A review by eliajor
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I was recommended this based on great reviews and now I'm making it everyone's problem with how bland it is. Even saltwater has more flavour and depth than the romance between Effy and Preston. I hated their relationship. While I sympathise with Effy's relationship with her mother and her struggles against misogyny in an academic setting, I do not like her. Nor Preston who apparently can make Effy forget her traumas by

sleeping with her wow who needs therapy

. The damp atmosphere of Hiraeth Manor was spooky and mysterious but the mystery was something I solidified within the first 1/4 of the book, making the ending a serious disappointment. There was alot of folklore that flew past my head and at some point I stopped caring about the Argant vs Llyr struggle. 
” You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery too ” And depression is just all in your head. Wow, look at that mental illnesses and trauma is cured just from surviving.