The Drowned Woods

I listened to this on audiobook. I've said it before, but Moira Quirk is a treasure and breathes so much life into the audiobooks she narrates. The book itself captured me immediately, which I didn't expect. I normally have to force myself through the first hundred or so pages before I'm properly invested. The story feels like a fleshed out fairy tale. There is action, adventure, heist stuff, an adorable dog, lore, and magic. I loved it, it's exactly what I want in a fantasy book and right up there with my favorites like Nettle & Bone.

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!

Can’t even remember I’m pretty sure I DNF’d this too, oopsie…

This had the most cozy, delightful fantasy vibes! Loved
the characters and the banter! Heists continue to be
one of my favorite things to read about. I need more
fantasy standalones.

3.75

Inspired by the myth of Cantre’r Gwaelod, a sunken kingdom off the coast of Wales, that has been described as the “Welsh Atlantis”, this fantasy from Emily Lloyd-Jones is a part heist, part dark fairy tale, set in the same world as The Bone Houses, but with a whole new cast of characters. As the last living water diviner, the eighteen-year-old Mererid “Mer” has spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service. When Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition, she is resolved to 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 free and in peace with herself. At least, it’s what she hopes. The prologue sets up the book nicely, and the epilogue is also beautifully written, but the overall pacing of the story is very slow. There are too many supporting characters that are only present for the sake of the plot but don't really add anything to it. Although Mer has one of the best opening lines ever, I feel like I didn't know her well enough to get attached to her, and even though I was heartbroken before I got to the end, I didn't cry drool and snot-like I usually do. Still, I liked the tension felt between Mer and Ifanna and the (maybe a little too very) slow burn with Fane. I'm sorry that, with such a good premise and a cast of characters that had everything going for it, the author or publisher decided that this should be just a stand-alone. The political issue could have made this story more than a disappointing heist. Despite this, the writing is really beautiful ‌with some deep thoughts, especially regarding how oppressive regimes act. Somewhat thought-provoking, it also addresses the power of sacrifice for the greater good. I received an eARC for free, through NetGalley, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.