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courtney_saba's review against another edition
4.0
I loved The Bone Houses so much, so of course I was going to read ELJ's next book.
I so wish this was another 5 star read. However, emotional ties and a character-driven story were sadly missing. The plot was brilliant: love heists, love morally gray characters/antiheroes, love the fae, love everything about this story. That was why I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of emotion involved here throughout all her characters. I don't need a full-blown romance or sex or angst, but I do need more in my characters: more emotion, more quiet moments, something to make me feel for them and champion them throughout their journey. I expected that in ELJ's fantasy since her books are so fantastic. Maybe since her characters were always going non-stop, there wasn't any time for emotionally driven scenes, but her characters here fell a bit flat, even beautiful Fane and all his sorrow. He had some great one-liners here!
"Finished staring?"
"I could stare longer, if that pleases you."
Ugh, this was SO GOOD, said with such sincerity and seriousness and no charming smirk found anywhere here, thank the heavens. So much potential here for ELJ's characters! I understand she wanted a more plot-driven type of story, and maybe heartfelt moments aren't needed in this type of story, but she MISSED OUT on the glorious opportunities with her glorious characters. They were there for her to play with and she missed it.
I so wish this was another 5 star read. However, emotional ties and a character-driven story were sadly missing. The plot was brilliant: love heists, love morally gray characters/antiheroes, love the fae, love everything about this story. That was why I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of emotion involved here throughout all her characters. I don't need a full-blown romance or sex or angst, but I do need more in my characters: more emotion, more quiet moments, something to make me feel for them and champion them throughout their journey. I expected that in ELJ's fantasy since her books are so fantastic. Maybe since her characters were always going non-stop, there wasn't any time for emotionally driven scenes, but her characters here fell a bit flat, even beautiful Fane and all his sorrow. He had some great one-liners here!
"Finished staring?"
"I could stare longer, if that pleases you."
Ugh, this was SO GOOD, said with such sincerity and seriousness and no charming smirk found anywhere here, thank the heavens. So much potential here for ELJ's characters! I understand she wanted a more plot-driven type of story, and maybe heartfelt moments aren't needed in this type of story, but she MISSED OUT on the glorious opportunities with her glorious characters. They were there for her to play with and she missed it.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Usually I know quite well what books I will like and what books I won't. I read the summary, check the genre and if I'm still in doubt then I read a few reviews and then I can usually make up my mind and I rarely read a book I don't like. With this book I wasn't entirely sure. I was curious about this book, I liked the vibe they were talking about, I'm just not a huge fan of heists. However, I decided to request an arc from Netgalley so the Publishergods could decide if this book was for me or not.
I'm really happy that I requested this book and even happier that I got it and got to read it. The world building is amazing! I saw that the author wrote another book in the same world and I now want to get my hands on it, because I feel like I'm far from done exploring these Kingdoms, their magic and everything else. And the best part? The author showed us the world and didn't just talk about it and never bored us with endless descriptions of it.
Despite the fact that heists are normally not entirely my thing, I really enjoyed this one. Mostly because all the characters involved were intelligent and had their own agenda. It kept all the characters on their toes and alert and it meant that nothing was ever easy. I really had the impression that all those characters had to really fight for what they really wanted, had to plan ahead and had to make tough choices. And that made this heist really interesting!
And because the chapters were mostly written from three different point of views I also felt like I got to know these characters well. Since the author doesn't do lengthy info-dumps we never learn EVERYTHING there is to know about them, but I did feel a connection with those characters, I started caring about them and I felt all the emotions they felt. The ending was maybe not a perfectly happy one, but it was a perfect ending for this story.
I'm now going to find that other book set in this world!
I'm really happy that I requested this book and even happier that I got it and got to read it. The world building is amazing! I saw that the author wrote another book in the same world and I now want to get my hands on it, because I feel like I'm far from done exploring these Kingdoms, their magic and everything else. And the best part? The author showed us the world and didn't just talk about it and never bored us with endless descriptions of it.
Despite the fact that heists are normally not entirely my thing, I really enjoyed this one. Mostly because all the characters involved were intelligent and had their own agenda. It kept all the characters on their toes and alert and it meant that nothing was ever easy. I really had the impression that all those characters had to really fight for what they really wanted, had to plan ahead and had to make tough choices. And that made this heist really interesting!
