Brimming with dark academia vibes and fairy magic, this book was a triumph.

It reminded me a smidge of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde only because one of the characters would switch from being a reasonable human being to being a ominous presence that made you tense just reading about it.

The rivals-to-lovers storyline between Effy and Preston was beautifully written. I loved how the story was slowly descending into chaos.

Ava Reid's A Study in Drowning is a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and social commentary that immerses readers in a world of intrigue and empowerment.

At its heart, the story follows Effy Sayre, a resilient protagonist navigating the treacherous waters of academia's institutional sexism. As she confronts the shadows of institutional sexism, Effy's journey becomes a testament to the power of vulnerability and the courage found in softness.

Set against the backdrop of the atmospheric Hiraeth Manor, Effy's quest for truth alongside the enigmatic Preston Heloury unfolds with mesmerizing prose and compelling character development.

With each turn of the page, Reid invites readers to delve deeper, challenging them to question their own perceptions and embrace the journey of self-discovery. A Study in Drowning is more than a story; it's a symphony of emotions, a reminder that even in the darkest depths, there is beauty to be found.

I can't believe how perfect the moods are in this book! Reid does an excellent job of creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere that really throws the reader into the setting of her book. With a slightly predictable, but entirely enjoyable rivals to lovers, fans of dark academy will rejoice while reading this unique fantasy!

A Study in Drowning is a beautifully written YA fantasy set in world inspired by Welsh folklore with an eerie and dark atmosphere but also a surprisingly hopeful tone. Ava Reid somehow managed to tell a story that tackles themes like sexual assault, mental health and misogyny but at the same time feels very comforting. I absolutely loved Effy’s character development and while I desperately wanted to give her a big hug, I also admired her quiet strength. Effy’s and Preston’s banter was just as entertaining as I was hoping from an academic rivals dynamic but their love story was also unexpectedly sweet. I thought it was really interesting how A Study in Drowning explores the way authors are perceived and how readers find themselves within stories. There are excerpts from fictional works and scholarly critiques at the start of every chapter which added a lot to the story.
A Study in Drowning is a book that I’m still thinking about weeks after finishing it and I highly recommend checking it out!

As soon as I read the premise of this book, I knew I had to pick it up. I love novels that twine fairytales and reality such as The Kingdom of Back and Wintersong. Throw in a gothic atmosphere of Hiraeth Manor and its eerie surroundings, this was basically exactly the type of fantasy premise I love to read.

The world building was fantastic and really transported me into the setting. Add to that the knowledge that Effy often seems to have visions or see things that others can’t, making her an unreliable narrator, only enhances the atmosphere. All of this however, was limited to Hiraeth Manor and we didn’t get to see or learn much of the world outside it at all. There were references to some political tensions and religious differences both within the country and with its neighbor, but it wasn’t elaborated on – a pity, because it sounded quite fascinating.

I’m still trying to put my finger on exactly why I didn’t enjoy this as much as I expected to, but I think a large part of it is the pacing. It took way too long to get to the point. That and the overlong discussions of poetry and literature. While it all turned out to be relevant in the end, something about discussing fiction within fiction has never really worked for me. The romance wasn’t particularly believable either.

All in all, A Study in Drowning was a passable read for me, and most of my rating is because I enjoyed the setting, world building, and of course, the myth and folklore aspect of it all. I would recommend this book to fantasy fans.

A Study in Drowning fell a bit short for me. The storyline was difficult to follow at times. There were also some parts of the story that could have been described and explained in more detail while other parts were drawn out. I thoroughly enjoyed Effy's character. She was strong and determined and made the book more enjoyable to read.

Ava Reid has such a way with words! I could give this book five stars for the writing alone! Although, I did find myself not being able to connect with the characters very well, but that could just be a me problem! I will definitely be recommending this!

Thank you to HarperTeen and NetGalley for this ARC of A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid. This is genuinely one of the best books I have ever read, and I am not exaggerating. I am new to the Ava Reid universe, and what a stunning introduction her YA debut was to her writing. Reid sets the scene so atmospherically, and they draw you in through Effy's clever voice and haunting prose. Their writing is simple but there is so much to be discussed through darker, more mature themes than you're used to diving into in YA, but it was perfect. I had reservations about the romance because it was a standalone, but the chemistry between Effy and Preston was palpable, charming, and adorable. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book and cannot wait to read more of Ava Reid's writing.

This was my first experience with Ava Reid, and it was GOOD. I loved the hazy feeling of a protagonist who’s uncertain she can trust her own mind. The dark, looming dread of a dark faerie king, of mental illness. Her writing is so atmospheric, so enticing, and it kept me on edge throughout. Few works these days really get proper faerie tales, but Ava Reid gets it. I look forward to reading more of her work and highly recommend this.

Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!

“Effy hated that she couldn’t tell right from wrong, safe from unsafe. Her fear had transfigured the entire world. Looking at anything was like trying to glimpse a reflection in a broken mirror, all of it warped and shattered and strange.”

