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A review by ayoitme
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
EVERYTHING AVA REID WRITES KILLS. She is an AMAZING author and I enjoy every single one of her stories, this one included.
I saw this marketed as YA, and I would not agree. It deals with a lot of trauma regarding SA.
Effie is a loveable narrator and I resonated and cared for her so much reading the book. You just want to step in an help her get away from some of these men. Even though the book starts with showing a lot of her weaknesses, she also shows her stubbornness and her commitment to what she views as important. The duality of the character is very much appreciated.
The fantasy that Ava Reid writes always comes off as so natural. Where some fantasy books need to explain very clearly the aspects of their worlds, she is able to naturally explain things as they become relevant that only add to the scenes, never taking away as a lore dump.
Her rivalry turned romance with Preston was so sweet and again, Ava Reid knows how to write a relationship. It was just the right amount of romantic development without being to much and taking away from the story to turn it into just a romance.
The mystery of the Fairy King had me second guessing constantly. Because of Effie's pills and "delusions", I couldn't tell if she was an unreliable narrator or if this was really happening, which I LOVED. Effie and Preston solving the mystery of Angharad had me on the edge of my seat, and the backstory being revealed. The parallels between Angharad and Effie's traumas brought everything full circle and being able to see them both move on from these traumas that kept them prisoners and break the cycle made my heart happy.
I saw this marketed as YA, and I would not agree. It deals with a lot of trauma regarding SA.
Effie is a loveable narrator and I resonated and cared for her so much reading the book. You just want to step in an help her get away from some of these men. Even though the book starts with showing a lot of her weaknesses, she also shows her stubbornness and her commitment to what she views as important. The duality of the character is very much appreciated.
The fantasy that Ava Reid writes always comes off as so natural. Where some fantasy books need to explain very clearly the aspects of their worlds, she is able to naturally explain things as they become relevant that only add to the scenes, never taking away as a lore dump.
Her rivalry turned romance with Preston was so sweet and again, Ava Reid knows how to write a relationship. It was just the right amount of romantic development without being to much and taking away from the story to turn it into just a romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault