Solid 3.5⭐️

I am not sure what I was expecting going into this duology, but I was wonderfully surprised either way. The writing in this is beautiful. The underlying themes in this are pretty dark (depression, attempt suicide), but I think the way it explores mental health and depression is amazing. The symbolism in here is an interesting take on those darker themes.

I was excited to explore Preston's side of things more in this book. I was a little disappointed that it was not more focused on him though (it was about 50/50). I do appreciate his point of view and his growth as a character. Angharad is every woman's hero and foundation of strength, no matter what form your strength comes in.

I did prefer book one to this one, but I would still suggest to read this one. The story tends to drag a little in the first half, but that is very on brand with the way that Effy is feeling as you are reading it. Beautiful writing, and I will absolutely be buying a book trophy of these. The covers are as gorgeous as the words inside. I am excited to see what else this author has in store!

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC and offer a review.

I quickly scooped up a copy of "A Study in Drowning" and devoured it so that I could read this advanced copy right after. That being said, I felt like this sequel really fell short. It felt like we skimmed the surface of many plot points. If there was just more to everything - or maybe more to just a few things - then maybe there would be more substance to this book. My appreciation for the mental health struggle and Preston's discrimination struggle can't seem to overcome the slow pacing and superficiality of the plot to make me love it more.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed this book, but I did have some unanswered questions at the end. It has been a while since I read the first book, so it's likely that I've forgotten certain details. However, I didn't feel like I understood the dreaming and its purpose, or why Preston could control it when nobody else could. The social commentary was cutting and felt very close to home, addressing the ideas of discrimination, immigration, and war. As far as fantasy books go, this was on the darker side of dark academia, but I did enjoy revisiting the characters in a new setting. This book made me feel so protective of Effy and Preston.

I crawled through "A Study in Drowning" and what got me through that book was Preston. His character intrigued me from the start, so when I saw that there would be a sequel dedicated to his journey after the demise of the Fairy King, I was convinced to give this saga another shot. I felt that it took way too long to get to the actual story, and that the first 60% of the book was just a perpetual cycle of repeated actions. Preston's strength and storyline was barely touched upon, but the fact that he was the target of nonstop bullying was at the forefront of nearly every interaction people had with him. There was one redeeming part to his and Effy's relationship at the end of the book, but that's it. I feel that the author really did Preston a disservice to his character in this book and that there was too much time focused on Effy's mish-moshed journey. If there is a third book in this saga I will not be reading it.

Rating this was a very hard decision because while Ava Reid has weaved yet another beautiful story, I couldn’t find its purpose. This was in a way much darker and at times more frustrating. We got closure from the first book but to me it feels a bit unnecessary. The ending of A Study in Drowning left you wondering but hopeful. The magic was real and the mystery of the bells only added to that. I love Effy and Preston but part of me wishes it had left off there.

Honestly, while I’m still in awe of Ava Reid’s gorgeous, atmospheric writing, the sequel just doesn’t hit the same. It feels like a filler, with both main characters mostly stuck dealing with their past traumas on separate tracks—while Preston’s deeper story gave me some cool moments, I really missed Effy’s spark and that signature gothic vibe. The pacing and romantic tension were on point, but overall the book felt heavier and less balanced than the first, making for an experience that’s just not as magical as I hoped.

This is one of those books that I can’t stop thinking about and it becomes my whole personality. I loved it! I didn’t expect a sequel from the first book,and I really enjoyed the sequel. I thought it was interesting that the sequel was focused on their return to school and the continuing world building. Although I didn’t feel like it was really resolved, I did really enjoy the storyline and the concept. I enjoyed the “theory” behind dreams and the continual snuggle of our main character. I just wished I had re-read the first book before I read the sequel because there were some confusing names and things I had forgotten about.

I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it!

As much as I enjoyed “A Study in Drowning”, I believe “A Theory of Dreaming” is immensely superior in plot, character development, and overall atmosphere. While “A Study in Drowning” focused on Effy, I’m glad “A Theory of Dreaming” places Preston at the forefront. He is more than just a love interest in this sequel, and the depth of his character is brought to life throughout the story. He is the scholar we all know and wish to be, and personally I couldn’t help but feel happy at the outcome of his character arc. With the ongoing tension between Llyr and Argant, the rising academic hostilities, and the blurring between fantasy and reality, “A Theory of Dreaming” is never boring. I highly recommend it!

I enjoyed the first book in this duology but this one just was t as great. I’ll recommend the series moving forward but the second just didn’t hit the way the first did.

