3.5/5. Overall, this book was pretty good. I liked how it answered some questions that remained unanswered at the end of the last book. I do feel that the plot was much less engaging than the last one. There wasn’t very much going on. It also concluded somewhat quickly and easily. All that being said, I was happy to get more of the main characters, as I like both of them.

4.75
This wasn't quite as good as ASID for me, but it was still sooo worth reading. I love Effy and Preston so much! And Ava Reid's writing is as beautiful as ever. I kept highlighting lines! Getting Preston POVs was great, although I wasn't the biggest fan of how this became his story more than hers. Effy's POVs got a bit redundant as she keeps struggling to come to terms with the defeat of the Fairy King. Preston on the other hand is exploring an underwater dream world, which is far more interesting. This has a more academic feel than ASID as it all takes place at the college and there is a lot of textual analysis. Reading snippets of the in-world poetry and mythos is fascinating. I do find that these books are confusing as to timeline, but they're not in our world so I guess that could account for some haziness. I'm sad that this is over but also happy with how the duology wrapped up!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review. I was so excited to read this book, after loving the first in the series. Unfortunately, I don’t think this sequel held quite the same charm for me. It was enjoyable to be back with these characters and back in this world. But, the tone of the book was definitely more political and while I certainly appreciate what the book was going for, I don’t think I was in a reading mood to jive with it. The characters were also spiraling into depression, deep life questions, and identity crises, which were valid but, just were a bit too melodramatic for me.

I do think fans of the series will enjoy this and I’m still interested in anything Ava Reid writes. This is a great mood read, with a gloomy, atmospheric setting that matches the tone of the book well. It’s got messaging that will strike a chord with many and a great ending to close the series. Ultimately, if you’re a fan of A Study In Drowning, I’d give this one a try, it just sadly wasn’t for me!

What a wonderful continuation of Effy and Preston’s story. The slower pace of A Theory of Dreaming made me feel fully immersed in the richly layered world Ava Reid has created. While I absolutely adored the first book in this series, I especially appreciated the chance to connect more deeply with Preston in this installment. His character felt more vulnerable and multidimensional, and I found myself understanding him in a new way.

This book is moody, atmospheric, and introspective perfect for a cozy fall or winter read. If you’re someone who enjoys emotionally driven stories with lyrical prose and complex characters, this sequel is sure to resonate.

I am so excited that the sequel to A Study in Drowning is out in the world today. I’m in love with the edges and hard case that makes this all the more special. Thrilled my preorder actually came on pub day!

I was a bit nervous to read A Theory of Dreaming because I loved ASID so much. I worried it would not measure up, but that was not the case. The story, though different, is a perfect companion that brings Effy and Preston into truer long lasting healing.

ATOD does foreground Preston’s POV. While Effy is very much present and we get both perspectives, Preston’s unresolved past and his desire to protect Effy is what drives much of the plot.

But that is not to say that Effy doesn’t still have her own story. Their return to school and her existence in an all male program comes with difficult costs to her mental wellbeing. Depictions of her depression and inward retreat hit hard. But rather than making her appear weaker, they highlight how trauma doesn’t get “fixed” by the ending of the previous book, it’s a cycle that sticks with us even when our situations change.

One of the most beautiful things about the book is we get to see them both open up to wider friendships as opposed to going it alone. Rhia, Massie and Lotto are 🤌🏻

There is also another author mystery to solve which is an aspect of the first book I so enjoyed. Lit students uncovering secrets from the past that change the widely believed narrative is totally my jam as an academic. It harkens back to A S Byatt’s novel Possession. When I saw Reid mention her influence in the acknowledgements I was ecstatic. Of course! How had I missed that connection before?

Put simply, If you enjoyed A Study in Drowning, I think you will love Theory in Dreaming. Give it some time, my skepticism didn’t fully come down until about the 50%, but after finishing, five stars are not enough.

Thanks to @harpervoyagerus for the ebook via NetGalley.

This book was beautiful, atmospheric, brooding, and heartfelt. I had all the emotions reading this book and I would recommend ava reid to anyone.

Could your deepest desires become your darkest nightmares? Can love save it all.? Ava Reid has this magical ability to write Gothic romances that bring you to a different world. No other book really makes me picture a book like hers. I really felt Effys and Prestons love in this book. I was glad we got more of Preston! I think it was a great follow up to the first book. Definitely unique. I enjoyed reading it!! Although I didnt feel as connected as I felt to the first book.

