This book fell a bit flat for me. I didn't like his POV as much as I liked hers. Something felt missing from book 1 and the world building was not as interesting. I personally believe this should have been left as a stand alone.

This is a great second book in the series! A study in drowning was very good and very fun to read. And this book was just as good!

Let me just start off by saying that Ava Reid has become one of my favorite authors over the past year. The way she writes is so visceral and enchanting. I feel hypnotized every time I delve into one of her written worlds, and a Theory of Dreaming was no exception. Following Preston and Effy from A Study in Drowning, A Theory of Dreaming explores the complex emotions that result from the tumultuous events of the first book. Taking place at the University that our characters attend Effy and Preston quickly the lines can be blurred between dreams and living.

This book was so gut wrenching (In the best way possible of course). I did not expect actual tears to be pouring out of my eyes by the end of this book. I really enjoyed A Study in Drowning for its lush and dark atmosphere but I loved A Theory of Dreaming for Preston and Effy’s story. First, I really enjoyed the dual POV in this book. I think giving more backstory and narrative to Preston really helped shape his character more. It brought him into the light and I couldn’t have been more thrilled to see him shine. Secondly, Effy’s character felt so real and raw. I just wanted to reach through the pages and give her the biggest hug. Her internal dialogue was incredibly heartbreaking and potent, you could feel the heaviness and tiredness he felt lifting off the page.

The backstory and setting of this story was also highly interesting. It was a really nice touch on Reid’s part to include more about the sleepers and their lore. I love the way Reid includes literature throughout the story. You can tell by the way she writes that she has a deep love for words and stories and it shows in Effy and Preston as characters.

However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the plot. The ending felt a bit rushed as we spent so much time with Preston and Effy and their troubles. The war between Llyr and Argant throughout the book felt out of place to me. I think it was really just there to serve as lore for Preston. Granted, this did not make or break the story for me. I still ended up deeply appreciating this book.

Overall, I really appreciate Effy and Preston as characters. I loved getting to know them more, especially Preston. I love the way Ava Reid writes about mental health. It feels authentic and personal. I found myself relating to Effy in more ways than I would have ever thought possible. Though I’m really sad that we won’t get any more books in this universe, I can't wait to see what Reid writes in the future.

Thank you to Harpercollins Children’s Books and Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you HarperCollins International for the ARC

I am one of those people who liked A study in drowning, but didn't love it.
There were some things about the mystery part that in my opinion could've been handled better, but I appreciated the themes it dealt with and the oppressive, gothic atmosphere of the setting.

While I didn't see the need for a sequel, I was curious about reading it, if only to see if it would be better than the first book.
Unfortunately, not only is it not better than the A Study in Drowning, it was completely unnecessary.

It kind of feels like a very long epilogue lacking atmosphere and plot.
I understand this book was more about Preston, but it was sad to see Effy being such a passive character, completely at the mercy of the events happening around her.
And while I understand it was probably a representation of her mental state, it just felt like her character took many steps back.

The plot is weak, the bonds between the characters as well, it all just felt like it was not developed enough.

I did appreciate the themes - some new, some already seen in the first volume and further developed: depression, found family, political corruption, dark academia, misogyny and my favourite: women being erased from history, science and literature in order to be replaced by men. Something that should be talked about and explored more.

On the whole, I think it might have been better to make the first novel longer and wove this part of the story into the second half, but fans of A Study in Drowning will probably enjoy it anyway.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC!

Like A Study in Drowning, A Theory of Dreaming is a lyrical atmospheric fantasy whose magic lies on the line between metaphor and reality. ATOD feels like a very natural extension, in prose and content, of ASID, where we have the chance to explore the consequences of book 1 and dive deeper in Preston as character, what he struggles with, and how he copes with it.

It primarily focuses on Effy and Preston's struggle to take care of themselves and each other while faced with their poor treatment by (most of) the people and the institutions around them. The plot is a bit of a less clearly defined arc than in ASID because of this, but I actually enjoyed having so much time to get reacquainted with Effy and Preston.

This book sees the expansion of the world and its politics as we see the return of Effy and Preston from the isolated cliffside to their university and community. I think this expansion is fairly successful, largely because it isn't too ambitious in its scope. We learn more about the conflict between Llyr and Argant, about Llyr's founding lore and cultural influences, but the focus is clearly on how these elements affect our characters—particularly how they impact Preston and his treatment as the only Argantian student at the university. There were some things about the Llyrian lore where I felt like I was doing a bit of catch-up to understand their significance, but I think Reid was generally successful in communicating what mattered in a way that made the characters' experiences and feelings seem very tangible.

There isn't any miscommunication drama in this book, but there is a certain lack of communication between Effy and Preston because neither wants to burden the other with what they are struggling with. This is frustrating at times, but I think fairly well-motivated, and it's satisfying nonetheless how much of an effort they make to still return to one another at the end of the day. They are dealing with things on their own, when they really shouldn't be, but they generally don't use that as an excuse to distance themselves from each other.

