A Study in Drowning is a dark fairytale set at a university and an eerie cliffside estate. Effy, an architecture student and lover of literature, has just begun university and quickly realized that being in a rigorous academic setting as the only woman is more traumatizing than she could have ever imagined. Desperately burnt out and seeking escape, Effy earns a unique opportunity to design a new manor in honor of her favorite author who recently passed. As Effy tries to adapt to the mysterious nature of this deteriorating home and the people living there, she learns that Preston, another student studying at the house, has shocking theories about the widely beloved author. Effy and Preston reluctantly have to work together and put aside their differences to uncover the deeply hidden aspects of the author's past and the strange darkness surrounded the manor.

This story is a masterful mix of horror, academia, romance, and inspiration from folklore. It is so atmospheric and gripping and the writing style is the perfect amount of descriptive and lyrical - I felt transported to Hiraeth Manor because of how vivid the imagery was.

My absolute favorite part is Effy's intricate characterization. I immediately empathized with Effy as a woman trying to break into a male dominated field, as a woman who's been taken advantage of, and as a woman who has been called crazy for believing in things that others cannot see. Effy has been through so much emotional turmoil from such a young age and still has the ability to find beauty in life and feel deeply. She is a new comfort character and I wish I could jump into the pages to give her a hug.

Even though this book is unsettling at times, it is also filled with romantic moments. Effy and Preston start out as "rivals" by being from different countries and having opposing opinions. As they grow more accustomed to one another, they discover that their interests and motivations are quite similar. I really enjoyed witnessing the progression of their relationship and the way they find solidarity in being outcasts and find comfort with each other in this uncomfortable place. I love that they become friends before lovers, so they have that solid foundation that makes their relationship seem so believable. Effy struggles with believing in herself after being belittled her whole life, but she is able to open up to Preston because he respects her, while still challenging her.

I am absolutely in awe of this novel. Perfect for lovers of stories, dark academia, and gothic-like magic and mystery. Thank you HarperTeen and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

From the publisher, “ Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.

But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.”

This is one of the most anticipated books for the Fall! I loved the gothic atmosphere and slow burn romance. A dark academia YA just in time for cozy weather and rainy days. I highly recommend grabbing a copy and getting comfy! You won’t want to put this down!

I am OBSESSED with this book. As soon as I started I was sucked in. I could not stop thinking about it, could not stop wanting to read it. Reid writes trauma so well you cannot help but feel every uncomfortable moment that her characters do as well.

After this book I am a solid fan of Ava Reid. I feel like her writing gets better and better with each book. I love how immersive her worlds feel and how flawed all of her characters are. They're the kind of characters you're not sure you would like in person, but in a book you are on their side. You root for them, you cherish them, you weep for them. Effy is all of this. She is extremely flawed. She's nervous. Self-doubting. Her strength is not something give but grown throughout the book and it is beautiful.

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Colllins for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was nothing like I expected. There is SO MUCH going on here. It’s a romance but also not. It’s a spooky gothic fantasy fairytale but also not. The themes it explores has me absolutely floored.

Here’s what to expect:
🖤 rivals to lovers
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 reluctant allies
🖤 dark academia
🖤 gothic fairytale
🖤 a creepy old house
🖤 ghosts + faeries
🖤 history mystery solving
🖤 women empowerment
🖤 trigger warning: assault

I won’t go further into detail here, because spoilers, but I think this story is SO empowering and beautiful. Unlike anything I’ve ever read and out of my comfort zone for sure, it’s still so brilliant. It’s darker than I saw coming. I think anyone who reads it will learn something from it, feel something from it, and those who don’t like it probably didn’t understand it. Just my two cents.

(Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!)

Well damn.

A Study in Drowning exceeded my expectations, that's for sure. I don't read a lot of YA anymore, but this book may've convinced me to open myself back up to it.

Effy is my favorite protagonist I've read in a while. She's flawed in several ways, but this made her that much more realistic. There are qualities to her that at times make her unlikeable, but it's these same qualities that open her up to some great character development. Effy's mental health plays a big part in the story as well, and I really appreciated how it was approached with so much care. Overall, I adore her and she's going down as one of my favorite heroines.

As for the atmosphere, I was LIVING for it. I don't typically enjoy a lot of description, but Reid's descriptions of Hireath and the cliffside were so well done I can't help but gush about them. Truly 10/10 in this regard.

I also enjoyed the plot and romance immensely, but these are two areas I will critique a bit. I wish the ending had a bit more oomph to it; I felt like the climax lasted all of 30 seconds and things were wrapped up a little too nicely. That being said, I still found the explanations for what was going on satisfying and a unique take on stories that include the fair folk. While I enjoyed the romance, I got the impression that it would be enemies-to-lovers, given the synopsis, but that isn't the case. We see some minor squabbling in the beginning, but by a third of the way through the book it's pretty clear they're into each other. So, I'd characterize it as more of a slow burn than anything.

Overall I enjoyed this a lot and it truly delivered in terms of those nice dark academia vibes. While Angharad may be a book within a book, I was itching to get my hands on a copy of it by the time this story was over.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Fresh gothic undertones + Welsh mythology = cozy autumn read 🍂🍁

A Study in Drowning is a beautiful example of YA fiction. The description somewhat intrigued me. But the haunting title is what ultimately pulled me in. So happy I gave it a chance! Great for fans of Sisters of the Salt.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The ending… total dream come true. Detailed and complete! The majority of fantasy books tend to buildup slow and run long with rushed endings. (I hate it. Never satisfied.) This book was the opposite. The ending was genuinely thorough! The story actually continued beyond the climax rather than simply wrapping up. There were parts throughout the story where I felt like I was missing something but everything was clarified in the end. 100% satisfied.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

Surprisingly, I liked this one!

I was not a fan of Reid’s The Wolf and the Woodsman, so I was nervous when I started A Study in Drowning. However, this ended up being an enjoyable dark academia read!

I really enjoyed Effy and Preston’s characterizations, and the fae took on an interesting concept. I thought the plot moved at a good clip. My biggest complaints are that I feel that Reid tried to handle too many big issues at one time that they all drowned each other out, and some of the worldbuilding felt half-baked.

Overall, a great read for dark academia fans. Mind the Trigger Warnings if you decide to pick this up!

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. This book is slow-paced, but needed to be. It’s achingly beautiful and tragic and empowering and just all of the things. This is my second novel by Ava Reid and has cemented her status as an autobuy author for me. I just love the way she writes.

A study in drowning is dark fantasy/dark academia and gothic and atmospheric, and really settles into you while reading. I love thought it brought a women’s empowerment and finding your own voice take to the genres. This was the perfect choice for me in a very slumpy month, and really made me excited to read again.

I do think certain things could have been developed more, but it didn’t matter to me because again, I just love the way Reid writes. I would buy a collection restaurant menus written by her.

Thank you so much to Reid and the Publisher for gifting me a e-arc via netgalley.

I have officially found my favorite book of 2023. I definitely didn't expect it to be a young adult book, but I'm certainly glad that it is Ava Reid's newest release.

Along with not expecting a YA book to become my favorite this year, I did not expect Effy to become the protagonist I connect to the most of Ava Reid's characters. I've always felt a particular bond to Marlinchen, so when I had to marathon A Study in Drowning because I could not get enough of this world or Effy, I was pleasantly surprised. Effy actually ended up comforting me in the most surprising circumstance. I had a triggering experience at my jury duty, and it was A Study in Drowning and notably Effy's constant push through her own anxieties that got me through that day. Her thought process (ex: her anxiety in thinking about the perceptions of her trauma from loved ones or strangers) particularly about Ianto and Corbenic were helpful for my own digestion of my youth and triggers. Effy's still coming to terms with her trauma and experiences—much like myself—and it was a balm on my heart to have her going through it alongside me. I think this book, much like Ava's other books, is going to comfort a ton of readers like myself and even help people start their journey to healing. I never thought Effy would bring so many emotions and tears out of me, but she is wringing me out to dry in the best way possible for my mental health. Effy and even Angharad's journeys will stay with me for as long as I'm able to hold them close.

Now getting beyond my own emotional attachment to this book—A Study in Drowning is the type of gothic, dark academia literature that I YEARN for and rarely ever find. It has the perfect blend of those genres with its own unique magic. It strays from more traditional/popular dark academia in that the white elitism and racism are not included, which was perfectly fine by me. I want dark academia in particular to branch out away from books like The Secret History because the genre has more to it than focusing solely on those narratives. Now Ava does add in some wonderful commentary and criticism between the North and South stereotypes and biases within A Study in Drowning's world. This tension between these two regions only intensified the mystery and world building of this world. Moreover, I'm actually from the south, and while I don't believe Ava was basing this part of their world off of the US. north and south regions, I felt very vindicated in Effy and Preston's understanding and respect of the region. It made their search for Myrddin's truth more genuine.

Furthermore, if you are a big fan of traditional faerie/fae lore, look no further than this book! While it does not taste immediate center stage, the faeries are an underlying current throughout the entirety of this book. A Study in Drowning is also one of the only examples I can give nowadays that actually leans into true faerie lore and not the ones dominating the romantasy genre. The Fairy King is terrifying and creepy. He feels like a culmination of so many nightmares and toxic men that thrive off of abusing their power. His deep, unsettling connection to Effy also made so much sense. Her being left by her neglectful mother in a clearing because she was believed to be a changeling just... it blew my mind to learn of that in the reveal. It also brought so much of her personality and relationships into better perspective. I wanted to squeeze Effy so tight and never let her go in those moments. Lastly, in terms of the Fairy King, his final scene with Effy is one that still hasn't left me. It was electrically charged and horrifying. Again, Ava's callback to mirrors and faerie lore made this entire end to the antagonist so much sweeter. A lore-obsessed child using her own wits and intuition was a perfect conclusion to her big bad.

Books overall play such a tumultuous relationship in A Study in Drowning. Honestly, it is very meta from Myrddin's role as a Sleeper all the way to Effy actually meeting Angharad. ASID talks about authors, readers, the influence of books and literature on society, and I find that incredibly fascinating. I could write a whole entire thesis about the ins and outs of books' effects on society at large. Even Effy's own unique relationship to Angharad as a strong, independent female lead is a stepping stone on how ASID's world negatively depicts women besides this singular book. Without Effy's deep connection to Angharad, we would not have a plot. A Study in Drowning goes to show that books are not what they seem, same with authors, and while we may create our own assumptions about authors or books based off of the material, we do not know the reality behind the written word—or very few actually do. Readers abilities to revere authors and public figures is not a healthy lifestyle and usually will only lead to disappointment, Power almost always taints the wielder, maybe already has, and Effy's journey to understanding this was a long and hard one to read. But it was also beautiful in this coming of age story.

Finally, I couldn't write this review without commenting on Effy and Preston's relationship. I am a slow build romance junkie. It will always be the best trope when don correctly, and obviously, A Study in Drowning did it perfectly. Preston reminded me a ton of my own partner in many of the scenes where he gives Effy the space or time to understand her own anxiety or feelings. He's the type of love interest, especially in young adult books, that makes me excited for young readers. He teaches respect and gentle love in the best manner possible. In the climax, I was shaking with horror as he was chained near the drowning basement steps. I was so stressed that not only something would happen to Effy (fuck the Fairy King), but that Preston would die immobile, knowing he could not do everything in his power to help her fight off the Fairy King. It was something that brought on his own trauma, and it empowered him and Effy's bond, their complementing of one another's strengths and weaknesses, when she came back for him. It's leads like Preston that make me excited for this age range/genre of books.

Also, Ava Reid's acknowledgment to Zelda brought my tears back on full blast. I thought of Zelda many times throughout the course of this novel, and I even theorized Myrddin's wife was the actual writer of Angharad. It felt full circle to see Zelda referenced and remembered—believed in—in the acknowledgements.

Thank you to Harper's Children's team and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC. It was so special to read it early, and I'm eternally thankful. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

<b>3.5💫</b> This is my second Ava Reid novel and while I agree with a lot of the criticism for this book, I did enjoy it more than my first, <i>Juniper & Thorn.</i>
Gothic and Dark Fantasy to a T, the Dark Academia label doesn’t really fit since not much really takes place at the university. The mirror of Effy’s and Angharad’s lives and stories was well done and not heavy handed which I appreciated. The world and settings were also a plus, lovely and haunting in their descriptions, though the world building felt a bit incomplete at times with certain beliefs or ongoing historical circumstances mentioned but not followed up/through on. I liked that the long chapters (compared to most YA) really let you settle into the story and supported the pacing in the main part of the book, but the beginning and ending felt oddly rushed. The two events that needed to transpire for the downfall of the villain seemed too easy and quickly accomplished, and the reveal / download to flesh out what’s left of the mystery should have at least partially happened before the villain’s demise, imo. As a reader much of it was so clear to me and leaving it so late felt like I was being told much of what I already knew. Strong themes of identity and owning your own voice, but needed more focus and polish throughout.
<b>CW:</b> sexual assault, misogyny, sexism, child abandonment, strained parent relationship

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC of this book!</i>

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wow.