And because the chapters were mostly written from three different point of views I also felt like I got to know these characters well. Since the author doesn't do lengthy info-dumps we never learn EVERYTHING there is to know about them, but I did feel a connection with those characters, I started caring about them and I felt all the emotions they felt. The ending was maybe not a perfectly happy one, but it was a perfect ending for this story.
I'm now going to find that other book set in this world!
maiabeckett99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
abbielovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
laelyn's review against another edition
4.0
This book made me order the author's previous novel set in the same world, which should already tell you that this is going to be a positive review.
I haven't read anything from Lloyd-Jones before and admittedly didn't know of her existence before stumbling over "The Drowned Woods", immediately enchanted by the promises of its description. A fantasy set in olden times Wales, inspired by a "Welsh Atlantis"? Count me in!
The world is fascinating, steeped in Welsh mythology. The writing is beautiful and there is an atmosphere throughout the whole book that draws you right in. It's a darker approach to ya fantasy that I quite enjoyed. The world, the mythology and the beautiful prose are what made me order that previous novel. It's really where this book shines.
Now, the characters are definitely lovely too, though I did find some of them rather flat or recognized their type of character from many other ya books, which kept me from feeling all too invested in them. I enjoyed Mer as the primary protagonist and loved her tragic backstory, and I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED her complex relationship with Renfrew. It was honestly the one relationship I was really invested in - I am, admittedly, a sucker for complicated father-daughter-stories. Fane is another protagonist with his own pov, and I really enjoyed his backstory too. I also liked that he wasn't described as yet another incredibly handsome perfect dream boy. He's rugged, he's scarred, he's flawed. Obviously he must also be a giant because apparently giant boys are The Big Trend in ya literature right now, but I do like giant boys so I'm not complaining. The third pov belongs to Ifanna, the lady of thieves who should have been my favourite character because she's just my type, but alas, she doesn't really have a lot of actual content in the book.
There is a bit of a romance, but I'm honestly glad that this was just a verrrrry minor part of this story (and I was honestly a bit more interested in the side romance).
The side characters are honestly just kind of there. I couldn't tell you much about them beyond their on page motivation and like, one character trait maybe if at all. They're forgettable. Well, all of them but the bestest of best boys Trefor of course. I'd honestly read a book just telling me stories about Trefor's travels and I would enjoy absolutely every single second of it. He's the best and the most important.
The plot is a little slow-paced in the middle part of the book, but the epic ending and the general atmosphere of the setting make up for it. Considering I did read that Welsh Atlantis note beforehand I was kind of guessing at what was going to happen, but it still happens in such an intriguing, exciting way that I fully enjoyed it.
All in all, this is a really fun, atmospheric read with beautiful prose, set in a fascinating mythological world. The characters aren't very memorable, the side characters especially forgettable, and there are some pacing issues but it's still absolutely a 4 star read for me.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the arc.
I haven't read anything from Lloyd-Jones before and admittedly didn't know of her existence before stumbling over "The Drowned Woods", immediately enchanted by the promises of its description. A fantasy set in olden times Wales, inspired by a "Welsh Atlantis"? Count me in!
The world is fascinating, steeped in Welsh mythology. The writing is beautiful and there is an atmosphere throughout the whole book that draws you right in. It's a darker approach to ya fantasy that I quite enjoyed. The world, the mythology and the beautiful prose are what made me order that previous novel. It's really where this book shines.
Now, the characters are definitely lovely too, though I did find some of them rather flat or recognized their type of character from many other ya books, which kept me from feeling all too invested in them. I enjoyed Mer as the primary protagonist and loved her tragic backstory, and I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED her complex relationship with Renfrew. It was honestly the one relationship I was really invested in - I am, admittedly, a sucker for complicated father-daughter-stories. Fane is another protagonist with his own pov, and I really enjoyed his backstory too. I also liked that he wasn't described as yet another incredibly handsome perfect dream boy. He's rugged, he's scarred, he's flawed. Obviously he must also be a giant because apparently giant boys are The Big Trend in ya literature right now, but I do like giant boys so I'm not complaining. The third pov belongs to Ifanna, the lady of thieves who should have been my favourite character because she's just my type, but alas, she doesn't really have a lot of actual content in the book.
