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:

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*“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.

I thought this was good. The pacing good be a bit better but all in all it was good. The characters were great and the story was great.

It pains me to say this, but as much as I adored A Study in Drowning, the sequel just didn’t live up to my expectations. Ava Reid’s amazing way of portraying this world is still unmatched, but the plot was nearly nonexistent, and I really struggled to get through it.

I adored A Theory of Dreaming and will, hands down, still recommend that book to anyone who will listen, but it should have been a standalone.

Thank you Netgalley, and HarperCollins for the eARC!

I loved this follow up to "A Study in Drowning". Ava Reid has such a unique style and I loved the dreamlike qualities of this book. I appreciated the continued exploration of Effy's mental health and intersection of real world issues and fantastical elements.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely breathtaking! Ava Reid has done it again! 😭 Not even going to lie, I screamed out of excitement when I got approved for this ARC because A Study in Drowning was one of my top favorite reads of all time (I own literally 4 different editions of this book! 🤣🤣).
A Theory of Dreaming plunges you right back into the immersive, lush, and dreamlike world you fell in love with. The aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final, heart-wrenching adventure, bringing their haunting love story to its stunning conclusion.
I was utterly captivated by Effy's navigation of her groundbreaking role as the first woman at literature college, a journey complicated by the loss of her familiar nightmares and the crushing weight of expectation. And Preston's internal struggle and those mysterious dreams of a palace under the sea? Absolutely gripping! The way Reid weaves the line between reality and fantasy, especially as the war between Llyr and Argant escalates, is masterful. You'll be questioning everything right alongside Effy and Preston.
This final book in the duology is a triumph. It's beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and delivers a powerful ending. If you loved A Study in Drowning, prepare to be utterly spellbound by A Theory of Dreaming. This is a must-read!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ava Reid, and Penguin Random House for early access to the ebook version in exchange for my honest review.

Similar to a Study in Drowning, the gothic atmosphere and vibes really do carry the story and, for the most part, kept me intrigued. There just isn’t a lot in the plot that commands your attention and drives the story forward. The characters - mainly Effy - did not really get my sympathy for their struggles with adapting to life back at university. It seemed like a bit of a stretch for how affected they were, so it was a bit of a miss for me emotionally. I still appreciated Preston’s foray with magic and thought the additional lore of the Sleepers was interesting. It was, again, very obvious where the plot was heading, and the ‘revelations’ for the characters were relatively bland. If anything, this sequel just solidified for me that I do have a lot of love for this genre, and will definitely continue to seek out more stories within the gothic/grim fantasy space.

Big thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Thank you so much Netgalley for an early copy of this. I love Ava and have loved all of her works that they have come out with. I was worried about the idea of a sequel. A Study In Drowning is one of my favorite books of her published works, but Ava never disappoints. The atmosphere of the world and the Having the novel surround Preston gave me what I was missing in ASID. Also having more background about The Sleepers and the larger conflict fleshed out the world that some argued was missing from ASID. The only critique I have there was a loss of Effy's agency through Preston's perspective. In ASID, I loved that she was a "soft" female protagonist that was able to save herself from the previous doomed narrative of Angharad. I felt that we lost some of her story to understand Preston. But overall, I really enjoyed Theory of Dreaming and I believe that if you enjoyed ASID you will enjoy it's

Ava Reid is an auto-buy author for me. I will devour everything she writes. A Theory of Dreaming was no exception. I had been anxiously awaiting the continuation of Effy and Preston's story. I loved the world, the struggles, and the social commentary. This was a win for me!

4.25 stars -- A Theory of Dreaming is the sequel to A Study In Drowning, one of my favorite reads of 2023. I was so looking forward to being immersed inside this world again. A Study in Drowning was mystical, folkloric, and eerie. A Theory of Dreaming is realistic, emotional, and raw. At first, I was unsure with where the story was headed, but in typical Ava Reid fashion, I shouldn't have worried. This sequel proved that once the fairytale is over and the monsters are vanquished, the fight isn't always over. But that fight is worth it.

"There are versions of the story where you save her."

This book is much more of an in-depth character study than a plot driven one. Effy and Preston grapple with the aftermath of the Fairy King and they both are struggling. Effy must navigate the sexism from being the first female admitted into the literature college, while Preston stumbles upon another world in his dreams that shows hidden meaning, if only he can parse out what. His POV was a really nice addition to this book and I loved how a lot of his yearning for Effy was intrinsically rooted inside his dream world. Preston's Argantian heritage takes center stage as Argantian and Llyrian tensions mount, which was quite a timely reminder considering our world today.

While this story is darker and less ethereal as the first, I think it was a great reminder for myself that not all stories are done even after the main conflict has concluded. This is quite true for real life outside of fictional tales, and I am constantly in awe of Ava Reid's writing. Their mastery of prose, flawed characters, and current sociopolitical issues are always placed with care and intention into their stories. I think this will be a book that resonates with many, even as it strikes a darker tone. This will be out on July 29, 2025!

Thank you to the publisher HarperCollins and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy. This did not affect my review in any way.