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In this magical, ethereal fantasy novel from the bestselling author of The Bone Houses a crew led by a magic welding woman fight to take down the overpowered prince that used and abused them.

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.

Genre:

"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, starred review
"Tense romantic entanglements, intricate lore, and Trefor’s well-timed comic relief elevate this moody, ethereal read."
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This adventurous quest and its unlikely crew will provide an enjoyable escape for readers of all types of fantasy novels."
School Library Journal
“Lloyd-Jones weaves a wondrous tale, one that feels timeless and divine.... This queer-normative fantasy heist novel based on the Welsh myth of Cantre'r Gwaelod is an absolute blast, the kind of book perfect for long plane rides or rainy weekends because you're going to want to read it in one go.”

Buzzfeed
“Thrilling and perceptive, The Drowned Woods blends the most-loved aspects of a heist narrative with meaningful, profound portraits of characters who satisfyingly defy archetypes and expectations alike.”
BookPage
Praise for The Drowned Woods:

"Impossible to put down once you’ve started, The Drowned Woods is the perfect book for fantasy readers everywhere. Steeped in Welsh mythology and intricately, beautifully written with characters who live on long after the book is finished, Emily Lloyd-Jones has once again shown she’s a force to be reckoned with in the fantasy genre."—Kailey Steward, Oak Brook Barnes & Noble, Oak Brook IL

"Equal parts grounded and magical, The Drowned Woods is another textured, evocative tale rooted in Welsh mythology from Emily Lloyd-Jones that settles into your bones and submerges you fully into its world. Lloyd-Jones crafts a riveting heist where the stakes feel both epic in scope yet intimate for its complex crew of characters. Lovely and mythical from start to spectacular finish!"—Kalie Barnes-Young, Barnes & Noble at the Grove, Los Angeles CA

"Dark, but all the best fairy tales are. There's so much anger and betrayal, but also beauty and hope and love and forgiveness and redemption. I can't wait to put this book into the hands of readers."—Billie Bloebaum, Third Street Books, McMinnville OR

"Lloyd-Jones once again nails the nuances of classic fantasy, but her brilliant character work and flair for turning tropes on their head elevate The Drowned Woods above the expected. This story feels like a Dungeons and Dragons campaign come to life in the best way, and I can't wait for more fantasy adventures from Lloyd-Jones."—Sami Thomason-Fyke, First Regional Library, Oxford MS

"Emily Lloyd Jones again displays an intimate knowledge of Welsh folklore and legend while masterfully weaving an epic all her own. The Drowned Woods is thrilling, darkly funny, and sexy, heartbreaking and heart-mending, with an inclusive cast and a keen social conscience. It’s as irresistible as an impossible heist to the city’s princess of thieves—or a stranger’s boot to a certain magic-sensing corgi—and just as satisfying. I read it in one sitting, then immediately cracked open my copy of The Bone Houses for a re-read."—Katie Bircher, Papercuts J.P., Jamaica Plain, MA

"The Drowned Woods is a timeless wonder. Pure magic is immortalized in a fiercely told fairytale with impeccable imagery and unforgettable characters. The fabled otherfolk have an unbreakable hold on this one. Listen closely—you never know what lurks in the treacherous depths below...."—Cody Roecker, Barnes & Noble Tanasbourne, Hillsboro, OR

"The Drowned Woods is a lush and haunting heist novel inspired by Welsh folklore. Emily's beautiful prose and world building draw you in from the first page. Every character is wonderfully nuanced and unique. As an added bonus, fans of The Bone Houses will be delighted to find another four-legged, heart-stealing sidekick in Trefor the corgi. If you like atmospheric fantasy, high stakes adventure, and a touch of romantic tension, you will love The Drowned Woods."—Gabrielle Belisle, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA

On Sale: Feb 20, 2024
Page Count: 368 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780759556348

About the Author

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 a 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 The Drowned Woods. You can find her at emilylloydjones.com.

Peek the Audiobook

FROM NOVL NATION

“I was sobbing like a baby. I’m serious. I was a blubberly what-the-frickedy-frack is going on throughout the last 50 pages. Chapter 29 is going down as one of the best chapters that I have ever read.”

– Lauren, DontGoBekkerMyHeart

“There is so much to love about an unlikely group of characters coming together for a heist… There were a few big twists at the end that I did not see coming, and they brought everything together so well – it was one surprise after another, and I love when a story can shock me like that.”

—Olivia, @onemused

“Within The Drowned Woods, there’s a steady pace of action. Of the jagged edges of characters coming together. And once you get to the end, you are not going to be able to put this book down.”

—Lili, @utopia.state.of.mind

“The Drowned Woods is full of magic and old folklore, perfect for its Welsh setting I absolutely loved this book, and can’t wait to see what Emily Lloyd-Jones has in store for us in her upcoming publications.”

—Erin, After.thefinal.Page

“Wow what an adventure… I loved the subtle nod to The Bone Houses in this book. You don’t need to read The Bone Houses to enjoy this though. The motley group of characters were fun and I loved the scheming and plot twists… this was a solid dark fantasy fairytale filled with captivating mythology.”

—Elle, @bookish.reader.elle

“This is a book where I wish the characters were real so I could give them a hug.”

—Spiri, @pluvioreads

“This story was so incredibly fun to read. I loved the high stakes heist scenario where we all know that it’s a matter of time before things go absolutely sideways.”

—Toya, @thereadingchemist

“The Drowned Woods combines the best pieces of fantasy and adventure to create a gripping story filled with magic and an ensemble cast you won’t soon forget.”

—Emma, @missprint_

“I LOVED the writing style. The story flowed like water.”

—Celia, @the_ya_assassin