I absolutely loved A Study in Drowning, it was a book I couldn't put down, and A Theory of Dreaming was even better. It cleared up most of the faults I found in the first book. Ava Reid's writing paints everything in such a vivid picture that it's a more than reading a book, it's being immersed in a world in such a beautiful way. Seeing Effy and Preston grow together and learning more about Preston's history and family was such a great path for this book to take. The writing creates an emotional connection between the characters and the readers that leaves you chasing the high of it. I would highly recommend this to anyone who read A Study in Drowning!

A Theory of Dreaming is the sequel to A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid. I definitely enjoyed A Study in Drowning but I really really enjoyed A Theory in Dreaming. I felt like this book worked through a lot of the issues in the first book. I enjoyed the romance. I also enjoyed Effy working through some of her mental problems with help. The one issue I had with this book is the wedding ring situation. I SO get the sweetness that is Preston purchasing a silver chain so Effy can wear his engagement ring.. but why not wear the ring on the other finger? That was just a bit confusing to me. Overall it was a wonderful book!

A Theory in Dreaming is a dreamy, atmospheric fantasy that blurs the line between reality and imagination. The pacing is slower in the first half and can feel a little lacking in plot momentum, but this quieter beginning thoughtfully plants seeds that bloom beautifully in the second half. All the Easter eggs and subtle details from earlier chapters tie together in a way that is both clever and rewarding. Effy's mental suffering throughout the story is heartbreaking to witness, adding emotional depth to the novel’s atmosphere. Thankfully, the ending strikes a hopeful, uplifting note, making the journey feel all the more worthwhile.

It was great returning to the world of Llyr, its magic and Sleepers and stories. Ava Reid paints such a vivid picture of the university, the snowy days, the river. And it was great catching up with Effy and Preston (and very much enjoyed getting to have his POV in this book).
I really liked this story, especially Preston's. It was so rich with imagery and history and I loved learning more about him and his family. However, it was frustrating to have Preston and Effy keeping things from each other the entire book. Preston never shares anything he experiences out of his love and desire to protect Effy, but it puts them at odds and apart for most of the story. Even in the end, things are still never revealed, just resolved without her. It left her sidelined for a lot of the story.
I just wanted more from this book. More about the Sleepers, more about the war (and why and how the two are connected). There are so many threads started in A Study in Drowning that are continued in this book but are still not really explained. I like ambiguity, but this book doesn't leave things ambiguous, just muddled. I do still think A Theory of Dreaming is worth the read if you want to see the continuation of Effy and Preston's story because parts of it are really lovely.

4.5 Stars, rounded down to 4

This is a dreamy fantasy romance book with dual POV, inspired by folklore. It is a stunning sequel to A Study in Drowning, one I didn’t think was needed but I desired all the same. I was not disappointed.

Here’s some of the highlights you can expect:

-Dark Academia coded world and characters
-The return of Effy & Preston (& in love!)
-Grounded worldbuilding
-Lovable and diverse college friends
-An exploration of the thin line between awake and in dreamlike state

About our protagonists:

Effy has everything she earned from the first book, but she discovers it isn’t easy to be the first to go down her chosen path. She’s learning to cope with the loss of who she was while becoming who she can be if she lets herself be loved.

Preston has his dream girl, his dream school role, and his dream of academic acknowledgment from his work in the first book. He gets to take a bigger role in this story as he confronts his academist realist tendencies of looking at the world and the place that calls to him in his dreams.

Overall:

I was immersed with this book and how it wonderfully wrapped up some lingering threads from the first book as well as gave us a satisfying vision for this world. I would recommend it to those who enjoy some solid YA dark academia and fantasy with a strong romantic plot. If it is a true end to this world’s story, it would be more than satisfying. I would be disappointed we won’t get to see more of this world or the characters for certain but I’m grateful we got to spend the time we did with them in this story. This book’s biggest strength was in its romance and fantasy worldbuilding elements. Something I would have loved to see developed more was the school and class plotline. We spent more time outside of class doing academic work than in class so it felt a little contrived when our characters were at risk of being ousted from school, it never felt like they actually needed or wanted to be there in the first place.

Of course! Here’s your original review rewritten in your voice — keeping it genuine, emotional, and conversational like you naturally write:

⸻

*“A Theory of Dreaming” is just as painstakingly beautiful as A Study in Drowning. This one is very character-driven, really honing in on Preston while still being told in third person. We’re back in that whimsical world after the fall of the Fairy King, but now there’s this quiet, creeping tension — war is definitely on the horizon in Llyr.

