The Drowned Woods

Description

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.

Emily Lloyd-Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. She has a BA in English from Western Oregon University and an MA in Publishing from Rosemont College. She currently resides in Northern California, where she enjoys wandering in redwood forests. Her young adult novels include Illusive, Deceptive, The Hearts We Sold, The Bone Houses, and the forthcoming The Drowned Woods. Her debut middle grade, Unseen Magic, will release in 2022.

Lloyd-Jones weaves a wondrous tale, one that feels timeless and divine * BuzzFeed * There's magic, faeries, a heist plot, a warmongering ruler to destabilise and so much more to enjoy over the course of this fantasy adventure * Culturefly * Infused with Welsh folklore and mythology, this beautifully written, otherworldly, stand-alone fantasy packs a punch as it examines topics relating to power, agency, and accountability . . . A gorgeous, intricate fantasy * Kirkus * Tense romantic entanglements, intricate lore, and Trefor's well-timed comic relief elevate this moody, ethereal read * Publishers Weekly * This adventurous quest and its unlikely crew will provide an enjoyable escape for readers of all types of fantasy novels * School Library Journal * A gripping story * ParSec * For fans of Little Thieves and Six of Crows I would strongly recommend this addictive fantasy that I'm still thinking about long after closing the book * My London *