The Drowned Woods

The Drowned Woods is a captivating young adult fantasy set in a magical, conflict-ridden Wales. It follows Mererid, an eighteen-year-old water diviner, who was unknowingly complicit in a prince's poisoning of his enemies' wells. Now, Mer must confront her past and the prince who abused her powers by joining a daring heist to dismantle his rule. The story explores themes of justice, freedom, resilience, and the power of found family. Parents should be aware of themes of past trauma, violence (implied poisoning), and abuse of power, handled within a fantasy context suitable for the YA audience.

An instant IndieBound bestseller! A magical, ethereal fantasy from IndieBound bestselling author Emily Lloyd-Jones. 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.