Love these characters! So thankful to the publisher and author for the ARC!
I had a hard time getting into this sequel.. I so wanted to love it because I loved the first one but I did struggle through it.

After a first book that delivered on atmosphere, an interesting FMC, and some gorgeous prose but didn’t quite stick the landing for me, I finally got around to reading its sequel, A Theory of Dreaming.

And while the prose and gloomy atmosphere I loved in A Study in Drowning are still present, this sequel brings more attention to what didn’t work for me in the first book. Because of that, I ended up enjoying it less than its predecessor.

Effy, having defeated the fairy king, is now back at university, finally in the Literature college she had always dreamed of. Going in, I thought this book would focus on her dealing with the aftermath of everything she went through and figuring out how to navigate her changed reality. However, instead of diving into that, Effy often felt sidelined, almost passive, while Preston seemed to take over as the de facto main character. This is a dual POV story, but it frequently felt more like Preston’s narrative precisely because he seemed to be the only active participant in the plot between the two of them.

This shift left Effy feeling like she regressed in this book, and not because I expected her to suddenly become strong, stable, or “healed.” That is absolutely not what I wanted from her arc. In fact, when the story explored her feelings of inadequacy, her fear of being a burden, and her anxiety about not fitting in, I found those moments to be really beautifully written. But outside of them, she had little to actually do to move the plot forward, which made her feel strangely passive overall.

Preston, on the other hand, becomes the clear focal point. We follow him through shifting political tides and his struggles with a power that grants him access to his own dream realm.

Unfortunately, I never found Preston all that compelling in the first book, and his romance with Effy was one of its weakest elements for me there. This sequel did not change my mind on that. Much of the plot revolves around his desire to protect Effy, which almost veers into dehumanizing territory — something that could have been fascinating. But because their overall dynamic still felt lukewarm and unconvincing to me, I stayed largely indifferent to their connection.

Even with the ending, which resolves the story well and ties a neat bow on it all, I did not feel like my opinion of Effy and Preston had changed. I closed the book thinking that they do not need romance right now. What they need is serious therapy, time apart, and maybe a reunion years down the line when they have both healed.


Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to like this more than I actually did. There were moments it was unlocking something, but it was more of a slog to get through than I'd expected.

This is a very good exploration of two people that live in their own minds so much. They love each other but that love needs to takes place out loud that neither of them are very good at doing that. Fear holds them back.

They keep so much from each other as to not be a burden, but is that not what connection is? Burdening someone else with your self because they’ll do the same to you. That it’s not actually a burden to hold someone else’s pain when you love them. I appreciated what it had to say about love because this is a dark story in so many ways and yet shows that love and hope can see you through the dark times. One triumph will not last forever, you'll continue to have hard days but we can do so much more in being honest with the ones we care about.

And yet for as much as I appreciated the message, the overall effect of the book was one of atmosphere and vibes. Although I am not sure what I was expecting considering that was also what the first one was like.

3.5

Effy & Preston are back! Ava Reid brings back the goth aura back in this book and picks up post A Study in Drowning. I appreciate that this book grows their relationship, and it's much more character forward than the first book. Preston really gets his time to shine, though I would've loved to see a little bit more of Effy. It definitely felt heavier than previous as there are some pretty big themes. It was more emotional and Effy was going through it but that exploration wasn't quite there. I wish there was just a little bit more. Their love story

Overall, for everyone who loved the first book, they will surely enjoy this one too. To be back in this world and get to see so much more of it was great. It did feel less gothic-y, but I didn't mind that. I think it's hard to consider this a strict sequel, rather more like a continuation of a universe. I like Ava Reid's writing style, and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more.

“There’s nothing wrong, especially . . . it’s just too much. It’s all too much.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ - this is a YA title but there is closed door scenes/discussion about sex

A Theory of Dreaming feels like, well, a fever dream. I want to go back and reread it now that I know how it ends so that I can pick up on more of the little details.

This was such a compelling look at the close line between reality and what is beyond - whether that be magic, parallel realms, or the world that exists within our dreams. Rather than the dark, spooky mansion, feeling from the first book, ATOD has more of the college campus setting as well as an ocean/museum vibe. You’ll get what that means once you read it.

Effy and Preston both go through some really challenging times and this book definitely continues to have a darker feeling to it. The whole story is very moving and I found it to be much more emotional than the first book for me.

I highly recommend this duology. The writing is beautiful and the story is engaging. It also manages to explore a lot of important topics.

Possible triggers below - I know some people view these as spoilers so you can decide if you would like to read this part or not.