I absolutely loved this book. Honestly, was not expecting to love it this much. It was so beautiful.

The setting has some fantasy elements with a 1950s vibe, which was so fun. Effy is a young student in the architecture program at her college, though literature is where her heart lies. She has used books as a coping mechanism and escape route for a life that has been cruel to her. She has struggled her whole life with blurred lines between fantasy and reality, and has never trusted herself to know what’s real and what’s imagined. She’s been haunted by the Fairy King for as long as she can remember, and finds comfort in a book called Angharad. A story of a young girl who gets taken by the Fairy King, but ends up falling in love with him before eventually destroying him.

When the son of the author of this book is looking for an architecture student to help renovate his father’s home, Effy seizes the opportunity and leaves her college town behind to enter on a mission that ends up being more like something from her nightmares.

Preston is a student in the literature program at the same college, who finds himself working along side Effy on a mission of his own. Together they go through a wild journey of uncovering hidden truths and mysteries that change Effy’s entire reality.

It is a beautiful, whimsical, dark, tragic and heartwarming tale highlighting mental illness and the mistreatment of women. It is wrapped up in a story of mysteries, lies, hidden secrets, an evil Fairy King, love, acceptance, growth and justice. I loved every minute of it. I felt so connected to Effy and her inner turmoil. I loved her and Preston, and their own journey together. It was so tender and sweet. 🥹

Overall it was so well written, and I really enjoyed it. I think anyone who loves YA fantasy will really like this book.

I have read one another book by this author and although it ended up being not for me I wanted to try her YA. I am a sucker for the cover.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Effy Sayre. She definitely has a rough life when it comes to schooling, the relationship with her mother, and just the overall way society treats women. I did like that even through the downs she still manages to find her strength at the end. It was a very impactful moment.

Although I felt for her situations they also felt surface level. There was more telling than showing. A lot of what happened to her was talked about very vaguely. Even though I felt for Effy’s situation I feel like they could have been more impactful.

There is some romance between Effy and another character but it felt underdeveloped to me. I never found myself rooting for them even though it did start off as enemies. It kind of just felt forced.

The writing style was very descriptive and gave that gothic classic feel. There were times that the story felt like it dragged and I would find something else to do than read.

Overall, this was okay but I just didn’t connect with the story even if I felt for Effy. There are some good topics talked about that I think a lot of young teens will relate to.

"Mist rolled down from Argant's green hills and hung about Caer-Isel like a horde of ghosts. The university's bell tower wore its fog as if it were a widow's mourning veil. Students stopped smoking underneath the library portico because they were afraid of getting impaled by hanging icicles. Every morning the statue of the university's founder, Sion Billows, was caulked in a layer of new frost." ~ A Study in Drowning

I now understand what all the BookTok buzz is about! This has been one of my favorite reads of the year. I stayed up late to finish "A Study in Drowning" (and I finished it in a day, which is almost unheard for me!) This novel is perfect for fans of "Mexican Gothic" and "The Cruel Prince." It has the perfect amount of autumnal dark academia vibes too! This book is marketed as YA, which it mostly is, but it's one of those novels that easily falls into the new adult category as well. The main characters are in college, and there are references to assault and harassment. One of the themes of the book is women's bodies and minds being taken advantage of, and I think that's something worth knowing before reading this book.

Effy is everything I could ever want in a female lead - relatable, imaginative, and resourceful. The reader will sympathize with her plights, everything from not getting into the college of her dreams to facing down an evil fairy king. Effy's internal dialogue is filled with self-doubt, but that's what makes her such a believable heroine. As someone who is also furiously devoted to her studies and is an avid bookworm, Effy's character made me feel so seen! She is so Rory Gilmore, "this is me trying" (folklore)-coded and I am here for it! It's been a long time since I've related this much to a heroine and I just really appreciate that Effy exists; a character who isn't made broken by her experiences, but instead learns to trust herself and others (specifically Preston).

What a stunning first foray into Young Adult fiction for this author! I very much enjoyed this charming book. Reid manages to perfectly combine fantasy with dark academia in this captivating tale of trauma, overcoming prejudice, and finding one's inner strength. Effy was a delightful and relatable protagonist that I was cheering for all throughout the story. I think this story contains an important message for all young women and is perfect for YA readers 14+. I would happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy romance with a dark-academia twist.