Ava Reid's first 3 books worked for me in a way that their most recent 2 just haven't quite been able to live up to. ATOD is an imperfect but still very satisfying return to the lyricism and character-work that I love about Ava's storytelling.

The best way to describe this book is an exploration of the privilege of being able to feel so deeply. While Effy had the spotlight in A Study in Drowning, we really got to know  Preston here, and I loved every minute of it. Ava Reid could teach a masterclass in lyrical, profound writing, it leaves me speechless every time. A Theory of Dreaming was the perfect conclusion to Effy and Preston's story!

This the second to A Study of Drowning, and both of these are so unique and atmospheric - not a fast moving, exciting, fantasy, but a very sweet and magical one. They're also beautiful, if that helps!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC gifted in exchange for my honest review.

"It takes strength, to feel so much. To feel so deeply."

A Theory of Dreaming is the perfect sequel to A Study in Drowning. While the first book belonged to Effy’s struggles and dreams, this book shifts to Preston’s story of discovery and choice. As Effy fights for her place at the literature college, Preston is drawn into dreams that threaten to consume him. With war looming and their past refusing to stay buried, both must decide who they are beyond the stories they’ve told themselves.

Ava Reid’s prose is as lush and atmospheric as ever, tying up loose ends while introducing new favorites (Lotto!) and revisiting beloved characters (Rhia!). The novel beautifully explores the struggles that come after the "happily ever after," making every triumph feel all the more powerful.

A stunning, emotional conclusion to a dreamlike duology.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for this ARC.

A Theory of Dreaming was a beautifully eerie conclusion to Effy and Preston’s story, weaving academia, mythology, and quiet longing into a darkly immersive tale. The prose was lush and atmospheric, pulling me into a world where dreams blurred with reality and stories held dangerous power.
Effy’s struggle to define herself outside of myth was heartbreaking and real, while Preston’s descent into his own haunting visions kept me on edge. The tension—both romantic and existential—was exquisitely crafted, and though the pacing lagged in parts, the emotional payoff was well worth it.
A mesmerizing, thought-provoking end to a duology that lingers like a half-remembered dream.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Where book 1 brings a sense of gothic etherealness, A Theory of Dreaming brought true raw emotion. We see more of both of their struggles in real life as they get back to school. The grossly unethical school system working against Effy, the prejudices toward Preston and how they are dealing with those challenges are a BIG theme in the sequel. My heart hurt for especially for Effy though because girl can't catch a break.

Overall I found myself a little less invested in this one but still was able to enjoy myself.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins for the arc :)

Book Review: A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Ava Reid once again crafts a mesmerizing and atmospheric tale in A Theory of Dreaming, weaving together folklore, identity, and the blurred lines between dreams and reality. This novel is an enchanting, eerie exploration of storytelling, perception, and the subconscious.

✨ Tropes & Themes:
🌙 Dream vs. Reality
📖 Unreliable Narrator
🕰️ Lush, Gothic Atmosphere
🖋️ Folklore & Mythology
🔍 Secrets & Hidden Truths
💞 Slow-Burn Romance
👁️ Haunting Imagery
💀 Death & Rebirth
🏛️ Academic & Intellectual Exploration
✨ Feminist Undertones

A beautifully crafted, thought-provoking novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

A Theory of Dreaming reunites the reader with Effy and Preston as they rejoin their fellow classmates at literature college after their experiences at Hireath and publishing their controversial paper.

This novel digs into the darker aspects of Effy and Preston's psyche and is much more character-focused than A Study in Drowning. The story continues major plotlines such as Effy dealing with her trauma in both the classroom and in her relationships. A heavy focus of the novel is on Preston and his disconnection with reality as he navigates new enemies and being the only Argantian at the college. The motif of female literature/writing is still a dominant plot point, driving some of the decisions and feelings the characters face.

A Theory of Dreaming feels less like a sequel than I expected. Both novels could almost be stand-alones set in the same world. I enjoyed A Study in Drowning for its depth and richness in story-telling and magic, while A Theory of Dreaming made me understand and feel for the characters more. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends and followers!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# Pages: 416
Publication Date: 07.29.25

“Our belief in a world that is just and perfect gives us strength to survive in a world that is anything but.”

📚 Fantasy
📚 YA
📚 Dark Academia
📚 Reality VS. Dreams
📚 Mental Health Rep
📚 Rivals To Lovers
📚 Found Family
📚 Magic
📚 Gothic

"I am seized by such love, I vow that I must come to ruin now."

"What a ruthless privilege it is, he thought, to love."

