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mkdila's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
From the start, I really enjoyed this book! I love the academic setting, the rivalry between our main characters that turns to yearning, and the rotting mysterious cliffside manor is a favorite trope of mine.
The men in this book are infuriating (except sweet Preston), and really paint a picture of the culture in Llyr and Argent. The political intrigue and religious beliefs in these cultures were also a very fun aspect of this story for me! The world building had high fantasy vibes for me, while not being truly high fantasy.
I do wish I could give it a higher rating, but it really let me down with the climax of the book. I am not normally someone who guesses twists/endings of books, but i saw this one coming a mile away, and the stakes seemed so high but we vanquished so easily that it didn't feel rewarding.
With all of that being said, despite my gripes with the ending of this book, I will still be looking forward to the sequel next year, and keeping it to read on a cozy day.
The men in this book are infuriating (except sweet Preston), and really paint a picture of the culture in Llyr and Argent. The political intrigue and religious beliefs in these cultures were also a very fun aspect of this story for me! The world building had high fantasy vibes for me, while not being truly high fantasy.
I do wish I could give it a higher rating, but it really let me down with the climax of the book. I am not normally someone who guesses twists/endings of books, but i saw this one coming a mile away, and the stakes seemed so high but we vanquished so easily that it didn't feel rewarding.
With all of that being said, despite my gripes with the ending of this book, I will still be looking forward to the sequel next year, and keeping it to read on a cozy day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid intertwines magic and folklore with a quest to discover the true identity of an author. This is a book with an interesting premise that tackles hard topics like sexual assault, misogyny, and the erasure of women, but suffers from awkward worldbuilding, a bit too much on-page sexual harrassment, and a lacklustre romance.
I've been avoiding reviews of this book and the little I haven't been able to avoid has been vehemently negative. I'm more on the ambivalent side. I think the book is doing some interesting things with its drowning motif and exploring mental health and the repression of women. It's depicting the casual sexual harrassment women are faced with that society expects them not to react to.
But. The literal only good male character is the main love interest. Who, while a fine character, seems to be the love interest only because he's the only person not sexually harrassing Effy and because this is a "romantasy" when it didn't need to be. The sexism is so pervasive that the triumphant ending seems a bit too good to be true.
My real gripe beyond the ever-present misogyny that made this hard to read is that the magic system and worldbuilding is all over the place. I had a hard time understanding what was accepted existing magic and what was just "local supersition", especially when the supersitions were maybe (?) having an effect on a literal real war. But also there was nothing about the book that felt like it was taking place in a country currently at war, even when the main setting was a university town on the border with the enemy country.
I think I've ended with a 2.5 stars mainly because it was fast-paced and interesting enough to keep me engaging and blasting through it, but the list of gripes is too long to warrant a 3.
I've been avoiding reviews of this book and the little I haven't been able to avoid has been vehemently negative. I'm more on the ambivalent side. I think the book is doing some interesting things with its drowning motif and exploring mental health and the repression of women. It's depicting the casual sexual harrassment women are faced with that society expects them not to react to.
But. The literal only good male character is the main love interest. Who, while a fine character, seems to be the love interest only because he's the only person not sexually harrassing Effy and because this is a "romantasy" when it didn't need to be. The sexism is so pervasive that the triumphant ending seems a bit too good to be true.
My real gripe beyond the ever-present misogyny that made this hard to read is that the magic system and worldbuilding is all over the place. I had a hard time understanding what was accepted existing magic and what was just "local supersition", especially when the supersitions were maybe (?) having an effect on a literal real war. But also there was nothing about the book that felt like it was taking place in a country currently at war, even when the main setting was a university town on the border with the enemy country.
I think I've ended with a 2.5 stars mainly because it was fast-paced and interesting enough to keep me engaging and blasting through it, but the list of gripes is too long to warrant a 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
fms2000's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
laurenleigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I tried listening to this audiobook months ago and very quickly realized I wasn’t in the mood. I’m so glad I waited for the right time, because I absolutely loved this on my second attempt! The gothic crumbling manor house vibes were so good, set up with a perfect dark academia plot. I don’t know if loved the romance build up (it was slow burn but maybe could have been even slower?), though I loved the couple in the end. It felt very similar to Divine Rivals, but with more spooky fantasy elements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
seasoledad's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book. The writing is so beautiful. The book has some creepy moments, which I am not used to reading, but I liked them. It was perfect for the Halloween season. I predicted from the start that Angharad is the real writer of the book but I still wanted to know the full story. There was still a bit of mystery that I wanted to find out.
