treasure and bring down the prince.

I really enjoyed this story. The setting, the characters and the format of the story pulled me right in. I loved watching this group come together and set off on their quest. They were not all in it for a noble purpose, but doesn't the end justify the means? The main characters, Mer, Fane (the fae-cursed young man), and Trefor (the corgi that could sense magic) were so well developed. I loved how they met up as well as watching their relationship develop. Fane's story was very interesting and my heart broke for him. Mer was such a strong character. She was caring and just wanted to make amends for some of the terrible things that happened due to her power. She was extremely loyal as well, and even when she found out what some of the group she was with had done, she was willing to forgive and help them survive. There were a lot of twists to this one and by the end I was on the edge of my seat. With magic from the other folk, a power that is evil and must be destroyed, a corgi sidekick who is absolutely lovable, and characters that see what they need to do and do it, as well as a wonderful ending that tied the story up well, this book ticked all the boxes for me and I highly recommend it. The title, The Drowned Woods, come from the legend and the rumors that carbon dating of exposed parts a submerged forest on the shore of the lake back in 2014 and 2019 showed that they were from 1500 B.C. I did a read/listen of the book and enjoyed both formats. When I got near the end, I read, as I wanted to find out what was going to happen as quickly as possible. The narration by Moira Quirk. She does a great job with the voices, emotion and expression making this an enjoyable book to listen to. If you enjoy dark fairytales, fantasy or Welsh Folklore, then I recommend you pick this one up.

This was quite the enjoyable audiobook. The narrator was fantastic and the story was unique. I enjoyed this even more than the Bone Houses. The corgi was also a very nice edition especially for a Welsh based fantasy book.

What a cracking story. This book was based on Welsh mythology and now I really want to read more books like this one. I loved the storyline. Great character all with interesting back storys that kept me hooked. Story flowed really well. Didn't want to put it down. This is my first book by this author and I really want to read The Bone House's next.
Great audio narration. The narrators voice was enjoyable and easy to listen to. She sucked me straight into the story with her storytelling.

Emily Lloyd-Jones has done it again with another magical world and intriguing characters. The first book I read by Lloyd-Jones was 2019's The Bone Houses, and from there on I was converted. Afdter finding out The Drowned Woods takes place in the same universe, I knew I had to snatch it up. In The Drowned Woods, we meet your stereotypical rag tag band of misfits, but each character has a back story that makes them more than they may appear. In addition to the human characters, we also had the joy of the loveable furry sidekick in the form of a corgi "spy" (Obviously, the tiny puppers work for the Fae). Despite their being a little bit of a dip in the middle, the audiobook managed to keep me hooked and I am so glad I saw it to the end.

A fun heist book with terribly high stakes and a romance that took me completely by surprise.
Emily Lloyd Jones delves into themes of family, abandonment, choosing your own family and what it takes to make a happy ending for yourself, all couched in a world inspired by welsh mythology.

While I haven’t actually read The Bone Houses, which is set in the same world as The Drowned Woods, I had no trouble following along with the story. In fact, reading The Drowned Woods made me want to read The Bone Houses even more, because I loved the system of magic and Emily Lloyd-Jones’ style of writing! She combines humor and adventure so wonderfully that I was laughing one minute and on the edge of my seat the next! My favorite character (and I doubt I will be alone in this opinion) simply has to be Trefor, Fane’s beloved corgi dog. He is such a fun presence in the story, and one of my favorite scenes was when Trefor decided to “help” Fane out in a fight.

In addition to reading a physical copy of The Drowned Woods, I also had the pleasure of listening along to an audiobook version from Hachette Audio. Moira Quirk, the narrator of The Drowned Woods, is one of my all-time favorite narrators, so I knew that I would be in for a treat with her take on The Drowned Woods! I loved the way that her voice pacing matched the cadence of the story, making it so easy for me to get sucked in while listening!

