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nanananaelena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“I will love you to ruination,” the Fairy King said, brushing a strand of golden hair from my cheek. “Yours or mine?” I asked. The Fairy King did not answer.”
A Study in Drowning is a story that is grounded in dark fairytale, with an eerie and dreamlike atmosphere and beautiful prose. It is not a fairytale retelling, but instead acts as a story within a story and inspired by Welsh folklore.
I was a woman when it was convenient to blame me, and a girl when they wanted to use me.
This book deals in heavy themes of
Any for anyone who feels like they're that lone lighthouse shining a beacon into the horizon, wondering if there's anyone there to see, if there's anyone that will signal back: I am that ship in the horizon. I am signaling back. I see you. I understand you.
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
amberreadsgood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This had beautiful prose and lots of potential, but I think it tried to be too many things at the same time. Effy and Preston had little to no romantic tension, which made it difficult to buy the relationship as genuine, and that's without the weird fantasy racism Effy has towards Preston in the beginning. Her overcoming her misguided preconceptions seemed like a shallow way to develop her character, and personally if I were Preston, I would find it difficult to be attracted to someone who hurled racist remarks at me because they didn't agree with my academic views that I'm actively trying to prove as opposed to believing without merit.
The magic and fantasy elements were (in my opinion) so minimal that it felt like they should have just been cut to flesh out other parts of the story instead. I think it would have been more interesting to root the story a bit more in reality and lean into Effy's delusion/mental instability. For me, there just wasn't enough of the fantasy element going on to justify the presence of it at all.
I wish there had been more of a conclusion with her abusive mother and sexual abuser mentor. One felt too neatly tied up, the other not mentioned at all after the fact. It's another aspect that made me feel like too much was trying to happen here, and so it wasn't handled the best.
I still enjoyed this enough to finish it, and like I said, it had lovely writing from an aesthetic perspective, I just wish it had more substance for me to sink my teeth into. I'm aware it's a YA book, so maybe that's on me 🤷🏽♀️
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
fossilreads's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I think the quote really embodies the sadness and grief I experienced reading this 💔
I love Effy's growth during the book and just want her to have so much goodness in her future ♥️
My favorite part was probably Effy and Rhia's snarky conversations and the spider war 😂
The storm scenes were so well written and I could really see it playing out like a movie in my head! 🌧️
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual harassment
nyquilla's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment
mbzoller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Ava Reid is a true talent with prose. This beautiful, lavish tale of a girl claiming her future is suffused with damp, dark, chilling imagery and symbolism.
I loved the FMC and her arc to self assuredness but in contrast to the setting description, the characters lacked in texture.
I think I just found this wonderful book at the wrong time for it to truly resonate with me.
I will eat up ANYTHING Ava Reid publishes
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Racism and War
kfessy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Sexual content
booksalacarte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
readwithria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
While it’s technically a fantasy novel, I would categorize this as more literary in feel than a typical fantasy book. I think that it’s important to know that ahead of time, because my incorrect expectation definitely impacted my experience with the book.
Ava Reid’s writing is, as usual, so beautifully lyrical. There are so many quotes that I highlighted, and I can’t get enough of their dialogue. I think that given the themes of storytelling and truth in this book, that lyricism was very well used and a necessary element of the story.
The pacing was slow and deliberate, which is not what I usually like but it definitely was needed to build the level of tension that Reid achieved. If you like a fast paced book this is definitely not that, but for all the slow burn readers out there this will be right up your alley.
The characters in this were intriguing, and I’m sure that many people will absolutely love them, but it took me until about halfway through the book to fully feel connected to them. The first half of the book felt a bit… maybe disassociated is the right word? A little off, not quite 100% there. For reference, it took me a week to read the first 52% and a day to read the last 48%.
This book is beautiful, and there’s lots of things to love about it, but it wasn’t what I usually look for in a book that I love. I think that lots of people will really enjoy it though. Ava Reid’s YA debut will enthrall its ideal reader, I’m just not quite that person. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Alcohol