BookStandalone2022

The Drowned Woods

by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Pick this up for the darker side of fairy-tale magic: a water diviner with blood on her conscience, a cursed boy with a loyal corgi, and a prince who absolutely needs to lose. It has the quick snap of a heist without sanding down the grief underneath.

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goodreads 3.86/5 13,301 ratings

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A decision-first view of the reading experience.

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Content warnings: Abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Coercive control, Poisoning, Violence, Torture, Murder, Death, Parental death, Grief, Drowning, Captivity, Kidnapping, Blood, Gore, Injury detail, Suicidal ideation, Slavery, War, Toxic relationships, Betrayal, Classism, Vomiting / emesis, Animal death

Length352 pages

Story statusStandalone

Spice1/5 · Closed door / fade to black

PacingFast

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

Reluctant allies to lovers
Male/female pairing (M/F)
Slow burn
Low
Closed door / fade to black
Adrenaline rush

Cursed
Betrayal to trust
Tension / anticipation
Earned hope
Damaged survivor
Found family
Longing glances
Found family feels
Reluctant hero
Escape
Secretly soft
Partners in crime

Fantasy promise

Ya fantasy
Heist romance
Forest / wilderness
Mythological
Fae
Adventure romance

Royal court / palace
Historical
Monsters
Forced alliance
Road trip
Grimdark / dark fantasy
Cursed love interest

Reading experience

Multi-POV
Fast
Adventurous
Atmospheric
Moderate
Survivor

Bisexual MC
Dark
Lush
Runaway / on the run
Teen MC (under 20)
Mythic
Cinematic
Mysterious
Fast-paced
Vengeful / revenge-driven
Hopeful
Character-driven
Tense
Heist energy
Revenge arc
Power corrupts
Morally complex
Page turner

Similar in ways that matter

Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

672 pages Completed

Queen of Shadows

Sarah J. Maas

Similar because

Partners in crime · Vengeful / revenge-driven · Revenge arc

Different because

It is completed rather than standalone. A longer read (672 vs 352 pages).

432 pages Standalone

The Wild Huntress

Emily Lloyd-Jones

Similar because

Secretly soft · Betrayal to trust · Reluctant hero

Different because

Medium pacing rather than Fast.

374 pages Completed

Sage of Hope and Ruin

Riley Knight

Similar because

Partners in crime · Mythic · Fae

Different because

It is completed rather than standalone.

Book details

Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Language: English
Format: Book