A review by awdrummer
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • 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

3.75

Ava Reid is clearly a talented writer, and her descriptions were delightful. The book within a book was swoon worthy, all of the excerpts from Angharad were incredibly well written. I honestly would like to read Angharad if given the chance (cough, cough Ava Reid please write it). The themes of gothic, dark academia, the misogynistic nature of academia, and discovering one’s own strength were very well written. 

I wanted this book to be so much more, but I just don’t think it lived up the hype. I found Preston to be boring and flat, and didn’t understand the attraction between Effy and Preston other than they were both outsiders. I predicted all of the twists and story lines early on, which I just found disappointing, but maybe that comes with reading too many fantasy books. 

Here’s my haiku: 

Gothic themes allure,
Predictable twists unveiled,
Reid’s craft still shines bright.
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