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valpyre's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
in a weird way, this was like a head empty all vibes book for me? like the writing was good, and the plot was fleshed out enough that it didn't put me off and i was just along for the ride.
i suppose a lot of the style of the book is meant to reflect effy's state of mind, especially considering her recent trauma, which seems to have exacerbated all her childhood trauma. i think all the water related imagery and metaphors were a little overdone, but obviously fit the theme of the book so im not complaining too much.
i guess i wished that this book was more magical than it ended up being? like were effy's hallucinations just that, or something more? i feel like the whole unraveling of the mystery at the end was a bit blown over, but perhaps that was to put emphasis on the women of the story (honestly, at one point, i was confused as to whether a certain character was even real or not).
i was also intrigued by the war between fantasy france (??) and fantasy wales but it didnt play much into the plot at hand, plus i could've done without the xenophobia throughout. i felt like preston was way too forgiving about that, but i guess that's reality in a way too.
the romance was very sweet, and at the same time, it didn't pull me in or make me feel too much. it just felt like a given of the story, so i enjoyed the beats as they came.
overall, this was a fine read, but i don't think it's a story that will stick with me. i might check out the sequel when it comes out as the very ending of the book holds intrigue in that sense, so i'm a little curious.
i suppose a lot of the style of the book is meant to reflect effy's state of mind, especially considering her recent trauma, which seems to have exacerbated all her childhood trauma. i think all the water related imagery and metaphors were a little overdone, but obviously fit the theme of the book so im not complaining too much.
i guess i wished that this book was more magical than it ended up being? like were effy's hallucinations just that, or something more? i feel like the whole unraveling of the mystery at the end was a bit blown over, but perhaps that was to put emphasis on the women of the story (honestly, at one point, i was confused as to whether a certain character was even real or not).
i was also intrigued by the war between fantasy france (??) and fantasy wales but it didnt play much into the plot at hand, plus i could've done without the xenophobia throughout. i felt like preston was way too forgiving about that, but i guess that's reality in a way too.
the romance was very sweet, and at the same time, it didn't pull me in or make me feel too much. it just felt like a given of the story, so i enjoyed the beats as they came.
overall, this was a fine read, but i don't think it's a story that will stick with me. i might check out the sequel when it comes out as the very ending of the book holds intrigue in that sense, so i'm a little curious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
louhide's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
sophierosemaria's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Was this an easy book to read? No. Am I glad I read it? Extremely.
As a victim of SA it was powerful to read of how Effy experienced or rather how Ava penned it.
It’s rather a darker read than I expected when I saw it was YA but it’s an interesting take on fae meets modern world.
I do find certain parts of the story missing some detail, as if details were added and then not explained. But all in all I loved the book and would really recommend it.
As a victim of SA it was powerful to read of how Effy experienced or rather how Ava penned it.
It’s rather a darker read than I expected when I saw it was YA but it’s an interesting take on fae meets modern world.
I do find certain parts of the story missing some detail, as if details were added and then not explained. But all in all I loved the book and would really recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
drhoneybee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Blood, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
zoe_larrimer's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
This book is really stunning. It deals with the themes of trauma and sexual assault in a very realistic and empowering way. The fmc is someone I deeply rooted for
throughout the story and the mythology elements were such an interesting twist. I feel like the fairy king in the story is a unique portrayalof the potential for evil that hides itself within many people. I really love this book and would highly recommend it, it may be my very own Angharad.
throughout the story and the mythology elements were such an interesting twist. I feel like the fairy king in the story is a unique portrayal
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Death, Xenophobia, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Classism
givemehappyendings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
One of the most beautifully written books I have read this year. I devoured it, but also found myself not wanting the story to end.
For future readers, this book has a sequel coming out, A Theory in Dreaming, also a bonus chapter to look for! I can not wait to read from the MC’s POV
For future readers, this book has a sequel coming out, A Theory in Dreaming, also a bonus chapter to look for! I can not wait to read from the MC’s POV
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Abandonment
Minor: Violence
oceanbrain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Pádraig Ó Tuama writes, "I believe in being believed. The opposite of it is a horror." A Study in drowning showcases the horror. I appreciate that Ava Reid turns the romanticized trope of a fairy king on it's head to showcase the underbelly of misogynist people and structures while making room for friendship, hope, and healing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Violence
cadimy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
I get what the author was trying to do with the heavy misogyny and how it affects the MC deeply, so I did appreciate that at times. Unfortunately I had no connection to any of the characters- they fell so flat and there was no chemistry to be found.
Also, little to no backstory on the fairy king?? Why was he hanging around? He was apparently “stuck” on the estate because of the trees and berries everywhere but that doesn’t explain how he escaped to almost steal the MC? She said she saw him all of the time, but how? Not much story building, and the backstory of the north vs south seemed unnecessary other than to sprinkle in some racism for the characters.
I listened to the audiobook on a road trip, and the fact that I finished it gives it 2 stars, maybe 2.5. I was kind of hoping for a dark ending where her love interest was over taken by the fairy king.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
writingwithcaitlin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“You don’t have to take up a sword.