My Recommendation-
If you love adventurous fantasy novels with lovable characters (and even more loveable dogs!) you need to grab a copy of The Drowned Woods! I would especially recommend this book to fans of Fable, Six of Crows, and Avatar: The Last Airbender!

Audiobook ARC provided by Hachette Audio, Little, Brown Young Readers via NetGalley.


The Drowned Woods returns to the world of Emily Lloyd-Jones’s 2019 novel, The Bone Houses. It’s a standalone YA fantasy novel that does have a connection to the earlier book, but I’d say they can be read in either order (it might be more rewarding even to read The Drowned Woods first, since sequentially it precedes The Bone Houses, and the latter is a slightly stronger novel, if I’m remembering correctly). Audiobook narrator Moira Quirk, who reads both novels, is excellent, breathing life into the characters and adding texture to the story with her well-performed accents.

As in the previous novel, Lloyd-Jones builds her fantasy world on (generally quite spooky) elements of Welsh Mythology, which lends it a satisfying creepy richness. The Drowned Woods is at heart a heist novel, with an appropriate mix of questionable loyalties, unexpected betrayals, etc. I did feel like the cast of characters could have been fleshed out a little more thoroughly, and the magic of the world given a little more room to breathe. It might have benefitted from being a little longer, even. Naturally, Trefor the corgi dog was the MVP.

The Drowned Woods was an engaging listen, and though it felt like it could have been developed more richly in character and plot, I liked it and it made me want to reread the first book. Also, such beautiful cover art! I’d love to have a physical copy too.

I thought this was a really light enjoyable fantasy, that was easy to consume but also retain the information through audio format.
Animal companions are one of my favourite tropes in any genre, and Trevor, the mischievous magic sensing corgi was a fast favourite.

I think this would be a good start for any readers looking to get into fantasy, as it introduces you to many tropes within high fantasy writing but it wasn't overly dense.

I think my favourite part of this novel (corgi aside) was the interwoven Welsh mythology and background.

4.75 Stars

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Netgalley for an ALC of this book.

Mer is the last living water diviner, and she is on the run from the prince that wants to control her. But when she runs into an opportunity to bring down the prince who hurt her--and runs into a fae-cursed boy she feels a connection with--Mer does everything she can to be free.

This book was so good! Mer is a FANTASTIC main character. I love her. I love her relationships with the people around her and her struggles and her magic and everything about her. I also love Fane. He is mysterious and soft and bad-ass. And there is a CORGI. A MAGICAL CORGI. So like...obviously I loved this.

ELJ's writing is fantastic as always and the world-building is lush and magical and subtle and wonderful. I want more from this world and I want more stories about Mer and Fane and MAGICAL CORGI!!!!

Did I mention there is a magical corgi?

Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, and Violence
Moderate: War, Murder, Blood, Physical abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Child death, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts

A fantasy standalone perfect for fans of A Sorcery of Thorns and Six of Crows, The Drowned Woods manages to pack a punch in a mid-sized package.

This story follows Mer, a water diviner, and ragtag group as they partake in a heist that they hope will weaken the savage prince of their kingdom. The looming presence of “the otherfolk” is a tangible stream throughout the book, adding an air of mystery and mysticism to the story. Trevor, the magic sensing corgi, is a balm to the weary soul of both the characters and the reader. Together, the cast makes an engaging group I was always eager to learn more of.

This story features F/F and F/M romance, though the F/M romance felt a bit strained or forced to me. I felt more of a sense of friendship than attraction between them, but loved the role Trevor played in their connection.

I really enjoyed the smaller scope of this story. It was a refreshing break from epic fantasies spreading across a series, and the faster pace was perfect for holding my attention. From the first sentence of the story to the last, I was enthralled with the beautiful writing and compelling worldbuilding. The Welsh influence was the perfect flavoring for this story, and the narration was spot on to bring it all to life.

