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cadimy's review
- 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: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Mental illness, Death, Car accident, Bullying, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Animal death, and Gaslighting
Minor: Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
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, Medical content, and Sexism
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
zimmerlemon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Very academia vibes, I enjoyed this! More magical realism than fantasy imo. Definitely a recurring SA & anxiety theme so be ready for that but it was handled well and is very real and fits with how everything unfolds. MCs are precious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Sexual assault, and Bullying
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
holasisoymaca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
"That was the truth at the very center of everything, the truth she had tried her whole life to evade: there were no fairies, no magic, and the world was just ordinary and cruel."
Dos facciones (norte y sur) separadas por la guerra, los prejuicios y las creencias: A Study in Drowning nos cuenta la historia de Effy, una estudiante universitaria de arquitectura proveniente del sur que sueña despierta con estudiar literatura en una Universidad que aún no admite mujeres en ciertas carreras.
Muy creyente de los mitos y las "supersticiones sureñas" es fanática de Angharad, un libro de fantasía épica escrito por Emrys Myrddin donde una chica mortal se enamora del Rey de las Hadas, se refugia en sus páginas para enfrentar una realidad bastante triste: la exclusión académica, los rumores sobre ella que recorren todo el campus, una madre ausente con consumo problemático de alcohol. Por eso, cuando la familia Myrddin anuncia un concurso para rediseñar la propiedad del autor recientemente fallecido, Effy no duda en presentarse.
Y la convocan junto a un chico que sacó los mismos libros de la biblioteca que ella. Se trata de Preston Héloury, un estudiante de literatura proveniente del norte que quiere exponer al autor de Angharad como un fraude. Si bien tienen objetivos radicalmente distintos, en la casa de Myrddin –una propiedad cayéndose a pedazos junto al mar– suceden cosas muy extrañas. Es así que unen fuerzas para descubrir quién era verdaderamente Emrys Myrddin y qué secretos oculta aquella casa.
Tengo muchos sentimientos encontrados con esta historia. Quiero empezar con todo eso que me gustó: la ambientación me pareció increíble y realmente se merece la categoría de "dark academia". La pluma de Ava me gustó mucho y logró mantenerme con el suspenso hasta el final. Creo que trató y profundizó muy bien las problemáticas de la misoginia y las relaciones de poder en el ámbito académico, y cómo todo esto afecta a las mujeres de esta historia. Si bien actualmente podemos ser aceptadas en cualquier carrera, la aprobación masculina en la academia es algo que lamentablemente perdura hasta nuestros días. Todavía parece ser que no tenemos buen criterio: ni para investigar, ni para escribir, ni para "elegir buenas lecturas" como leí hace unos días en cierta red social.
También me fascinó todo el mundo académico que creó: los pasajes, las investigaciones sobre Angharad, los enfoques y discusiones sobre su género. Son pequeñas cositas que, a mi gusto, sumaron un montón a la historia.
Sin embargo, si pongo las cosas en una balanza, las cosas que no me cerraron son más:
1) En primer lugar, Ava te introduce a la historia sin explicar demasiadas cosas. No profundiza sobre la guerra entre el norte y el sur, no profundiza en los prejuicios que se crean de uno y otro lado ni en la historia y creencias del sur. Creo que ahí había muchísimo potencial para explotar y enriquecer la historia pero la autora –lamentablemente– decidió no añadirlo.
2) El tiempo y el espacio son muy confusos. Acá tampoco hay profundización. Gracias a Dan (@booksbydann) entendí que la historia estaría situada en una especie de Inglaterra e Irlanda alternativas, durante 1950-1960. Esta información fue colocada por la autora en posteos, pero en el mismo libro no se encuentran. Ni siquiera en notas del autor o notas finales. La medición del tiempo aquí se basa en una catástrofe natural, "BD" (antes de la Inundación) y "AD" (después de la Inundación).
3) Como el tiempo y el espacio son confusos, hay ciertos elementos que tampoco podemos situar con claridad: el uso de los teléfonos, los autos, las bebidas, las fotografías. Esos son los que recuerdo, pero creo que si me pongo a buscarlos podría encontrar más.
4) La poca profundización de la figura de Emrys Myrddin. Puede parecer paradójico que la premisa central de la historia -descubrir quién era realmente este hombre- no haya terminado de cerrarse. No se explica demasiado qué es lo que lo hace importante en ese mundo ficticio de la literatura, qué lo marca como autor, qué lo distingue de los demás. Quizás forma parte del misticismo que rodea todos los debates literarios acerca de Angharad.
5) El romance me dejó una sensación extraña. No puedo decir que no me haya gustado, la construcción del vínculo entre ambos es lenta y la disfruté. Sin embargo, por momentos me pareció muy plano.
6) El personaje de Effy me parece un poco problemático, por algunas de sus decisiones y pensamientos. Tampoco puedo decir que no me haya gustado, pero esa tendencia a "dejarse ir" constantemente me molestaba.
Así y todo, disfruté muchísimo este libro. A pesar de todo lo que creo que hay que pulir, A Study in Drowning es una gran historia, se nota todo el esfuerzo de la autora en construir una premisa interesante con un mensaje claro y muy contundente. En pocos meses va a salir la traducción al español y en mi opinión vale muchísimo la pena darle una oportunidad.
Voy a volver a Ava, más temprano que tarde. Se ha ganado otra lectora.
"The danger was ancient as the world. But if fairies and monsters were real, so were the women who defeated them."
Dos facciones (norte y sur) separadas por la guerra, los prejuicios y las creencias: A Study in Drowning nos cuenta la historia de Effy, una estudiante universitaria de arquitectura proveniente del sur que sueña despierta con estudiar literatura en una Universidad que aún no admite mujeres en ciertas carreras.
Muy creyente de los mitos y las "supersticiones sureñas" es fanática de Angharad, un libro de fantasía épica escrito por Emrys Myrddin donde una chica mortal se enamora del Rey de las Hadas, se refugia en sus páginas para enfrentar una realidad bastante triste: la exclusión académica, los rumores sobre ella que recorren todo el campus, una madre ausente con consumo problemático de alcohol. Por eso, cuando la familia Myrddin anuncia un concurso para rediseñar la propiedad del autor recientemente fallecido, Effy no duda en presentarse.
Y la convocan junto a un chico que sacó los mismos libros de la biblioteca que ella. Se trata de Preston Héloury, un estudiante de literatura proveniente del norte que quiere exponer al autor de Angharad como un fraude. Si bien tienen objetivos radicalmente distintos, en la casa de Myrddin –una propiedad cayéndose a pedazos junto al mar– suceden cosas muy extrañas. Es así que unen fuerzas para descubrir quién era verdaderamente Emrys Myrddin y qué secretos oculta aquella casa.
Tengo muchos sentimientos encontrados con esta historia. Quiero empezar con todo eso que me gustó: la ambientación me pareció increíble y realmente se merece la categoría de "dark academia". La pluma de Ava me gustó mucho y logró mantenerme con el suspenso hasta el final. Creo que trató y profundizó muy bien las problemáticas de la misoginia y las relaciones de poder en el ámbito académico, y cómo todo esto afecta a las mujeres de esta historia. Si bien actualmente podemos ser aceptadas en cualquier carrera, la aprobación masculina en la academia es algo que lamentablemente perdura hasta nuestros días. Todavía parece ser que no tenemos buen criterio: ni para investigar, ni para escribir, ni para "elegir buenas lecturas" como leí hace unos días en cierta red social.
También me fascinó todo el mundo académico que creó: los pasajes, las investigaciones sobre Angharad, los enfoques y discusiones sobre su género. Son pequeñas cositas que, a mi gusto, sumaron un montón a la historia.
Sin embargo, si pongo las cosas en una balanza, las cosas que no me cerraron son más:
1) En primer lugar, Ava te introduce a la historia sin explicar demasiadas cosas. No profundiza sobre la guerra entre el norte y el sur, no profundiza en los prejuicios que se crean de uno y otro lado ni en la historia y creencias del sur. Creo que ahí había muchísimo potencial para explotar y enriquecer la historia pero la autora –lamentablemente– decidió no añadirlo.
2) El tiempo y el espacio son muy confusos. Acá tampoco hay profundización. Gracias a Dan (@booksbydann) entendí que la historia estaría situada en una especie de Inglaterra e Irlanda alternativas, durante 1950-1960. Esta información fue colocada por la autora en posteos, pero en el mismo libro no se encuentran. Ni siquiera en notas del autor o notas finales. La medición del tiempo aquí se basa en una catástrofe natural, "BD" (antes de la Inundación) y "AD" (después de la Inundación).
3) Como el tiempo y el espacio son confusos, hay ciertos elementos que tampoco podemos situar con claridad: el uso de los teléfonos, los autos, las bebidas, las fotografías. Esos son los que recuerdo, pero creo que si me pongo a buscarlos podría encontrar más.
4) La poca profundización de la figura de Emrys Myrddin. Puede parecer paradójico que la premisa central de la historia -descubrir quién era realmente este hombre- no haya terminado de cerrarse. No se explica demasiado qué es lo que lo hace importante en ese mundo ficticio de la literatura, qué lo marca como autor, qué lo distingue de los demás. Quizás forma parte del misticismo que rodea todos los debates literarios acerca de Angharad.
5) El romance me dejó una sensación extraña. No puedo decir que no me haya gustado, la construcción del vínculo entre ambos es lenta y la disfruté. Sin embargo, por momentos me pareció muy plano.
6) El personaje de Effy me parece un poco problemático, por algunas de sus decisiones y pensamientos. Tampoco puedo decir que no me haya gustado, pero esa tendencia a "dejarse ir" constantemente me molestaba.
Así y todo, disfruté muchísimo este libro. A pesar de todo lo que creo que hay que pulir, A Study in Drowning es una gran historia, se nota todo el esfuerzo de la autora en construir una premisa interesante con un mensaje claro y muy contundente. En pocos meses va a salir la traducción al español y en mi opinión vale muchísimo la pena darle una oportunidad.
Voy a volver a Ava, más temprano que tarde. Se ha ganado otra lectora.
"The danger was ancient as the world. But if fairies and monsters were real, so were the women who defeated them."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Violence and Alcoholism
120read's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
pinkhyxteria's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Xenophobia
reddeddy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Sexism, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual content, Body shaming, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Classism, Confinement, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, War, Animal death, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Blood, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Religious bigotry, Body horror, Bullying, Car accident, and Deportation
emmieanna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved the aesthetic of this book and I really felt as though I were in the world there with them. It is folklore fantasy crossed with light academia and the romance elements were really tasteful, complementing the style and tone of the book. I would love to explore this world further with any future spin-offs or novellas. I do feel as though the Fairy King could have featured more as an antagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault
bookish_slagathor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
Great book dealing with feminist themes, with a dash of romance on the side (I'll be honest, I could have done without it, but it was okay to have it included in the story). Be aware that the setting is heavily misogynistic, and the MC is dealing with severe anxiety/panic attacks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Misogyny, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood and War