Survival is bravery, too.”
A Study in Drowning is a story that sets itself apart from other YA Fantasies for its gothic and suspenseful atmosphere as well as for its lyrical prose. This book was marketed as a rivals to lovers dark academia read. While there is romance, be warned that the romance is not the main premise if that is what you seek. However, there is so much more importance to the storyline that makes this book worth the read!
Effy is character that can be relatable to many for her love for stories and belief for fairytales. She really had no choice in whether or not to believe in these fairytale stories and magic given that she has haunted visions of the Fairy King. She finds her comfort in the book Angharad written by her favorite author- Emrys Myrddin. In being a student at the architecture college, she’s determined to prove those who often underestimated her ability wrong.
This story is about the reality of women’s voices being suppressed by men- specifically in the literature world when it relates to this book. The writing is persuasive in the idea that stories that we’ve grown up with and have given us comfort are often the ones that save us.
The romance in the story was pretty minor and I would have liked to see more of it. But I love the idea that Effy and Preston are not people that see eye to eye on things all the time. It makes their relationship more realistic given their unique circumstances and background.
The world building had a ton of potential but I think overall fell flat. The majority of the story took place at Myrddin’s house but the book starts with the mention of a war between the North and South and it’s not really mentioned again. It doesn’t really add anything of importance to the story so had that been taken out, I don’t feel like it would have changed the story. I could see where the tension is needed to add on to Effy and Preston’s history but to say that there’s a “war”- it just didn’t feel like anything was happening to consider it as such. Maybe this will be touched on more in the sequel. (Which I found out about after finishing the book and looking it up on Goodreads)
One of the main things that I found most intriguing was the idea of the Sleepers. So the Sleepers are essentially corpses of very important people in history that are preserved in the Sleeper’s museum and they have magic that is suppose to keep the north at bay but nothing really comes of this. Again, I wonder if this is something that will be prevalent in the sequel but I would have loved for the Sleepers to be incorporated more into this book and be continually built on in the sequel.
Throughout the entirety of my read through, I was going back and forth between a 3 or 4 star rating and I think the stories message along with the writing kept it closer to 4 stars.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read! I do see myself picking up the sequel and I’m interested to see where Reid takes Effy and Preston moving forward. I would also love to read her other works!
Survival is bravery, too.”
A Study in Drowning is a story that sets itself apart from other YA Fantasies for its gothic and suspenseful atmosphere as well as for its lyrical prose. This book was marketed as a rivals to lovers dark academia read. While there is romance, be warned that the romance is not the main premise if that is what you seek. However, there is so much more importance to the storyline that makes this book worth the read!
Effy is character that can be relatable to many for her love for stories and belief for fairytales. She really had no choice in whether or not to believe in these fairytale stories and magic given that she has haunted visions of the Fairy King. She finds her comfort in the book Angharad written by her favorite author- Emrys Myrddin. In being a student at the architecture college, she’s determined to prove those who often underestimated her ability wrong.
This story is about the reality of women’s voices being suppressed by men- specifically in the literature world when it relates to this book. The writing is persuasive in the idea that stories that we’ve grown up with and have given us comfort are often the ones that save us.
The romance in the story was pretty minor and I would have liked to see more of it. But I love the idea that Effy and Preston are not people that see eye to eye on things all the time. It makes their relationship more realistic given their unique circumstances and background.
The world building had a ton of potential but I think overall fell flat. The majority of the story took place at Myrddin’s house but the book starts with the mention of a war between the North and South and it’s not really mentioned again. It doesn’t really add anything of importance to the story so had that been taken out, I don’t feel like it would have changed the story. I could see where the tension is needed to add on to Effy and Preston’s history but to say that there’s a “war”- it just didn’t feel like anything was happening to consider it as such. Maybe this will be touched on more in the sequel. (Which I found out about after finishing the book and looking it up on Goodreads)
One of the main things that I found most intriguing was the idea of the Sleepers. So the Sleepers are essentially corpses of very important people in history that are preserved in the Sleeper’s museum and they have magic that is suppose to keep the north at bay but nothing really comes of this. Again, I wonder if this is something that will be prevalent in the sequel but I would have loved for the Sleepers to be incorporated more into this book and be continually built on in the sequel.
Throughout the entirety of my read through, I was going back and forth between a 3 or 4 star rating and I think the stories message along with the writing kept it closer to 4 stars.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read! I do see myself picking up the sequel and I’m interested to see where Reid takes Effy and Preston moving forward. I would also love to read her other works!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual assault and Violence
tori_borialis's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
The vibes are excellent. The plot is okay. The main characters kinda suck. There were a lot of interesting things going on in this book that I would have loved to focus on, rather than Effy’s flagrant xenophobia and prejudice. Also, do she and Preston have any actual reasons to like each other aside from a shared interest in literature and being stuck in a remote, crumbling estate together? I feel like we never learn anything about Preston at all, other than his hairless forearms and shiny status as not-an-asshole-to-women. Idk man, could have been great, I enjoyed the spookiness, but upon further inspection the meat of the story is threadbare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence