A review by nanananaelena
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • 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

 After a series of bad reads, I picked up this book knowing that I was likely going to love it. For anyone thinking about picking this up, I'd recommend you take a look at this Tiktoker's beautifully worded review of the book (no spoilers): https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT85f4JQt/. Now for my review below:

“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
sexual assault and misogyny
. The protagonist is for the soft, anxious, and deeply caring to a fault parts of us that still check under our beds at night for monsters. She spoke to my own fears and anxieties in a way that most books nowadays - with badass dragon-slaying, sword-wielding female protagonists - don't.

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. 
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