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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
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
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was a really interesting book. I enjoyed the gothic settings and also how magical realism is a big part of this work. I really enjoyed the two main characters and I loved seeing Effy really come into her own through this story. I also love how Preston is just such an adorable boy in this. I enjoyed the audio version with the narration, and I think listening contributed a lot to the dark, gothic settings being felt more.