Hair-raising narrow escapes and unlikely alliances encumbered by bitter, uncertain loyalties abound in this thrilling heist tale by Lloyd-Jones (The Bone Houses), set in a melancholic world of fae magic drawn from Welsh mythology. When farmer's daughter Mererid was eight, she was taken from her family by cold-blooded human Prince Garanhir for her ability to manipulate water. After years under his thumb, Mer, now 18, has escaped and is horrified by the atrocities that Garanhir committed with her unwitting help. She is soon recruited by former spymaster Renfrew, one of the prince's closest confidants, for a quest. Renfrew proclaims he has betrayed the prince and is building a team--which includes Fane, a man endowed with magic by the fae; Fane's pet corgi, Trefor; and Ifanna, a thief from Mer's past--to pull off a daring caper to destroy the heart of Garanhir's power, a hidden magical well containing unknown treasures that protect his land. Each of Lloyd-Jones's characters is plagued by guilty consciences, past grievances, and personal traumas, making for a profoundly detailed, fully formed cast. Tense romantic entanglements, intricate lore, and Trefor's well-timed comic relief elevate this moody, ethereal read. Protagonists present as white. Ages 14--up. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Aug.)

A group of misfits comes together to perpetrate the ultimate heist in a fantasy novel imbued with Welsh folklore elements. It is a risky plan, one with high stakes, dark magic, and a treacherous journey, but in the end, whoever survives gets a share in a mythical treasure. And if their heist also happens to help remove corrupt Prince Garanhir from power, so much the better. This is how former spymaster Renfrew manages to convince Mererid, the last water diviner, to go along with her old handler's scheme, especially since it could mean gaining her freedom in the end. Their crew includes Fane, a cursed ironfetch; Trefor, his corgi; and Ifanna, a thief and Mer's old flame who once betrayed her. As their dangerous journey progresses, the ragtag band realizes nothing and no one is as it seems, and their heist has much bigger consequences than they expected. Infused with Welsh folklore and mythology, this beautifully written, otherworldly stand-alone fantasy packs a punch as it examines topics relating to power, agency, and accountability. It features a twisty plot that is full of surprises, well-developed and grounded characters with fully formed backstories, funny moments as well as deeply emotional ones, a touch of romance--and an adorable dog companion (who survives in the end). Characters are assumed White; Mer is bisexual, and Ifanna is lesbian. A gorgeous, intricate fantasy. (Fantasy. 14-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 9 Up--As the world's last living water diviner, Mererid has been branded as the property of the prince and expects to live a life on the run if she is to have any freedom at all. Then Renfrew, the spymaster who was her childhood mentor, proposes a deal she cannot turn down--a chance to have enough money to walk away and never be seen again, if she will just help him with one last task. Along with Fane, a boy cursed by the fae to kill anyone he strikes; his magic-sniffing Corgi sidekick, Trefor; Mer's ex-girlfriend (and Princess of Thieves) Ifanna, and some other less savory individuals, Renfrew and Mer set out to be the first to successfully destroy the well of power that keeps the prince protected and bring him down, once and for all. In this work based on intriguing Welsh folklore, Lloyd-Jones has crafted a dark fantasy heist that maintains a consistently quick pace with gripping action scenes and complex (if somewhat static) main characters, though some side characters feel somewhat dispensable. Mer's fiery temper, sharp tongue, and proclivity for violence are well-balanced by Fane's gentleness despite the curse that makes him deadly. Mer's bisexuality is of no consequence to the other characters in the story, and the dynamic between Mer and her ex, the Princess of Thieves, is rife with angst and emotion. VERDICT This adventurous quest and its unlikely crew will provide an enjoyable escape for readers of all types of fantasy novels.--Allie Stevens