Emily Lloyd-Jones's imaginative companion to The Bone Houses is a good old-fashioned heist--the kind that includes Welsh princes, magical water diviners and corgis that are fairy spies.
In the kingdoms of Wales, magic is the domain of the tylwyth teg (otherfolk) and "other-touched" humans are rare. Mererid was abducted by Prince Garanhir's spymaster, Renfrew, at the age of eight; by 14 the powerful water diviner fled the prince's service. For four years, Mer has been on the run. But Renfrew, who trained Mer and "served the royals of Gwaelod all his life," appears with an offer: he wants Mer to help him get into the magically impenetrable walls of Gwaelod to take Garanhir down. "One last job," Renfrew tells her, "And you can buy your way to freedom." As with any good heist, Renfrew and Mer must build a team. Fane, who gave seven years of service to the tylwyth teg in exchange for "seven human lives," agrees to be their muscle as long as the corgi with whom he travels, Trefor, is also welcome. Once a spy, a thief and a scholar all join the team, the plan to defeat the prince is underway.
Lloyd-Jones (The Hearts We Sold) takes her heist as seriously as her world-building--each character has their own motives and new revelations unfold neatly. Her protagonists have the same mature edge and distinct personalities as those in contemporary works by Maggie Stiefvater and Elana K. Arnold. The Drowned Woods is a YA novel inspired by Welsh mythology that should be quickly embraced by fans of high, historical and Arthurian fantasy alike. --Siân Gaetano, children's and YA editor, Shelf Awareness