Audio ARC Review: The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

*I was given a copy of The Drowned Woods in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and Emily Lloyd-Jones*

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

I’m going to be honest from the outright and say that unfortunately, this was very average for me. I potentially would have enjoyed The Drowned Woods more if I had a physical copy rather than the audiobook as I just could not concentrate on it. My attention span has gotten a lot better when it comes to audiobooks so I do think that this just did not capture my attention the way I hoped it would.

The story was interesting and the characters had quite a lot of development throughout. However, it started out way too slow and then the ending was crazy fast. So much time was spent just walking places and then when it did get to the action it was over too quickly for my liking. The action was well written, and it makes sense for it to be fast-paced as well its action, but something was off for me. Personal preference though, may not be the same for you.

I enjoyed the magic system, that was really interesting. Unfortunately, you don’t experience a lot of magic other than Mer’s water divining and Fane’s iron-sensing abilities. But it was cool nonetheless.

Unfortunately, as it took so long for me to get through The Drowned Woods I really struggled to form opinions on it. The start of the book was packed full of world-building and character information and a lot of it went in one ear and straight out the other. This could honestly be more due to my attention span, no hate to Emily Lloyd-Jones this was very well written.

If I have time at some point in the future I may pick up a physical copy of The Drowned Woods. I’m willing to give it a second chance.