The Drowned Woods

The Drowned Woods tells the story of the last living water diviner, Mer, and how the Kingdom of Gwaelod (also known as the Lowland Hundred) became flooded.

I had no idea about the Welsh myth at the core of the novel and thought it might be fun to read it during the run-up to our short break in Wales. Imagine my surprise when it turned out that Bae Ceredigion was actually near to where the story is set! Visiting the bay and the remains of the sunken forest that are still visible at low tide near Borth was definitely the highlight of the trip, and increased enjoyment of the novel no end – though the story is of course still highly enjoyable even if you don't combine it with a holiday in Wales.

I always admire an author's skill to create show more real, believable, complex characters on the page about whom you care so much that you drop chores and stay up late in order to find out what happens next. I loved that I expected a certain kind of story based on the blurb, which then turned out to be something different, with no noticeable foreshadowing (although there were clues looking back); not many books can accomplish that. I thought the pace was well balanced; there's enough back story to the major three characters (Mer, Ifanna and Fane, though I would have liked to see Renfrew included too) to flesh out their motivations while keeping the present-day action flowing, and there are some very tense (the chapters set in the sewers!) as well as some lighter moments, in particular owing to the inclusion of Trefor, the corgi. Though the real events date back to the Bronze Age, the novel is set roughly in the seventeenth century (there are potatoes and tea), when Gwynedd and Powys were no longer kingdoms in their own right, but it works well within the confines of the story (and it is fantasy, after all).

The reason I didn't give it the full five stars is because I noticed certain phrases or ideas being repeated towards the end, which I thought was quite noticeable when the rest of the story is so taut. However, based on the strength of the writing I've already ordered the author's debut novel, The Bone Houses. show less

Emily Lloyd-Jones might be following a tried and true pattern of many fantasy epics (a magic user and their companions try to topple a kingdom), but she does it with a decent enough amount of world- and character-building that we are convinced of her story from page one to the finale. She begins with a mythical tone for the preamble, setting the stage for her protagonist, a water diviner named Mererid, to rail against the crown that took her captive as a child and raised her as a weapon of magical countenance. Mer has built a quiet life for herself as a serving maid in a bar, but when the spymaster who raised her offers her a chance at destroying the kingdom that turned her magic to nefarious purposes she chooses to take a stand rather show more than continue running from her past. Along their journey, Mer and Renfrew build a crew of interesting characters ranging from a fey-blessed iron fetch to the heir of the kingdom’s criminal guild and plan a complicated heist that draws on each person’s abilities, but when they reach their destination (a treasure trove on the centre of a hidden island) Lloyd-Jones pulls out a solid double-cross that brings to bear the deeper themes of the story. The careful balance between the fey and human worlds is precarious at best, with few seeing the larger magical and political picture that keeps their borders secure, and it is up to Mer and co. to choose a path forward that keeps the balance intact. Rife with magical lore that quietly suffuses the largely mundane heist narrative, the titular drowned woods becomes a symbol for the duality of Mer’s magic and her inevitable choice that saves the kingdom. Coming full circle as we reach the final pages, Lloyd-Jones wraps up the story with a happy ending for Mer and her iron fetch, but their existence on the border of the fey and human lands hints at a potential for conflict or cooperation between the two realms that remains unanswered. show less

Mererid (Mer) is on the run. She’s insanely powerful- a water diviner or water witch who can control water in any form- but she lives in constant fear of discovery. When the wrong person finds her waiting table in a pub, her past comes rushing past. She was the prince’s property, a man who used her powers for evil. Now her trainer, the prince’s assassin, has her again and she’s sure she’ll be heading back to be killed. But that’s not what happens….

What evolves is a heist story. Renfrew, the prince’s former spymaster, wants to lead them against the prince. Mer will be the way into the treasure hoard. Fane is an iron fetch, who manipulates iron- even the iron in blood- who can open all locks. Ifanna is the daughter of the show more chiefs of the thieves guild, a master thief herself, who has a past with Mer. Emrick is a scholar, who has read every magic book and history available. Gryf is the muscle. Trefor is Fane’s corgi (this story is set in Welsh mythology), who may be a spy for the fae. No heist goes smoothly, though, and the group must fight foes human and supernatural all the way. There is a long passage through chambers that are filled with seawater at high tide that put my tension at 10- it’s a really claustrophobic situation, along with the monsters. And there are betrayals all around.