**Return to the immersive, lush, and dreamlike world of the instantly bestselling dark academia fantasy A Study in Drowning as the aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final adventure and brings their haunting love story to its end in this stunning sequel and final book in the duology.**

A Study And Drowning by Ava Reid stepped right back into the dark magical world. A perfect continuation! This book focuses more on Preston and the events at the end of the first book. Which was completely needed and a great way of showing more depth to his character. Whilst, maintaining the dreamlike world that goes into even more detail. She continues with developing the characters and continuing the love for them. The author has a talent of creating a unique, dreamy, and yet realistic world that has heavier topics.

In this book our FMC, Effy, does struggle with some mental health struggles. So please be aware of this if certain mental health (self harm) topics do trigger you.

Overall, I enjoyed this read. Reid has such a poetic talent about her. I’m sad to see it come to an end. Quite the emotional and beautiful ending.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for this ARC.

I’m not sure if it’s because I forgot what happened in the first book, but I struggled to get into this book. I found that the alternate formats (newspaper clippings, letters, book excerpts, etc.) were distracting and took away from the story. The world building and lore behind this story was confusing to me, but I liked the romance between Effy and Preston. I also enjoyed the academia setting.

This was such a whimsical, cozy read and a thoroughly needed sequel! I really enjoyed the setting of the story and the furthering of Preston and Effy's relationship. It was just a beautiful, dark academia, and magical book and it was so fun to be back in this world!

TW: drug abuse, attempted suicide

This month I was fortunate to receive an arc of A Theory In Dreaming by Ava Reid, & am happy to share that it's my first 5⭐️ of 2025! This is the sequel to A Study In Drowning & picks up right where the first left off, with Preston & Effy handling the effects of their visit at Hiraeth. While Preston finds it harder to tone out the discrimination he faces as a Argantian, Effy discovers that her problems haven't gone away just because of her growth in the previous book.

This book is clearly meant to focus on Preston, but it's ultimately Effy's story that pushed it over the first one for me. I already loved Effy as a protagonist; I love that she's far from the "perfect victim" & really like how Reid writes her in a way that doesn't shy away from that while also being sympathetic. Effy is quick to emotion &, in this book, begins to convince herself that she's a burden to Preston. The way Effy degrades herself & makes light of her own struggles really struck a chord with me. When pain is internal, it's easy to convince yourself that it's your fault. The book talked a lot about the lies we tell ourselves, & how they prevent us from getting the help we need.

I do want to add that if you hate the miscommunication trope, this may not be for you. Effy & Preston don't act like a healthy couple for most of the book. I liked it regardless, but this did irritate me almost constantly. It's clear they love each other, & that drives the story, but it was frustrating how little they confided in each other about the things that mattered.

I know Reid can be a polarizing author, but you can't deny her prose is STUNNING & the themes here were such a good response to the first book. Trauma can change you forever, but so can the ways you choose to cope with it. This rounds out Preston & Effy's journey perfectly & I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review!

Beautiful, atmospheric, and jaw droppingly good. I absolutely adore Ava Reid and A Theory in Dreaming was just so exceptional. I’d read it again and again.

A theory of crying and emotional damage this book made me go through.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and here is my honest review.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️

What to expect:
🧜🏽‍♀️ family betrayal / SA / verbal abusive parent
🧜🏽‍♀️ medication abuse (IMO)


The way I’m so glad I gave this duology a chance and loved every minute of reading it. The story interprets (3rd person) following Preston and his journey of where the bells he keeps hearing are coming from. Meanwhile Effy is going through her own journey of a life without the haunting of the fairy king and being the first woman in the literature

Both characters are constantly being attacked once they come back to college after sharing their controversial thesis about Myrddin and his life work.

Effy is still reliant on her sleeping pills ever since the fairy king was vanquished. She’s becoming more zombie- like everyday not knowing what will come next and how she can’t live on like how she used to. Effy goes through a lot alone in her parts, it seems that she doesn’t want to put a burden on Preston.

Preston is also going through his own battles as he continues dreaming of bells and having to juggle between caring for Effy and being there for her, learning more of the palace beyond and keeping up with his scholarly duties. Preston does feel super bad for leaving Effy most times but he had his hands tied a lot of times with a certain professor.

Songs that reminded me of this book:
* As It Was - Harry styles
* Wake Me Up - Ed Sheeran
* Till Death - Japanese Breakfast
* Angel Baby - Troye Sivan

Thank you for taking the time to read my review!

SPOILERS TURN BACK NOW!


I’m so happy they can live their happily ever after together. I love Preston with my heart and I’m so happy they got married and the ring as a necklace :((

I was so excited for the sequel and while I think this was still good, it just didn't have the smoothness that A Study In Drowning did. I love Ava Reid so there is no such thing as bad writing when it comes to her and the continuation of the world she built was fun and sweeping but it just didn't quite hit the same mark.

Very well written, unique, complex, and interesting story. For me I found the pacing to be quite slow and at times a bit boring or dull. While the excerpts of literature and newspaper clippings were interesting, they didn’t always feel like they added to the story. The plot and goal were a bit loose and I found myself questioning the point. The last 25% really picked up and was interesting but a bit late in the story.