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nicoledicksonxo's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition
5.0
I had wanted to read this book and when I received it in my August illumecrate box I finally stuck to a read-a-long and finished it!
Set in an old and magical Wales we meet Mererid who knows how magic and conflict rule through the kingdoms. Being the last living water diviner she has spent years running from the prince who bound her to be his puppet. He once used her to locate and poison the wells of his enemies. It is only when Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition, one that she can hardly turn down, that Mer stops running in the hopes of using her powers to bring down the very prince who abused them both.
With a rag-tag crew formed of fae-cursed man, the lady of thieves and a corgi who may or may not be a spy Mer could finally find her freedom. Part dark fairy tale and part heist this book ended up ticking a lot of my boxes.
Okay, let me be honest. If you add in any sort of animal that joins the crew you have me hooked. Make it an adorable corgi that could be spying for the fae and with a fondness of boots and I am suckered in. So, what I am trying to say is I was pretty sure this would be a five star before I started!
Emily Lloyd-Jones manages to create characters that are well developed, likable (sometimes not likeable) and that create a fantastic story. I was a bit worried with Mer being the last water diviner we may fall into the trap some YA fantasy do of the perfect protagonist who can solve everything. I am thankful to say we don’t. Mer is far from perfect with a sketchy past albeit at the Prince’s orders and having run with thieves she is far from perfect but that is what makes her likable and believable. I actually loved Mer but have to say my favourite characters where Fane and Trefor.
The novel itself is paced perfectly with action, adventure and problems along the way. Lloyd-Jones manages to combine beautiful prose with sometimes dark and dangerous situations. Melding a ‘normal’ world and imbuing it with believable magic and legend that made the whole novel a joy to read. I became invested quickly, more so when Trefor and Fane arrived, and could hardly wait to find out what happens next.
I tend to avoid spoilers but the ending was just superb. Both the actual ending and then the ‘tale’ told by the bards. It really reinforced the element of fantasy and realism which I adored. Being an avid fantasy fan and Dungeons and Dragons (as well as other games) player I couldn’t help but feel this perfectly captured the issues and obstacles that come from forming a motely crew of different people to try and pull off a mission. Sometimes funny, sometimes dangerous Lloyd-Jones captures the frustration and joy of trying to complete the mission and includes the losses along the way as well.
All in all I adored this book and will definitely be reading more by Emily Lloyd-Jones in the future!
Set in an old and magical Wales we meet Mererid who knows how magic and conflict rule through the kingdoms. Being the last living water diviner she has spent years running from the prince who bound her to be his puppet. He once used her to locate and poison the wells of his enemies. It is only when Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition, one that she can hardly turn down, that Mer stops running in the hopes of using her powers to bring down the very prince who abused them both.
With a rag-tag crew formed of fae-cursed man, the lady of thieves and a corgi who may or may not be a spy Mer could finally find her freedom. Part dark fairy tale and part heist this book ended up ticking a lot of my boxes.
Okay, let me be honest. If you add in any sort of animal that joins the crew you have me hooked. Make it an adorable corgi that could be spying for the fae and with a fondness of boots and I am suckered in. So, what I am trying to say is I was pretty sure this would be a five star before I started!
Emily Lloyd-Jones manages to create characters that are well developed, likable (sometimes not likeable) and that create a fantastic story. I was a bit worried with Mer being the last water diviner we may fall into the trap some YA fantasy do of the perfect protagonist who can solve everything. I am thankful to say we don’t. Mer is far from perfect with a sketchy past albeit at the Prince’s orders and having run with thieves she is far from perfect but that is what makes her likable and believable. I actually loved Mer but have to say my favourite characters where Fane and Trefor.
The novel itself is paced perfectly with action, adventure and problems along the way. Lloyd-Jones manages to combine beautiful prose with sometimes dark and dangerous situations. Melding a ‘normal’ world and imbuing it with believable magic and legend that made the whole novel a joy to read. I became invested quickly, more so when Trefor and Fane arrived, and could hardly wait to find out what happens next.
I tend to avoid spoilers but the ending was just superb. Both the actual ending and then the ‘tale’ told by the bards. It really reinforced the element of fantasy and realism which I adored. Being an avid fantasy fan and Dungeons and Dragons (as well as other games) player I couldn’t help but feel this perfectly captured the issues and obstacles that come from forming a motely crew of different people to try and pull off a mission. Sometimes funny, sometimes dangerous Lloyd-Jones captures the frustration and joy of trying to complete the mission and includes the losses along the way as well.
All in all I adored this book and will definitely be reading more by Emily Lloyd-Jones in the future!
marci_travels's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book! I had just finished a number of depressing reads and wanted something magical to restore balance. Trefor, the Otherlands spy heard my wish and brought me this book.
The Drowned Woods has everything I like in a fantasy: great world-building, likable characters, a journey with a puzzle or two, and an impossible goal-in this case-a heist.
Loved the Welsh references and language, and the plot twists were just right. The three storylines of the Diviner, the Thief, and the Ironfetch wove together well without giving away the secrets. For me, this was just a solid satisfying read.
The Drowned Woods has everything I like in a fantasy: great world-building, likable characters, a journey with a puzzle or two, and an impossible goal-in this case-a heist.
Loved the Welsh references and language, and the plot twists were just right. The three storylines of the Diviner, the Thief, and the Ironfetch wove together well without giving away the secrets. For me, this was just a solid satisfying read.
phoebe_the_titan_of_prophecy's review against another edition
4.0
not bad, but it was described as a heist novel but nothing heist-y really happened, my favorite character was fane, because he was pretty dope, he was like rouge from x-men, i was pretty sad when his powers disappeared. enjoyable would recommend.
aholland5's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beforeviolets's review against another edition
This book was pretty much exactly what it said on the tin: a YA fantasy heist with Welsh folklore, a bisexual MC, a romantic subplot, and a corgi spy. It was very sweet, a quick read, and walked the well-trodden paths of the classic fantasy heist tropes. I'd recommend this one to folks newer to fantasy stories or teen readers looking for something full of a fun cast of a characters and action-packed plot.
CW: violence, death, character death, drowning, fire, mass deaths, grief, blood, imprisonment, emesis, dead body, poison, child death (past), loss of family (past), child abandonment (past), dismemberment (past), alcohol
CW: violence, death, character death, drowning, fire, mass deaths, grief, blood, imprisonment, emesis, dead body, poison, child death (past), loss of family (past), child abandonment (past), dismemberment (past), alcohol