This book means so much to me already. Not only was it an excellently crafted Dark Academia/ Fantasy, it also delicately weaved in a story of a young woman overcoming mental illness and trauma. I felt that these topics were handled with the utmost care and Effy was portrayed as a very real character struggling with these issues, though not allowing them to define her.

This twisty, gothic mystery surrounding the Fairy King and Effy's most beloved author, Emrys Myrddin also kept me engaged and attempting to guess what happened next til the very end. I also particularly enjoyed the citations from the scholarly texts and literature that Effy and Preston refer to. It definitely added to the lush world that Reid had developed.

This book has quickly proven itself to be one of my favorite fantasies of the year! A great spooky read with lots of heart, I would recommend this to anyone looking for their first autumnal read of the season!

Also hoping Reid will consider writing a full length Angharad for us to enjoy!

Overall I enjoyed this one. It had a powerful and timely message, compelling characters who grew, and a fascinating magical realism thread set in a fantasy world.

There were times the pacing lagged/rushed a bit for me, the narration style—while immersive—was occasionally taxing, and some of the reveals (which I won’t explore due to spoilers) impacted the way I read the mental health representation and I’m still not certain how I feel about it.

But overall, a strong and satisfying story.

So, this was one of my most anticipated books of 2023 and I was beyond thrilled to get an eArc!

This book was a little slow paced and took me awhile to get into, but I still enjoyed it. I was also kind of tense reading this, Ianto made me anxious.

The last few chapters made this a 5 star for me.

This didn't immediately suck me in, but once I got into the story, I enjoyed it. I would definitely read more by the author, though this book just didn't excite me very much.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperTeen for the eARC. This is an honest review.

Ava Reid immerses readers in a haunting tale that blurs the lines between reality and myth. Effy's life has been intertwined with the legends of the Fairy King, a haunting presence in her nightmares and her refuge in the pages of a novel by deceased author Myrddin. She dreams of being a student of literature but is accepted into the architecture college instead. When the opportunity arises to compete in a contest to design Myrddin's dilapidated estate, Hiraeth Manor, Effy believes it's her chance to fulfill her destiny.

The atmosphere is drenched in gothic vibes, with Hiraeth Manor playing a central role as a decaying mansion perched precariously on the edge of the sea. Effy's journey intertwines with that of Preston Héloury, a young scholar seeking to unravel the truth behind Myrddin's legacy and expose potential fraud. As Effy and Preston delve into the reclusive author's letters and diaries, they discover not only the secrets of Hiraeth Manor's foundation but also the presence of dark and dangerous forces.

Reid's narrative deftly weaves elements of mystery, fantasy, and gothic romance, creating an immersive and unsettling reading experience. Effy's connection to the Fairy King and her exploration of the blurred boundaries between reality and fantasy lend an air of eerie enchantment.

While the narrative was intriguing, it's important to note that the pacing of the story may be perceived as slow and meandering. There were also themes of sexism and predatory behavior of older men and the challenges faced by young women in male spaces. While my discomfort with these themes was likely the point, it was unsettling. "A Study in Drowning" offers a unique blend of gothic fantasy and dark academia, creating an atmosphere that kept me somewhat intrigued but uncomfortable. I think I'll avoid synthesized ALCs in the future.

A Study in Drowning is a dark academia gothic fantasy that had me intrigued with its slow unravelling mystery.

Architect student, Effy, finds herself selected as the winning designer for Hiraeth Manor, her late favourite authors (Emrys Myrrdin) estate. Upon arrival, she discovers she’s not the only student in residence at the decaying manor—literary student, Preston, is also there to prove Emrys Myrrdin a fraud. Of course, something is amiss on the old manor house and the two must work together to unravel the mysterious legacy of the author of Angharad.

With a Fairy King and pages rife full of secrets, A Study in Drowning was beautiful and poetic read. I loved the story of Effy, her survival spirit and her enduring strength in the face of adversity. She was a beautiful woman in a man’s world, and yet she never gave up. She kept surviving. The rivals-to-lovers between her and Preston was done beautifully and I loved his gentle and protective ways—even if he was argumentative.

A Study in Drowning is a perfect spooky season read that I thoroughly enjoyed to the last page. Thank you Harper Collins Canada for the chance to read early!