There is a bit of a romance, but I'm honestly glad that this was just a verrrrry minor part of this story (and I was honestly a bit more interested in the side romance).
The side characters are honestly just kind of there. I couldn't tell you much about them beyond their on page motivation and like, one character trait maybe if at all. They're forgettable. Well, all of them but the bestest of best boys Trefor of course. I'd honestly read a book just telling me stories about Trefor's travels and I would enjoy absolutely every single second of it. He's the best and the most important.
The plot is a little slow-paced in the middle part of the book, but the epic ending and the general atmosphere of the setting make up for it. Considering I did read that Welsh Atlantis note beforehand I was kind of guessing at what was going to happen, but it still happens in such an intriguing, exciting way that I fully enjoyed it.
All in all, this is a really fun, atmospheric read with beautiful prose, set in a fascinating mythological world. The characters aren't very memorable, the side characters especially forgettable, and there are some pacing issues but it's still absolutely a 4 star read for me.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the arc.
deannasbookclub's review against another edition
3.0
I really sadly didn't enjoy this as much as I expected. It's not that I thought the book or writing was bad, it's just I didn't think there was anything special that kept my attention.
One of the main reasons that I was disappointed was that it just wasn't what I expected. On the blurb it's described as 'part heist novel, part dark fairytale' which made me think it was going to be really exciting and magical, which I didn't find to be the case. I found the story to be really quite slow and felt that I had to kind of force my way through most of it. By the end when the action really got going I did enjoy it but I'd already been let down by the first 2/3 of the book and so I couldn't appreciate it fully.
Overall, this wasn't my favourite book but it was by no means a bad one. I did really enjoy the writing itself and so I would be interested to read more of the author's work in the future.
One of the main reasons that I was disappointed was that it just wasn't what I expected. On the blurb it's described as 'part heist novel, part dark fairytale' which made me think it was going to be really exciting and magical, which I didn't find to be the case. I found the story to be really quite slow and felt that I had to kind of force my way through most of it. By the end when the action really got going I did enjoy it but I'd already been let down by the first 2/3 of the book and so I couldn't appreciate it fully.
Overall, this wasn't my favourite book but it was by no means a bad one. I did really enjoy the writing itself and so I would be interested to read more of the author's work in the future.
deannas_bookclub's review against another edition
3.0
I really sadly didn't enjoy this as much as I expected. It's not that I thought the book or writing was bad, it's just I didn't think there was anything special that kept my attention.
One of the main reasons that I was disappointed was that it just wasn't what I expected. On the blurb it's described as 'part heist novel, part dark fairytale' which made me think it was going to be really exciting and magical, which I didn't find to be the case. I found the story to be really quite slow and felt that I had to kind of force my way through most of it. By the end when the action really got going I did enjoy it but I'd already been let down by the first 2/3 of the book and so I couldn't appreciate it fully.
Overall, this wasn't my favourite book but it was by no means a bad one. I did really enjoy the writing itself and so I would be interested to read more of the author's work in the future.
One of the main reasons that I was disappointed was that it just wasn't what I expected. On the blurb it's described as 'part heist novel, part dark fairytale' which made me think it was going to be really exciting and magical, which I didn't find to be the case. I found the story to be really quite slow and felt that I had to kind of force my way through most of it. By the end when the action really got going I did enjoy it but I'd already been let down by the first 2/3 of the book and so I couldn't appreciate it fully.
Overall, this wasn't my favourite book but it was by no means a bad one. I did really enjoy the writing itself and so I would be interested to read more of the author's work in the future.
luceeefur's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I feel like this one will end up being forgettable. I enjoyed the heist element of the story, if not all the characters. The whole thing about a corgi as a character annoyed me more than it was enduring.
danniphantomreads's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, so I loved the magic (diviner) aspect of the book and the heist aspect. I did not however like how slow the build up was or the finding of the heist crew. It went on for too long, and yet the characters were unremarkable and unmemorable except for our MC and the corgi sidekick. However I love the idea behind this story and the heist so I was able to finish it despite how slow it was.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!