This story not only focuses on the mystery of Emrys Myrddin but also on how Effy processes her trauma as an SA survivor. It was devasting to read how much she went through. She is surrounded by people who either do not believe her or put the blame on her. She finds herself encountering men who make her feel inferior. But I liked how she gradually processes her trauma and eventually feels empowered to stand up for herself. That was emotional to read.
I also enjoyed the romance between Effy and Preston. It wasn't the main focus of the book, which I liked. They're complete opposites, which causes them to clash a lot but they eventually set aside their prejudices and understand each other. They come to respect each other and from that respect comes love for each other. It was sweet. He is a gentleman to Effy, and he uses his privilege as a man to assist Effy in fighting against the patriarchal system in academia. Love that for them.
Overall, a good book to read if you want to get into gothic horror.
This story not only focuses on the mystery of Emrys Myrddin but also on how Effy processes her trauma as an SA survivor. It was devasting to read how much she went through. She is surrounded by people who either do not believe her or put the blame on her. She finds herself encountering men who make her feel inferior. But I liked how she gradually processes her trauma and eventually feels empowered to stand up for herself. That was emotional to read.
I also enjoyed the romance between Effy and Preston. It wasn't the main focus of the book, which I liked. They're complete opposites, which causes them to clash a lot but they eventually set aside their prejudices and understand each other. They come to respect each other and from that respect comes love for each other. It was sweet. He is a gentleman to Effy, and he uses his privilege as a man to assist Effy in fighting against the patriarchal system in academia. Love that for them.
Overall, a good book to read if you want to get into gothic horror.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
muchadoaboutliz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
elisha002's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Death
Minor: Classism
jessversteeg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“Haunting and tender” one author said of this book on the back jacket cover. I agree.
It’s a weird, gothic book that crosses over university life and fairy folklore (or is it folklore?). It could easily be made into a thriller movie released at Halloween. It’s creepy and tender, but also quite sad.
A huge theme in the book is both the treatment of women and the ways women are perceived. There are a few pretty awful quotes about how women are either seductresses or submissive, how they’re unable to produce any real intellectual work etc. It also becomes clear early on in the book that the main character was taken advantage of by her academic advisor, and she basically has severe anxiety/ptsd over it. Her anxiety about her life experiences makes her wonder if she’s crazy or not, many people tell her she’s crazy and making stuff up. The story juxtaposes folk monsters with real life sketchy men. It’s about fighting back against abusers.
I doubt I’ll read it again, but I’m sure I’ll think about it a lot in the future. I kinda think it should be high school required reading so teens can learn about power dynamics and consent, believing women, etc.
Here’s a quote from the end that gutted me:
“I know I beat him in the end, but for so many years all I could do was run and hide. I just sat there and let the water pour in around me. I didn’t know that I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
It’s a weird, gothic book that crosses over university life and fairy folklore (or is it folklore?). It could easily be made into a thriller movie released at Halloween. It’s creepy and tender, but also quite sad.
A huge theme in the book is both the treatment of women and the ways women are perceived. There are a few pretty awful quotes about how women are either seductresses or submissive, how they’re unable to produce any real intellectual work etc. It also becomes clear early on in the book that the main character was taken advantage of by her academic advisor, and she basically has severe anxiety/ptsd over it. Her anxiety about her life experiences makes her wonder if she’s crazy or not, many people tell her she’s crazy and making stuff up. The story juxtaposes folk monsters with real life sketchy men. It’s about fighting back against abusers.
I doubt I’ll read it again, but I’m sure I’ll think about it a lot in the future. I kinda think it should be high school required reading so teens can learn about power dynamics and consent, believing women, etc.
Here’s a quote from the end that gutted me:
“I know I beat him in the end, but for so many years all I could do was run and hide. I just sat there and let the water pour in around me. I didn’t know that I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, and War
anna_xiety's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I loved this book so much- I was hesitant to start it because I had high hopes for it, but it definitely lived up to them. I think the start was a little slow but the pacing builds up and I love how Reid handles the issues in the book. and how the characters stories connect with each other ( put as a spoiler just in case)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, and War
samtallroth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wonderful story and with a hopeful ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny