Book Review – The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones
The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Fantasy | Young Adult | 352 pages
Published on 16th August 2022 by Hodder and Stoughton
Synopsis
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.
My rating:
Review
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I was apprehensive about this, as it sounded (and is) very Welsh, but is written by an American. Well, whatever magic Lloyd-Jones employed to do this worked! It is stunningly atmospheric and beautiful.
We all know I love a heist novel, and this is no different. With fantastic magic systems and a watery theme, this felt so Nikki-coded! It’s also not really what I expected, in the best way. The writing is so beautiful. I will definitely be re-reading this in the future which is basically the best recommendation I can give a book.
4.5 stars.
Buy The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones from Waterstones or Blackwells.
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