Nothing feels quite right. The line between dreams and reality is starting to blur, and the more you read, the heavier that feeling gets. You can feel something coming, something they can’t quite believe or name, with war rushing in fast overhead.

Preston is a character I absolutely fell head over heels for back in ASID, and that love just deepened here. The way he’s written in A Theory of Dreaming is absolutely stunning — you feel every tug, every slip, as he’s pulled deeper between reality and the dreams he so badly wants to hold onto. At first, it’s beautiful. Magical, even. But like all good things, it can’t last forever… right?

Effy broke me in this book. There’s one scene — I had to just set my phone down, close my Kindle app, and breathe for a second. It’s not graphic or anything, it just hit hard. If you’re sensitive to themes around suicide attempts, I would definitely caution you to skip that part. Watching her slow unraveling was gut-wrenching, especially because you could see it happening and there was nothing anyone could do. Her friends missed the signs, and we’re just… stuck watching.

While I really loved this story, I have to say A Study in Drowning still blows it out of the water for me. That book was everything — the hidden messages, the feeling it left behind… unmatched. But I’m so grateful I got this ARC because A Theory of Dreaming is still breathtaking and so full of meaning if you sit with it. Getting to revisit this world, to see the aftermath of the Fairy King’s downfall, was honestly such a gift. I’m so glad Ava Reid made it a duology instead of leaving us with just a standalone.

Jumping back into the world of Effy and Preston was so exciting and I loved getting to hear more of their story. This story had me second guessing everything and I still ended up being wrong with what ended up happening. Ava Reid is AMAZING at creating a world that sucks you in leaves you wondering what the next twist is.

Plot: 5 out of 5
Characters: 5 out of 5
Setting: 5 out of 5

Pros: Gives a brief review of what happened in the first book so that you will not need to reread it. Also I think many people who are chronically ill will connect with Effy.

Cons: Felt a little slow to me. Seems to have a mental disorder topic overlay which might trigger some readers.

I felt that this was a great conclusion to the original. I really liked getting to know the characters better and understanding some of their choices. I loved seeing more of Preston and how he really yearns to protect Effy and I grew to love his character much more in this book. This book does have some content warnings, so be aware of that before reading, but I felt that the author was very respectful to mental health and how it really affected these characters in their daily life.

4.5 stars rounded up
Ava Reid’s breathtaking writing hits once again. Her ability to create a lush, immersive atmosphere is unmatched.The pacing is slower, which didn’t bother me, but it’s something to keep in mind. One of my favorite parts was getting Preston’s point of view. I loved that he had his own journey in this book and that we got to see his character grow. Also loved the new side characters!! They were such a great addition to the story.

While it wasn’t quite as good as the first book for me, it was still a lovely continuation to Effy and Preston’s story and I’m so glad she decided to write a sequel.

A book for the academics and dreamers alike! There are many things that Ava Reid does well. I appreciated the beautiful prose, worldbuilding, and character development–all things that she did expertly in the first novel. She is a master at creating subplots (such as with Angharad and Antonia's characters—I would pay to read the stories of both) and I have to applaud her ability to create worlds within worlds and the way the story felt so authentically academic yet with all of the fairytale aspects that I love.

However, I do feel that the sequel fell a bit flat for me. For starters, it felt like the story did not have much of a plot for the first 60 percent of the novel and honestly felt a bit repetitive at times. Everything that happened in the first novel did not bear much weight in this one. The focus was on Preston's character, which I have no objections to, but it almost felt like Effy was put on the back burner, which I felt was detrimental to the story as Preston and Effy played much larger roles in each other's character development in the first novel. In this one, they didn't seem to have that same depth of connection. The fact neither one really knows what's going on with the other throughout the entirety of the novel is frustrating. The magic system was also not very clear and it was hard to tell what was actually happening or whether something was simply a character's delusion. Which perhaps is what Reid intended as one of the major themes being explored is the difference between reality and fantasy and how each character copes with both. I feel as though the story has a conclusion and yet doesn't—at least not one that leaves the reader wholly satisfied. I would have loved to see Effy and Preston work together more in this novel and the ways in which they grow together and separately. The character development could have been much more powerful in this way. A Study in Drowning may have been better off as a standalone, but I do appreciate Ava Reid giving us more of this world. In any case, Reid proves just how powerful of a writer she can be and I look forward to her future works.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read this early! I was a major fan of Reid’s first book in this duology, and I had extremely high hopes for this sequel. It’s exactly what I envisioned and hoped for. The expansion on the lore and being able to immerse myself in the gothic world Ava has created has been a treat for me. I only wish this series could go on and on.