This young adult novel is a great read. I found myself engaged all the way through, unwilling to put the book down. The characters are well done- there are a couple who are pretty much just space markers, but most seem true to life. The world seems real and livable. I will definitely seek out more of this author’s work. show less

Emily Lloyd-Jones got her inspiration for her novel The Drowned Woods from Welsh mythology, which is very different from Slavic mythology, apparently, much more pleasant without a lot of nasty monsters intent on harming humans. Anyway, the plot of the story is relatively simple, so the charm and ongoing interest lie in the motley band of characters who follow the heroine on her quest to enact revenge on the prince who tricked her. I mean, one member of that band is a dog, so you automatically have to continue reading because dogs rule. The pacing is fast, which keeps you reading, but not too fast that it borders incredulity. I enjoyed my time with Mer and her fellowship and loved how Ms. Lloyd-Jones ended this story. The Drowned Woods show more is what I consider a beach read for the fantasy set – fun, somewhat mindless, and quick. show less

Originally posted on Just Geeking by.

Content warnings:
From the author’s website:

violence
character death (both on-page and off-page)
war (off-page)
grief & survivor’s guilt

Author’s Note: Nothing bad happens to the dog! He is happy and healthy.

The Drowned Woods is set in the same world as Emily Lloyd-Jones’ previous novel The Bone Houses, and from what I’ve seen briefly from reviews how this novel ends does tie in with something in that novel. That is as far as the links and similarities go and The Drowned Woods storyline and characters are completely different, so if you’ve not read The Bone Houses (like me) you’re not going to be missing anything. I like the idea that you can read either first and no matter which one show more you read first you’ll still get that “oh!” moment when both stories connect.

I fell completely in love with Lloyd-Jones’ story-telling and her characters immediately. There is so much depth to her characters and this isn’t just another heist book; it’s as much about the people as it is their plot. Each one had a unique backstory which tied into the wonderful world building that Lloyd-Jones has created using Welsh mythology. Throw in an adorable corgi who may or may not be a spy for the fae and everything about The Drowned Woods was a huge win for me. This is definitely one to check out, and I hope that Lloyd-Jones continues to write more in this universe as it’s got a lot of potential!

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A disillusioned water diviner teams up with a spymaster for the heist of a lifetime. This book features a twist on the classic heist novel and memorable characters who'll grow deep roots into your heart.

Mer's the last water diviner and on the run from the prince who used her power to create unspeakable horrors. But when the prince's former spymaster Renfrew finds her, he offers her a chance to get revenge. Together, they'll steal the treasures in a magical well at the heart of the prince's kingdom and weaken his power.

They assemble a ragtag crew: a scholar who's the premier expert on magical traps, a man with otherworldly fighting ability, a soldier of unknown origin and Mer's addition: the heir of the thief's guild, Ifanna, who once show more betrayed Mer but now holds the key to success.

Mer finds herself drawn to Fane, a man who traded seven years of his life for seven human lives in a bargain with the otherfolk, even as she suspects he's not telling her everything. My absolute favorite character was Trefor, Fane's companion, the happy Corgi who everyone suspected of being a spy for the otherfolk (fairies). This story draws delightfully on magic and myth, weaving a world where Fane and Mer may have more power than even they suspect. Their feelings for each other may change the course of history.

There are plots within plots in this novel that pits its characters against mythical creatures and curses. All is not what it seems, and villains and heroes shift as the story unfolds. A riveting read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

Inspired by the myth of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a sunken kingdom off the coast of Wales, that has been described as the “Welsh Atlantis”, this fantasy from Emily Lloyd-Jones is a part heist, part dark fairy tale, set in the same world as The Bone Houses, but with a whole new cast of characters.

As the last living water diviner, the eighteen-year-old Mererid “Mer” has spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service. When Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition, she is resolved to 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 show more of thieves, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer may finally ‌be free and in peace with herself. At least, it’s what she hopes.

The prologue sets up the book nicely, and the epilogue is also beautifully written, but the overall pacing of the story is very slow. There are too many supporting characters that are only present for the sake of the plot but don't really add anything to it. Although Mer has one of the best opening lines ever, I feel like I didn't know her well enough to get attached to her, and even though I was heartbroken before I got to the end, I didn't cry drool and snot-like I usually do. Still, I liked the tension felt between Mer and Ifanna and the (maybe a little too very) slow burn with Fane.

I'm sorry that, with such a good premise and a cast of characters that had everything going for it, the author or publisher decided that this should be just a stand-alone. The political issue could have made this story more than a disappointing heist. Despite this, the writing is really beautiful ‌with some deep thoughts, especially regarding how oppressive regimes act. Somewhat thought-provoking, it also addresses the power of sacrifice for the greater good.

I received an eARC for free, through NetGalley, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily. show less