Review: The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

 

The Drowned Woods

by Emily Lloyd-Jones

August 16, 2022

Goodreads Summary:

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

I've been having a hard time coming up with words to describe my feelings for The Drowned Woods. I didn't fully connect with the story but it's a haunting tale that has stayed with me long after finishing it.

The Drowned Woods started off simple but gradually evolved in complexity the deeper into the story we got. Mer wielded her magic well. Watching her in action was both mesmerizing and terrifying. I found myself most caught up in the heist part of the tale. The quick action and bittersweet twists had my heart pounding nonstop. I wish Mer and her crew's journey to the well had taken just a bit longer :P

The Drowned Woods left me feeling a little let down in a couple places. I was looking for more focus on the romance. I liked the representation but the romance was so subtle it was barely there. I had the most issue with the ending. Though Mer made the right choice, I was really hoping she'd see her business with the prince through. I was looking forward to it... At least the epilogue was fulfilling.

While I didn't fall in love with The Drowned Woods, I really enjoyed Emily Lloyd-Jones's smooth writing. Her story-telling made the story come alive. I need to read The Bone Houses and see the connection!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.