*******************************************************

There are some heavy topics discussed and just like with the first book, I did not see a page with trigger warnings. If you do want content warnings, I will list them here. This is a YA book (I would say upper YA) so wow there are some darker topics. They are not discussed in great detail. (xenophobia, bullying, suicide attempt, sexual assault - off page)

A beautiful and lyrical sequel to A Study in Drowning, Ava Reid brings up back to the world of Preston and Effy as they navigate through their pain after discovering the mysteries around Emrys and Angharad Myrddin.

After hearing the bells and finding himself disconnecting with reality, Preston find himself in a palace under the sea with his father and sculptures of kings from Llyrian literature. Worlds blend as he struggles to separate this fantastical world with the dark winter days at the university, surrounded by students and teachers who hate him for his nationality.

Meanwhile, Effy faces her own challenges being the only woman in the literature department, with students believing she is a liar and sleeps with teachers to get her way. Her mental state suffers, drawing her deeper into the darkness of her subconscious and a diary written by a Sleeper's daughter.

Reid has created a dark world, expressing the fears and anxiety Effy and Preston face. Their struggles with fellow students, teachers, family, and political agendas are so harrowing I would find myself periodically tearing up from their pain.

ATOD breaks thought the fairytales and mystery in ASID to show how harsh the world is and the truths that will be present. Effy and Preston have to learn to face realities together, and I'm so happy we get to continue their journey.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Ava Reid for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adore this series and I think this book is my favorite of the two! They are slower paced but the story sweeps you along with gorgeous imagery and intriguing and magical mysteries. I loved how this story focused more on Preston and his journey to acceptance of the magic in their world! The depression storyline with Effy was very well handled and complimented the message in this story. I also loved the political themes in this book around how we treat immigrants, the role culture plays in education, and the continued silencing of women. And I loved that all of these themes were not subtle but also fit into the story seamlessly. I adore this series and it is a must read for anyone that enjoys a more academic style of fantasy!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

“You can’t live in dreams forever.”

A haunting and lyrical sequel to A Study in Drowning . Going into A Study in Drowning I knew that it was a standalone but a certain detail made me question it (ring any bells…?). But then I saw an announcement that a sequel was in the works and I got so excited!!! I am so glad we got another book even though it was not originally planned.

The story once again centers around Effy and Preston but leans heavily into Preston’s POV. I would also recommend not going into this book with the same expectations as the first, because the premise of the plot is a bit different. While the story does have both Preston and Effy analyze old historical literary works, it is not as heavily emphasized as solving the mystery of Myriddin’s work was in the first book. If you are looking for a dark academia mystery like the first book, you might not be finding exactly what you are looking for. A Study in Drowning is a strong standalone so you can stop there but I was intrigued to know more about Preston since we did not get too much of his POV in the first book.

Trigger warning for depression, anxiety, abuse of pills, attempt at self-unaliving, and sexual harassment. Effy does have a problem with abusing pills in the first book, but it does escalate in AToD so be warned.

A Theory of Dreaming explores the topics of anxiety and depression and really emphasizes how the characters struggle with the reality of the world and their daily lives and have to escape this reality in dreams. Ava Reid is able to paint a story of Preston’s mental struggles in such a poetic way. The story reads almost like a fairy tale but it is clear that there is more to Preston’s underwater world and that there are deeper meanings to everything that is physically happening on-page. Ava’s storytelling abilities are next-level!

“There is only so much any mind can endure before it must reject reality.”

All of this being said, given the dark topics covered in this book, keep in mind that this is categorized as a YA series. I would not necessarily recommend this for really young readers and would think this more appropriate for late high school ages and up.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Theory of Dreaming and am glad I got a little more closure with Preston and Effy’s story.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this book for review via NetGalley!

The second I knew there was a sequel to A Study in Drowning, I knew I had to read it! This is dark, political and magical, as expected. I love how this focuses on both Preston and Effy this time around. Ava Reid manages to write such immersive books that I simply get swept into. I adored both our main characters yet again and also am disappointed by the government once again, as the story goes. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to Arc read this.

Finally got to read A Study in Drowning and am so grateful for my gifted advanced copy of A Theory in Dreaming from @harpercollins via @netgalley.

4⭐️ A Theory in Dreaming
Free from the nightmares that haunted her of the fairy king, Effy has returned. This time we find a Effy as a student of literature, writing a thesis on her favorite novel, Angharad. She struggles, however. The life she once knew constantly making fairytales to cope is no more. Effy struggles to know who she is without them. Preston must try to bring her out of this void. A void of dreams.

