Picture an American storyteller who spun Welsh mythology into haunting young adult tales—meet Emily Lloyd-Jones! With a knack for blending fantasy, folklore, and heartfelt coming-of-age stories, she’s carved a unique niche in YA literature. From her debut novel Illusive to the eerie The Bone Houses, Lloyd-Jones invites readers into worlds where magic and humanity collide.
Born and raised on a vineyard in rural Oregon, her imagination thrived among evergreen forests and, curiously, a fear of sheep. This quirky backdrop shaped a writer who’s as enchanting as her stories. Now living in Northern California, she balances bookstore work by day with crafting novels by night, proving she’s a literary force to be reckoned with.
The Making of Emily Lloyd-Jones
Growing up, Lloyd-Jones was captivated by books, from Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles to manga and superhero tales like Sailor Moon. Her love for genre fiction fueled her path to Western Oregon University, where she earned a BA in English. She later pursued an MA in publishing at Rosemont College, diving into the business side of books. This blend of creative and practical skills set the stage for her writing career. By 2012, after querying agents, she signed with Adams Literary, and her debut novel Illusive launched her into the YA scene.
Emily Lloyd-Jones’s Unforgettable Stories
Lloyd-Jones’s novels are a tapestry of vivid world-building, morally gray characters, and intricate magic systems. Her debut, Illusive (2014), kicks off a sci-fi fantasy series where super-powered criminals navigate a high-stakes world post a viral outbreak. It’s X-Men meets Ocean’s Eleven, with taut, twisty plots. She followed with Deceptive (2015), deepening the series’ intrigue.
Shifting gears, The Bone Houses (2019) is a standalone gem steeped in Welsh folklore. It follows Ryn, a gravedigger, and Ellis, a mapmaker with chronic pain, as they battle undead “bone houses” to break a village curse. The novel’s atmospheric prose and themes of family and loss resonate deeply. Similarly, The Drowned Woods (2022) weaves a heist narrative with Welsh mythology, showcasing a magic-wielding heroine, Mer, in a lush, standalone fantasy. Her latest, The Wild Huntress (2024), reimagines the Wild Hunt with multi-POV storytelling, earning praise for its compelling characters and devastating twists.
Her style shines through lyrical yet accessible prose, often exploring disability, agency, and found family. Whether it’s a heist or a cursed forest, Lloyd-Jones crafts worlds that feel timeless yet fresh, earning her a loyal readership.
Why Emily Lloyd-Jones Matters
Lloyd-Jones’s impact lies in her ability to blend folklore with modern YA themes, making ancient myths accessible to teens. Her inclusion of diverse characters, like Ellis with chronic pain, adds depth and representation to fantasy. By drawing on Welsh culture, she introduces readers to lesser-known mythologies, enriching the genre. Her work inspires young writers to embrace their unique voices, proving you can tell epic stories from small-town roots.
Her novels have garnered critical acclaim, with The Hearts We Sold (2017) landing on Entertainment Weekly’s most anticipated YA list. As a bookseller and conference speaker, she champions literacy and storytelling, leaving a quiet but powerful mark on the literary world.
- Key Works: Illusive (2014), The Hearts We Sold (2017), The Bone Houses (2019), The Drowned Woods (2022), The Wild Huntress (2024)
- Hometown: Rural Oregon
- Current Residence: Northern California
Snag The Bone Houses or The Drowned Woods and dive into Emily Lloyd-Jones’s spellbinding blend of fantasy and folklore!