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A review by sleepyreaderthings
A Theory of Dreaming by Ava Reid
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A Theory of Dreaming had a lot going for it after the success of A Study in Drowning. However, I think that just because you can create a sequel doesn’t mean you always should in this case.
I found the plot to be lacking overall. This was a very character driven story, and it focused on both Effy and Preston, which was very different from the first book. I loved Preston’s povs, but I felt like his whole adventure into the realm of magic was lackluster and just patched together. The plot didn’t feel well thought out at all, almost like Reid was told to write a review and didn’t know where to go. A Study in Drowning had the magic, the mystery, the relationship, and the pacing that this one did not have.
I struggled with Effy in this one, as she felt somewhat annoying. I rolled my eyes a lot tbh. I understood her at various points and how she was clearly struggling. But the way it was executed? I found it insufferable 🙈
It wasn’t all bad, and I enjoyed touching on academia and the role women have played in it—women’s work being stolen from them by their husbands or fathers is something I will always love to read about. But again, those concepts felt like they were there just to have something to talk about. The entire plot line of Preston and the dream world? What was the point? I was given crumbs of something that I expected the story to be about. It was just a mid read tbh, and I feel deceived lol.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!
I found the plot to be lacking overall. This was a very character driven story, and it focused on both Effy and Preston, which was very different from the first book. I loved Preston’s povs, but I felt like his whole adventure into the realm of magic was lackluster and just patched together. The plot didn’t feel well thought out at all, almost like Reid was told to write a review and didn’t know where to go. A Study in Drowning had the magic, the mystery, the relationship, and the pacing that this one did not have.
I struggled with Effy in this one, as she felt somewhat annoying. I rolled my eyes a lot tbh. I understood her at various points and how she was clearly struggling. But the way it was executed? I found it insufferable 🙈
It wasn’t all bad, and I enjoyed touching on academia and the role women have played in it—women’s work being stolen from them by their husbands or fathers is something I will always love to read about. But again, those concepts felt like they were there just to have something to talk about. The entire plot line of Preston and the dream world? What was the point? I was given crumbs of something that I expected the story to be about. It was just a mid read tbh, and I feel deceived lol.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!