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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
A Study in Drowning straddles many genres - fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance - and came off quite well with it for around 70% of the novel.
This had a dark academia aesthetic, particularly with the two main characters being studious, willowy, beautiful. I enjoyed the character development with Preston and Effy and loved reading their interactions, so much so that I almost wanted to skim some of the paragraphs that became quite repetitive because their relationship became more interesting.
I loved the Welsh folklore threaded throughout the novel, until the last quarter of the book was wrapped up entirely too easily. I found I skimmed the last three chapters as the tension and mystery suddenly plummeted and it felt like I was left with not much plot.
Overall, this was beautiful lyrical prose and I enjoyed the read - I'm just a bit disappointed by the ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
A Study in Drowning straddles many genres - fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance - and came off quite well with it for around 70% of the novel.
This had a dark academia aesthetic, particularly with the two main characters being studious, willowy, beautiful. I enjoyed the character development with Preston and Effy and loved reading their interactions, so much so that I almost wanted to skim some of the paragraphs that became quite repetitive because their relationship became more interesting.
I loved the Welsh folklore threaded throughout the novel, until the last quarter of the book was wrapped up entirely too easily. I found I skimmed the last three chapters as the tension and mystery suddenly plummeted and it felt like I was left with not much plot.
Overall, this was beautiful lyrical prose and I enjoyed the read - I'm just a bit disappointed by the ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This had a dark academia aesthetic, particularly with the two main characters being studious, willowy, beautiful. I enjoyed the character development with Preston and Effy and loved reading their interactions, so much so that I almost wanted to skim some of the paragraphs that became quite repetitive because their relationship became more interesting.
I loved the Welsh folklore threaded throughout the novel, until the last quarter of the book was wrapped up entirely too easily. I found I skimmed the last three chapters as the tension and mystery suddenly plummeted and it felt like I was left with not much plot.
Overall, this was beautiful lyrical prose and I enjoyed the read - I'm just a bit disappointed by the ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
A Study in Drowning straddles many genres - fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance - and came off quite well with it for around 70% of the novel.
This had a dark academia aesthetic, particularly with the two main characters being studious, willowy, beautiful. I enjoyed the character development with Preston and Effy and loved reading their interactions, so much so that I almost wanted to skim some of the paragraphs that became quite repetitive because their relationship became more interesting.
I loved the Welsh folklore threaded throughout the novel, until the last quarter of the book was wrapped up entirely too easily. I found I skimmed the last three chapters as the tension and mystery suddenly plummeted and it felt like I was left with not much plot.
Overall, this was beautiful lyrical prose and I enjoyed the read - I'm just a bit disappointed by the ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
overall a good book but did not like the plot a lot, I feel like it could have got rid of the fantasy plot and just kept it a dark academia story. characters are amazing and I love their releationship
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I liked it but at the same time I didn't??
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘A Study in Drowning’ follows our main character Effy- an architecture student with a deep obsession with the famous author Emrys Myrddin. When the opportunity arises to help restore the author’s manor following his death, Effy jumps at the opportunity to learn more about the author and his popular work.
Effy is quite a complex character, as initially she comes across as a bit one dimensional, but subsequently we learn that she has experienced quite extensive trauma in many different ways. And honestly, Ava Reid does a brilliant job of exploring the impact that trauma and abuse have on a person's psyche.
While the premise of the story is quite intriguing, I struggled to gain emotional attachment to the characters and was not fully convinced on the storyline surrounding the villain- i almost feel that the story would have been more impactful without that ‘fantasy’ element to it.
Effy is quite a complex character, as initially she comes across as a bit one dimensional, but subsequently we learn that she has experienced quite extensive trauma in many different ways. And honestly, Ava Reid does a brilliant job of exploring the impact that trauma and abuse have on a person's psyche.
While the premise of the story is quite intriguing, I struggled to gain emotional attachment to the characters and was not fully convinced on the storyline surrounding the villain- i almost feel that the story would have been more impactful without that ‘fantasy’ element to it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“We must discuss, then, the relationship between women and water. When men fall into the sea, they drown. When women meet the water they transform. It becomes vital to ask: is this a metamorphosis, or a homecoming?”
Cursed and haunted manors, enchanting ancient texts, an evil fae king, the lure of the sea, and a secret. Part fairy tale and part feminist story; this book had it all. I especially enjoyed the beautiful quotes at the start of each chapter, and how they became important to the mystery of this story. I loved this academic fantasy.
Cursed and haunted manors, enchanting ancient texts, an evil fae king, the lure of the sea, and a secret. Part fairy tale and part feminist story; this book had it all. I especially enjoyed the beautiful quotes at the start of each chapter, and how they became important to the mystery of this story. I loved this academic fantasy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
It could have been better could have been worse. It took a long time to get into the story, lots of world building
Actually surprisingly enjoyable once I got into it more & I think I would have actually rated it a lot higher had I not read it as an audiobook during a sleepy time in my life lol.
Really enjoyed the setting & the dark academia vibes. I think the magic system was a little bit vague but again re: sleepy time in my life so maybe I didn’t pay attention enough.
Really enjoyed the setting & the dark academia vibes. I think the magic system was a little bit vague but again re: sleepy time in my life so maybe I didn’t pay attention enough.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
