Welcome back to the second day of our book club readalong for OwlCrate's August book, The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones!
Just a reminder that this will be a SPOILER discussion for Chapters 4-7 of The Drowned Woods, so make sure you read are finished this section before continuing.
Discussion questions are listed below, and anyone who participates in the comments will be entered to win a free OwlCrate box! Don't forget, you can also post about the readalong on Instagram with the hashtag #OCTheDrownedWoods for another chance to win!
The story continues...
Chapter 4:
Fane reveals to them that he previously worked for the tylwyth teg in Annwvyn, where he was an ironfetch - a human they hired to remove iron from the forests. In exchange, they gifted him his death magic. They are able to convince him to join them on their journey by guaranteeing him the pick of the treasure they find.
Chapter 5:
When Fane was eleven his locksmith father was visited by a man asking for a favour, one that was greedy and one that Fane's father denied. Later, seven men came and killed his family for it - mercenaries hired by the owner of the land they lived on. Desperate, Fane fled to Annwyn and the tylwyth teg, and before much consideration offered seven years of servitude in exchange for seven deaths.
A few hours later Fane awakes with the corgi on his chest. Renfrew tells them to get into Caer Wyddno on their own to avoid detection. He has also learned that the prince has put out a reward for the capture of Mer. Renfrew tells them to meet him in Caer Wyddno in two days.
Chapter 6:
They arrive via the ocean to the shores of Gwaelod. Needing a food, Mer suggests Fane create a distraction while she steals supper from a house along the shoreline, but instead, Fane simply asks, and the family gives them a place to stay for the night and a meal, something that Mer had never considered.
They make it without trouble into Caer Wynndo, and find the meeting house in Spicer’s Row that Renfrew told them about. It appears to be a noble person’s house, and not trusting to simply go to the front door, Mer and Fane break in through the wine cellar. Just as they get inside someone comes in, and after a pause throws a wine bottle at Fane’s head.
Chapter 7:
The ironfetches were given a few days off each year to attend to human needs, and Fane decided to use his time to travel back to his home village and there find a sword in the wreckage of his former home that belonged to one of the men that killed his family. Able to locate the man by sensing the iron in the weapon, Fane makes the journey, intending to kill each person that was involved. But when Fane makes it to the man’s house he finds the man has a family and young children. Stumbling away, Fane is cornered by two thieves, and this is the first time his magic comes to life - he kills both, almost as if he didn’t have a choice. From then on he vows to never use his power for himself.
Questions:
- What do you think Renfrew was up to in the days before he met Mer and Fane in Caer Wynndo?
- What do you think caused Mer to be imprisoned and branded?
- Do you think the person they scuffled with in the cellar can be trusted?
- We love Trefor the corgi! Do you think there's more to him than meets the eye?
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