Overall, I gave this story a 4 out of 5 star rating, and would definitely recommend either the written or audiobook to any fantasy lover looking for a lovely standalone.

"The Drowned Woods" is one of those stories that truly embodies retelling a legend, as the author gives their own spin on the kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod. The characters are all lively and real, and while we only follow a couple select point of view, each of the characters felt very unique in their own fashion. The novel follows a motley band of characters, including an ex-spymaster, the last known water diviner, a hired mercenary, a noble's cousin scholar, a true guild's thief, and an iron fetch (and his dog). I felt like I liked the idea of the heist and the differing personalities in the group creating interest, but the plot felt like it came suddenly at the end and there wasn't much in between the group coming together and the climax.

As part of my experience with the book, I listened to it; I quite enjoyed the narrator who gave unique inflections for each of the varied characters to tell them apart.

THE DROWNED WOODS was an atmospheric and all around fun new fantasy from Emily Lloyd-Jones. First off, I loved Trefor, the corgi, the most out of anything out of this book. He was so precious and perfect, and as far as I am concerned, the MVP of the entire novel. I also loved the influences of Welsh folklore all throughout the book. It gave the world a very atmospheric feel to it which drew me in so quickly. I really enjoyed this quest gone wrong kind of story and the emotional arcs that the characters end up going through. There is a twist about 2/3 of the way in that changes everything and really gets the blood pumping. The story is like a wave, building and building until it crashes to shore, making the pacing perfect in my opinion. Elemental magic, morally grey thieves, and otherfolk all come together to form a delightful narrative about betrayal and redemption that is just as beautiful as Lloyd-Jones's prose. You can't help but be invested in Mer's, Fane's and Ifanna's story and all the entangled relationships herein. It's kind of a love triangle but not really. We have a quest, a heist, and found family dynamics here in a fantasy that will just transport you to another world, which is a magic all on its own.

It’s safe to say that if Moira Quirk narrates a book, my enjoyment of said book is pretty much a guarantee and The Drowned Woods was no exception.

Here we have a rich and vibrant retelling of Welsh mythology where Mererid ‘Mer’ is the last living water diviner who has spent her life in servitude to the evil prince and killing on his behalf. Mer has finally escaped the Prince, but her plans are thwarted when her old mentor offers her the opportunity of a lifetime. And then there’s Fane, a human indebted to the otherfolk for avenging his family’s murder and Trevor the magical corgi who steals the show.

This story was so incredibly fun to read. I loved the high stakes heist scenario where we all know that it’s a matter of time before things go absolutely sideways.

While they seem like unlikely companions, Mer and Fane have both been through so much at such an early age that it’s no wonder they both are wary of trust and even friendship. Trevor plays a huge role in helping these two find their own way, which I loved!

I really hope Emily-Lloyd Jones continues writing these wonderful magic adventures with magical pets that I wish I had!

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Audio and Little, Brown Young Readers for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A heist you say--a magical heist even? A motley band of morally gray characters? Inspired by Welsh mythology? AND it includes a cute corgi?! SOLD!

I adored 'The Drowned Woods' because of all of the above, but particularly because of the characters. I agree, to a degree, with other reviewers critiques around pacing...but I found myself unbothered by the pages spent introducing and developing the characters and making me care about their world and their fate. And I still felt Emily Lloyd-Jones interspersed plenty of action and suspense-filled moments along the way, even before the true 'heist' began. Plus! All the little twists and turns and reveals and betrayals were so smart and well-written!

I laughed. I cried. I would die for this corgi--and if you have not read The Bone Houses, I definitely recommend you snag that one next and fall in love with a goat too! 5 STARS

This book was a solid 4 stars read for me, and the epilogue was a perfect way of ending this book. It's set in the same
world as The Bone Houses, and while I don't think you have to read that book before this one, I think you would miss out on really
understanding why the end is so amazing.
This was a really great read and it can be read as a stand-alone or as a spin off.