I would like to go back to APRIL 2023 and beat my past self up for not reading this ARC the second I received it. Literally, what is wrong with me?

Anyway…..

I have no doubt that A Study in Drowning will be in my top five books this year. Everything about it feels like it was pulled from my brain. It’s about the deep rooted sexism in academia; how women are dismissed as insipid and frivolous, while also somehow responsible for the acts of predatory men who want to inflict power on them. It is about the connection between author and reader, and how the context in which a book is created inevitably bleeds into the story itself. These themes are bound together by a dark academia tale of academic rivals to lovers investigating the mysteries and secrets that are embedded in the framework of a decaying manor.

This might sound like a lot for one novel, but I promise you, Ava Reid has created a seamless narrative with characters I adore, layers upon layers of mystery, and elements of fantasy that leave you questioning everything you know about this world. I love it.

Effy Sayre is not the main character we wanted to relate to growing up; she is the character we relate to as we move into adulthood and start to understand the systemic inequality that comes with being a woman. She reminds us that we are not alone. In her imperfections lies authenticity and the potential for real growth.

This book holds a very special place in my heart, and I am sharing this review in hopes that it will do the same for one of you.

This book just wasn’t for me. I felt like the pacing was a little too slow and I never found myself eager to pick the book back up. It wasn’t the writing that I didn’t care for but the development of the story.

I had really high hopes for this one, unfortunately it did not live up to them. It was slow, tedious, I failed to root for the characters... I just did not have a good time. I did like the setting, as it was perfect for the fall weather. The ending felt rambling and like it could have been all said in an epilogue instead of dragging it a couple of more chapters. Good idea, poor execution.

This was a bit darker than I expected, but I love that! Mystery a little predictable but made me feel smart and I thought it reflected the themes really well.

No one writes romance like Ava Reid!!!

This is definitely a big departure from her previous books, but I loved it so much! The use of second world fantasy in this was fascinating, but if anything, I wanted to know more about the world. I related so much to Effie, especially her relationship with her mother and her struggles with neurodivergency and how her mother could not relate.

Overall, I can't recommend this book more highly!

1.5 stars, rounded down. The more I think about this book the more disappointed I am. This was sloppy, at best. I found the world building and the plot of the story to be messy and inconsistent. I did not like the main character and the romance was flat and unbelievable. I cannot understand the buzz around this book

I will be reading Ava Reid’s entire backlog immediately! This world were brought into was so unique and I was completely immersed in it with the characters. The gothic theme and lyrical writing style paired so well together! I also really enjoyed Effy as an unreliable narrator and trying to figure out what was real or not. There are some parts of the book that were a little slow so if you’re looking for something fast paced this won’t be it. Overall this is definitely a new YA favorite.

I don’t care where in the world and in what climate you read this book, no matter what Ava will take you in to her world! This book was dark, interesting and page turning!

I REALLY liked this. It was such a nice change and written so beautifully!!! It’s been such a long time since I’ve struggled to put a book down, and let me tell you it was so difficult to stop reading once i started!! Effy’s story is the epitome of so many women’s experiences despite the historical aspect, and despite experiencing so much abuse, misogynism, and fear from people (like her horrific mother) making her thing she’s insane, Effy remained strong and grew even STRONGER! I loved watching her confidence grow throughout the book and Preston’s sort of guidance helping her find herself and feel more sure of herself. The whole fairy king plot line was also so interesting, and the actual mirroring with Effy and Angarad (ifykyk) was IMPECCABLE. What an amazing story written about the struggles women go through and the strength there is in togetherness there. I absolutely adored this story and highly recommend!

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.

“You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery too.”

The haunting gothic atmosphere was one of the things I loved the most about ASID. Dark academia, mystery, light horror, and slow burn romance come together along with an exploration of sexism in academia, mental illness, sexual abuse, and the many ways women are silenced or belittled by men. I could relate to and understand Effy so much. Effy was raised to believe that it was her fault whenever men behave badly. As she begins to find her voice, she finally accepts that she isn’t an insipid little girl; that she’s smart and capable and deserving. Watching her grow and heal from years of trauma was the best part of ASID for me.

Ava Reid is one of my all-time favorite authors. Juniper & Thorn quickly became one of my very favorite books, and to be given a chance to read A Study in Drowning early really did feel like a huge privilege. I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have ever read--there is something so alluring about Reid's writing that I can't look away from or stop thinking about. The way that Reid constructs sentences bewitches me; the sentence structure is clever and unique. I think anyone who loves descriptive, lush prose will gush over the construction of this work, but also when you pair it with such a beautiful premise, plot, and characters, it is something to covet, at least in my experience reading it.

A Study in Drowning is a stunning blend of fantasy, folklore, mystery, and a bit of horror and romance for good measure. Reid helms it masterfully as if they are creating a complex, layered tapestry of ideas. It is so riveting and heart-pounding as the story goes on and on. The protagonist of the book, Effy, is an unforgettable character who is truly the soul of this story and makes it come alive.

Reid is one of the best authors of this decade, and I cannot wait to see what they do next.

5 stars!