If you enjoy dark, lyrical, fairy folklore; look no further. Ava Reid has a way of writing these subtle mysteries while making you think of the historical time. Plus, the fanciful elements with folklore are truly beautiful. Her focus on mental health in so many ways is so thought-provoking and a wonderful addition.

I have been so excited to pick this book up all year! But unfortunately I didn’t love it nearly as much as the first 😕

Ava Reid’s writing is still as beautiful and gothic as ever — one of the most consistent parts of the duology as a whole! It was so easy to place myself in this dreary academic setting and connect with every character, new and old.

However, A Theory of Dreaming didn’t have nearly as strong of a plot as A Study in Drowning. Reid set up two separate but connected mysteries that Effy and Preston followed independently, and I was excited to jump headfirst into both! But this book focused so much on what the characters were working through internally that the plot was completely pushed to the back burner. So when everything concluded, the ending felt was too easy with everything just ~magically~ working out.

Speaking of characters… I hated how disjointed our main characters were through 90% of this book. It was hard to watch them both suffer, then at the same time easily connect and understand why they were struggling.

What still confuses me though is the fact that Effy and Preston never once had a discussion about what either was going through in this whole sequel — yet still took a major step in their relationship by the end. I know they each had their respective trauma to sort through after the first book. But never getting closure in that aspect is crazy to me! I want them to be happy and healthy, or at least working towards that, and we only got the barest mention of it in the epilogue.

Will always recommend book one, but most likely as a standalone 🤷‍♀️

I’m so grateful for a chance to read the ARC of A Theory of Dreaming. Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins!

This one was hard to read, but parts of it were definitely stronger than my 3.25 rating suggests. That said, I can’t shake the feeling that there were so many missed opportunities, especially when it comes to ending up the duology. I love this world and its lore. It’s unique, moody, and dark, which is right up my alley.

We got more Effy and Preston, which I know will please a lot of readers. Their love is sweet, but they grated my gears a bit. At least 70% of their problems could have been avoided if they had just talked to each other about said problems.

I still enjoyed this, and I think readers who were hoping for more romance between Effy and Preston will be thrilled. I just personally wanted more war, more about the college, more about the Sleepers, more about the ability to enter dreams. Just more everything.

📖 Title: A Theory in Dreaming

✍🏾 Author: Ava Reid- I read A Study in Drowning gave it 4⭐

📅Publication date: 7-29-25 | Read 7-29-25

📃 Format: eBook 416 pgs.

Genre:
*YA
*Fantasy/Sci Fi

Tropes:
*college/dark academia
*war between Llyr and Argant
*magic, fairies, mermaids

👆🏾POV: 3rd person

⚠️TW: sexism-h, grief-H, death of a parent-H, abuse, suicide attempt

🌎 Setting: Cael-Isel, University of Llyr

Summary: Effy and Preston discovered Emrys Myrddin's fairytale Angharad was actually written by his wife based on a journal and letters found. As war is brewing between Llyr and Argant Preston faces more prejudice as an Argantian. He starts having dreams about an underwater kingdom just as Effy defeated the Fairy King in her dreams. Together they face their past while elevating their positions at the college of literature.


👩🏾 Heroine: Euphemia "Effy" Sayre- 1st woman attending the literature college

👨🏾 Hero: Preston Heloury- the student head of the literature college and Master Gosse's teaching assistant

🎭 Other Character

*Rhia-Effy's roommate
*Dean Quincy Fogg- university dean
*Master Gosse-Preston's adviser
*Emyrs Myrddin-author of Angharad, a beloved national fairy tale
*Angharad Myrddin-Emyrs's wife
*Lancelot "Lotto" Grey-heir to the earldom of Clare and Preston's roommate
*Domenic Southey II-a student of Master Gosse antagonizes Preston.

*7 Sleepers of Llyr
-Aneurin the Bard-wrote Neiriad
-Perceval ab-Owain
-Tristam Marlais
-Gelert Bedwyn-Lawes
-Robin Crother
-Laurence Ardor/Lord of Landevale-was blind, had a wife Claribel and daughter Antoinia. He wrote the famous poem "The Garden in Stone"
-Emrys Myrddin-wrote Angharad

🤔 My Thoughts: I enjoyed this emotional fantasy with a little romance. Preston and Effy got lost in their own worlds but were happy together. I liked the found family with Lotto, Rhia, and Maisie (Lancelot is MINE!). HEA ending and epilogue for this duology.

Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level 2/5 🌶️ off page, kissing

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins, and Ava Reid for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.